An industrial construction process inspired by the automobile
For about 8 years, the Taiwan-based Morningstar shipyard has been producing aluminium boats with a new process from the automotive industry. This industrial process consists in putting aluminium sheets in presses to obtain the 4 parts that will form the hull: transom, hull, and port and starboard parts. The parts are assembled together without visible welding by a robot.
"With this type of aluminum construction, you get a boat that's 5 m long and only 400 kg." explains Rémy Triboulat.
The site produces 350 units per year.
"A large part of the hull is made as a single piece. The deck is also made of non-slip aluminum and installed once the hull is assembled. A frame - a structure with a patented process that stiffens the whole - is placed in the hull, then the deck is welded to the inner sides of the hull, which gives it even more rigidity" rémy Triboulat explains.
One shell for 4 versions
Morningstar is therefore a 4.98 m hull (homologation C) which is available in 4 versions of open:
- 498A - Angler - with a console on starboard for family walks and fishing
- 498F - Fisher - with central console and, as an option, a 36 or 80 litre fishpond for fishing
- 498R - Rover - an open launch with a large panoramic windscreen that is more specifically designed for sliding sports and speed
- 498S, the cuddy an all-aluminium welder type capable of sailing in rough seas thanks to its raised deckhouse that protects the cockpit and is designed for more sporty fishing.
The particularity of these boats with aluminium hulls is the fact that they do not distinguish aluminium since the hull is painted with paint from the automotive industry. " From a maintenance point of view, it's easy since there's no gel coat to maintain." explains Rémy Triboulat.
"With the weight of the engine, the full tank of fuel, the deck fittings and the trailer, we reach less than 750 kg, which on the one hand allows us to have one without brakes. An advantage when you consider that trailer brakes do not tolerate salt water well." informs us Rémy Triboulat.
A presentation at the Autumn fairs
The Morningstar brand will officially appear on the French market in September 2018. Four boats will be on display on the Grand Pavois: a Fisher, a Rover, an unfinished hull to discover the boat's design and a 4.15 m boat. Although this is not the core business of the yard, the company will also import a range of flat-bottomed boats for lakes and mangroves.
An affordable price
The price range for the bare hull without motor, ready to launch, ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 euros. "We are on the same price as a fibre hull, but cheaper on the aluminium hull market. What allows us to obtain such a low price is the industrialization of processes. The site produces small quantities, but industrializes production" says Remy.
The boats are sold ready to be launched, but some options can be considered such as more luxurious seats, livewells on the Fisher, etc.
On the motorization side, the boats receive 60 to 90 HP for a speed ranging from 35 to 37 knots, but the importer advises the smallest power, and largely sufficient. "The boat is lightweight and the hull profile is efficient and really very stable. We did a yard test with 5 people on board, all installed on port side and the hull was not moving. The boat is very well designed" rémy explains. The importer is currently in discussions with Suzuki France to offer engine packages.
