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Re: Skin-on-Frame: forget about bulkheads
By:Paul G. Jacobson
Date: 5/17/2009, 10:58 pm
In Response To: Skin-on-Frame: Bulkheads or sea sock (Darren)

Darren, forget about installing bulkheads in a s-o-f kayak.

Yes, it can be done. If you are challenged by solving technical problems, you might find the process to be an enjoyable way to spend many evenings. It could become a hobby in itself.

But if you want to go paddling, spend a few hours making floatbags, get out of the shop, and get on the water.

Here is why I object to bulkheads sealed watertight to the skins of s-o-f boats:

Skin-covered boats are eventually goinng to be reskinned. Even Kleppers, which have a skin that could last half a century, need a new skin at some time. (And they'll be happy to sell you a new skin for a 50-year-old frame!) Most of the skin materials we use will last 3 to 20 years. Any bulkheads you put in on this skin will need to be duplicated on the next skins. Anything you glue to a rib or frame will have to be removed.

Float bags are safer. If you have bulkheads and get a leak in a 'sealed' area, the water stays away from you, but you can't easily bail it out, either.
To drain the water from that sealed area you'll need a hatch.

If there is a lot of water involved, you'll have some additional problems beaching the boat. The frames aren't designed to haul water,and the skin makes a poor bucket.

You could have numerous holes in a kayak skin, and stay afloat with float bags. They can serve as gear bags.

In a 'worst case' with a long rip through both the kayak skin and float bag, you can pull out the deflated floatbag, mend it with duct tape, inflate and reinstall it, and paddle home.

Home-made floatbags are inexpensive. Make a few extras and you can carry a spare.

I think you have more options with floatbags than with bulkheads.

PGJ

Messages In This Thread

Skin-on-Frame: Bulkheads or sea sock
Darren -- 5/10/2009, 12:21 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: forget about bulkheads
Paul G. Jacobson -- 5/17/2009, 10:58 pm
Re: Skin-on-Frame: forget about bulkheads
Darren -- 5/19/2009, 12:45 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Bulkheads or sea sock *LINK*
Brian Scaborough -- 5/15/2009, 10:46 am
Re: Skin-on-Frame: Bulkheads or sea sock *LINK*
Dave Gentry -- 5/10/2009, 5:21 pm