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The finished carbon fiber hull

A project log for OpenTransat

Building an Autonomous Sailboat That Pursues to Cross the Atlantic Ocean

andy-osuskyAndy Osusky 03/28/2018 at 07:260 Comments

The hull was built from carbon fiber, Kevlar and a foam core. In the video below, you can see the whole process from laying up the fabric to resin infusion.


Bottom part (hull)

The yellow outer layer is Kevlar. It protects the carbon fiber hull from impacts and abrasion.

The rudder is designed with a flange that will fit this cavity in order to prevent entanglement around the rudder axis. This cavity was made in the same way as the cavities for solar panels on the deck (see the previous project log).

Top part (deck)

These cavities on the deck will fit solar panels with connectors and cables, making the boat hull streamlined.

Because carbon fiber partially blocks GPS signal and satellite Internet connection, it's replaced with fiberglass and Kevlar in some areas of the deck. With this little trick, communication modules can be placed under the deck.

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