How are composites used in boatbuilding?

Boats and yachts have featured fiberglass composite boat hulls, decks and other structures for many years. These are typically fabricated via infusion, hand layup and/or sprayup methods. Carbon fiber/epoxy can be used in applications requiring even lighter weight to increase speed or fuel efficiency, such as in sailing boats or racing boats. More recently, new international regulations have allowed developments in composite decks, superstructures, rudders and other components for large ships as well.

Why use composites in boatbuilding and marine applications?

Composites are attractive in marine applications due to corrosion resistance, as well as lightweighting that composites can provide compared to metals or wood can reduce fuel use, greenhouse gas emissions and vessel draft, helping to improve sustainability. Source: Removing barriers to lightweighting ships with composites

MARINE

Marine

Artemis Technologies launches new all-electric foiling water taxi

A more environmentally conscious luxury water transportation option, the Artemis EF-12 Escape, with its composite/metallic foils, combines a sleek style with a high-performance flight control system.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

Urban Air Mobility

Regent unveils full-scale seaglider mock-up, plans for expansion

Up to 600,000 square feet of new manufacturing and testing space is anticipated to fulfill $8 billion in global orders for the composite, all-electric maritime vehicle.
#wingoftomorrow #space

Marine

Norsepower secures €28 million for modern mechanical rotor sail

New funding will accelerate composite rotor sail production, R&D, marketing, recruitment and more to expand the reach of Norsepower’s fuel-saving and emissions-reducing technology for ships.

Marine

Janicki supports Saildrone Voyager program

Engineer and manufacture of technologically challenging composite components for the 33-foot uncrewed surface vehicle will scale up Saildrone fleet capability, meet the demanding challenges of ocean mapping.

Glass Fibers

Aeler smart composite containers enter Portuguese market

Navex, part of Grupo ETE, will be representing Aeler in the Portuguese and Cape Verde markets to bring the innovation to the maritime sector.
#automation

World’s largest center console with single-skin hull

Navy RHIB concept goes commercial in the new HydraSports Custom Sueños high-performance offshore fishing boat.
#outofautoclave

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Marine |

Powder Coating Overcomes Post Forming

Six Sigma methodology, open communication, and collaboration produce results for leading boat manufacturer.

Scott Francis Editor-In-Chief, Products Finishing

Videos / Podcasts

Avel Robotics uses AFP tow steering to produce CFRP foil components

Testing

Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France

November 23, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

From AFP hydrofoils to more efficient aircraft parts, Avel uses digital design, multiprocess production and a rule-breaking approach for complex 4D composites.
#planttour #wingoftomorrow #space

Glass Fibers

Advanced Fiberglass Industries: Composites enable innovation

September 22, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

With decades of composites design and fabrication experience, Dubai-based AFI turns problems into solutions.

Marine

Brødrene Aa delivers carbon fiber catamaran to serve as transport through the Saronic islands

July 04, 2022 - 10:00 AM EST

The Aero 1 Highspeed, operating under Attica Group, features an aerodynamic and energy-efficient design for passengers and cargo in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Fabrics/Preforms

JEC World 2022, Part 3: Emphasizing emerging markets, thermoplastics and carbon fiber

June 09, 2022 - 12:00 AM EST

CW editor-in-chief Jeff Sloan identifies companies exhibiting at JEC World 2022 that are advancing both materials and technologies for the growing AAM, hydrogen, automotive and sustainability markets.
#windblades #sustainability #wingoftomorrow

RTM

JEC World 2022, Part 1: Highlights in sustainable, digital, industrialized composites

June 03, 2022 - 12:00 PM EST

JEC World 2022 offered numerous new developments in composites materials, processes and applications, according to CW senior editor, Ginger Gardiner, most targeting improved sustainability for wider applications.
#sustainability #hydrogen #repair

Testing

InfraCore develops composite helideck for 85-meter seagoing patrol vessel

April 22, 2022 - 12:00 PM EST

Nominated for the JEC Innovation Awards 2022, the FRP deck has undergone rigorous impact and hydrocarbon fire tests, proving that it is robust enough to resist a helicopter crash.

Marine

Pultron Composites advances marina construction with innovative GFRP waler

November 03, 2021 - 12:00 PM EST

The waler incorporates a GFRP thru-rod and nut system, delivering high flex and fatigue resistance and increased environmental and aesthetic longevity.

Marine |

Refurbished Einstein yacht demonstrates innovative composites repair and redesign

Years of creative engineering work went into resurrecting the composites-intensive IMOCA 60 racing yacht — with award-winning results.
#repair #application

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Aerospace

European SUSPENS project targets green composites production

The 13-partner program will addresses the challenge of reducing the environmental footprint of sandwich and hollow composite structures via bio-sourced resins and carbon fiber precursors.
#biomaterials #wingoftomorrow #space

Carbon Fibers

Chantiers de l’Atlantique receives first initial orders for SolidSail

Chantiers de l’Atlantique equips its first sailing cargo ship and two upcoming cruise ships with its highly rigid, foldable carbon fiber SolidSail rig.

Marine

MAXBlade project to advance tidal energy generation with 13-meter composite blades

Recently launched 66-month MAXBlade project aims to harness tidal energy in the U.K. through a 70% increase in rotor swept area.

Marine

Chantiers de l’Atlantique reveals 66-meter, all-composite SolidSail mast

A technological feat, the large carbon fiber mast prototype targets the Silenseas sailing liner and sailing cargo ships for up to 40% reduction in CO2 emissions.
#trends

Design/Simulation

Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli adopts Siemens Xcelerator portfolio for America’s Cup composite yacht

Critical digital tools and services increase design complexity, improve manufacturing repeatability and accelerate development for composite racing yacht construction, in and out of season.
#trends

Urban Air Mobility

Norco Composites awarded new contracts, recruits to bolster workforce

High demand for Norco’s composites expertise in the defense, aerospace and subsea markets has led to the company’s investment in 10+ new workers and specialist training programs and facility developments.
#wingoftomorrow #space #workforcedevelopment

Materials |

Composites end markets: Boatbuilding and marine (2023)

While the recreational boating market is challenged to meet record-breaking sales in 2020 and 2021, composite materials and design innovation are abound, with a noticeable focus on 3D printing, biomaterials and sustainability.
#composites-basics #sustainability #composites-market-outlook

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld