Cam column reinforcement

Not quite sure how all these different sections work, so I am posting this question here as well. Hopefully someone will be able to offer advise....

I have read much on this forum regarding column reinforcement....seems using split PVC pipe and 3M 8010NS is the popular approach. However, this would be pretty expensive for my two (07 and 08 Revos).
Has anyone had success with just wrapping columns with epoxy resin impregnated fiberglass cloth ?
Seems you could feel in there and wrap wet strips around the column, then add even more resin after that set up.
I believe Hobie offered a retrofit kit for Outback that used fiberglass....so I assume it will adhere.
Thanks in advance for sharing any experience or advise.

_________________
Matt Miller
Former - Director of Parts and Accessory Sales
Warranty and Technical Support
Hobie Cat USA
(Retired 11/7/2022)

Hey Matt,
Thanks for the reply, but I had found that very helpful thread previously.
My columns are intact.....but I am going to install Turbofin V1 kits and would like the columns to stay that way!
What I was wondering is if you could successfully reinforce the columns prior to any cracking with an approach using fiberglass and epoxy resin. Plan would be to wrap strips of resin/mat by feel around the columns and bases. Once set up, wouldn't this provide some additional strength in the area?
It seems that if Hobie used fiberglass in its retro kit, it must adhere reasonably well. Would be a cheaper fix than the 3M 8010....considering I have two Revos to deal with. The 3M is upwards of $35 a tube and two or three per yak....OUCH. Admittedly, if I had cracks to deal with, I would go with the 3M.....high cost or not.

I tried to use fiberglass with the 3M product. Working wet with one hand and a mirror, I could only get it to stick to my wet (gloved) hand and abandoned the idea. You may be more successful with it though -- you never know until you try!

The fiberglass in this kit was a pre-molded, fitted piece. I think it included a small packet of standard epoxy and recommended roughing up the surface with sand paper. It seemed to hold fine for the task it performed. The stresses there are a little different than those of the cam columns though (compressive rather than lateral).

I see it on ebay for $25 shipped. You should be able to get by with one tube per boat (1/2 tube per application/side). Pre-fitted PVC halves should minimize waste and provide additional structural strength. Keep in mind that the bottom half of the columns (from the end of the cam bolts down) is the critical area. My fear with the resin is the low adhesion could allow the columns to crack unnoticed inside the reinforcement column.

You can always give it a try and see what happens -- it won't hurt anything. I tried a couple of things on scrap PE before figuring out what worked and what didn't. If you do it, let us know how it turns out!

Hey Roadrunner,
Thanks for the reply....I think you have convinced me to spend the $$ on the 8010NS and know it will adhere. A crack under the fiberglass reinforcement would still be a crack! I got these two virtually unused Revo 13's for a song.....so can't complain too much about a little 'fixitup' cost. Will use the split PVC pipe approach, but might also try to add some fiberglass at the bases after the initial pipe/8010NS sets up. I understand spreading the force to the flats is important.
Thanks again.