Fibreglass & Composites: Open utility boats can be manufactured from various composite materials such as fibreglass, kevlar, dynel, carbon fibres, polyethylene, epoxy and gelcoat. Composite materials are less prone to erosion and are easy to repair.

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Open utility boats can be manufactured from various composite materials such as fibreglass, kevlar, dynel, carbon fibres, polyethylene, epoxy and gelcoat.

Fibreglass or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), also known as glass fibre-reinforced plastic (GFRP), is a fiber reinforced polymer made of a plastic matrix reinforced by fine fibres made of glass.  Fibreglass is lightweight, strong material.  Most fibreglass boats are currently made in an open mold, with fibreglass and resin applied by hand.  Fiberglass is also referred to a as fiberglass, fibre glass or fiber glass.

Kevlar was developed by DuPont and is a registered trademark.  Kevlar can be used as a composite material in open utility boats due to its high strength-to-weight ratio (5 times stronger than steel on a weight basis).

Dynel is a trade name for a type of synthetic fiber used in fibre reinforced plastic composite materials that can be used in the manufacture of open utility boats.  It is highly abrasion resistance with good tensile strength) and is flame resistance.

Carbon fibre-reinforced polymer or carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP or CRP), is a strong, and light composite material that can be used to manufacture open utility boats.  Similar to fibreglass, this composite material is commonly referred to by the name of its reinforcing fibres (carbon fibre).  Carbon Fibre is also referred to a as carbon fiber.

Polyethylene is a cheaper and heavier material used for synthetic open utility boat construction with the benefit of superior abrasion resistance.

Epoxy or polyepoxide is a thermosetting polymer formed from reaction of an epoxide "resin" with polyamine "hardener" that can be used in the manufacture of open utility boats.

Gelcoat is used to provide a high-quality finish on the visible surface of an open utility boat typically 0.5mm - 0.8mm in thickness.  The most common gelcoats are based on epoxy chemistry.  Gelcoat is usually coloured to provide a coloured, glossy surface on the exposed areas of an open utility boat.  Gelcoat is also referred to as gel coat.

English Terminology: composite materials, fibreglass, fiberglass, fibre glass, fiber glass, kevlar, dynel, carbon fibre, polyethylene, epoxy, gelcoat, gel coat

French Terminology: matériaux composites, fibre de verre, fibre de verre, fibre de verre, fibre de verre, kevlar, dynel, fibre de carbone, époxy, gelcoat, gel coat

German Terminology: Verbundwerkstoffe, GFK, Fiberglas, Fiberglas, Fiberglas, Kevlar, Dynel, Kohlefaser, Epoxy, Gelcoat, Gelcoat

Spanish Terminology: materiales compuestos, fibra de vidrio, fibra de vidrio, fibra de vidrio, fibra de vidrio, kevlar, dynel, fibra de carbono, epoxy, gelcoat, capa del gel