Making of the SNX Hull

[Dalton]

How'd ya like the enkafusion over just spiral tube?

 

[SuperN8]

Awesome work!
Thanks for giving such great details and divulging your secrets about methods, layups, materials and steps!

 

[Nate_D]

It infuses faster than spiral, but not by all that much. It just creates a wider pathway for the resin. The actual rate the resin flowed though looked about the same. I put down a layer of peel ply inbetween the mesh and the enka. Hopefully it releases a little easier.


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[Nate_D]

Awesome work!
Thanks for giving such great details and divulging your secrets about methods, layups, materials and steps!

Thanks for the compliment! I don't consider any of this stuff secret. I've received help along the way from several people and companies, but most of this info is out there on the Internet already. Just have to spend a lot of time researching and learning. Even if I do end up making a small business out of this and producing a few parts on the side, there is no harm in divulging any of this. If someone wants to invest the hundreds upon hundreds of hours into making plugs and molds from basically scratch, and the thousands of dollars on consumables, more power to them. I love seeing new and cool stuff come out, and what would be better than to know something you wrote or advice and experience you shared helped to make it happen.


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[Dalton]

It infuses faster than spiral, but not by all that much. It just creates a wider pathway for the resin. The actual rate the resin flowed though looked about the same. I put down a layer of peel ply inbetween the mesh and the enka. Hopefully it releases a little easier.


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Yeah I think it might really shine when used with multiple resin inlets. It would seem the diameter and number of the inlets is the limiting factor with the enkafusion jacket.

 

[Mud-Nut]

Thanks for compliment! I don't consider any of this stuff secret. I've received help along the way from several people and companies, but most of this info is out there on the Internet already. Just have to spend a lot of time researching and learning. Even if I do end up making a small business out of this and producing a few parts on the side, there is no harm in divulging any of this. If someone wants to invest the hundreds upon hundreds of hours into making plugs and molds from basically scratch, and the thousands of dollars on consumables, more power to them. I love seeing new and cool stuff come out, and what would be better than to know something you wrote or advice and experience you shared helped to make it happen.

That's the kind of attitude that makes this sport awesome! I'm almost just as excited to build my ski this winter, as I was to ride this summer. Doubt I'll take it as far as you did, but this thread sure is motivating!

 

[Nate_D]

This release was far more difficult than the hood. I almost thought the frekote had failed me and it was stuck. It's not as clean as the hood, but still looks pretty good. I over sprayed the IMC so there are a couple of places where it's hazy. Weave isn't perfect, but it's good enough. Next time I'll lay up the visual in 4 pieces.

This is fresh out of the mold. I'm sure it will polish up a little shinier. Painting the IMC black where the fabric seams will be worked out nicely. There's a seam around the pump tunnel but it's not even noticeable unless you really look for it.


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[SuperN8]

Looks Awesome!!!

 

[MCrider]

Nothing against you, you seem to have your stuff on point but why can't other hull builders produce this kind of quality visual carbon? Obviously my opinion means squat because im not out there doing it but it seems like if you did this every day you could produce these kinds of results no problem! You did this in a shack you made with PVC Lol. Great job man.

 

[Nate_D]

Lol well thank you. I don't think my work is any better than most reputable builders out there. Then again I don't think I've ever seen a visual part right out of the mold in person. Just what you see after the paint/graphics/post finishing.

There's some weave defects and some hazy runs of IMC in two areas. I think it's good for an initial part and prototype hull, but I would never crate this up and ship it to a customer (if I had customers that is). If someone is dropping that kind of coin, it needs to be flawless. I definitely think I can nail the finish on the next part. The hardest part of visual carbon, in my opinion, is learning where the seams need to go, getting the pattern correct, and laying it up without defects. I'm learning something new with each part that can only by taught through experience with that specific mold and fabric.

I appreciate all of the kind words from you guys, very encouraging to say the least. Keeps me motivated on this seemingly endless project.


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[iangdesign]

I see a lot of builders going straight to carbon over fiberglass builds. Is the cost close from a builder's perspective or do you just want a light hull from the get go.

I have never dealt with either, so forgive me if the question seems dumb.

 

[Nate_D]

Carbon is about 5-10x the price per linear yard and is more difficult to handle than glass. Resin is the same, as well as all the consumables. Visual adds a lot of time and usually a cosmetic weave, though you can do visual with the regular 19.7oz stuff. The 4x4 twill I use for the visual layer runs $45 per yard, while my structural carbon is about $30 / yd.

All that being said, my reason was for aesthetics and learning. If I can build a visual carbon hull, I can build glass or regular carbon. Aiming for visual carbon forced me to have higher standards for plug and mold finish quality.


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[MCrider]

Tell ya what, I'll take this on off your hands because of the "flaws" lol

 

[Dalton]

Where does the pump shoe go?

 

[Nate_D]

It fits in the pump tunnel. The tunnel is just so wide that the standard indentions aren't present. If that makes sense.

The tunnel will need a little finishing work once the shoe is fitted to smooth the transition.


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[Dalton]

Oh ok. Is that a 144 or 155 shoe? If it's a 144 it looks like that tunnel would work pretty well with either pump.

 

[Nate_D]

thats a 155… This tunnel is huge. Might be too large. Won't know until I get it on the water.

I'm sure I could get a 144 shoe to fit, will just require some blending around the pump shoe.

 

[N3vrSat1sfied]

keep it coming!!! Looking amazing!

 

[jeastes1]

I did not read the whole thread, but holy S$$$! Did you have some one teach you the process of infusion? Either way it is sweet to see guys like you putting in this kind of work! My hat is off to you!

 

[Nate_D]

Thanks! You didn't miss much since your last post… Decided to go ahead and pull molds instead of building the old square, did a lot of bondo, sanding, and some more bondo, with some ball sweating 95+ degree weather, and changed the name of the thread. It's too much to read, just flip through the pictures, plenty of them to tell the story.

I didn't have anyone to teach me per se. Most of what I have learned has been trial and error, and research. Lots of reading composite books, articles, forums, and watching videos. I would estimate I have put in more hours sitting at work researching composites in the last 8 months than I have spent actually working… I also have had some pointers about fabrics and schedules from @Waternut , and advice on bagging materials from @hydrostyler who also introduced me to my favorite supplier - German Advanced Composites. @Dalton has been a great sounding board for ideas and provided invaluable advice from his experience building and infusing his hull. Also, sollercomposittes, US composites, and GAC have all been very helpful answering educated questions.