Fibreglass vs Aluminium Impact Strength

[Panope]

Originally Posted by chala

Why?
Steel is a good heat conductor and dissipates it well. The submerged surface of a boat sinks the heat well. By comparison it is nearly 12 degree C colder than plywood.

You asked "why would I not want a metal boat if I wanted to lie naked on deck".

Answer: When the surface is warmer or colder than body temperature, the large thermal mass of metal does not allow it match your body's temperature. With wood or cored fiberglass, you sit on a cold spot and before long your body heat warms the surface and it becomes comfortable. Think about the expression "I warmed up your chair for you". As you stated, metal is a great heat conductor and it quickly conducts the heat away from you. Or keeps on burning you if hot.

Also, Metal is hard with very little "give". Walk on your knees on metal and it hurts.

Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my boat material (aluminum). I was just pointing out that it is not the best at every thing.

Steve

[chala]

Originally Posted by Panope

"I warmed up your chair for you".

Nothing to warm up in the tropic at 60c it is warmed for you.

Originally Posted by Panope

Also, Metal is hard with very little "give". Walk on your knees on metal and it hurts.

Never noticed. Must be because your boat is aluminium or you have weak knees.

[55north]

The Resin Families: Epoxies, Vinylesters and Polyesters

Another (final!) dull post, just to expand on my point about resin toughness a little. 2000psi adhesion with epoxy, only 500psi with vinylester and around 100psi with poly. The original video shows poly (as probably does Steve's entertaining axe attack)... and I'd still settle for that laminate any day. This thread has really made me think about laminate toughness, and the more I've thought about it the more I'm sure that a lot of the preconceptions about GRP come from the era of chopper gun layups. Careful WR and poly hand layup, or much better still WR and epoxy infusion, I'd hit stuff with that any day with pretty much the same confidence I'd have with metal of the same weight.

Anyway, time to give this old chestnut a rest I think, and get out on the water... somewhat reassured about the odd bump