Fiberglass

From ClassicBoatWiki

Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) and Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) are more accurately the terms used to describe the composite material (or method) which is used to build objects using fiberglass and plastic resins. Fiberglass is ultra-thin glass fibers that can be bundled into ‘roving’ and then woven into mats.

GRP was developed during World War II in the UK to build dome shaped structures to conceal radar installations. The first plastic resins developed for use in the process required extended heat sources to be used to cure the composite material into a hard non-sticky product. The finished product was strong yet lightweight.

Following the War, resins were developed in the USA that would cure without the expensive heating process being used. Thus, it became a more useful building product for boats and soon was more popularly called simply “Fiberglass” as it is referred to herein. Many boat builders began experimenting with the process and by the early 50’s were marketing fiberglass boats.

Chris-Craft used a more cautious approach to the new material, waiting for other companies to do the tedious “trial and error” process. However, they entered the fiberglass market in earnest by establishing the Corsair Division in 1963 (derived from the purchase of Thompson Boat Company of New York, Inc.) and the Commander Division in 1964 (derived from in-house research and development). The Main Division began marketing fiberglass cruisers in 1972.

Earlier fiberglass Chris-Craft boats were the 1957, 15’ Lake ‘n Sea and the 1958, 1959 Silver Arrow, both were short lived. The 1955 Cobras featured a fiberglass engine hatch/aft deck with a striking dorsal fin. Other earlier uses of the material beginning in the late 50’s were for helm roofs and superficial trim components.