Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

64 lbs here w 5 mm ply, 6 oz glass both sides *LINK* *Pic*
By:Henk Aling
Date: 12/19/2004, 11:20 am
In Response To: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why? (Patrick, Kentucky)

I have a bit of the same problem, 64 lbs for a 17' S&G.
My first kayak, I love it, see the link.

Based on what others have said, here's my analysis:
First, if you say 1 gallon epoxy you probably mean the
epoxy without hardener, right ? So 1 gallon of epoxy
is really (1 gallon=3.8 liters, say it weighs the same
as water that's 3.8 kg, where 1 kg is 2.2 lbs, 2:1 epoxy
to hardener ratio): 1.5*3.8*2.2=12.54 lbs/gallon epoxy.

In my case I used 6 oz fiberglass on both sides (yes the
outside requires a lot more) and ended up using 2.5 gallon
so that's 31.35 lbs. Besides that I wanted to save African
Okoume trees by using 5 mm Home Depot 5 plywood which must
therefore account for 64-31.35=32.65 lbs. I also used an
extra UV epoxy layer on top of that but let's assume that's
included in thius rough estimate.

So if I would have used glass on 1 side or 4 oz glass I
could easily have saved 50% epoxy, if I would have used
4 mm plywood instead of 5 mm I would have ended up with:
32.65*.8 + 31.35*2/3 = 26.12 (ply) + 20.9 (epoxy) = 47.02
which is a standard weight for boats like this I believe.

I just wanted to make sure it's strong enough and believe
me, it is. I was using a cart for my SOT already so it's
not a big deal but the next time I'll be more careful.

Henk.

: Before I start picking my first kayak apart, let me say that I love it. I
: loved building it. I love paddling it. I loved getting pulled over while
: driving down the road when someone wanted a closer look. I love storing it
: on my living room wall (actually my wife's idea - I didn't object). And I
: can only speak endearingly, even when being critical. I'm sure you all
: know what I'm talking about. But my God, is she heavy! 74.5 lbs. CLC-16.

: Enter dilemma: I've got the hull of my wife's and a friend's boats (also
: CLC-16s why make one when you can do two?) stitched together and the
: fillets are in, but I don't want another barge if I can help it.

: I'm using 1/4 luan (sp?), which is a little heavier than 3mm Ok. Maybe a lot
: heavier. I don't know. I know I used a little too much epoxy on my first -
: as many probably do on their first kayak. I believe plans called for 1-1.5
: gallons, and I used 2 and some change. I remember not sanding as much as I
: probably should have before I glassed the hull, because... well... I
: wanted to paddle and not sand. I had a dookie-schmutz fill or two between
: the deck and hull, because my "hurry it up" didn't get the sheer
: clamps planed down all the way. But 74.5 lbs! (I wish more people around
: here built kayaks so I could see the smaller details of a careful build)

: Any advice on what to do/not do/do differently would be greatly appreciated.
: I can't imaging how it would feel to carry even a cumbersome 50 lb. boat
: on my shoulder (sniffle).

: Thanks.

: Patrick
: Kentucky, but Germany-bound!

Messages In This Thread

S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
Patrick, Kentucky -- 12/15/2004, 10:49 pm
64 lbs here w 5 mm ply, 6 oz glass both sides *LINK* *Pic*
Henk Aling -- 12/19/2004, 11:20 am
Re: 64 lbs here w 5 mm ply, 6 oz glass both sides
LeeG -- 12/19/2004, 12:12 pm
Re: Hurry now, pay later
pikabike -- 12/16/2004, 1:35 pm
So when you gonna build your next project, Pike?
Robert N Pruden -- 12/16/2004, 2:04 pm
Re: You are a bad influence
pikabike -- 12/16/2004, 3:19 pm
Speaking of WRC 2x4's...
Robert N Pruden -- 12/16/2004, 7:24 pm
Re: Speaking of WRC 2x4's...
Joe -- 12/17/2004, 1:21 am
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
CFronzek -- 12/16/2004, 12:23 pm
So THAAAAAT'S why it's called 6-oz glass
Robert N Pruden -- 12/16/2004, 2:01 pm
45-lbs tops for a 16'er
Robert N Pruden -- 12/16/2004, 10:13 am
Re: 45-lbs tops...Off Topic (slightly) for Robert
Gayle Rhodes -- 12/16/2004, 12:49 pm
Re: 45-lbs tops...Off Topic (slightly) for Robert
Robert N Pruden -- 12/16/2004, 1:59 pm
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
Joy -- 12/16/2004, 9:31 am
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
Mike Scarborough -- 12/16/2004, 9:13 am
over filleting,,,and excessive goop/glass
LeeG -- 12/16/2004, 10:12 am
Re: over filleting,,,and excessive goop/glass
JohnT -- 12/19/2004, 8:58 am
Re: over filleting,,,and excessive goop/glass
LeeG -- 12/19/2004, 11:17 am
Re: over filleting,,,and excessive goop/glass
JohnT -- 12/19/2004, 6:26 pm
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
LeeG -- 12/16/2004, 1:59 am
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
Randy Ricchi -- 12/16/2004, 8:30 am
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why?
Chris Ostlind -- 12/16/2004, 12:14 am
I think that was Chip, Chris, pas de moi
Robert N Pruden -- 12/16/2004, 10:15 am
Re: S&G: My kayak weighs a ton. Why? *Pic*
Lloyd E. Peterson -- 12/15/2004, 11:32 pm