Zephyr Construction

Hello Everybody,

Does anyone have detailed information on the construction of the OC's China made Zephyr's, more specifically the material (carbon) and the coating (whether it's paint or gel coat)? Also, what is the hull weight of the china made Zephyr?

I currently own a Pegasus and have successfully raced it for a season. Although I really like the boat, it is a little too fragile and tends to chip paint with the slightest hit (especially when some mofo slams into you on the start). I suspect that the automotive paint used to paint the boat is the reason behind this. I’ve paddled and raced gel coated boats for years before and never had this problem.

So I’m possibly looking into getting a Zephyr....

Any info would be highly appreciated!

Mishka

PS. Please NO remarks on the chines issue :)

Submitted by mishka on Fri, 01/11/2008 - 2:53pm



Believe it's carbon-kevlar with gel-coat skin, and a bit of paint if it's not full white.


#1 Fri, 01/11/2008 - 3:42pm


the horses mouth is called outrigger connection. Why not ask the manufacturer? There's no chame ( that's the new chine) in asking.


#2 Fri, 01/11/2008 - 4:03pm


already emailed OC and still waiting for a reply...


#3 Fri, 01/11/2008 - 4:54pm


I would be very surprised if it's gelcoat, most if not all the China canoes are 2 pak Auto paint. We have a China OC2 Stingray at the club, i will check it out tommorrow.

Cheers Rambo


#4 Fri, 01/11/2008 - 5:43pm


This should be right fuzeschmider's alley. As a dealer, I'm sure he knows exactly how his boats are made.


#5 Fri, 01/11/2008 - 5:49pm


Call me ----207-841-5321


#6 Sat, 01/12/2008 - 3:21am


I think its Gel coat. My China made Fuze was Gel coat, part of the reason the paint was so durable hard and glossy. Unless Karel changed direction to use poly based auto paint now which I doubt.


#7 Sat, 01/12/2008 - 8:52am


Thank you everybody your replies!


#8 Sat, 01/12/2008 - 11:29am


Hey Mishka
Although Polyester gelcoat is time tested in the construction of polyester laminates, in reality it is no better than the Linear Polyurethane (LP) paints being used in canoe construction. For starters the China boats are all using low grade materials throughout the construction. Secondly, a "bind" coat is required to bond the epoxy laminate to the gelcoat. This works fairly well but even so it is still just a mechanical bond. Molecularly speaking, the LP's probably have a better adhesion, but it really all depends on how well the prep was done for either Gelcoat or LP paint. Eventually all manufaucturers will be required to use the waterbased LP's.


#9 Sat, 01/12/2008 - 3:18pm


Every boat I have ever owned since 1993- fiberglass, carbon fiber, kevlar, LP, gel coat.... has gotten the crap beat out of it- scratches, scrapes, chips and you know- not once was the performance effected at all. What are we talking about here- decoration, bling bling? Use 'em and abuse them and don't worry about how pretty they are.


#10 Sat, 01/12/2008 - 7:59pm


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