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Cover for Composite Engineering - Van Dusen Racing Boats
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Composite Engineering - Van Dusen Racing Boats

Composite Engineering - Van Dusen Racing Boats

High-performance rowing shells, kayaks, carbon fiber sailboat spars since 1975

Here she is! 26 pounds including all the hardware (kick-up rudder, footboard, inspection port etc)
Applying resin to the H-channel holding hull and deck together
Final inspection
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ENGINEERING UPDATES

Wing Rigger set screw adjustment in the mounting block

When you see that the mounting bar from your wing rigger has worn a groove in the mounting blocks you know that the adjustment of the set screw is past due: Mounting bar from your wing rigger has worn a groove in the mounting blocks The conical point of the set screw fits in a matching hole in the end of the mounting bar and should be adjusted so the mounting bar never touches the block.  If the set screw is not in far enough it no longer locks the mounting bar in position and the rigger can [...]

April 6th, 2016|Racing Shells & Kayaks|0 Comments

Why We Pioneered Wing Riggers

We pioneered the wing rigger concept in 1984 when the minimum shell weight rule was imposed. We had to increase the weight of our boats by 20% and searched for a way to make out boats heavier without being slower.  The airfoil rigger more than compensated for the additional drag of the heavier boat and still allowed us to add more carbon fiber to the hull and make out boats the stiffest ones available. Now that we are all competing with a minimum boat weight the improved aerodynamics give our boats a 3 second advantage over 2000 meters. Our wing [...]

Attaching Wing Rigger

Did you know...it’s so easy to attach the wing rigger to a Van Dusen Advantage? Simply set the wing rigger's mounting bars into place between the boat's mounting blocks, check that the footboard heel bar is securely in one of the stretcher fitting slots, tighten the thumb screws, and you’re ready to go. You don’t even need tools! With this innovative concept, you can transfer your wing riggers between boats or seats while keeping your personal rigging specifications intact--including your foot position and footboard angle. And the simplicity of removing the wings makes it easy to store two boats to [...]

October 27th, 2015|Racing Shells & Kayaks|0 Comments

The Advantage of Autoclaves

Since 1990, we are the only boat maker in the US to make carbon fiber products with an autoclave. Why is an autoclave an exceptionally good way to create racing shells, spars, aerospace and submarine parts? Because it is a pressure oven that not only bakes a vacuumed bag around the item, it creates pressure that removes every last bit of air from the Kevlar honey comb making the item incredibly strong, stiff and light weight. An autoclave assures there is no minute amount of air left in the product to create a weak spot; if there were, a boat [...]

October 14th, 2015|Composite Manufacturing, Racing Shells & Kayaks|0 Comments
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