ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

[salty87]

"http://www.preforms.com/products.php"

they make composite structural components for deck support...stringers, bulkheads, stiffeners, and more. the website has a video showing installation of stringers and supports for a 20'er. they say it takes them about 40 mins with their system. i've seen video's on youtube also but can't find now.

i've called for samples and prices but haven't gotten any yet. the system looks simple, must be pricey.

prepare hull
wet out bottom of pieces
lay them out
wet out the attached 'wings'
let cure
lay deck

there's more but that's the basics

anyone familiar? have any experiences/opinions to share?

thanks

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

40 minutes, with it prefit, experienced installer, and all the right equipment.

 

[salty87]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

40 minutes, with it prefit, experienced installer, and all the right equipment.

true, you'd need to do the homework ahead of time to order the correct pieces and trim as necessary for proper fit to your hull. also need to do so with whatever lumber you might chose. trimming these pieces seems much easier...drywall knife and handheld saw.

experienced installer, not so much...check the video. i'm sure it helps having done it before though.

right equip..yes, they're using sprayers for the resin but fitting, trimming, and laying is where the real time is saved.

i'll try to find the youtube video again, it was better.

 

[salty87]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

found it...ship shape tv
"http://youtube.com/watch?v=7gY1ZJwIJAI"

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

i think you would have to consider the boat, when putting that much extra money into it.

 

[Solittle]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

That youtube is the first of a 25 part series. Looks like a must see for anyone rebuilding.

 

[BillP]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

I spent a couple hrs touring their factory 2-3 yrs back. It was a really busy place and running 24x7 with a 150 or so employees. The preforms are custom made to an exact fit so the boat mfg just has to place them and start glassing. The glass cloth is put in the mold (built exactly like a boat mold and paper is used to keep the foam from sticking to it) and then liquid foam injected. When popped out of the mold the glass and foam are bound together and ready to install. If memory serves right they were rejected if 1/4" out of tolerance.

 

[VinceJ]

Re: ever tried/heard of preforms?...composite stringers

Ok, so who manufactures these preforms?....I saw on a thread somewhere to look at the westmarine site, but they are not listed under any category. Second question being that my boat is forty years old and is double hulled, I believe this means its an outer shell with stringers set and foam and then a shell over that, or is it outershell foam innershell stringers deck? (64 SeaRay 900 I/O)