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Rowing boat construction
Quality control and testing
A note about general rowing boat construction Honeycomb or foam sandwich hulls have now become the norm for rowing boats, and the method of construction used at most boat builders is surprisingly similar. A selection of carbon, kevlar and fibre glass cloths are bonded to a core material, usually honeycomb or core mat, then cured under vacuum at high temperatures. This is the standard method used by the majority of boat builders, but it is extremely labour intensive. While China has the suitable technological know-how, labour costs are still very low in terms of foreign currency. For this simple reason, China is rising to the top in the boat building industry. The reason for using a core material to make a sandwich structure is to increase thickness. As hull thickness increases there is a dramatic improvement in boat stiffness. As honeycomb is so light it is an ideal core material. Core mat can also be used as a core, but because of its greater density, it results in a heavier boat. However, core mat is better at taking bumps, and will be easier to repair than honeycomb. In total we offer 7 different construction types for rowing boats.

Common Features To All Boats

Fittings	All carbon stretchers, seats and shoes plates, with quick release shoes. Stainless steel pins, anodised aluminium fittings including seat rails and replaceable fins
Riggers	See Riggers & Fittings
Safety	Enclosed canvas decks and seat decks for maximum buoyancy, with polystyrene filling available as an option
Paint	3 coats of UV blocking polyurethane paint
Cure	Epoxy cured at high temperature under vacuum

Elite Carbon (C/H/C)		Elite Plus (K/H/C)
Overview		Overview
Our very top boat, all carbon, and built to FISA minimum weight. Finished in a clear UV blocking, polyurethane paint that shows the weave of the carbon cloth, and demonstrates the skill of the builder.		Specifically for use in competition, so are built to FISA minimum weight. External skin is kevlar, with all internal skins of carbon, and a significant amount of carbon reinforcing on the saxboards and keel.
Hull		Hull
Honeycomb core with all carbon skins, and carbon reinforcing		Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing
Saxboards and canvas decks		Saxboards and canvas decks
Honeycomb core with all carbon skins, and carbon reinforcing		Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing
Seat deck		Seat deck
High density closed cell PVC foam core with all carbon skins		High density closed cell PVC foam core with carbon and kevlar skins

Elite (K/H/K&C)		Elite Economy (FG/H/C)
Overview		Overview
Specifically for use in competition, so are built to FISA minimum weight. Mainly use kevlar cloth, with carbon seat decks and a significant amount of carbon reinforcing on the saxboards and keel.		As the name suggests, a cheaper alternative to the Elite boats. While structural performance is maintained, boat weights are often slightly over FISA minimum.
Hull		Hull
Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing		Honeycomb core with carbon and fiber glass skins, and carbon reinforcing
Saxboards and canvas decks		Saxboards and canvas decks
Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing		Honeycomb core with carbon and fiber glass skins, and carbon reinforcing
Seat deck		Seat deck
High density closed cell PVC foam core with carbon and kevlar skins		High density closed cell PVC foam core with carbon and kevlar skins

Club A (K/CM/K&C)		Club B (FG/CM/FG)
Overview		Overview
Mainly for training purposes, although with only a small weight disadvantage over honeycomb boats, can still be highly competitive.		Specifically built for training purposes. Quite heavy, but great “work horses”. This construction is relatively easy to repair.
Hull		Hull
Core mat core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing		Core mat core with kevlar and fibre glass skins, and carbon reinforcing
Saxboards and canvas decks		Saxboards and canvas decks
Honeycomb core with carbon and kevlar skins, and carbon reinforcing		Honeycomb core with kevlar and fibre glass skins, and carbon reinforcing
Seat deck		Seat deck
High density closed cell PVC foam core with kevlar skins		High density closed cell PVC foam core with fibre glass skins

Saver (FG/FG)

Overview

Specifically built for training purposes. Quite heavy, but ideal for situations where the priority is to get “bums on seats” as cheaply as possible. Relatively easy to repair.

Hull

Multiple layers of fiber glass with carbon reinforcing

Saxboards and canvas decks

Honeycomb core with fiber glass skins, and carbon reinforcing

Seat deck

High density closed cell PVC foam core with fiber glass skins