Carbon Fiber Raptor

That is going to be one BAD ASS YAK!!!    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?   

Can you make a clear one by chance? 

He made a clear already, it right next to the white one!

Can you make a clear one by chance? 

     What ? you wanna look at naked mermaids  while you fish?      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? 

     What ? you wanna look at naked mermaids  while you fish?      Don't we all ?

I think Al wants to see the Land Lord when it comes to collect rent 

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.       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!

When is the test date?  I want to witness this first hand!!!