Composites Use in Marine Applications
Infused, fiberglass/polyester composite boat hulls have been built since the mid-1900s, expanding over time to include additional resins and foam cores. Composites continue to be a mainstay for various types of boats and luxury and racing yachts, and now include newer innovations such as carbon fiber precision hydrofoils and recycled carbon fiber or bio-based resins.
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SeaRush project takes 3D printed USV testbed from concept to sea in 5-month timeframe
SNAPSHOT: Collaborative Dutch ecosystem integrates a range of new technologies to develop and test scalable, affordable and rapidly produced USVs for future marine operation.
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NH3Craft project yields seaworthy composite tanks for ammonia storage
Connova Deutschland has developed the glass fiber-wound Type 4 vessels as a lightweight, corrosion-resistant alternative to steel tank systems for the maritime sector’s shift toward fossil-free fuels.
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Aerospace tooling, seaglider mock-up projects illustrate Caracol Heron AM platform production agility
Two customer projects required agile, large-scale and on-demand fiber-reinforced production models, which Heron AM successfully delivered with 50-70% reduced lead times.
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Two-year project investigates basalt fiber, bio-resin viability as boatbuilding alternative
World record explorer Lisa Blair alongside Australian research and industry partners begins study into a commercially viable solution to replace the use of fiberglass in boat hulls.
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Saildrone’s largest USV integrates composite wing, multi-mission defense capabilities
Spectre, a 170-foot autonomous surface vessel with aluminum hull and composite wing, is designed for extended anti-submarine and defense missions, modular payloads and multiple mission variants.
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Hyke GFRP electric urban ferry demonstrates 8X efficiency versus diesel
The F-15 electric ferry cut energy use by up to 88%, eliminated direct emissions and improved transport efficiency in Fredrikstad’s public transport pilot.
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Latest Marine News And Updates
SMM Composites produced 54 high-performance CFRP parts for Computed Wing Sail in weeks
SNAPSHOT: Maximum stiffness, long-term structural reliability was achieved using six-cavity infusion mold for omegas, large-scale 3D printing and pinpoint machining for highest quality with low lead times.
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Spiral launches AR-powered spatial inspection platform for composite structures
Roboscope is an iPhone-based system that replaces paper logs with spatially anchored digital defect records on wind turbine blades and large composite parts.
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MarineShift360 Impact Accelerator announces 2026 cohort
Selected companies Gurit, Mobyfly and nlcomp will be supported with life cycle assessment tools, expertise and networking access.
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Norco supports XOCEAN production of uncrewed surface vessels
Norco provided manufacturing expertise in lightweight resin infused composite structures, aiding in design for manufacture, tool design and material selection to optimize production for series manufacturing.
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European yacht projects, AQAP certification strengthen Vabo Composites marine support
Polish and French vessel builds are geared to implement Vabo’s FRD60-rated hatches and doors, and the company makes defense and naval certification headway.
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Haddy demonstrates agile LFAM production with LPUSV maritime project
SNAPSHOT: A functional, testable 3D printed carbon fiber semi-submersible vessel developed by HavocAI went from design to sea trial in just 9 days.
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Featured Posts
Post Cure: Composite seaglider craft redefine coastal transportation operations
The Viceroy all-electric flagship seaglider being developed by REGENT Craft in Rhode Island operates exclusively over water.
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Hybrid composite architecture enables rigid wind propulsion solution for maritime decarbonization
GT Wings’ AirWing leverages aerospace engineering principles combined with hybrid glass and carbon fiber composite construction to deliver up to 30% fuel savings through compact, deck-compatible wind propulsion.
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Recycled carbon fiber composite panels power 40% lighter, durable semi-rigid solar panels
Designed for auxiliary power use while traveling via boat or RV, Italian startup Levante’s custom flexible or standardized semi-rigid solar panels combine the benefits of ReCarbon’s rCF and thermoplastics.
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FIDAMC expands composites R&D into new markets and advanced manufacturing centers
Pioneering technocenter advances RTM, thermoplastic composites, additive manufacturing, microwire, novel lighter weight LSP and more.
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Functionalizing surfaces for sustainability
Riblets reduce drag, fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and noise while boosting power output, flow rates, speed and efficiency.
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Composites end markets: Boatbuilding and marine (2025)
As 2023-2024 consumer demand slows, boat and marine vessel manufacturers continue to focus on decarbonization and new technologies using composites.
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FAQ: Marine
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
