Working with Composites

Re-Engineering a Hull: Load Paths, Daggerboards, and a New Structural Bulkhead

Author: Shayne and Anna Key Message: The most important part of a structural refit is understanding and optimizing load paths. By relocating a bulkhead to align with the strongest part of the daggerboard foil, we significantly increase Paikea’s structural integrity and sailing performance. Introduction: Identifying a Structural Flaw During Paikea’s refit, we noticed a discrepancy. On […]

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Refit Progress: Templating, Infusing, and Building a New Laminating Table

Key Message: A major refit is a series of small, repetitive, and precise steps. By creating a family “assembly line” for templating and infusion, we’re efficiently producing lightweight, custom composite floors while constantly improving our workshop tools. Author: Anna & Shayne Introduction: The Flooring Assembly Line The transformation of Paikea’s interior continues, one floor panel at

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Modifying Boat Bulkheads: The Engineering Behind Increasing Headroom

Topic Overview: This post details the process and engineering rationale behind cutting down a structural bulkhead to improve livability. We explain the load path disruption, the calculations for reinforcement, and the practical execution using unidirectional carbon fiber to restore and enhance structural integrity. Author: Shayne and Anna A boat refit often involves a trade-off between structural integrity

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Bulkhead Reinforcement: Unidirectional Fibreglass and Edge Capping

Restoring structural integrity and finishing a cut composite panel. Author: Shayne Key Message: Cutting into a cored panel necessitates a two-stage process to restore its structural integrity: first, reintroducing in-plane stiffness and strength along the cut edge with a strategic reinforcement (like unidirectional glass); and second, re-establishing the critical load path between the skins and sealing the core with

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