Chomarat carbon fiber reinforcement used in Arcona cruiser-racers

 

 

Chomarat Group (Le Cheylard, France) has developed carbon fiber reinforcements for Arcona Yachts’ (Gustavsberg, Sweden) cruiser-racers 435 and 465. Chomarat’s high-performing C-PLY carbon noncrimp fabric (NCF) was used in the cruiser-racers’ hulls and decks using infusion technology, enabling structural design benefits, premium surface quality and overall parts cost savings. 

“With 45 years of expertise, Chomarat is a pioneer in developing solutions to achieve weight reduction, improved surface appearance and stronger structure. C-PLY makes it possible to meet these specifications, while ensuring stable quality and cost-effectiveness,” says explains Vincent Cholvy, marine market manager at Chomarat.

A study was led to determine the optimal construction to develop a high-performing C-PLY range for a better permeability in the infusion process. The result is a carbon NCF that achieves high mechanical performances, multi resins compatibility and cost efficiency. Infusion technology for the hull and deck incorporated up to 70% carbon fiber into the laminate for the highest possible strength.

According to Chomarat, the carbon fiber reinforcement used in the Arcona 435 yacht enables it the flexibility for high-speed racing one day and low-speed cruising the next with no additional customization. The model recently won the European Yacht of the Year award in 2019 for the Performance Cruiser class.

For the Arcona 465 model, the light weight of carbon fiber construction is said to make the yacht both a successful racer light enough enough to give initial allowance for the extra gear needed for cruising.

“The carbon construction makes it possible as we get a stiffer, lighter and managing calculated loads on higher levels than glass fibers. C-PLY is essential to us to get the calculated strength without adding extra weight or thickness to the laminate. It gives a cost-effective solution in production as reaching a high strength with fewer layers,” says Nicolas Borberg, managing director of Arcona Yacht.