another re-enforceing thread

[michael950]

I would say its 60/40 for grinding ribs. Most of the aggresive surf riders grind the ribs, probably because its easier. Do yourself a favor and grind.

http://www.jrmagoos.com/forsale.html

Paul used the Carbon/Kevlar mix for reinforcement.

 

[teton]

i didnt grind the ribs on mine, i used carbon twill though, which really conforms well , but the stuff is real thin so i did about 5 layers which would be expensive if you didnt have the stuff laying around like i did, ive been pounding on the sides ever since trying to do barrel rolls....no damage yet

 

[Matt_E]

Sell some carbon and buy X cases. :biggthumpup:

 

[retroicon]

If you don't want to grind off the "ribs", you could create a "foam sandwich"
that covers up to the level of the ribs. Use like marine grade polyurethane
5 or 8 lb. foam..blue stuff..comes in sheets.Cut it in pieces to fill in between the ribs,then Epoxy them in. Use a good bonding filler like (cab-o-sil) to mix with the Epoxy and stick them into place. (use epoxy cause the bottom is SMC, "sheet molded compound" and polyester resin doesn't stick as well).
After that cures block sand it "level" with the ribs....
That foam sands real easy with 36 grit..Fill the excess voids/holes with another
mixture of Epoxy and microballoons. That stuff sands easier too.
Ok.. now lay down your reinforcement layers to pretty things up.....Carbon is stiffest, Kevlar is lighest, Glass is cheapest. Almost anything is good.
Sometimes think "aircraft" when working on these "boats"....

A wall with sheet rock is structurally stronger with one layer on each side vs. two sheets on the same side...But don't let it get wet!

Have you actually done this? The "Foam Sandwich"

 

[txsuperjetfreak96]

yeah i was thinking bout going with blowsions carbon figer reinforcement kit, i do plan on putting in factory b pipe.

 

[Patrick Star]

Has anyone used Kevlar for re-enforcing? I'm going to do this one day and was thinking kevlar... Maybe the 5oz 60x36 sheet of the stuff, it's only 25 bucks from uscompostes. I'm in a moral delima about grinding the ribs too, I have heard comments in the past about extra matting making the hull heavy or something.

EDIT: I just saw the hybrid fabrics on UScomposites, sounds promising, any experiance with these new cloths?

 

[smoofers]

Grind the damn ribs......

Your reinforcing job will be WAY easier, and you won't lose any strength.