Marine Epoxy Resin for Building & Repairing Boats

Of all the myriad uses for epoxy resin, from expressive arts and crafts creation, to constructing furniture and coating and sealing floors; perhaps one of the most common applications is in building and repairing boats. This wondrous polymer meets the needs of boat builders in a variety of ways – providing the properties of superior adhesion, encapsulating surface coating and moisture-proofing. Epoxy boatbuilding resins are also used for fiberglass application and surface reinforcement, sealing out moisture and reducing maintenance.

And, as science and technology advance, so too has the application of epoxy resins in the manufacturing of boats. The improving economy of the past decade has increased demand for newer and larger boats. To better serve this growing market, boat manufacturers are developing and implementing new fabricating techniques, systems and advanced composite materials – creating cost-effective boat designs utilizing epoxy-infused boat hulls.

Boat builders employing leading-edge technology have turned to epoxy infusion, or vacuum resin infusion, in their manufacturing processes to make their hulls and decks superior, both in reduced weight and increased strength. Liquid resin, infused into the voids around porous materials in boat hull molds, creates lighter and stronger composites.

Epoxy Resin Vacuum-infused Hulls

To create epoxy resin infused boat hulls, a “closed molding process” is used – beginning with a hull mold cavity filled with construction material of the builder’s choice (foam core, fiberglass laminates, Kevlar, cotton fiber, etc.). The hull mold is then wrapped in airtight material, the air is removed creating a vacuum; epoxy resin is inserted into the mold in various spots. Due to the vacuum, the resin seeps into every nook and cranny within the hull – creating a stronger, lighter water-tight structure in a matter of hours.

The application of the vacuum resin infusion process and advanced composites to boat construction has dramatically increased the quality and durability of hulls; while at the same time decreasing weight and increasing strength. Infused epoxy provides significant performance advantages and is environmentally sound – good for boat owners – and us all! Bon Voyage!