: This has got to have been posted before, but a search did not show it. Is
: there any reason why using PVC plumbing tubing would be bad for a folding
: kayak(canoe)? Its not like I can attempt this any time soon, but making
: myself a folding canoe does sound fun, but I just realized today just how
: expensive aluminum tubing is. If PVC could be used instead, it would be
: much cheaper. I was thinking of 1 inch for gunwalls and keel and 3/4 for
: three stringer per side. With heat or boiling water, it can be molded so
: it seems to have possibility. Definately not the strongest, but for
: recreational use it would be cheaper than aluminum.
: Any ideas?
: Scott
Hi Scott
I built a couple of skin on frames for the kids using electrical PVC conduit. They were about 11 ft and had wooden keel and gunwalds but only needed two frames either side of the cockpit. I epoxyed dowel into the ends of the tubes to seal and cut a bevel on this to attach to stern and bow. I figured they would be abused and that wood could break. I fixed the tubes to the frames with a piece of copper sheet to hold them in place
Niven