Building a Kayak Entirely out of Clear Fiberglass and LEDs

[@xylafoxlin]

Big thanks to DeltaTrainer for setting me up with their app and supporting the channel! Here’s the site if you want to check them out: bit.ly/train_like_xyla What kind of boat should I build next??

[@sdspivey]

Next video: "I built a clear yacht!"

[@tompw3141]

16:08 told me to say that's a terrible idea

[@gregmuon]

Pedal boat made from Rowlux Illusion film. www.rowtec.com/rowlux.html

[@neilscole]

A miniature tall ship. But not like a model tall-ship; a large row-boat sized tall-ship.

[@TakeshiM]

Since boats are off the table, the only option is to build an anti-boat. A bathtub.

[@MarkRober]

This is so cool!!!

[@Bubbles-em2fb]

What a great build! Mold making, electronics, and a unique finished product! These are the projects that I LOVE! Subbed

[@farhadj1445]

Holy ... getting props from Mark Rober is like ... just ... wow! *from one Engineer to another 👏👏👏

[@wrynn1194]

Ikr

[@0ni_x4]

mark hi

[@GOAFPilotChannel]

oh hi mark

[@thethoughtemporium]

The end result looked great! so much work. Awesome job

[@hacksmith]

It's finally done xD Such an awesome project!

[@xylafoxlin]

Just inching closer to my invite to make a wonder woman jet :P

[@georgekirkaldie5603]

When the borders are open, a collaboration between Hacksmith and Xyla is in order

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

@@xylafoxlin A fully polished subsonex would be your cheapest and fastest option toward that goal. I mean, it's not transparent but it would kinda look like it in the air. Clear fiberglass thick enough to be structurally sound for light aircraft use wouldn't be remotely transparent, barely translucent if you're lucky, and then you have to go through the minor hassle of designing and building a jet from scratch.

[@PongoXBongo]

@@Skinflaps_Meatslapper Guess her next project will have to be transparent aluminum then.

[@alexandrezani]

@@georgekirkaldie5603 If they're building a wonderwoman jet they don't need the borders to be open.

[@Flyingwigs]

Just a tiny tip, a dusting of 3m spray adhesive can hold your fiberglass cloth in place in places like around the opening. It can save LOTS of frustration with challenging shapes.

[@ericsophiea6481]

The ZipTie to keep your pants up earned you 1000 cool points! (I've done the same thing, so I may be biased.) Fun video. Thanks!

[@allenpan]

Damn girl if I was a fish I'd rave to this 😍🌈🐠

[@xylafoxlin]

can fishes get drunk underwater?

[@mickb.8925]

@@xylafoxlin Apparently they can! :D Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/acer.12432

[@Weisz]

@@mickb.8925 i love that this research exists lmao

[@eschelar]

Fishing boats around the world use powerful lights to attract fish. You're probably not the only one.

[@ulrichminky9495]

I am a very old man living on the left edge of Canada. I just stood up (at great effort) and gave you a standing ovation. This was brilliant. Cheers.

[@EvanAndKatelyn]

Turned out so awesome! 🌈✨ Makes us curious about trying out fiberglass one day!

[@xylafoxlin]

Do it!! Feel free to hit me up with any questions! I've pulled fiberglass shards out of every appendage at this point so I know it pretty well lmao

[@dannyboy7278]

fibreglass and RESIN TIME!!!! 📣📣

[@bill_and_amanda]

The world needs a collab in these trying times

[@YoungOrbital]

Nice , a crossover, a resin kayak🤔😁

[@baumelii]

Do it 😁👍

[@ironhead2008]

Xyla: *makes RGB Kayak* Linus Sebastian:*Enters Chat*You had my curiosity, but now you have my attention...

[@padoco73]

Just gonna say...the most intricate and detailed tutorials on soldering don't mention what could be the most helpful tip ever. Thank you...that literally saved me hours.

[@TotalBoat]

That was so satisfying when you first took it off the kayak! Is there anything you can't do?? This came out so amazing - loving the lights addition!

[@xylafoxlin]

Awwww thank you!!

[@PhilVandelay]

This is so freaking cool! I think the frosting actually works really well because it distributes the light from the LEDs so nicely. Would be interesting to know how sturdy it turned out to be and if you think this would hold up with regular use

[@PsylomeAlpha]

I mean, with what it's made out of you could simply just continue to add more fiberglass layers to the bottom if it starts to wear.

[@Braven9975]

True, the frosting manage to diffuse the light better rather than a crystal clear would, it acted as a diffuser which actually made the led lights look a lot cooler.

[@seraphina985]

@@Braven9975 Indeed and you kind of do generally want a diffuser with LED lighting for this sort of application as it gives a more ambient lighting effect than the bare chips produce. Well I guess this is subjective but I do find the bare chips to produce a light that is unpleasantly harsh for ambient lighting effects the effect is usually more pleasant with diffuser or indirect lighting on a matte surface.

[@someotherdude]

It absolutely will hold up- many kayaks are exactly this construction.

[@danielf3623]

Going to Cali? Need a team-up with Simone Giertz :)

[@dr07828]

Xyla, Get your self a 1/4 sheet sander. Then get some gray foam block 2"- 3" . Put it between the sanding pad and sand paper, and you make a sanding head that conforms to the shape of what you sanding.

[@johnrobinson1140]

beautiful kayak with mood lighting

[@mfuentes4961]

The LEDs make the boat look like it came right out of Rainbow Road from Mariokart!🌈

[@kathueyang]

The final shot of the kayak in the water reminds me of deep sea jellyfish so much. I never knew how much I wanted something like that!

[@m4vr1ck]

2 questions 1. How much overlap do you recommend on the seams where you cut your fiberglass? 2. Any updates on how this vessel survived the move?

[@eclecticguy]

8:35 The DeWalt DCF682N1 battery screwdriver is my most used power tool. I got one for Christmas many years ago and have had one in my tool pouch or back pocket every day of work since then. Powerful enough to drive 2 1/2” drywall screws and controllable enough for tiny assembly screws on lights and ceiling fans.

[@jonnupe1645]

As i should be honest and say I have no experience with water crafts, but In my experience with fiberglass I would recommend that you continue to have fun and be yourself. Thanks for sharing 🙂

[@TheDisturbed0Angel]

That separation pop of the fiberglass from the kayak was SO satisfying.

[@Weisz]

Super cool! Would love to see more of this thing in action - though i do not envy the nearly 24-hour nonstop fiberglassing process

[@jonathanballoch]

agreed!

[@BladeBronson]

Hi Xyla. I'm interested in learning more about fiberglass for a back-burner project of mine and your videos have been really helpful. I'm also a man and was a little surprised and put off by the "mansplaining" quip. I know that KZbin comments are often a cesspool of criticism and maybe you've gotta keep your guard up, but I find it to be a term of needless divisiveness. I'm just here to learn and to enjoy your explanations of your findings in your work.

[@sebastianjost]

That's the most beautiful kayak I've ever seen!!!

[@FrankLavoy]

You are too strong 💪🏼😃 We are not worthy. What a great final result! Congratz!

[@mndlessdrwer]

The degree of success you achieved with that finished product is amazing. It totally looks like something that a company with a decent R&D lab designed and had professionally manufactured. For being a project with a bunch of external stress factors, I think it turned out way better than anticipated. Next project could be stepping up the challenge level by vacuum forming a polycarbonate kayak using heat and vacuum bagging. Not sure how you'll sort out getting a 9ft long heating source, but it would definitely be an awesome challenge.

[@eelcohoogendoorn8044]

Not sure if a completely clear material would give a better look; the scattering/diffusion from the fiber gives it that nice filled out glowie look. Make it too clear and I fear that kinda falls apart into 'just a bunch of LED strips'

[@Qfeys]

That looks super cool! I'm also looking forward to the next boat you'll make in 6 months.

[@gorillius]

The night effects were awesome , dig your creativity , there must've been fish from every direction just trailing you , so cool .

[@paulallen8597]

Xyla, you always deserve a like.

[@robertwoodliff2536]

Brilliant result.

[@TheRetnac]

That looks amazing! Have you considered doing LED paddles in the same style?

[@BeckyStern]

Yay, awesome project and video, Xyla!

[@insanegeniuses]

Pirated kayak, love it! This reminds me of those old "piracy. it's a crime" commercials. You wouldn't steal a car. lol

[@CalcProgrammer1]

Awesome project. RGB all the things!

[@mbatson13]

Hahaha! Love your "measure twice, cut once" shirt. Very funny. I can definitely relate to it in almost every one of my projects.

[@snubbyj]

"I'M SAWGGEY" 😂 This was so cool Xyla!! Huge congrats on the build and final result. Hope you don't burden yourself with another crazy boat soon, but it would also be no surprise if you did hahaha. Happy new year!!

[@xylafoxlin]

Hehehe we both know where any new boats would have to live... 😁

[@andy-in-indy]

Making composite parts is a lot of fun. Sanding and joining parts is a pain. I hope you get to make more projects with fiberglass parts so you can try out vacuum bagging, gel coats, and dissolving an extruded polystyrene buck that is wrapped in cloth & resin (so you don't have to join your hollow parts). It was fun watching the build on Instagram!

[@obennett100]

Use a GPS to feed your speed into the Arduino. Set the LED colors to run down the boat front to back at the same speed your traveling...

[@SenselessUsername]

Or detect paddle strokes to flash to the rhythm.

[@sailincat2822]

Re: "Use a GPS to feed your speed into the Arduino." Or a small paddle wheel driving a rotary encoder or similar rev counter. Maybe just a magnet on the wheel passing a pickup on the boat, if you don't care about direction of travel. Fewer moving parts, less subject to water damage. That's how some types of boat speedometers work. Maybe use one of those sensors and condition that output signal to match Arduino inputs.

[@haroldkline4898]

Excellent idea!

[@MrTRACER3579]

I really think you and your friends are so cool Xyla and your LED kaya boat build is just absolutely beyond cool...OK...so now besides the EARTH SHIP PROJECT...the PERMACULTURE FARM PROJECT...now thanks to you...I must now add the LED FILIPINO BANKA BOAT PROJECT to my list of things to do once lockdown ends...OK get ready to hear Welcome to the Philippines Xyla...I sure got a lot of challenging work for you and your friends in the future if you want it...including an open invitation anytime into our family home...you get so excited and into what you do you should put a team together and travel the world doing what you do ...now that's entertainment!

[@dr07828]

probably one of the coolest kayak I have seen.

[@01hondascott]

dude your soldering method blew my mind, i can't believe i never thought to do it like that. that alone was worth the watch of the video, thanks, great project.

[@PongoXBongo]

The BigClive/LittleXyla Method

[@tielemobiel]

We used to release our mold with compressed air, works like a charm

[@sailincat2822]

I was thinking compressed air, or water to dissolve the PVA and float the original kayak out of the new hull.

[@massv953]

Good mold prep will take care of 95% of surface problems and demolding issues. Its way more costly to fix things in a patch process than it is to mold it perfect to begin with. Get your molds to a near mirror finish and use make sure everything has been buffed with your demolding compound and no wax left. Demold, Orange peel,fish eyes, alligation etc will mostly be eliminated by good surface prep, and if you are doing this commercially its absolutely needed because fixing it afterwards cost alot.

[@aceonfire12]

So what did you do during the lockdowns of 2020? Xyla: Make like, a silly amount of boats

[@neild3074]

A vacuum forming trick for removing large parts from a mould is compressed air, get under one spot push in an airline, tape it up and blow it off.

[@smileydag]

Amazing work. Clear Blue Hawaii makes clear kayaks and canoes. All you need is LOTS of money. :) Someday I'll buy one.

[@JackmanWorks]

Can't believe you didn't acknowledge your ziptie belt 😂

[@xylafoxlin]

I didn't think anyone would notice!!!!

[@johnburakowski61]

@@xylafoxlin I had to smile when I saw that . My daughter's a vegan and cant find clothes to fit . She does the same thing .

[@jon_craftingo.o4686]

Damn, you made me have to go back and watch the video again. 🤣

[@Atariks]

@@johnburakowski61 Following a vegan lifestyling isn't the reason for not finding clothes. Maybe she just very slim and have to face the same problem with an omnivor diet. But its a really creative solution for that kind of problem

[@ucitymetalhead]

I had to start looking for it at first i was like "what belt"

[@Zhenya378]

The result is definitely worth the effort. Great job!

[@D0nk3yzz]

Absolutely LOVE the projects I have seen you do so far!!! The cedar canoe was amazing to me. Definitely looking forward to more! Keep it up, Xyla!!

[@Seabee_133]

Awesome job. And now I know another use for cable ties.

[@Buddy.Temple]

The end result is above and beyond!

[@_Pookie_]

Loved starting my day with a new Xyla video!

[@eugeneblackman]

It’s like combining a Cuttlefish with a Kayak. So creative 👌🏻

[@xylafoxlin]

Cuttlekayak 💜

[@PongoXBongo]

@@xylafoxlin Just need to make a two-seater now, so you can cuddle in your cuttlekayak.

[@DoneBlock94]

I don’t know about an asmr tag, but I reckon it totally qualifies for “oddly satisfying”.

[@questorhh]

Beautiful! Amazing! A crown jewel on open water.

[@dedanny08]

awesome! I don't understand anything about fiberglass or building things in general but it's still fun to watch!!

[@donaldasayers]

8:09 Only an engineer would hold their trousers up with a cable tie.

[@TomE1248]

Have done this, can confirm undoable cable ties are better than usual ones.

[@patricktennant1585]

@@TomE1248 Removing the cheaper ones at the end of day is dangerous when tired. Big bandaid and electrical tape necassary.

[@jimurrata6785]

@@TomE1248 You should just use two side loops. That's what I do.

[@TomE1248]

@@jimurrata6785 what do you mean?

[@jimurrata6785]

@@TomE1248 Do you mean the Velcro ones we use in server rooms? I mean do like Xyla has, and don't zip tie your pants shut.

[@WesleyTreat]

You've inspired me to build a boat! Maybe with neon? 12,000 volts on water shouldn't be a problem, right?

[@Bubbles-em2fb]

Just make sure you've got enough beer, then you'll be fine.

[@Skinflaps_Meatslapper]

Might want to crank that up to 15,000V just in case a little splash gets on your circuitry.

[@Luftbubblan]

Np, just distillate the water first haha! Vape the world.

[@jasonwong5540]

as long as it doesnt ground somewhere, 12kv will be perfect on water !

[@dayaautum6983]

The Bride of Frankenstein would consider it quite romantic actually.

[@DrNickBailey]

Another incredible video, and that end result with the strobing patterns like some deep sea luminescent cone jelly was superb.

[@JBGecko13yt]

coolest kayak by far!!!

[@michaelmaharlika8569]

Good job, I had fun watching you two, and I waited until your test to give you a thumbs up. Very cool at night, thank you for sharing.

[@OuchMySpleen]

Don't know what is a better project the boat, or that innovative belt solution @ 8:07

[@xylafoxlin]

Pants that fit are overrated 😂

[@YODAddyLIVE]

Was about to post the same but figured someone else caught it as well. :) Glad to see people appreciate a good pair of work jeans.

[@Miata822]

That was such a great project. I enjoyed both this build and the cedar strip canoe. I have worked quite a big with fiberglass repairing boats but could never get up the nerve to actually _build_ my own boat, though I've always wanted to. I think I no longer have an excuse not to give it a try.

[@ChristopherFonseka]

I did an electronics degree, and NEVER thought to use hot glue as a quick and easy structural joint 😅 Thanks Xyla - amazing project

[@ryancappo]

I use silicone, but it takes a lot longer to dry than hot glue. That is a good tip that I didn't think of either.

[@blu3445]

Sister u are my Hero. I was just sitting here trying to figure out how to make one, and i wouls have too, but u saved me 😘

[@wmhilton-old]

Wow that is the most beautiful kayak ever!

[@tonyoliver4920]

I love the “measure twice cut once” crop top, but the once is cut through.

[@guycore5478]

Everyone has been laughing at me for years about my zip tie belts. Thank you for validating my lifestyle ^^

[@socomrifle]

Okay, that was really flippin cool!

[@offdagrid877]

Wow that is fab, you should make a paddle with led’s in it to match your boat.

[@REDDOGLewiston61]

That is so cool! Good job!

[@jlarts]

It's nice to see Total Boat being used on an actual boat... seems like such a rare thing among makers ;)

[@xylafoxlin]

thats what I'm sayinnnnnn :D

[@jasonwong5540]

And next up we have RGB reactive TotalRGB clearcoat... haha

[@tiptronic420]

Yaasss please do a more technically in-depth video surrounding the arduino control of individually-addressable rgb strip!! (:

[@sailincat2822]

Not sure which addressable LED strips Xyla used, but check out Adafruit # 306, based on LPD8806 chips I think, their corresponding tutorial [learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip], and their Arduino IDE library example code. Arduino Nano clones are $3 to $4 on Amazon. The addressable weather resistant LED strips are somewhat more expensive.

[@petergilbert7106]

Wow, what a stunning build. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[@lopemac]

Neat kayak!!! 😍 Looks like a bioluminescent jellyfish 😍😍😍

[@1mprov1s3]

i gotta admit that i get high and watch your videos and it makes me so happy !!!! cant explain why but this channel is really comforting and relaxing.

[@cjpmedic]

If you haven’t named her yet, might I suggest “Cuttlefish”?

[@lostman65]

i didn’t even know those leds existed! 🙏 could you make a boring detailed video on how you programed them?

[@connorw5756]

Agree, I would watch a second channel with technical details about all the projects.

[@phoolb7326]

You can go to Arduino and search, "FastLED", "led strip" or possibly "nanopixle" which will hopefully send you to a library page where you can download some example files.

[@lostman65]

@@phoolb7326 thanks for the info

[@EnUsUserScreenname]

These strips are basically a huge shift register. PhoolB already mentioned all the arduino libs. :D For longer strips I recommend you use something faster than your regular arduino so you can get really fluid animations going. And since most of these strips run on 5V make sure the power supply of your choice has plenty amps to give.

[@sailincat2822]

Check out Adafruit # 306, based on LPD8806 chips I think, their corresponding tutorial [ learn.adafruit.com/digital-led-strip ], and their Arduino IDE library example code.

[@mdub1419]

Great job! I'm curious how much if any weight difference there is between that one and the original kayak you used as a plug. I imagine the fiberglass was lighter than the rotomolded boat.

[@johnlee7085]

The fiberglass version is probably about 75% of the weight of the plastic. Maybe less as it appears to be a rather light layup. That’s ballpark for kayaks that you can buy as plastic, f/g, or carbon/Kevlar (50%).

[@chris492549]

You are good looking, and make engineering videos; that is enough to get me to watch. But, then your enthusiasm and passion for what you are doing comes through your videos and it's infectious. I have watched three of your videos and I am hooked! PS: synthetic fleece will keep you warm even when you are soaked from rain or a hose. Please don't stop making STEAM fun!

[@kevinwilliams9380]

thats awesome, good fun project there

[@JTWoodworks]

This is incredible!!! Building a boat is on my bucket list and now I want to do it even more

[@DudeSawdust]

You’re a real inspiration! Thanks for giving us this video. I’m a big fan of this channel and have really learned so much from you. I look forward to all of your videos. Keep up the great work and never stop producing great content!

[@Dot2TheLock]

I love the confidence about thinking of everything I think more people need that it's better then the other KZbiner who play dumb to get people to comment

[@stevebrocone8927]

Awesome! Cool you launched it in the Flats! Born n Raised Clevelander here! And your newest subscriber!

[@HanaTheRussell]

That's so beautiful!!!

[@SarahIngleOfficial]

🤩🌈 Wow! You make me want to go back to school and study engineering so I can make clear fiberglass rainbow LED everything. Don’t put it past me... I just might.

[@xylafoxlin]

Omg save the money on engineering school and spend it on moar LEDs 😉

[@SarahIngleOfficial]

@@xylafoxlin But then I’ll just wind up tangled in a mess of LEDs. I know because I tried to add them to my piano... 😆 but a clear fiberglass LED piano would be even cooler.

[@PongoXBongo]

@@SarahIngleOfficial Maybe you could rig up an Arduino kit to make it a light-up player piano.

[@Googaliemoogalie]

Do it! Join the engineering club. The same club where you can't find work in the field and do something totally different!

[@mySeaPrince_]

Hi Sarah. You don't need engineering school.. Just use KZbin... I don't do much fibreglassing but each time I tell the fibreglass company what I want to do .. including surface area .. also I tell them I'm not made of money... .. and they send a box with everything I need.. Do buy a good respirator and goggles and wear old clothes etc... A serious point not mentioned on her dress made of carbon fibre and Kevlar.. never use mains powered tools or Sanders with carbon fibre as the carbon gets in the air and motor and can be electrocuted.. use air tools or battery but if use battery tools do outside in a bit of wind or use a fan and cover any holes on power tools with a filter and watch out for over heating... Now I hope I've eliminated the need to go to a school... Have fun... regards Mark.

[@mfuentes4961]

Nice! 😄👍🏽 I remember watching you make it on your Instagram stories and was wondering if you were ever going to make a video on it.

[@xylafoxlin]

The move put me waaaaaay behind but soon my IG and YT will be synced 😅

[@errantpursuits4249]

Now you need a matching paddle of clear resin with leds inside.

[@T3RRY_T3RR0R]

Taking RGB to the waterways, because why the heck not. Love it!

[@henrytube3526]

Better than most T.V. out there! Glad the mold release worked. And you have a vision!

[@SwitchAndLever]

You can't tell me what to do! I hit the like button within the first minute! Seriously, I have been waiting for this video for a while now, glad to see it's out 😊 [edit] That seriously turned out way better than I thought it would when I first heard of this idea! It reminds me of one of those bio-luminescent deep sea jellyfish! Don't count on me telling you not to build another boat in the future, these videos are too good! 😄

[@xylafoxlin]

REBEL

[@SwitchAndLever]

Xyla Foxlin I REGRET NOTHING!!!

[@jonathanballoch]

Your content and personality is amazing, and this video really shows off your ingenuity. So happy to see people with your talent and creativity blowing up!

[@zeroraptor]

Law enforcement: Excuse me miss, you can't be on the water without lights. Xyla: *Flips switch* Law enforcement: Have a good evening miss.

[@sailincat2822]

Have a here-come-the-cops switch which instantly configures the LEDs to meet legal lighting requirements.

[@theRICKbowman]

Woah, finished product looks great all lit up!

[@funnyriverred2501]

that looks so cool at night... i bet you could do some awesome night kayak fishing that way!!!

[@AndyCallaway]

Next month: Xyla builds a plane... ;-)

[@xylafoxlin]

shhhhhh dont give me any ideas

[@vb6276]

I honestly am wating for the RGB yacht =D

[@Lucien86]

I've seen people building self-made planes on TV. This is a cruel suggestion. (Building your own small plane out of fiberglass is hell itself and can literally lead to madness.)

[@victorwelkin9136]

Did he end up with a ton of elegible bachelorettes trying to contact him?

[@shadbakht]

Probably not. He just ended up simping for her for nothing.

[@willifountain2988]

@@shadbakht the ugly truth imao

[@ctakitimu]

@@willifountain2988 Simping in her presence isn't the worse thing you could do with your time, she's a helluva package! Smart and sexy. Someone's gonna be lucky, hopefully she chooses an equally gifted male (won't be me, I settle for 5's or 6's...sometimes 7's and once an 8)

[@tinapedersen120]

@@ctakitimu ... or female ;)

[@ctakitimu]

@@tinapedersen120 Right you are!

[@WowCoolHorse]

Shoulda kept that instagram watermark on screen longer for when randos on facebook repost your amazing creation for millions of views ;p also I'm super glad I stumbled across your channel, I'm subbing after this ^-^

[@rickg1403]

Very cool!!! Good idea!