New Noosa Cruiser makes use of DuFLEX Strip
by Jeni Bone 20 May 2021 20:31 AEST
A project is under way at Noosa Marine on the Sunshine Coast that is a couple's "forever boat" and a brilliant homage to its predecessor.
The 7.5-metre is a monohull power boat inspired by "ARIEL", which was in for its 13-year "berthday" at Noosa Marine when a local couple spotted her and fell in love.
ARIEL was designed by Roger Hill Yacht Design in 2006 based on a specification for a "a simple yet classical look with flared few sections and tumble home at the transom". Roger was also commissioned for this new Noosa Cruiser.
"They have been customers for many years," says Julian Griffiths, Director at Noosa Marine, referring to the owners of the new vessel.
"We've worked on their boats over the years and they've always admired our cruisers. They were at our workshop one day and saw ARIEL and said 'aha, that's it!' Construction is under way, with an estimated build time of four months."
Crucial to the speed and cost-effectiveness of the new boat are the foam core cut-to-order DuFLEX panels from ATL Composites.
DuFLEX panels were specifically designed to reduce construction time and to optimise structural weight in high performance composite structures. Using DuFLEX reduces time-consuming laminating, coring and vacuum bagging steps normally required to fabricate high performance composites. It also reduces material waste, labour and tooling costs.
The hull will be planked with DuFLEX/Foam Composite Strips, developed by ATL Composites to conform to highly convex or concave contours, and can provide up to 50 percent of the total laminate.
An advance in marine strip planking construction, DuFLEX/Strip Panels are laminated with unidirectional reinforcements in a 1200mm x 2400mm sheet and machined with Z-Joints on both 1200mm edges. These panels can be joined to the full length of the project, and ripped into strips on-site.
The boat's owners have had three previous boats, including a canal boat in France and are seasoned boaties, having enjoyed cruising the Med for the past 15 years.
"Now that they're focused on home waters, they want their final boat to be a good one - the best!" says Julian.
The new build will be wider at 2.4-metres and still trailerable, with an array of custom features designed into the boat, including extended roofline and forward flare, tumblehome aft and teak trims.
There's a cockpit shower and full-length seating that could convert to day beds. The aft is self-draining, eliminating the need for a bilge.
Below decks, there will be a V-double berth, enclosed toilet and galley. It will be powered by a 115hp outboard engine, making this the ideal weekender and day boat for simply messing about on the Noosa River.
"It will also be a competent offshore vessel, ideal for Moreton Bay or Sydney Harbour," Julian asserts. "It could hop down the coastline to Sydney if you pick your weather."
While yet unnamed, the new incarnation of ARIEL will be delivered just in time for some winter river cruising.