http://web.usna.navy.mil/~phmiller/Impact_study.pdf

Rather technical...but interesting....laminate cores,
etc...testing.....

1
Ensign M. H. Arvidson, USNR and Assistant Professor P. H. Miller
Hull Material Evaluation for Navy 44 Sail Training Craft


Abstract
Material characterization tests were performed at the U.S. Naval
Academy to identify a toughened laminate for the new Navy 44-foot sail
training vessels. After preliminary analysis
using classical lamination theory, four different cores, five
laminates and seven resin systems
were tested in UV exposure, four-point bending, lateral panel
pressure, and simulated bow
impact. Results showed substantial improvements in strength,
toughness, cost and weight were
possible over the existing laminate, with the lightest acceptable
laminate yielding a weight
savings equivalent to 3.5% of the vessel’s displacement.

Introduction
The McCurdy and Rhodes Navy 44 sloop is the latest in a series of
offshore–capable vessels
used for midshipman seamanship and navigation training at the United
States Naval Academy
(Navy 44 2000). Overbuilt by yacht standards, the Navy 44 is a
heavily-used platform designed to.......