Better boat building — trend to closed-mould processingcontinues

Abstract

The recreational boat building industry is a major consumer of composite materials. But the global economic downturn left material suppliers and boat builders alike struggling to survive in dangerous waters. Boat manufacturers have gone through a period of consolidation and downsizing, looking for ways to cut costs and boost productivity. Meanwhile, the industry has never stopped developing new materials, processing techniques and innovations that contribute to better boat construction and better on-water performance. Richard Stewart reports.