Looking for help - vacuum bagging composites

[Shep]

I have a composite racing boat that has some cracks. I want to do the work myself, but my experience with composites is pretty limited. Anyone here in NWA or Central that can answer questions, or help me with some of the work. The cracks are around the stern where it landed on a rock in Nantahala falls, and make a bit of a circle around the stern bulge. I have been in touch with the original builder, (Kaz at Millbrook Boats) and he recommends S-glass tape on the outside, and kevlar tape on the inside. I would really like to vacuum bag to keep the weight of the repair at a minimum.

Thanks,
Paul

[DMG]

Shep--

I did quite a bit of composite repair on helicopters in a past life. Give me a shout sometime.

479-number of days in a year-0736

~Dave

[knu2xs]

If you can find the equipment for vacuum bagging, go for it. However, for the rest of us who race, break boats (we all do) and want to keep the weight down...just use nylon peel ply.

You just apply this over your patch while the resin is still wet. It soaks up excess resin and you are left with a lightweight patch with just enough resin, pretty much the same effect as vacuum bagging...with much less effort. I have repaired boats the night before Team Trials and Nationals in a parking lot with this stuff, producing outstanding results. I use this when installing my outfitting to keep the weight down.

If you really want the perfect patch, put a lightweight layer of fiberglass over your patch, use peel ply to get out any excess resin, and wet sand the whole thing to get a perfectly smooth finish. Myself, I only did this once...just to see if it worked. My theory is the friction difference is not going to make a difference until my upstreams look like Tony Estanguet.

You can find all of the materials, supplies and advice you need from Sweet Composites, owned by Davey and Jennifer Hearn. They know boat composites arguably better than anybody in the country. The peel ply can be found here: http://www.sweetcomposites.com/Polyester.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Look for the Nylon product on that page. Your Kevlar, Carbon and combination weave patch materials can be found here: http://www.sweetcomposites.com/Kevlar.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;.

Besides that, get yourself some West Systems epoxy, rubber gloves, cheap duct tape to mask with, and a dremel to do the fine sanding with in combination with a small hand power sander. Best of luck and welcome to the zany world of slalom.

[Shep]

Thanks for the Beta. I had already made a shopping list from Sweet, but the peel-ply trick is in the middle of some other recommendations I have gotten and my plan to vacuum bag. I may end up not doing the vacuum bagging for cost reasons, but I would like a vacuum setup eventually for all sorts of projects.

I should say that I have gotten at least three very helpful replies by private message. I love this community!!!

Thanks!
Paul