In partnership with Hodgdon Yachts and Maine Marine Manufacturing, the Advanced Structures and Composites Center has designed a prototype composites special operations boat to replace the current aluminum hull craft used by the Navy Seals.

The current high-speed 82 ft aluminum hull Mark V causes repeated impact strain and injuries as it skips across the water. These injuries range from bumps and bruises to chronic back and neck problems. The composite redesign provides a shock-absorbing, improved ride with greater fuel efficiency and lower maintenance costs.

Photo courtesy of Robert Mitchell Photography, Southport, ME.

Media

• A New Course for Maine Boatbuilding. UMaine Today. March/April 2006.
• Bell T. New Technology helps Maine boatyards build on tradition. Portland Press Herald. June 10, 2007.

• Composites take the hit in U.S. Navy patrol boat

Factsheet

• Impact Testing of Large Composite Hull Panels for the MAKO Patrol Craft

Research Partners

• Hodgdon Yachts

• Office of Naval Research

• Hodgdon Defense Composites 

Center Contact

• Habib J. Dagher, P.E., Director of the Advanced Structures and Composites Center

  hd@umit.maine.edu

   

  207-581-2121

Graduate Student

• Katherine Stephens Beaumont