Our material choice and build explained.
Our gel coat - a special formula that is sprayed into the mould ( typical weight saving is upto 1kg per deck or hull )
Why we only use epoxy resin:
Epoxy resin has 75% fewer VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds) contained in the resin itself and two-thirds fewer VOCs are released into the atmosphere than from polyester/vinylester resin. VOCs are a source of air pollution and can be a significant health hazard.
Safer and better for the environment ( No Styrenes released into the atmosphere )
Epoxy Resins have performance advantages over polyester and vinyl esters in these main areas.
Better adhesive qualities.
Superior mechanical properties. (Structurally a post cured epoxy pipe exhibits tensile strength and modulus close to double that of polyester or vinyl ester)..
Improved resistance to fatigue and micro cracking.
Reduced degradation from water ingress.
Inceased resistance to osmosis
Reduced thermal and chemical shrinkage (Cosmetically polyester and vinyl resins typically shrink up to 7% whilst epoxy shrink up to 2%).
( we found a weight saving aprox 1 kg over vinylester resin) .
Using only one type of high spec resin through out the boat makes a better product in every way!
(Intersting data here:https://www.compresdev.co.uk/CRD%20The%20Use%20and%20Application%20of%20Epoxy%20Resin%20vs%20Vinylester%20vs%20Polyester.pdf
Our Material:
No more Carbon Kevlar.
The new methods of making carbon fibre now produce a much more ecologically friendly and super strong product. In the last two years of testind we have not had a single carbon fibre kayak breakage.
Our reasons for dropping Kevlar because
1, The manufacturing process of kevlar involves using concentrated sulfuric acid, needed to keep the water-insoluble polymer in solution during its synthesis ( an environmentally damaging process)
2, it no longer has a performance advantage in kayak manufacture.
Our Foam Core:
Now made from 100% recycled PET plastic ( recycled fizzy drink bottles) .
It out performs any other foam core on the market for strength and weight.
So why not ? We thought it was worth the investment.
Our foam centre pillars and foot blocks: 100% recycled
Now made from recycled mini cell foam. We spent two years working and testing the development of this recycling process. The result is a stronger foam . A gain in performance adding to the stiffness and strength of your kayak.
Our seams:
Newer models: Halo, Edge, Matrix , Banshee, Vamp, Viking and Bandit have an inner seam that is part of the boat (no inner taping) , the deck and hull are bonded together with a special epoxy that closely matches the laminate epoxy making deck and hull become one peice. The join is incredibly strong and the added mechanical strength of the inner seam makes the boats very stiff.
Our outer micro seam is a crystal clear epoxy and bonds our signature black composite seam tape to the gel coat, leaving minimal seam area. This avoids disruputing the way the rails work with the water the way larger standard gelcoat seams do.
Our fin boxes. We found that over time plastic fin boxes or mounts gradually give in to the forces they are subject to and fail leaving for an expensive repair. So, we devised our own special anodised alloy fin box, now in it's second generation it is now shorter , lighter and even stronger than any other fin box on the market.
We vac bag our hulls to give superior strength for less weight.
Construction / Lay up options
Surf Kayaks
Plastic PE
|
Surf grade plastic (Kahuna, Neutron X, Neutron, Maverick and Xray) |
Carbon 1 |
Epoxy resin deck and hull Aproximate boat weight 12kg |
Super light Carbon + |
Epoxy resin deck and hull Aproximate boat weight 10kg |
X-tech Carbon + |
Epoxy resin deck and hull Hull can now be coloured or bare carbon (No cost option) Aproximate boat weight 8-9kg |
Carbolite Pro |
Epoxy resin deck and hull Hull can now be coloured or bare carbon (No cost option) Aproximate boat weight 7-8kg |
Green spec |
Green epoxy resin made from 70% plant extract. The deck is: layers of Biotex Flax woven fabrics are reinforcement textiles based on natural flax fibre and designed for fibre-reinforced polymer composite applications. As a premium natural fibre, flax offers improved mechanical properties over alternatives such as jute, resulting in higher strength-to-weight ratio and therefore stronger, lighter laminates.
|
Elite |
Especially for the weight weenies out there. The closest thing to an F1 spec we can think of! Materials used , Carbon, Carbon and Carbon Dyneema. Aproximate boat weight --- sub 7kg |
Sea Kayaks
Carbon Kevlar 1 |
Epoxy deck and hull Aproximate boat weight 23 - 26kg
|
Super light: |
Oven cured Epoxy deck and hull Aproximate boat weight 20-24kg |
X-tech: |
Oven cured Epoxy deck and hull Aproximate boat weight 17- 20kg |
Carbolite Pro |
Oven cured Epoxy deck and hull
Aproximate boat weight 14- 17 kg |
Elite |
Especially for the weight weenies out there. The closest thing to an F1 spec we can think of! Materials used , Carbon, Carbon Kevlar and Carbon Dyneema. Aproximate boat weight --- sub 12 - 15 kg depending on model. |
Canoes
Glass |
Aproximate boat weight 24-26kg
|
Super light: |
Aproximate boat weight 19-23 kg |
X-tech: |
Aproximate boat weight 17-20 kg |
Carbolite Pro |
Hull can now be coloured or bare carbon kevlar (No cost option) Aproximate boat weight 16-19kg |
Elite |
Especially for the weight weenies out there. The closest thing to an F1 spec we can think of! Materials used in the boat build are, Carbon, Carbon Kevlar and Carbon Dyneema. The Gunnels are Pure carbon, the seals and end caps pure carbon. Aproximate boat weight --- sub 12-14kg depending on boat size and seats |
Polo Kayaks
Club |
Kit you club out , super tough and durable .
All epoxy build
|
Team Spec |
A spec for club team members on a budget , Strong , light and durable.
Vac bagged hull All epoxy build
|
Carbolite Pro |
A spec for competing at the highest level
Aproximate boat weight 7.5kg |
Rock hard carbon Pro |
A spec for competing at the highest level An awesome "Rock Hard" build of Carbon bonded with reinforcement material and foam core . The deck and hull are vac bagged Aproximate boat weight 10.5kg |
* Boat weights quoted can be greatly affected by colour choice , design and other factors such as ambient temperature on the day of manufacture. Because our pigments are lead and cadmium free some light colours and designs may require more layers of gel coat. If a low weight is a specific requirement to you we can advise you on the best way to make your color scheme work .
Please bear in mind that the appoximate weights quoted are our desired outcome weights , we cannot and do not guarrantee a finished weight and can only do ou best to work towards the weights quoted.