Construction
A note about general rowing boat construction
Honeycomb or foam sandwich hulls have now become standard for rowing boat construction. The method of construction used throughout the industry is surprisingly similar. A selection of carbon, kevlar and fiberglass cloths are bonded to a core material, usually honeycomb or coremat, these are then heat-cured under vacuum at high temperatures. The standard method used by the majority of high quality boat builders, is however labor intensive. China has adopted all the recent technological advances, and benefits from both a history of experience, and low labor costs. For these simple reasons, China is rising to the top in the boat building industry.
A core material is used to make a sandwich structure in order to increase hull thickness. Hull thickness is related directly to an increase in boat stiffness. As honeycomb is so light, it makes an ideal core material. Coremat can also be used as an alternate core material, but because of its greater density, it results in a heavier boat. Coremat does however have better impact resistance, and is easier to repair than honeycomb.
5 different construction grades for rowing boats
| Elite Carbon | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Our very top boat, all carbon, and built to FISA minimum weight. For an extra charge, it can be finished in a clear UV blocking, polyurethane paint that shows the weave of the carbon cloth, and demonstrates the skill of the builder. |
| Hull | Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Saxboards and canvas decks | Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Seat deck | High density closed cell PVC foam core with all carbon skins |
| Elite Plus | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Specifically for use in competition, so are built to FISA minimum weight. Use internal cloth of carbon in cockpit, and external cloth of kevlar, with carbon seat decks and carbon reinforcing on the saxboards and keel. |
| Hull | Honeycomb core with all carbon skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Saxboards and canvas decks | Honeycomb core with all carbon skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Seat deck | High density closed cell PVC foam core with carbon and kevlar skins |
| Elite | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Specifically for use in competition, so are built to FISA minimum weight. Mainly use kevlar cloth, with carbon seat decks and carbon reinforcing on the saxboards and keel. |
| Hull | Honeycomb core with kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Saxboards and canvas decks | Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Seat deck | High density closed cell PVC foam core with carbon and kevlar skins |
| Club A | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Mainly for training purposes, although with only a small weight disadvantage over honeycomb boats, can still be highly competitive. |
| Hull | Core mat core with kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Saxboards and canvas decks | Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Seat deck | High density closed cell PVC foam core with kevlar skins |
| Club B | |
|---|---|
| Overview | Specifically built for training purposes. Quite heavy, but great “work horses”. This construction is relatively easy to repair |
| Hull | Core mat core with kevlar and fibre glass skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Saxboards and canvas decks | Honeycomb core with kevlar and fibre glass skins, and carbon reinforcing |
| Seat deck | High density closed cell PVC foam core with fibre glass skins |