Marine Composites – A Global Perspective

by Richard Downs-Honey, CEO

There are big builders of lots of small boats…

There are big builders of (relatively) lots of big boats…

There are builders who produce only a few small boats…

Mackay 49er

There are builders who produce only a few large boats…

Briand 120 built by YDL

Then there is a range of technologies that can be applied…

Little boats can be built on scale, with advanced technology processes (e.g.

VEC, RIMFIRE)

Little boats can be built by hand with advanced materials

YDL Tender

Little boats can be built with low technology materials and processes

High performance boats can be built with the most advanced materials and

processes

Carbon prepreg is used in components…

…and also in small boats

Flying Eagle rowing scull

Even luxury mega yachts might used advanced technology

Other large boats don’t need to be super light weight

Holland 47m built by Cheoy Lee

And for the majority of boats, which are ‘inbetween’ size…

Some are hand laid, sandwich construction

Salthouse 52

Others are infused

Sunbird 62 (photo by Vic Duppenthaler)

Low temperature prepregs can also be used

Shipman 50

Not a uniform industry

One size does not fit all

Marine sector continues to

adopt and apply new

technologies

In conclusion…