Cantieri Di Baia makes the switch to SP’s Epoxy for its latest Baia 50

6 October 2009, Isle of Wight – As an internationally renowned supplier of composite materials for leading boat builders the world over, SP, the marine business of Gurit, was an obvious choice for Italian boat builder Cantieri di Baia when it was planning the latest edition to its Baia 50 range.

A selection of SP materials, supplied by SP’s Italian distributor Resintex Technology, was used on the new Baia 50 which is currently being launched at the Genoa Boat Show (taking place until 11 October 2009) including the leading structural foam core Corecell™, and SP’s adhesive, laminating and epoxy systems. The new Baia 50 maintains the distinctive Baia style whilst offering a more powerful performance and comfortable interior. 

Cantieri di Baia chose to make the switch from polyester and vinylester to SP’s epoxy for the build of the Baia 50 because epoxy resin systems are now being consistently adopted for high-performance structures requiring ultimate weight efficiency and durability. PRIME™ 20LV, SP’s epoxy system designed for infusion technology, was used because of its very low viscosity which contributes to short infusion times and optimum fibre impregnation as well as providing very good stiffness properties and an excellent laminate quality. The switch was an effective solution for the new Baia 50, with Cantieri di Baia estimating a resulting weight reduction in the order of 25% out of 4.2 tonnes of structural weight for the hull.

Featuring the most successful historical hull in the Baia range, the B50 has a deep V hull and a narrow prow which will allow for greater speed and sea-keeping performances. SP’s additional technological and innovative solutions created the perfect match between tradition and advanced technology.

Specifically SP’s epoxy adhesive system Spabond 340LV was selected for its high strength and toughness, its range of hardeners and working times and its allowance for higher dispense rates from mixing machines.

Corecell™ T400 was also supplied for the Baia 50, offering increased strength and durability in return for significant weight reduction making the boat faster, stronger and more economical.

Finally Ampreg laminating systems were utilised because they are optimised for hand lay-up and their low viscosity made them ideal for wetting out heavyweight fibres. Particularly good for secondary bonding applications, they give a good laminate quality, making them ideal for the manufacture of large, high performance composite structures.

Paul Riley, Technical Sales at SP, said: “As the boatbuilding community and its clients become more and more confident with the performance advantages of epoxy resin – both in terms of structural and cost characteristics – we are witnessing a steadily increasing number of production boatyards, like Cantieri di Baia, switching from polyester or vinylester to epoxy systems for their manufacturing.”