Category Archives: New Designs

New Designs

Fiber Orientation

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By now every boat builder knows that fiber orientation is critical to laminate strength.  And I’m sure everybody knows that 34 oz triaxial for example has a bending strength of some 65,000 psi in the 0 degree, and about 20,000 psi in the 90 degree orientation, hand layup. And unidirectional fabric will have some 100,000 psi bending in the 0 degree and maybe 3,000 psi in the 90 degree.

But that is not all there is to it.  There has to be off axis fiber even if it performs less well.  I first learned about that in Tsai’s composites class in ’90 I think it was.  In tension it would not matter, but in compression and bending, the hard-working 0 degree fibers have to be kept in column, as it were.  The trick is to  have no more than 3 zero degree layers stacked before adding an off axis one.  Then you can add three more.

I have visited mulithull build sites where I have seen plans from famous designers with like, 10 or 20 layers of 0 degree stacked up, and no off axis fibers.  Don’t they know?  And they charge many times what I do.

New Designs

Was Out Much of This Week

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I had rare good weather to mix epoxy. Supposed to rain next week so will be back in. I have thought of many topics for here for the coming week.
Fiber orientation update
Fiber mix examples
Taking a mast joint apart
Upgrading bad details from other designs
Psychology and window shapes

See, I think when I am stirring epoxy.

New Designs

Skype and Big Files

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Prospective customer Anton showed me that Skype can be used to send big files without setting up an FTP site. Lets try if someone wants the e-catalog, or composite construction manual or the CM construction manual. I will look into the DVD later as it is so much bigger. $25 for each? I will get something set up on the website. For now just use cards? For now I would rather not use Paypal.  My Skype is khughes.multihulldesigns
Hit me and I can send files back via Skype.

New Designs

Plans Prices Increase.

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The plans price increase is slated for the June 1. If I can get the lot updated. And they have remained the same for a long time.
I have been learning there is more to it than simply more money. My original idea was to be able to offer top level design a prices the average guy could afford.  It seems that has been a mistake on many levels.  Many people have concluded that the plans must be defective if they are so low cost.  If  plans cost more, they must be better. 

The low stock plans price has perhaps hurt the more important design function.  People have reacted angrily that a new custom design costs more than a stock plan.  I end up spending too much time explaining these things.

Paypal advised me that I have to expect to have people scam me, and I should just factor it in.

And maybe the idea of trying to get rigorous design available at a price the average guy can afford is foolish.  Even my increase will not be as high as the other guys.  I got this a few years back but I’m sure it’s still true.

From a customer in South Africa whose name escapes me now.  “In the US you can buy a MacDonald’s hamburger for around $1.50. In SouthAfrica, the same MacDonald’s hamburger will cost me about R 4.00. However,if I import the USA MacDonald’s hamburger – it will cost me R 15-00 (with out import duties, taxes or delivery fees.) Your prices after doing the currency exchange rate is still cheaper than what even local designers charge. 

Jeff Schionning, Australia gave me a price to design almost 3 x your asking price.

Chris White’s price was about 2.2 x your price. 

Melvin Morrelli was almost 5 x your price. 

Nic Bailey came in at a huge 11 x your asking price. 

Alexander Simonis was a little less than 3 x your price. 

Tony Grainger was about 4 times your price.”