Neither Larson nor Maxum use cutting-edge materials, but they get the job done. Both use quality gelcoat made by Cooks Composites and Polymers, followed by vinylester resin in the skin coat to ward off blistering. The laminate schedule begins to differ after that, though. Larson chooses to use only biaxial knitted fabric in all of its hull, while Maxum uses woven roving on the hull bottom. Each has its merits.
Knits provide better tensile strength, while woven roving delivers better stiffness and thickness.
We generally prefer knitted fabrics because builders can produce a potentially lighter and stronger boat with it if it s laid up correctly. We d rather see Larson use a PVC foam instead of balsa wood for coring in its hull bottom. It may have greater sheer strength, but balsa has a tendency to absorb water and allow migration in the event of poor quality control or subsequent hull damage. Both builders use treated wood, encapsulated in glass, for stringers and bulkheads. We suggest they use XL 10, one of the best woods available for marine uses.