Advanced Composite Technology

Dictionary of composite materials

Legend Custom Yachts (LCY) uses only the latest technology in marine advance composite construction.  The process being used at Legend is known as “High Temperature Cured Epoxy Pre-Preg Advance Composites.  What is H.T.C.E. P-P.A.C's?

Let's break it down to give you a better understanding of the process.

First, what is “H.T.C.E”?  “High temperature cured epoxy”, is a resin system that is used to bind reinforced fibers together.  Epoxy is the strongest resin system used today.  “High temperature cured epoxy” is the strongest type of epoxy, much stronger than vinylester, or Polyester.  The exposure to elevated temperature improves the mechanical properties.  This is achieved by baking the entire structure after lamination in a custom made oven at temperatures above 175 degrees.  This process is known as “post curing”. 

Next; what are “Pre-Pregs”?  The term “pre-preg” means a resin impregnated material in a flat form that can be stored for later use.  The pre pregs are stored in our freezers at -3 degrees until needed.  The resin is partially cured to a tack freestate called “B-staging”.  Pre-Pregs can offer much better resin ratios and uniformity within the fabric than can otherwise be obtained by a traditional process. 

Finally, “Advanced Composites”.  The word composite in the boat building world means to combine a fiber and binding matrix (resin) to maximize specific performance properties.  Advance composites use only continuous, oriented fiber in polymer matrixes.  At LCY, we use material custom designed to our specifications that include s-glass, Kevlar, and carbon fiber.  All LCY structures are cored using core cell high temperature P600.  The entire hull is laminated in one process, cored and materials are placed under extreme vacuum,  then post cured to create a single monolithic structure.

What does all of this give a boat owner?  This boat building system provides the fastest, strongest, most efficient boats available today; simply put.  

LYC is building yachts that shares the same technological competitive advantages as prized, high profile projects such as “Space Ship One” the global explorer, and “Rouch” racing team. Until now, epoxy pre-preg boat builders were limited to expensive “one off” boats such as the “ America 's Cup” defenders”.  Epoxy is expensive, and the technology is challenging.  However, it does offer the ultimate in strength, toughness and sheer quality.  This technology was chosen to advance Legends quest to build the lightest, fastest, strongest and most technologically advanced boat money can buy.