Have a great Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The 2770 features a larger helm without sacrificing cockpit fishing space. Included is a custom helmseat with a flip-up bolster and armrest, and an expansive electronics area capable of (1) 12″ screen or (2) 8″ screens. The helm area also includes a full l-lounge, and an entertainment center with a 20-gallon livewell.  Plenty of storage is available everywhere, and various options such as a stainless steel refrigerator are available.

The cabin was also completely redesigned for improved access and more space. The head was moved aft to separate it from the berth area in order to provide more privacy to the toilet and shower. A sink and LED lighting are included as standard.

Here’s the BoatTest.com performance video of the 2770 running:

Prototype #2 will be on display at the Lauderdale Boatshow, Space 2004 if you’re able to come see us. The changes have to be seen to be appreciated, we hope to see you there! As always if you need tickets feel free to contact us.

Here’s some video of running in Beaufort Inlet:

We reduced the weight of this boat approx 20% using new processes and technologies. As a result, this boat weighs slightly more than a 290CC Center Console, which means more power and speed, and less time and money spent at the pump!

As a result, handling and performance for this boat was phenomenal, the only info I will release at this time is that she was able to get on plane and run at 30mph on only one engine…

Next week we will release final performance #’s from Suzuki.

Here’s the video of actually infusing the 320 hull in October 2009. The video has been increased approx 5x normal speed, thus decreasing the total time of the video (and the infusion process) from approx 55 minutes to less than ten minutes.

I will be posting video of the boat running, and the initial performance data… this boat has succeeded in accomplishing our goal of reducing weight of the finished product by approximately 20% while increasing structural integrity. This reduced weight has resulted in a product with improved cruise and WOT speeds, improved handling, and increased fuel economy.

We are excited about this new technology and the possibilities it provides us for future development. Stay tuned!

Additionally, the hull for this boat is built using the best possible methods of boat production, vacuum infusion. As a company we are using this boat as our first foray into vacuum infusion… this will result in a product that is bulletproof, while reducing weight of the finished product. No other production catamaran builder is able to boast this advanced technology.

This technology allows us to meet our requirements of strength, rigidity, and low weight. Additionally, this boat will include a two-piece fiberglass stringer grid. This combination will result in product with superior strength for offshore use, while providing higher cruise and top-end speeds, and increased fuel economy.

By utilizing vacuum infusion we can ensure precise resin to glass ratios, and ensure perfect core and laminate bonds. The hull is infused with 100% vinyl ester resin which offer superior cosmetic and structural benefits.

We will continue to update our progress on the 320CC, and of integrating vacuum infusion into the production of our boats.

Key Equipment:

• Vacuum Pump – The star of the show! The pump provides the pressure differential necessary to draw the resin through the dry laminates and optimally wet-out the materials.
• Vacuum Bag – The bag completely encloses the part and applies constant, consistent vacuum equally across the part.
• Resin Traps – Pressure pots are used between the vacuum bag and the vacuum pump to test the initial vacuum of the bag, and to protect the pump from ingesting excess resin from the part.
• Sealant Tape – Used to seal the bag to the outer edge of the mold and provide an airtight bond between the mold bag and the vacuum bag. Additionally, the tape is used to repair leaks in the bag.
• Vacuum and Feed Lines – Semi-rigid tubing connecting the various vacuum components (the pump, the pressure pots, and the vacuum bag) to one-another. Spiral wrap tubing is also used to direct the vacuum or feed lines as necessary.
• Spray Glue – Used to secure the dry laminates to the mold or to previous laid layers of materials.

The Setup:

• Install the dry laminates and coring, using the spray glue as necessary to hold in place.
• Install the vacuum and feed lines per the manifold setup using a flow modeling tool such as RTM-Worx.
• Apply sealant tape to the mold flange and carefully install the bag over the part and secure completely to the sealant tape.
• Connect the resin traps to the vacuum pump.
• Connect the resin traps to the vacuum lines of the bag.
• Turn on the vacuum pump and apply full vacuum of 29.7HG to the part.
• Shutoff the resin traps and perform a drop test to ensure that there are no leaks.
• Once the part passes the drop test for leaks, clamp lines completely shut.
• Connect feed lines and route to the resin source, clamp lines completely shut.
• Catalyze necessary resin and place in resin source.
• Unclamp the vacuum lines and feed lines as necessary to completely wet out the part.
• Once the part is completely wet-out clamp all feeder lines except one.
• Continue to apply vacuum to all lines until the part has reached peak exotherm and returned to ambient temperature.
• Remove bag, lines, and peel ply and dispose.

This process once learned is easily repeatable, the quality of the laminated parts is ensured and far superior to any hand built parts due to the high glass to resin ratio. Additionally, the parts weigh less because only the required amount of resin is actually in the part.

We will detail the results of our first resin infused hull in the next update, stay tuned…

We look forward to feedback from dealers and customers at upcoming boat shows on the current products and improvements, and especially look forward to feedback and product requests for future products. We will be developing our long-term product development strategy during the fall boat show season so any feedback you have will be carefully reviewed by our staff. We follow the feedback on the Glacier Bay Owner Forum closely and look forward to developing the next generation of Glacier Bay’s with your help.

I’ve included a photo of the first 2640 Renegade completed at our factory in Tarboro, feel free to contact us if you’re interested in a factory visit. Be sure to follow this blog to read the latest Glacier Bay news.

This boat builds upon our hugely popular 290CC Center Console. We have designed this product from the bottom up, with an eye toward the future. Using advanced lamination techniques, we are building a boat with increased strength and rigidity, while reducing the finished weight of the product. This is accomplished by using vacuum infusion to build the hull and other components, and by stiffening the boat using an advanced fiberglass superstructure.

The result will be a boat with exquisite handling, higher cruise and top-end speeds, as well as improved fuel economy. Superior materials and processes will result in a superior product.

We will continue to provide updates and behind the scene information of the development process and the new technologies that will make this possible. As always, we look forward to your feedback.

Here’s a snapshot of the first 2670 Isle Runner that has completed lamination and is ready for assembly to build. In addition to this boat, we are completing our first 2640 Renegade as well and intend on being up to full production status by August. We’re very excited to add the premier displacement catamaran available on the market to the HC Composites family of products.

If you’re a Glacier Bay owner or enthusiast, or just interested in seeing our factory, contact us to schedule a factory tour and witness first hand the quality craftsmanship that exemplifies Glacier Bay. We look forward to hearing your comments and feedback, and seeing you in Tarboro.

The 290CC performance data has been officially released on our website in the prop test section for the 290CC. The test was performed with twin Yamaha 250‘s swinging 3 bladed 15 1/4″ x 19″ Yamaha props. Cruise was 32.4 mph @ 4000 rpm (1.9 mpg), and WOT was 49.7 mph @ 5900 rpm (1.1 mpg)… we’ll release Suzuki 250 tests shortly (on boat #5 for the New Orleans Boat Show in Jan).

We’re doing a photoshoot today out of Beaufort, NC… it should be a good day for testing and running the 290CC since it’s barely above freezing here in NC! Hopefully the integrated windshield and hardtop will keep the drivers warm. Should have some good photos to share here and in the 290CC Photo Album.