Some weeks back I did a blog on Wood/Epoxy v GRP it seems that subject has its attractions and to date some 185 have viewed the topic.
Find the topic here http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2013/02/woodepoxy-v-grp-laminate.html
I find that Dudleys book, Shaped by wind and wave compares steel with wood and grp, the differences are large, the weight penalty for steel is huge.
Words and pictuure are by Justin and taken from his SA Boats blog.
Try www.sayachts.blogspot.com there are some great South African boats to be found in that site.
Boats and boat-design have fascinated me for quite some time. There simply is no more interesting mix of art and science in existence. Nothing more likely to generate a good discussion about form and function, all mixed up with adventure, adrenalin, tradition and good living! I was therefore very happy to receive a copy of Dudley Dix's new book - in which he explains his personal perspectives on design priorities, and how they have been formed through his own experiences of living, sailing, and boat building in the "Cape of Good Hope", a.k.a. Cape of Storms!
Find the topic here http://ckdboats.blogspot.com/2013/02/woodepoxy-v-grp-laminate.html
Words and pictuure are by Justin and taken from his SA Boats blog.
Try www.sayachts.blogspot.com there are some great South African boats to be found in that site.
Boats and boat-design have fascinated me for quite some time. There simply is no more interesting mix of art and science in existence. Nothing more likely to generate a good discussion about form and function, all mixed up with adventure, adrenalin, tradition and good living! I was therefore very happy to receive a copy of Dudley Dix's new book - in which he explains his personal perspectives on design priorities, and how they have been formed through his own experiences of living, sailing, and boat building in the "Cape of Good Hope", a.k.a. Cape of Storms!
In my copy of the same book, its US$30 only by the way, find it at www.dixdesign.com you can buy your own copy on line, its worth the money!
Page 70/71 tells us that for equal weight, a steel hull skin must be about 20% of the thickness of that for a GRP hull and 7% for that of timber. So while the steel is strong the weight penalty can be very large.
Page 95 and section 12. Plywood as a Boat Construction Material.
Paragraph seven:
Steel has a density 5 x that of GRP and 13 x that of of good plywood, so a 4mm steel plate is equal to but weaker than 20mm of GRP and 52mm of plywood.
The fact that plywood/epoxy boats are strong, is quite clear!
Roy
