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Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Recently, CW associate editor Jen Brett had the opportunity to check out the new Gunboat factory in Wanchese, NC, on Pamlico Sound to see just what goes into producing this very cool carbon-fiber catamaran.
  • Updated: April 18, 2014

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Gunboat 55 hull Number One, “Vanquish” Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

The facility is in Wanchese, North Carolina, which is on Roanoke Island, near the Outer Banks. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Carbon-fiber panels in vacuum bags Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

To keep the boats lightweight, Gunboats have a Core-Cell foam and carbon-fiber sandwich construction Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Materials, like these rolls of carbon fiber, account for 60 percent of the price of a Gunboat Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Fitting the Core-Cell perfectly requires X-Acto knife precision Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Work in progress on a Gunboat 55 interior. The Gunboat 55 comes out of the mold as one complete piece, which not only ensures strength, but also minimal hull fairing. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Work in progress on a Gunboat 55 interior Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

A few through a hull before the crash bow is attached Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

A Gunboat 55 with the crash bow, which is a separate molded piece, attached Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Gunboat 55s at various stages of completion at the Wanchese, NC, production factory. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

The interior is a work in progress on this Gunboat 55 Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

If you’re going to have a cool cat like a Gunboat, you need a cool tender. Here, Gunboat founder and CEO Peter Johnstone shows a carbon fiber RIB, just for Gunboat owners. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

All navigation, steering and even sail trim takes place from the comfort of the forward section of the main saloon aboard Hull no.1 of the Gunboat 55. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

It’s all in the details … Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Aboard the massive Gunboat 78, also under construction at the Wanchese, NC, facility Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

The photo does not do it justice — the new Gunboat 78 is massive. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

The new Gunboat 60, Flow Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Aboard the Gunboat 60, Flow Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Gunboat 60 main saloon Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Looking forward from inside the main saloon on the Gunboat 60, Flow. Gunboat’s facility in Wanchese is located on beautiful Pamlico Sound. Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

Gunboats are known for their inside helms and forward cockpits Jen Brett

Gunboat Catamarans Factory Tour

The forward cockpit aboard the Gunboat 60, Flow Jen Brett
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