Materials - Tayana 37 Operation & Maintenance Manual

C. MATERIALS
A few words about materials are called for because of the many questions people ask
about the quality of the metals, woods, and plastics used in Far East built yachts.
Resins. The resins used in the construction of TAYANA yachts are polyesters
purchased in the United States or Japan. Their quality equals or exceeds that of the
resins used in nearly any U.S. or European building yard. They are not of the fire
retardant type, however. Yachts built from late 1985 use isophthalic gel coats to resist
blistering.
Fiberglass: Fiberglass is generally purchased from the United States although some
Japanese and European glass is used. The primary glass structures are made from 1.5
ounce mat and 24 ounce woven roving.
Core materials. Various core materials are used. If a cored hull has been ordered the
core material is Airex (TM). This plastic material is light and highly resistant to
moisture. It also is an excellent insulator. The decks of TaYang yachts are generally
cored with wood blocks cut into two inch squares and formed into core "mats" much as
Balsa is used. It is heavier than either Balsa or Airex, but it is cheaper than either and
tolerates fastenings better. Where there is to be a heavy installation of some type, such
as a winch or windlass, the core material is usually a solid plywood sheet covered on
both sides by a heavy fiberglass laminate.
Teak. Teak is obtained from several sources. The most common, at this writing, appears
to be Indonesia. The demand for Teak is sufficiently high that properly cured Teak is
virtually impossible to find. It has been reported to us that the Teak obtained by TaYang
is generally two to three years old when purchased. This Teak is then cut into planks and
stored in a drying yard for a period of months. It is dried further in a kiln before it is
used on a yacht. Optimally, Teak would be aged for seven to eight years before use and
kilns would not be used.
Curing cracks have occasionally been a problem in yachts with solid Teak table or desk
tops. Where this has occurred, the tops have been replaced. On the whole, however, the
Teak has been surprisingly good and, in applications such as ceiling and decks, it is
almost problem free.
* SEE SECTION V. FOR PROPER MAINTENANCE CARE.
Plywood Plywood is the core material used in interior bulkheads, soles, and tops as well
as for certain structural applications. TaYang does use marine plywood. The glues used
II-4