Question about using kevlar for top deck reenforcement

[Fella1340]

Hello all, I am in the process of planning a boat build for this winter. I am planning on using carbon fiber to strengthen the hull, it needs it so I will be using two layers of 5 oz cloth on the hull. I was going to use this on the top deck as well.. until I heard about radio interference and not being able to use a GPS inside the hull. I am now to thinking of doing the entire top deck and hatch in Kevlar. I know the Kevlar is tough and impact resistant but is it enough on its own to make the top deck (most important) and hatch strong enough. I am hoping to be able to use GPS in the hull as well. Its a 50" fountain mono, while it looks great and its finished very well for a cheap boat I would hardly trust the current layup in it to a brushed motor let alone a powerfully brushless setup. Any other products out there?
I would really appreciate your input as I am not sure where to go with this. Thanks,Jefff

[rickwess]

Take a look at S glass. It's 30 to 40% stronger and 16 to 20% stiffer than E glass.

I found this while doing some research last week:

BEST------------------------------------------------------------> WORST

DENSITY:......................Kevlar..........Graphite.... ......S glass..........E glass

STIFFNESS:..................Graphite........Kevlar.......... ...S glass..........E glass

TOUGHNESS:.................Kevlar...........S glass............E glass.........Graphite

IMPACT RESISTANCE:.....Kevlar...........S glass............E glass.........Graphite

COST:.........................E glass..........S glass............Kevlar...........Graphite


I'll probably be using S glass all round on my new build.

[Fella1340]

Thanks, I will look into it. I already have the carbon for the hull, I will be putting
A lot of.effort into the build and love to look and strength of the carbon. At $39 for a 50"x36"
Piece from acpcomposite you can't go wrong and its high quality stuff. I had ordered some off of eBay
for a previous build and it wasn't the best that for.sure! Perhaps the sglass and Kevlar would be a combination for the top deck and hatch. I am also wondering if anyone is using type of
sandwich type of materials etc. Any alternative materials to wood and carbon for bulkheads etc?
Thanks

[Rocstar]

Kevlar works very well, tough to cut though.

[kfxguy]

Thanks, I will look into it. I already have the carbon for the hull, I will be putting
A lot of.effort into the build and love to look and strength of the carbon. At $39 for a 50"x36"
Piece from acpcomposite you can't go wrong and its high quality stuff. I had ordered some off of eBay
for a previous build and it wasn't the best that for.sure! Perhaps the sglass and Kevlar would be a combination for the top deck and hatch. I am also wondering if anyone is using type of
sandwich type of materials etc. Any alternative materials to wood and carbon for bulkheads etc?
Thanks

I just made some battery trays that were sandwiched. Bass wood in the middle.

20131029_221530.jpg

[ray schrauwen]

Looks good, nice idea!

[kfxguy]

They are way stiffer than the stock trays and lighter Too.

[Fella1340]

I really like your battery trays, actually I asked about them in your post. Nice work.
Rockstar, I really like the toughness of Kevlar. It will take one heck of a blow but I question
Its rigidness. If the boat already had a heavier layup I would likely just use the Kevlar
And be done with it. I have seen some boats with a sanswhiched material under the top deck
to beef it up. I am open to all options at this point. Thanks for your help!

[Rocstar]

I think what you saw was Coremat. Here is a 56'' hull that I reinforced the seams, deck, and transom with Coremat and carbon fiber. It works well but uses a lot of resin, which adds weight. But if done correctly it's very strong. I also layered Kevlar on the hatch so a GPS could be used inside the hull.

b.jpga.jpgc.jpg

[Fella1340]

Yes, that's exactly what I saw! I.am.wondering how well it turned out on-the top deck of the boat.
I seem to be having issues with what I type and what shows on the screen after I.submit. My
Laptop is down so I.have to type away on my phone. Pita, bigtime! Would you use the format
Again?

[Rocstar]

I just did another hull the other night. If you're good with a little extra weight, it works very well.

[Fella1340]

Thanks

[Fella1340]

Hey Rockstar, I hope we will continue to see the builds you are doing on here. Your doing some
Really top notch work. Not to many high ens mono builds to looking at for ideas. I am getting ready for a 50"fountain with a tp5660 (may go 5850) and can't make up my mind where to put the esc
(Sf300+). Its tough doing a single, mounting that big sucker to the side may cause a list when on
The water. Putting it in front if the motor takes up room where the batteries may need to go. Any ideas? I should have gone with a smaller esc as I will only be pulling Max 180amps. I realize this is the wrong area for this question but I am not ready to start a build thread yet!

[Rocstar]

Any room to mount it on top of the motor? They are big ESCs and the wires coming out the bottom don't help. Would have to see some pictures with motor in the hull. There is always a way.

[Fella1340]

You are right about that, there is always away! Rather then start something like this in a thread
That has nothing to do with what we are now talking about I think I will leave things till I can
Actually open a build thread. So far I am getting bits and pieces of information and I will
Never be able to find them if I keep this up. Hopefully within 2 weeks I will be fit enough
to start! It may be slightly longer, I have some stuff here I can use to mock things up while
I wait. Please look for the thread once it is started, I want this to be a very detailed build and
Can use all the help/ideas I can get! Thank-you everyone for your advice so far! I am going to have
to learn how this forum works as well. I am struggling so far keeping things organized, I just learned
how to post a picture the other day! All in time. Jefd