Patent ID: 6540954
Filing Date: 2003-04-01
Classification: B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A process for fabricating a boat shell comprising the steps of:providing a two part boat shell mold including a first mold half and a second mold half; separating the first mold half from the second mold half; removably securing cooperative inserts to opposing upper and lower edges of the first and second mold halves so as to facilitate joining of the first and second mold halves during molding; laying up material within the first mold half and the second mold half, the material including an inner layer, a core, and an outer layer of material; removing the cooperative inserts from the first and second mold halves; closing the mold by bringing the opposing upper and lower edges of the first and second mold halves together such that material laid up in the first mold half overhangs the upper and lower edges of the first mold half and further overlaps a portion of the material laid up in the second mold half so as to form a reinforced seam along a centerline of the molded boat shell, and wherein the material forming the outer layer of the second mold half is set back from the upper and lower edges of the second mold half upon closing the mold; creating a vacuum within the mold; and heating the material until the boat shell is cured.