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[Patrick Henry]

Ok, just going through my list of bits to get for my Gemini cat...

I want to change the horrible wooden framework that holds the two hulls together and supports the main mast for carbon rod...but(here comes the question)where do I get carbon rod and what sort of diameter would I need?

This is how I'm thinking of doing it....
 


Instead of this...



Any advice, guys?




Rich

[tobyker]

I have been looking at Carbon rod for another project. It looks to me as if carbon tube might be a better bet for you - it would be stiffer and might be easier to fix at the ends. It's difficult to recommend a size as there's not much in the photos to scale them by.

[john s 2]

Just possibly an old fishing rod may provide what you require.John.

[Patrick Henry]

Sorry, my mistake...I should have written 'tube' instead of 'rod'...



Fishing rods...I tried a old rod I found, but the sections are tapered, aren't they?


Rich

[Patrick Henry]

It's been suggested that alloy tube from B&Q will do the job nicely, so I'm going to try that first, I think.




Rich

[unicorn]

                  Look for a shop that specializes in selling kites.
                                                                                      unicorn

[richald]

try

http://www.giantcod.co.uk/carbon-fiber-tube-hollow-d60%C3%83%C2%97106050%C3%83%C2%971m-5pcs-p-403653.html

if you cast around on the GiantCod website you'll find they do 3mm and 6mm tubes and strip and rod too

Richard

[Patrick Henry]

Now we're getting somewhere...thanks Richard!

I guess 6mm would be the size to go for to make up the cross spars?



Rich

[CJ1]

The r/c helicopter guys use a lot of carbon fibre tube and rod. look on their websites.
Try here:
http://www.easycomposites.co.uk/Category/Carbon-Fibre-Products/Carbon-Fibre-Tube.aspx
Chirs

[tony23]

cheapest place for carbon tube would be a kite supplier model shops tend to ask the earth for carbon stuff.
http://www.thehighwaymen.co.uk/acatalog/Single_line_kites.html

[Patrick Henry]

Thanks for all the valuable help chaps, it's much appreciated.

I think carbon tube may be the way to go, I'm told to think lightness above the waterline, weight below.


Thanks again,



Rich

[Subculture]

Carbon fibre will be less than a third of the weight of aluminium.

I would go for the giant cod 6mm stuff. The kite shop CR tubing looks like it is a thicker laminate- stronger but heavier.

[Patrick Henry]

All done...just bought the Giant Cod 6mm stuff, more than enough there for the cross pieces and maybe even the mast as well.


Thanks everybody,


Rich

[richald]

Glad to help Rich,

Could you post some photies when you've finished ?
cos I've been thing about building a catamaran with
carbon fibre tubing to hold the hulls together

Richard

[Patrick Henry]

No problem Rich...I'll take plenty of pics as I go along. It's only a cheapie of a kit, but I think with a few mods along the way we can do something with it. I chose it because it's only a small boat, it fits in my flat and my car nicely, and our local lake isn't really big enough for big boats.




Rich