Hi all,

I'm in the proces of making a skin on frame kayak, and as with backpacking i like to keep things light.

Would Cuben, bonded with loctite Hysol U-09 FL be a good and strong way and easy way of making kayak float bags ?

Here's a link to some easy kayak float bags,
http://www.yostwerks.com/FloatbagA.html
Click on the next page on the top right of the page

bump

What is your reasoning behind using cuben for float bags? Will you be packing the boat long distances? Weight savings in boats seem to have less performance advantage than even bicycle touring, which has much less advantages than backpacking.

Heat sealable fabrics may be a more suitable solution for you. They make them pretty light too, like what Kookabay uses for their pads. I imagine all the sand and dirt my boat collects not playing nicely with a cuben float bag rubbing against the inside of a boat.

Are you cataloging your build? I would love to check out your design, materials and process.

Sorry, no pics, don't have a digital camera, maybe soon when i finish it i'll buy one to post some pics.

It's a Tom Yost sea tour 15 exp, using marine ply, WRC and probably poly cloth.

Here's a good link on a sea tour 15 build, http://web.me.com/terryreed/kayakBuild/

I just have some cuben lying around, that's all. Problem with heat sealable fabrics is that i have to order them in the States, as i haven't been able to locate any cheap ones in Europe. I found some on extremtextil.de, but it cost 17 to almost 20 dollars for a running metre (+ shipping), and they're heavy (11 to 14 oz/sq yard) compared to questoutfitters heat sealable 4.4oz tafetta

Edited by jorgoz on 03/02/2010 07:40:13 MST.