Carbon Fiber Raptor

I would assume the upper half.  12# for the whole thing would be DAMN lite considering the shape/features of the hull design.

Awesome work Jim!!!   

That will be awesome, the glide on carbon and weight saving will be huge! Amazing work Jim!

         11.5 lbs was the actual weight of the top half.    I figure once the two are mated,, hatches, foot-braces etc added, it will be just under 30 lbs.      Still that's nearly 40 lbs shaved off the poly version!
   Started shaping the scuppers yesterday...  also fitting in a bulkhead  in order to create a floatation chamber, in the event of .....  a shark tooth penetrating the hull. 

  This will be interesting to see how the light weight effects the speed.  Plus without the shrinkage factor of plastic, this one will be 6" longer.   

     Kayaks don't have the stress blows a mountain bike takes...    Depending on how they're layed up it can take a substantial landing on a rock without  penetrating the hull.   Carbon is easy to patch,, much like patching any fiberglass boat.    Most every beach I land/ launch at is sand .  If it's rocky I'll just get out early and drag it over the rocks.   
   "Keel Easy" strips should take away the worry about scratches.    Wouldn't ya know,,,  I stopped by Head Waters shop on Monday to pick up some of those.... " Closed Mondays"

 

         11.5 lbs was the actual weight of the top half.    I figure once the two are mated,, hatches, foot-braces etc added, it will be just under 30 lbs.      Still that's nearly 40 lbs shaved off the poly version!
   Started shaping the scuppers yesterday...  also fitting in a bulkhead  in order to create a floatation chamber, in the event of .....  a shark tooth penetrating the hull. 

  This will be interesting to see how the light weight effects the speed.  Plus without the shrinkage factor of plastic, this one will be 6" longer.   

     Kayaks don't have the stress blows a mountain bike takes...    Depending on how they're layed up it can take a substantial landing on a rock without  penetrating the hull.   Carbon is easy to patch,, much like patching any fiberglass boat.    Most every beach I land/ launch at is sand .  If it's rocky I'll just get out early and drag it over the rocks.   
   "Keel Easy" strips should take away the worry about scratches.    Wouldn't ya know,,,  I stopped by Head Waters shop on Monday to pick up some of those.... " Closed Mondays"

 

I've seen reps use a hammer on composite kayaks to show strength. I would not try that on my carbon bike.

         11.5 lbs was the actual weight of the top half.    I figure once the two are mated,, hatches, foot-braces etc added, it will be just under 30 lbs.      Still that's nearly 40 lbs shaved off the poly version!
   Started shaping the scuppers yesterday...  also fitting in a bulkhead  in order to create a floatation chamber, in the event of .....  a shark tooth penetrating the hull. 

  This will be interesting to see how the light weight effects the speed.  Plus without the shrinkage factor of plastic, this one will be 6" longer.   

     Kayaks don't have the stress blows a mountain bike takes...    Depending on how they're layed up it can take a substantial landing on a rock without  penetrating the hull.   Carbon is easy to patch,, much like patching any fiberglass boat.    Most every beach I land/ launch at is sand .  If it's rocky I'll just get out early and drag it over the rocks.   
   "Keel Easy" strips should take away the worry about scratches.    Wouldn't ya know,,,  I stopped by Head Waters shop on Monday to pick up some of those.... " Closed Mondays"

 

I've seen reps use a hammer on composite kayaks to show strength. I would not try that on my carbon bike.

Jim says .... bring you're own hammer!

Inserts  all positioned, Scuppers,   added water tight  bulk-head...   mating flange, then bonded the two halves together yesterday.

   Getting closer...  ! 

That's a beauty Jim! 

Awe inspiring!

40 pound diet!

wow--pretty darn cool

I'm tellin ya, that 'ol dog'll hunt!

I'm in love 

Haha! I was there a couple days ago and picked up that kayak. No sense weighing it. It was so light. I think the cheapest smallest 6' kid kayak I've lifted is heavier than this new Raptor II (Did you even named you new kayak yet?).

              With the increased dimensions, and 40 lbs lighter.  That should put the weight capacity at 400 lbs!
 
Inserts bonded in at all the necessary areas.   Seat mount is ready.   Still have to make the hatches, then just need the final coat of paint.   
       After all these hours / days  / weeks / months even... the first one is mine !       

         Now,,, what to name it ?   

"The Cabron"