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Carbon Fiber Replacement for Outdated Hull Materials
Enhance performance. Reduce weight. Extend lifespan.
Carbon fiber delivers a step-change in strength-to-weight over fiberglass and metal. Whether your goal is race-ready acceleration, lower fuel consumption, or a modern refit that adds years to your yacht’s life, our team designs and installs carbon fiber hull solutions that integrate cleanly with your existing structure and systems.
Why yachtservice.me
Carbon fiber delivers a step-change in strength-to-weight over fiberglass and metal. Whether your goal is race-ready acceleration, lower fuel consumption, or a modern refit that adds years to your yacht’s life, our team designs and installs carbon fiber hull solutions that integrate cleanly with your existing structure and systems.
Why yachtservice.me
- Certified marine composite technicians and naval-architect review
- Class-compliant methods (ISO 12215; workflows aligned with RINA/LR/DNV)
- Vacuum infusion & controlled-cure processes with full QA
- Clean integration with propulsion, stabilization, and nav systems
- Warranty, documentation, and ongoing maintenance support
Key Benefits
Weight down, speed up
Typical weight reductions of 25–50% for replaced elements—faster acceleration, higher cruise efficiency, and better range.
Stiffer, stronger, longer-lasting
High modulus laminates cut flex and slamming fatigue; superior corrosion and osmosis resistance.
Fuel & operating savings
Less displacement = less power required. Lower maintenance vs. metal corrosion and legacy GRP repair cycles.
Modern aesthetics & design freedom
Sleek carbon finishes or painted topsides; complex shapes for improved hydrodynamics and ride comfort.
What We Upgrade
Our Process (End-to-End)
Survey & Engineering Plan
NDT (tap test, ultrasound where applicable), moisture mapping, core samples. Finite Element–informed laminate schedule and load-path design.
Material & Method Selection
Marine-grade carbon fabrics (uni, biax, twill), epoxy/vinyl ester systems, PVC/PET/foam or honeycomb cores, toughened resins for impact zones, peel-ply & flow media spec.
Prep & Fixture
Controlled hull support, surface prep to spec, scarfing strategy, bond-line design, galvanic isolation plan (for metal interfaces), lightning protection routing.
Lamination & Cure
Vacuum infusion or wet-preg with controlled temps; post-cure to achieve Tg; laminate consolidation and void control.
QA & Compliance
Cure logs, hardness checks, laminate thickness mapping, secondary bonding verification, class documentation package.
Systems Integration & Fairing
Thru-hulls, stabilizers, shafts/struts, sensors re-fit; fairing and finish (clear carbon or paint).
Sea Trials & Handover
Speed, fuel curve, vibration & noise checks; updated stability booklet where required; maintenance briefing.
Technical Specs (Typical)
Can you “replace” an entire hull in carbon?
In practice, most refits are selective rebuilds (skins + structure) that deliver the gains you want with less disruption. We’ll present both options if a full replacement is feasible for your vessel.
Will carbon work with my metal fittings/shafts?
Yes—with proper galvanic isolation, sealed penetrations, and bonding strategies.
Do I need class or flag approvals?
Commercial vessels and certain private yachts may require class/flag review. We prepare the documentation and coordinate as needed.
How long does it take?
Scope-dependent. After survey, we give a clear schedule covering yard time, cure windows, finishing, and trials.
Is clear-carbon exterior practical?
Yes, with UV-stable systems and maintenance discipline. Many owners choose paint for simplicity.
Next Steps
Get in touch to schedule a survey and receive a tailored carbon upgrade plan.
Weight down, speed up
Typical weight reductions of 25–50% for replaced elements—faster acceleration, higher cruise efficiency, and better range.
Stiffer, stronger, longer-lasting
High modulus laminates cut flex and slamming fatigue; superior corrosion and osmosis resistance.
Fuel & operating savings
Less displacement = less power required. Lower maintenance vs. metal corrosion and legacy GRP repair cycles.
Modern aesthetics & design freedom
Sleek carbon finishes or painted topsides; complex shapes for improved hydrodynamics and ride comfort.
What We Upgrade
- Full or partial hull skin replacement (above/below waterline)
- Stringers, frames, bulkheads (stiffness and load-path improvements)
- Impact zones & high-load areas (bow, keel, slamming surfaces)
- Deck-hull joint and sheer reinforcement
- Swim platforms, transoms, foil/drive interfaces
- Superstructure weight reduction to lower CG and improve stability
Our Process (End-to-End)
Survey & Engineering Plan
NDT (tap test, ultrasound where applicable), moisture mapping, core samples. Finite Element–informed laminate schedule and load-path design.
Material & Method Selection
Marine-grade carbon fabrics (uni, biax, twill), epoxy/vinyl ester systems, PVC/PET/foam or honeycomb cores, toughened resins for impact zones, peel-ply & flow media spec.
Prep & Fixture
Controlled hull support, surface prep to spec, scarfing strategy, bond-line design, galvanic isolation plan (for metal interfaces), lightning protection routing.
Lamination & Cure
Vacuum infusion or wet-preg with controlled temps; post-cure to achieve Tg; laminate consolidation and void control.
QA & Compliance
Cure logs, hardness checks, laminate thickness mapping, secondary bonding verification, class documentation package.
Systems Integration & Fairing
Thru-hulls, stabilizers, shafts/struts, sensors re-fit; fairing and finish (clear carbon or paint).
Sea Trials & Handover
Speed, fuel curve, vibration & noise checks; updated stability booklet where required; maintenance briefing.
Technical Specs (Typical)
- Fibers: High-modulus & standard-modulus carbon (uni/biax/twill)
- Resins: Marine epoxy (primary), vinyl ester where appropriate
- Cores: Closed-cell PVC/PET, SAN, or honeycomb (area-specific)
- Processes: Vacuum infusion, controlled heat cure, post-cure
- Interfaces: Isolation for dissimilar metals; sealed penetrations
- Documentation: Laminate schedules, QA records, materials CoC
- Scheduled inspections (first year + seasonal checks)
- Repair kits & documented repair procedures
- Finish care (clear-carbon UV systems or paint systems)
- Optional performance retune (props, tabs, stabilizer logic)
- Heavy legacy hulls: High fuel burn and sluggish acceleration → targeted carbon skins/structure cut weight and drag.
- Recurring repairs/corrosion: Move to durable carbon/epoxy with correct isolation and moisture control.
- Racing/regatta performance gaps: Stiffer hull and lower mass = sharper handling and better VMG.
- Flex & fatigue in older laminates: Carbon load-paths and bulkhead upgrades stop the “oil-canning.”
Can you “replace” an entire hull in carbon?
In practice, most refits are selective rebuilds (skins + structure) that deliver the gains you want with less disruption. We’ll present both options if a full replacement is feasible for your vessel.
Will carbon work with my metal fittings/shafts?
Yes—with proper galvanic isolation, sealed penetrations, and bonding strategies.
Do I need class or flag approvals?
Commercial vessels and certain private yachts may require class/flag review. We prepare the documentation and coordinate as needed.
How long does it take?
Scope-dependent. After survey, we give a clear schedule covering yard time, cure windows, finishing, and trials.
Is clear-carbon exterior practical?
Yes, with UV-stable systems and maintenance discipline. Many owners choose paint for simplicity.
Next Steps
- Request a carbon survey & options plan (performance, weight, and structural report)
- Get a fixed-scope proposal with schedule, QA plan, and warranty
- Book your yard slot and transformation window
Get in touch to schedule a survey and receive a tailored carbon upgrade plan.
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