Carbon / Advanced Composite
Maximum stiffness per kilo, at a price
Carbon or aramid fibres in epoxy over a foam or honeycomb core, often cured in an oven. Used for racing boats, high-end multihulls and performance cruisers where every kilo counts.
Strengths
- Lightest and stiffest option
- Excellent performance and acceleration
- No rot or rust
Weaknesses
- Very expensive to build and repair
- Hidden impact damage and core delamination
- Needs specialist repairers
Ratings
10
3
6
10
3
7
Buying used: what to check
Have the hull checked for delamination and impact damage, with tap-testing, thermal imaging or ultrasound. Make sure the builder's laminate records are available.