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Author Topic:   What do you think of Ropolene?

Salmon Tub posted 08-23-2002 02:50 PM ET (US)
What do you think of Ropolene? From what I gather, it is a plastic that is used by Triumph (formerly Logic) boats. It is an interesting concept. My only experience with this kind of material is my little Kayak. It has been laying out in the yard for the past two years without any signs of weathering. It seems indestructable when kicked, thrown around, or dragged around. I wonder if this will be the marine material of the future, or will it go the way of the Edsel.
jimh posted 08-23-2002 03:10 PM ET (US)
Is that the stuff they make garbage cans from?
I have yet to see a 10-year old plastic garbage can. Mine get busted up every few years and need replacement. In comparison, the fiber reinforced glass laminate and gelcoat on my 26-year-old Whaler is in perfect condition.
Maybe in 10-15 years, if these boats are still around and still in decent shape, people will begin to accept them.
jimh posted 08-23-2002 03:12 PM ET (US)
There is a good article on this technique in BOATING MAGAZINE for September, 2002, p.100.
Check it out next time you're at the library.
Dunk posted 08-23-2002 04:53 PM ET (US)
The biggest complaint on Logic boats was how soft that stuff is. The decks would get scuffed and scratched then dirt would get into the scuffs and you couldn't clean it. Made them looks years old in months. The next problem is if you damage the boat there's no way to fix it. Nothing will stick to it.
Jay A posted 08-23-2002 11:57 PM ET (US)
There is a way to repair Ropolene- heat! A few years ago I saw a demonstration of manufacturing uses. The material itself is bouyant,color is thru-out and what amazed me was when a piece was cut in half it was fused together with a propane heat gun with no visable seams and they claim it's as strong as it was before! They also "scored" it with a knife and when softened with a heat gun you couldn't tell it was damaged!
jimh posted 08-24-2002 12:17 AM ET (US)
I saw one of the LOGIC brand boats on a delaer's lot in Florida a few years ago.
The most amazing thing about it was it had a "SOLD" sign on it! The hull sides were so wavy it was impossible not to notice. The surface plane of the hull sides modulated in and out about 2-inches in some places. Screws in the cockpit floor were sticking up and loose, making little meat hooks to tear your foot.
I was amazed anyone would buy a boat showing that kind of workmanship.
bc posted 08-24-2002 08:08 AM ET (US)
I looked at a 13' tide-runner (whaler copy)that was made of that stuff. The company is no longer in business. I talked to a guy that worked there. He said they bought two 13' whalers and used the hulls as molds!! Foam filled and everything. He said using a plastic type welding kit the hulls could be fixed. As Dunk mention, nothing else will stick to that stuff.
BC

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Author	Topic: What do you think of Ropolene?
Salmon Tub	posted 08-23-2002 02:50 PM ET (US) What do you think of Ropolene? From what I gather, it is a plastic that is used by Triumph (formerly Logic) boats. It is an interesting concept. My only experience with this kind of material is my little Kayak. It has been laying out in the yard for the past two years without any signs of weathering. It seems indestructable when kicked, thrown around, or dragged around. I wonder if this will be the marine material of the future, or will it go the way of the Edsel.
jimh	posted 08-23-2002 03:10 PM ET (US) Is that the stuff they make garbage cans from? I have yet to see a 10-year old plastic garbage can. Mine get busted up every few years and need replacement. In comparison, the fiber reinforced glass laminate and gelcoat on my 26-year-old Whaler is in perfect condition. Maybe in 10-15 years, if these boats are still around and still in decent shape, people will begin to accept them.
jimh	posted 08-23-2002 03:12 PM ET (US) There is a good article on this technique in BOATING MAGAZINE for September, 2002, p.100. Check it out next time you're at the library.
Dunk	posted 08-23-2002 04:53 PM ET (US) The biggest complaint on Logic boats was how soft that stuff is. The decks would get scuffed and scratched then dirt would get into the scuffs and you couldn't clean it. Made them looks years old in months. The next problem is if you damage the boat there's no way to fix it. Nothing will stick to it.
Jay A	posted 08-23-2002 11:57 PM ET (US) There is a way to repair Ropolene- heat! A few years ago I saw a demonstration of manufacturing uses. The material itself is bouyant,color is thru-out and what amazed me was when a piece was cut in half it was fused together with a propane heat gun with no visable seams and they claim it's as strong as it was before! They also "scored" it with a knife and when softened with a heat gun you couldn't tell it was damaged!
jimh	posted 08-24-2002 12:17 AM ET (US) I saw one of the LOGIC brand boats on a delaer's lot in Florida a few years ago. The most amazing thing about it was it had a "SOLD" sign on it! The hull sides were so wavy it was impossible not to notice. The surface plane of the hull sides modulated in and out about 2-inches in some places. Screws in the cockpit floor were sticking up and loose, making little meat hooks to tear your foot. I was amazed anyone would buy a boat showing that kind of workmanship.
bc	posted 08-24-2002 08:08 AM ET (US) I looked at a 13' tide-runner (whaler copy)that was made of that stuff. The company is no longer in business. I talked to a guy that worked there. He said they bought two 13' whalers and used the hulls as molds!! Foam filled and everything. He said using a plastic type welding kit the hulls could be fixed. As Dunk mention, nothing else will stick to that stuff. BC