Jack:

Am curious about the materials and methods you mention - what's "pre-preg carbon" and why the autoclave? Is this a thermoplastic-type vinyl impregnated carbon layup, or something else?

Looking forward to the painted boat pics!

Thanks,

Rick

: Thought I would give everyone an update on my boat building apprenticeship. I
: posted a couple of weeks ago pictures of a mold that I was building out of
: carbon fiber. Well it has been an exciting time this week as we worked
: long hours to finish two Olympic racing kayaks for the world championships
: next week. . (BTW Everyone needs to root for Nathan Baggaley of Australia.
: He is one of the top 5 flatwater kayak sprinters in the world and will be
: racing our new boat. If he wins it means more orders before the Olympic
: games. )

: Below is the first boat out of the molds after bonding the hull and shell. It
: currently weighs 9.4lbs!! I expect it to weigh well under 19lbs fully
: outfitted with a seat, coming, foot boards and rudder. It will have to be
: weighted to reach the minimum weight allowed by ICF rules which I believe
: is 26lbs.

: It took 3 of us a very full day to hand lay up the deck and hull with pre
: preg carbon, vacuum bag it and bake it in the autoclave. The second boat
: was a little faster as we got more proficient at laying up some of the
: tricky spots.

: I will post a few more pictures after it comes out of the paint booth this
: weekend.

: Regards,

: Jack