NorCal Kayak Anglers
Kayak Zone => Kayaks => Santa Cruz => Topic started by: Baitman on January 28, 2015, 07:57:29 AM
-
I finally started prepping the molds last week to make myself a super light weight fishing kayak. This is something I've thought about making for a few years now.
So far I've sanded at 400 grit, half way through the 600 grit... continuing till I've polished it with 2000 !
Sloooo going , and dayammmm my fingers are hurting... Anybody have free time on their hands , you're welcome to come over and help. There's beer in the fridge ! :smt044
Including the vacuum bagging, I'm figuring about $1,200 bucks in material to make this.
The only modifications from the roto molded version is eliminating the bait pump scupper at the cargo well.,, This should be interesting to see how it all effects the speed. Will post photo's as the work progresses.
-
That is AWESOME!!!!
wish I was closer, would love to help out.
Keep us posted!
Aloha,
Isao
-
That's super cool! You have got some mad skills.
-
Awesome, I look forward to the updates!
-
I work for food, not beer :smt003
-
I work for food, not beer :smt003
Peanuts ? :smt044
-
I'm free on weekdays after 5. Or this Saturday afternoon?
-
Would totally help with the work , I use to do a lot of cf fabricating and repair For race cars. Worked @ a few body shops too . Vacuum infusion sounds really fun.
-
Tempting
-
You going to incorporate Kevlar into it or run just carbon fiber? What resin are you planning on using? I've read that straight carbon fiber is the lightest, but it can be brittle. Regardless, I'm very interested in how it comes out. Cool project dude!
-
So, I've done very little molding of fiberglass/gel coat. Is the 2000 to aide in mold release & less post-production finishing of the kayak after you pull it?
-
Cool!
-
Anybody have free time on their hands , you're welcome to come over and help. There's beer in the fridge ! :smt044
I have to question that offer. :smt044
I cannot wait to check that bad boy out and see how light it will be.
Stellar work Jim....If I lived closer....and you had good beer....... :smt044
-
:smt044 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044 :smt044 Really?
-
So, I've done very little molding of fiberglass/gel coat. Is the 2000 to aide in mold release & less post-production finishing of the kayak after you pull it?
Yes, for both reasons. mostly for release !
Sanding is going faster than I thought. Finished the mold top half with 1200 grit late yesterday.
You going to incorporate Kevlar into it or run just carbon fiber? What resin are you planning on using? I've read that straight carbon fiber is the lightest, but it can be brittle. Regardless, I'm very interested in how it comes out. Cool project dude!
Scheduled the final layer to be Kevlar... Not sure what it will do with the weight,, but you're right, kevlar does add a lot of impact resistance for sure.
Would totally help with the work , I use to do a lot of cf fabricating and repair For race cars. Worked @ a few body shops too . Vacuum infusion sounds really fun.
Thanks ! Would love to have your help. :smt006
-
That is going to be one BAD ASS YAK!!! :smt003 Cant wait to see the final product!
-
Sweet! What's the estimated weight going to be?
-
Jim,
Dumb question, any chance of a production model in the future, or something in vacume thermo formed plastic to cut costs or???? BTW Beutiful boat my friend!
-
Can you make a clear one by chance? :smt003
-
Can you make a clear one by chance? :smt003
He made a clear already, it right next to the white one! :smt005
-
Can you make a clear one by chance? :smt003
What ? you wanna look at naked mermaids while you fish? :smt002 Don't we all ?
Jim,
Dumb question, any chance of a production model in the future, or something in vacume thermo formed plastic to cut costs or???? BTW Beutiful boat my friend!
Good questions, honestly,,, I can't answer the weight issue until I've made a few. I figure once I have the molds completed, shouldn't be hard to reproduce more. The first will be experimental, to figure where it may need extra reinforcement , etc. I plan on sandwiching micro lite fibers and a few wood stringers for added stiffness in the right spots. Also going to put in sacrificial wear strips at the keels and bow.
As to vacuum forming,, that's a whole other thing. Different mold, expensive themo-oven. Yeah, I've thought about it. A carbon or fiberglass is much easier to patch should it get damaged. There's trade-offs on everything of course. With CF you get Ultra light weight, stiffer hull, about 6" longer than the roto-molded model, it should certainly be faster. but at a higher cost... I'm guessing around $4K all said and done. Say it's 3k more than a plastic model. Throw your back out one time, then ask yourself " would I pay 3 thousand dollars to avoid back surgery ?"
Was going to just make a few... not planning a go into this as a long term kayak building. But you never know, it could be a busy season. I've already picked up a few requests from customers that own a Raptor already.
I can't hardly wait to put one in the water. Gonna B like Christmas,, just in time for the first Halibut to come in.
Photo shows the plastic keel guards
-
Can you make a clear one by chance? :smt003
What ? you wanna look at naked mermaids while you fish? :smt002 Don't we all ?
I think Al wants to see the Land Lord when it comes to collect rent :smt003
-
that there is purty!
-
4K not sure the minister of finances will approve that transaction. BTW I notivce the rudders ar enot longer availbe on the website for the rotomold, did you stop selling those? or?
-
The raptor is such an innovative design. Nice to see someone thinking outside the box! The composite will be a game changer but out of reach for most. With my injuries lighter is better but your plastic is lighter than most others already.
Can't wait to see the final product!
-
4K not sure the minister of finances will approve that transaction. BTW I notivce the rudders ar enot longer availbe on the website for the rotomold, did you stop selling those? or?
Rudders are available and can easily be added. It's just that it's not needed. I put one on a SOT once to use with a sail. Demo paddle one sometime and you'll see. I'll be leaving one at HMB this Sunday, it will be available for rent.
The raptor is such an innovative design. Nice to see someone thinking outside the box! The composite will be a game changer but out of reach for most. With my injuries lighter is better but your plastic is lighter than most others already.
Can't wait to see the final product!
Thanks ! Shooting for under 25 lbs
-
Here's the latest update on progress SEVEN Pounds of hull...
With a little help from my friends. :smt008 Wifey even pitched in to do the resin mixing .
Now for the top section.
-
SWEET! Can't wait to see it completed!
-
Looking good Jim! :smt007
-
When is the test date? I want to witness this first hand!!!
-
yeah looks great Jim! Let me know if I can help on the upper half.. you get a date for that yet?
-
Good looking boat! Glad Jeff came to help out, he is a good hand in projects. He was awesome helping out grinding all that elk and deer up this year. I am liking the kevlar for a duck boat! Paddle right into other guy's decoys with no ramification!
-
Jim,
That is gonna be one amazing kayak. Where do I sign up for prototype tester? Lol
-
Finally got time to work on the other half of this project... This part came out perfect in every way,, weighing in at a mere 12 lbs!
This sure is labor intensive...
-
When are you going to start the second half. I might help sand a little. :-) Great work Jim! 12lbs is amazing. I also can't wait to try it out. Maybe we can have that made in the Philippines and save on labor cost.
-
When are you going to start the second half. I might help sand a little. :-) Great work Jim! 12lbs is amazing. I also can't wait to try it out. Maybe we can have that made in the Philippines and save on labor cost.
Thanks,,, your a bit late Rey, Isandlikethat already helped lay up the first half. :smt044
Actually ,,, no sanding necessary, it's all about lay-up. Stop by and check out my new shop. 381 Pine St. Watsonville. Suite S
-
When can I test ride? :smt003
-
When can I test ride? :smt003
Soon Grasshopper... very soon. :smt002
-
12 pounds. You have got me excited. Hurry up before I go into total atrophy. :smt005
-
Isandlikethat........ :smt044 :smt044 :smt044
-
Coming along really nicely!!! When is the unveiling?!?!
-
wow. seems like the price is well worth it due to the process, just wondering about longevity. usually when carbon fiber fails it's pretty catastrophic, most of the time no warning. although since you're building it, fixing it shouldn't be too bad, as long as you're on land.
i ride mountain bikes a lot and the prices of carbon fiber bike frames are definitely expensive, almost close to that $3-4k mark. considering that some people upgrade carbon fiber frames every few years to pay a price up front like that for a new kayak that may last for a really long time doesn't seem like much $$$. plus it's made right down the street!!!! i teach at pv high and ride my bike down walker almost every morning. awesome work.
-
wow. seems like the price is well worth it due to the process, just wondering about longevity. usually when carbon fiber fails it's pretty catastrophic, most of the time no warning. although since you're building it, fixing it shouldn't be too bad, as long as you're on land.
i ride mountain bikes a lot and the prices of carbon fiber bike frames are definitely expensive, almost close to that $3-4k mark. considering that some people upgrade carbon fiber frames every few years to pay a price up front like that for a new kayak that may last for a really long time doesn't seem like much $$$. plus it's made right down the street!!!! i teach at pv high and ride my bike down walker almost every morning. awesome work.
I used to ride Walker daily too when I worked at West Marine corp. on my old Carbon Trek Y-Foil.
-
Carbon is light and really strong but just like carbon bikes one does not want to crash the frame or hull on rock so places to put in and take out would be more carefully selected. Other than that, lots of upside to a great project.
-
Did I read that right 12 pounds for the whole boat? or was that for the upper half?
-
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. :smt002
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" :smt005
-
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. :smt002
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" :smt005
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. :smt002
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" :smt005
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! :smt007
-
Awe inspiring!
40 pound diet!
-
wow--pretty darn cool
-
I'm tellin ya, that 'ol dog'll hunt!
-
I'm in love :smt007 :smt003
-
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"
-
Can I name it "Mine?" :smt044
-
I like the idea of sticking with birds of prey...so maybe something like The Osprey or the Peregrine (my favorite raptor).
(http://i.imgur.com/lLGXx.jpg)
-
I prefer 'The Puffin'
-
Velociraptor
-
The Osprey
I think pygmy already have the TM on that one, if'n one's thinking of a commercial name. I like dangalang's suggestion a lot.
-
Can I name it "Mine?" :smt044
:smt044 :smt044 :smt044 Good one Al ! :smt006
Peregrine... Light, Fast,,, Yeah Pat !!! Except it's still the same model kayak, just different material A Raptor CF.
When I said name it,,, I meant a boat name, like Sea Wizard, Anne Marie, "Phucepheyekno".
-
Can I name it "Mine?" :smt044
:smt044 :smt044 :smt044 Good one Al ! :smt006
Peregrine... Light, Fast,,, Yeah Pat !!! Except it's still the same model kayak, just different material A Raptor CF.
When I said name it,,, I meant a boat name, like Sea Wizard, Anne Marie, "Phucepheyekno".
"Don'tTellTheWifeHowMuchItReallyCost"
-
Name it after my favorite sci fi ship! Serenity!
-
.
-
I added some of that Keel Easy today, now she's ready to launch.
Went over the projected weight. As shown it's at 41 lbs. All that hardware adds up fast.
-
Sexy yak!
-
wow... its sooo shiny!!!
-
When can I test drive? :smt007 :smt003
-
That is one beautiful boat.
-
That looks pretty cool Jim!!!! :smt007
-
Very nice :smt006
-
Your a CF BADASS. Well done Jim.
-
Awesome boat Jim! :smt007 name it " KRAKENUTS " :smt003 :smt005 :smt044
-Kiel
-
Very nice! I've seen a post on Facebook where you were working on a pedal-style propulsion for a kayak if I'm not mistaken. Is that still in the works?
-
Awesome boat Jim! :smt007 name it " KRAKENUTS " :smt003 :smt005 :smt044
-Kiel