RIBs
assembled using thermal welding to should the market demand appear. customers as well as its geographical
form the main body of the craft. Rub The complex consists of six dispersion, Bay is weathering the
strakes, the transom and the bottom buildings covering an area of 13,000m2 downturn and remains well positioned
are finally glued on. After assembly, the (140,000ft2). Good ventilation systems, to profit from the industry when the
boat is inflated and left at a controlled high ceilings and baskets of charcoal to recovery kicks in.
pressure for 72 hours to ensure air absorb odours keep the facility worker Bay is an ISO 9001:2000 facility
tightness. After final inspection, the friendly. The factory is well lit — notably (certified by KOTRIC). For CE and other
completed product is packed along with with electricity-saving eco-type light certifications, they have worked with
its accessories in preparation bulbs. As in many Chinese companies, various Notified Bodies including
for shipment. Bay has a dormitory, full kitchen, dining RINA, Lloyds, ECB and JIS depending
In the case of Hypalon (as Hypalon room and recreational facilities on on the customers’ requests and
coated Neoprene is commonly called), site for those workers who live too far the territory covered. In-house test
the material must be hand glued, a away to commute. Staff size is normally facilities include a laboratory that is
labour-intensive process that requires just under 200 people although, under equipped to do testing to ISO-6185
the surface of the fabric to be buffed the current economic situation, the norms. Tests routinely performed
(done with specialised equipment from staff level has been cut back to around include UV resistance testing, seam
Italy) in order to provide a good surface 150. Nevertheless, due to the range of strength testing and resistance
to which the glue can adhere.
The building where this takes place
is controlled for both temperature and
humidity — key parameters that must
stay within strict limits in order to
guarantee high
quality seams. Hypalon coated
neoprene is sourced from both the
French company Pennel & Flipo and
Achilles in Japan (a fabric supplier to
many industries but better known
in the marine world as another
manufacturer of inflatable boats).
The third area of expertise is RTM
which is used for the production of
small RIB hulls. After difficulties with
several fibreglass subcontractors,
Bay decided to develop an in-house
competence to build parts using this
“We have great respect for
Zodiac. We consider the
brand as both an example
to follow and a target
to surpass”
technology. Technical advice was sought
from both South Africa and Europe
and hulls were tested to destruction
by Permay Prototypes and Composites
of Waukesha, Wisconsin in the US, as
part of Mercury’s quality assurance
requirements. The parts produced have
exceeded the company’s expectations
and while cost was the initial driver,
improved parts finish, structural
integrity and weight turned out to be
equally important benefits.
;/B3@7/:5/7<A
While Bay has not yet begun serial
production of boats using polyurethane
(PU) fabric — a product known for
its high resistance to abrasion but
having the disadvantage of being
stiffer, thus harder to fold — It is
looking at this material for use in
larger commercial craft. Because PU
can be both heat welded and glued, the
company is well placed to phase it in
www.europeanboatbuilder.net s August/September !'
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