Cruise Craft Boats Now 100% Composite Construction

With zero timber in the construction, the opportunity for timber rot has been completely eliminated.

In a conventional fibreglass hull, timber is principally used in the transom and subfloor system, and following a lengthy research and development program, Cruise Craft now has a construction process that provides a 100 percent composite Cruise Craft boat. The composite build process focuses upon two key areas of the hull: the transom and the subfloor system.

All Cruise Craft models now have a full-composite, rot-free transom. This is manufactured by laying up panels to create a thick sheet of composite material to suit each specific Cruise Craft model. In the subfloor, the Cruise Craft-developed Matrix Grid Construction process is employed.

Formed from composite material to profile the cavity between the inside of the hull and underside of the fully moulded fibreglass floor liner, the subfloor composite matrix provides rigidity and support for both the cockpit floor and the hull itself. In addition to eliminating timber from the subfloor area, the Matrix Grid Construction also produces a stronger hull. Once the subfloor Matrix Grid Construction is fitted, the void between the one-piece full-length fibreglass moulded floor liner and hull is filled with foam.

The foam flotation has been a feature of Cruise Craft boats since 2005. Cruise Craft director Nathan Nichols said, “At Cruise Craft we continually strive to deliver a high-quality, world-class product for our customers.”

“When we commenced this program, our primary objective was to completely eliminate timber from every Cruise Craft model.

“In addition, we needed to ensure there was no compromise in strength and that the cost of manufacture needed to be comparable to the timber technique.

“We have achieved everything we set out to accomplish with this technology.”

Working with various suppliers and testing different materials, lamination techniques and thickness of mouldings, test hulls were built and evaluated to assess the performance and durability of the timber-free hulls. “Ultimately all the hard work paid dividends, with timber now totally eliminated from all Cruise Craft hulls,” Nathan said.

“Our all-new composite construction ensures enhanced hull integrity together with a more durable product.

“Together, this ensures that a family’s investment in a Cruise Craft boat is even better than before and provides even greater peace of mind.” Visit www.cruisecraft.com.au