Composite C-Boat Worthy of the High Seas

Humphreys Yacht Design (HYD), Hampshire, U.K., recently completed the new C-Boat, a clear-coated carbon motor boat.

High end materials are no longer just for the rich and yacht folk. Humphreys Yacht Design (HYD), Hampshire, U.K., recently completed a new motor boat called the C-Boat. After just 12 months, the three-person collaborative effort, including yachtsman and designer Jason Carrington, formally launched the boat at the Monaco Yacht Show in October. According to Carrington, so far there have been no problems. “We’ve been quite fortunate; even during R&D it worked straight out of the box and has impressed us with its sea keeping and handling.”

The C-Boat is a clear-coated carbon structure weighing only 2,640 pounds, compared to 11,000 pound boats of similar size, which allows it to reach maximum speeds of up to almost 60 mph. The extensive use of composites makes it very fuel efficient and allows a high-end surface finish. Carrington chose composites because of his experience building race yachts. “I have been involved with lots of high-end racing yachts. This, however, is the first motor boat I’ve built and I am very aware of the huge advantages these materials bring,” he says. “Yes it is more expensive, but composites give it a superior quality. There are no gel coats or paints, just clear carbon. It’s beautiful!”

HYD teamed with SP Gurit, the marine segment of global supplier Gurit, to manufacture the C-Boat. Carrington has a long history of working with SP from both an engineering and material side, including the SE84 LV and Corecell used in the C-Boat. SE84 LV has a high compressive strength and is used in large, heavily loaded components. Carrington adds, “We are using materials normally associated with very high end racing yachts. I don’t know of any other power or motor boat that is built of carbon and nomex. I have used both systems many times and feel happy with what it can achieve. The material is robust, light weight and heat formable, and is ideal in the slamming area—exactly what we were looking for,” says Carrington.

HYD’s target audience will be for those who want a semi-custom boat. “This boat is made for people that appreciate quality and like to be individual,” he says. “If an owner wants an open or a bigger version, that’s doable. We build to order. Consider it more the Aston Martin than the Ford of the powerboat world. We designed it to be very light and cutting edge. If they want, an owner can even use it as a tender for a larger super yacht.”