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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Nlcomp Welcomes Ocean as Shareholder, Prepares to Inaugurate rFactory
Ocean Srl’s investment will support nlcomp’s move toward sustainable, environmentally responsible marine practices and bolster its workboat segment entry as it prepares to open its new rFactory for rComposites and unveil the Offshore 34 yacht.
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Non-Syntactic Foam Core is Certified for Underwater Technology Systems
CAMX 2026: Gurit highlights its Corecell S structural foam, which supports subsea buoyancy, ROV and diving bell components with high hydrostatic crush strength across multiple resin systems.
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Nlcomp Selected for Amazon Sustainability Accelerator 2026
The European program supports companies committed to product sustainability, gives nlcomp the opportunity to accelerate rComposite commercial development beyond marine.
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Curve Works Receives Bureau Veritas Approval for 3D Composite Kits Made Via Reconfigurable Mold
SNAPSHOT: Adaptable mold pioneer in composite parts production for marine, architecture and other markets receives Approval in Principle from classification society for primary load-bearing maritime and shipbuilding construction.
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Orthotropic Engineering Launches Database on Seawater-Conditioned Composites Data
The launch of SeaComposites, a licensed database of seawater-immersion screening data, is designed to help engineers select composite materials for long-term submerged marine and offshore applications.
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Northstar RIBs Offers Range of RTM-Built Yacht Tenders
Northstar RIBs completes its Vega Lite lineup using its One-Shot RTM process, said to cut production time by 50% and result in a lighter, stronger boat.
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Latest Marine News And Updates
MARTAC Forms Co-Production Partnership With Composites Fabricator Mystic Powerboats for USVs
Autonomous maritime expertise and advanced composites manufacturing are being combined to accelerate MARTAC’s capacity and delivery timelines for U.S. and allied customers.
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REGENT completes Seaglider Manufacturing Facility dedicated to electric maritime craft
The 255,000-square-foot facility in North Kingstown will serve as the global production hub for REGENT’s composite Seaglider vessels, supporting a $10 billion order book and $15 million in defense contracts.
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Fiberglass-reinforced foam panels offer plywood alternative across marine, structural applications
CAMX 2026: Coosa Composites' closed-cell polyurethane foam panels, reinforced with woven-roving and continuous-strand fiberglass, are designed for use in markets where rot resistance and weight savings are priorities.
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CWS Computed Wing Sail completes full-scale Airfin350 rigid wing prototype test campaign
SNAPSHOT: The 40-meter CFRP folding wing sail, developed for cargo ship decarbonization, has entered real conditions testing at Nantes-Saint Nazaire Port ahead of a first commercial installation.
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Nova Carbon, nlcomp composite technologies lead environmentally friendly ocean racing ambitions
SNAPSHOT: From recycled carbon fiber to a race-ready IMOCA seat, Nova Carbon and nlcomp are showing what these kind of collaborations look like in practice.
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Fincantieri, Teijin Automotive Technologies Europe sign agreement with maritime composites focus
Shipbuilder and composites manufacturer are collaborating on the engineering of nonstructural composite bulkheads for naval and civil maritime vessel programs.
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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
