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

Design/Simulation

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.

Grace Nehls
Managing Editor, CompositesWorld

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

Marine

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.

Thermoplastics

SeaBioComp project develops biocomposite demonstrator products for marine applications

Prototype products explore thermoplastic polymers, natural fibers and 3D printing technologies to effectively reduce the use of fossil-based materials in the marine sector.
#biomaterials

Carbon Fibers

Diab Divinycell HM foam lightweights Mayla 44 electric powerboat

Ultra-high-performance powerboat achieves high weight reduction with carbon fiber sandwich construction of the deck, internal structure and the complete hull surface.
#trends #layup

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 #marketing

Want The Basics?
START HERE

Marine |

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.
#Basics #sourcebook #feature

Hannah Mason Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Videos / Podcasts

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.

Aerospace

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.

Energy Storage

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.
#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

Composites end markets: Boatbuilding and marine (2022)

December 01, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Boat sales remain high during the pandemic, with carbon and glass fiber still in high demand. 3D printing, biomaterials and recycling move forward while hydrogen propulsion grows rapidly with the pursuit of zero emissions.
#sourcebook #feature #multitudeofmarkets

Glass Fibers

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.

Aerospace

Adapting composites 3D printing to evolving needs

July 15, 2021 - 12:00 AM EST

Continuous fiber printing pioneer increases print cell options, size, hybridization and simulation capability for expanded applications.
#a350

Marine |

Plant tour: Avel Robotics, Lorient, France

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

Ginger Gardiner Senior Technical Editor, CompositesWorld

Marine

PRF Composite Materials announced as material supplier for ThrustWSH

ThrustWSH aims to set a new water speed record with an innovative, composites-intensive hydroplane design, targeting a 2025/26 run date.

Additive Manufacturing

Massivit 3D wins IBEX Innovation Award for additive composite tooling system

The Massivit 10000 provides automated, high-speed tooling for composite materials manufacturing, finds foothold in marine industry.

Glass Fibers

Aeler fiberglass shipping containers enhance transport insulation, payload, visibility

Unit One container is capable of transporting more cargo, reducing maritime transport emissions by 20% and incorporates embedded sensors for tracking and monitoring.

Marine

Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering to demonstrate fuel cell-applied ship operation

KSOE’s shipbuilding sector, Hyundai Heavy Industries Group, alongside Shell, Doosan Fuel Cell, HyAxiom and DNV, is to build, design and integrate fuel cells into ship systems.

Marine

Hexcel HexPly M9.6 prepregs receive type approval for marine use

Third-party certification guarantees lightweight composite quality, performance and consistency for more sustainable marine vessels.

Marine

HAV Hydrogen to introduce containerized H2 system for ships

The standalone, scalable power supply is an option for newly build vessels, or those not already prepared for a conventional retrofit installation below deck, fast-tracking H2 fuel use. HAV notes future opportunities for composites.
#hydrogen