Carbon v Glass

   The material on the outside of the hull is there primarily for impact resistance so it is not quite as critical to use the strongest possible material. The reinforcement inside the hull is where most of the forces will be concentrated. This is where strength is most important.
On the Swift Solo I'm building we use S Glass on the outside of the hull - about 30% stronger than E glass from memory. On the inside we use a carbon/ kevlar composite which is strong! and expensive. If you are considering doing something at home I would suggest that you use epoxy. It is stronger and more expensive but the main thing is that it doesn't stink like polyester.
If you want something that is strong light and not too expensive I would use E glass on the outside, carbon on the inside and epoxy as your resin.

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swiftsolo.org Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Posting king Joined: 14 Jul 05 Location: Australia Online Status: Offline Posts: 101	Post Options Post Reply Quote swiftsolo.org Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Carbon v Glass Posted: 03 Jan 06 at 10:09pm
	The material on the outside of the hull is there primarily for impact resistance so it is not quite as critical to use the strongest possible material. The reinforcement inside the hull is where most of the forces will be concentrated. This is where strength is most important. On the Swift Solo I'm building we use S Glass on the outside of the hull - about 30% stronger than E glass from memory. On the inside we use a carbon/ kevlar composite which is strong! and expensive. If you are considering doing something at home I would suggest that you use epoxy. It is stronger and more expensive but the main thing is that it doesn't stink like polyester. If you want something that is strong light and not too expensive I would use E glass on the outside, carbon on the inside and epoxy as your resin.
	Building a Swift Solo First Australian Swift Solo Sailing F28 Tri - family cruiser

JimC Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 17 May 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 6662	Post Options Post Reply Quote JimC Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 06 at 4:35pm
	Its a bit of an "it depends" question. What it most depends on are things like durability, dent resistance, and your own construction skills and facilities. The latter can make a big difference to cost - a pro using vacuum bagging could quite easily use half as much resin as someone who builds a boat with out paying much attention to resin/fibre ratio. As for carbon against glass, well if you are building a minimum weight hiking boat with no consideration for how much it will dent and respond to knocks then a single layer of 100gsm carbon each side of the foam will probably be stiff enough. By contrast a bash resistant polyester/glass boat might use three layers of 200gsm glass. That's several times as much resin as well as the cloth, so the actual material costs are probably not a lot different (haven't looked at prices lately I admit!)

russell Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Groupie Joined: 05 Nov 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 68	Post Options Post Reply Quote russell Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 06 at 3:49pm
	Phantoms changed from polyester to epoxy - the hulls are not carbon. My Vandercraft hull has 2kg correctors to bring it up to the minimum weight of 61Kg (including foils etc). I believe this is about the usual now. Carbon masts and booms were also introduced a few years ago now. The adjustable carbon rig has made a big difference to the sailability of the boat - its now a real pleasure and has opened up the weight range. Red Eye sails are also introducing a new hiking single hander, based on a smaller Phantom. Check out http://www.redeyesails.co.uk/Redeye%20Solution.htm
	Russell Phantom 1330 59er 090

jeffers Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 29 Mar 04 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 3048	Post Options Post Reply Quote jeffers Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 06 at 1:02pm
	Speak to some of the Phantom boys too. I believe Vandercraft have not long changed construction which means they can build a Phantom hull down to weight and one that is also durable. FWIW they have lost approximately 10kg on hull wight with this (one of the guys at my club has just 'upgraded' and he tells me that is the difference). Paul
	Paul ---------------------- D-Zero GBR 74

Chew my RS Send Private Message Find Member's Posts Visit Member's Homepage Really should get out more Joined: 05 Oct 05 Location: United Kingdom Online Status: Offline Posts: 790	Post Options Post Reply Quote Chew my RS Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 03 Jan 06 at 12:35pm
	Happy New Year! I am doodling a 15' hiker (I know there's plenty already available) and wondered what the cost/weight difference between glass and carbon might be? Do any of you Cherubby chaps know how much weight is saved by building from carbon/foam sandwich rather than glass/foam sandwich. And what is the cost increase? Also, any thoughts on whether to go for SAN (Corecell) or PVC foam core? Cheers