History

In 1984 the RAC team was one of the first to adapt the fledgling 3D FastShip® software to the use of powerboat hull design. This early adaptation of 3D design technology by RAC principals has formed the foundation in 3D design modeling and analysis that RAC is known for. The vessels that were designed with this technology at that time were originally built from advanced composites, primarily carbon fiber, using a mechanically impregnated wet epoxy resin system and vacuum bagged. The composites were fully cored using Airex® core. These early Revenge Yachts, ranging from 50-65ft, were capable of speeds in excess of 45 knots, and were extremely well received. These all-advanced composite vessels have operated without structural failure in excess of 15 years and over 10,000 hrs. of use. That original 58, Sam and Jonathan Jennings "Revenge" is shown below left.

In 1996, while researching how Revenge might move to a higher level in the construction of advanced composite vessels, RAC engineers came to the conclusion that technologically the time was right to formulate a build process that would use high temperature, oven-cured, epoxy pre-preg's as its foundation. This is a technology that was not adaptable to the marine field in the 1980’s. Four years of R&D led to the development of a workable process to build from high-temperature cured carbon fiber pre-preg's. What was developed was counter to the cut and tab building method that is employed today on Americas Cup and other epoxy pre-preg “one-off” vessels. RAC had developed a rapid production process for the mass production of oven cured epoxy pre-preg maritime craft. To prove the process under real world conditions RAC designed the 35LT for the recreational market. The first of that series is pictured above right. As more were built the process underwent spiral development and was constantly refined until a fully risk mitigated approach was in hand.

It was at that point that the RAC team was comfortable proposing this technology to the Department of Defense, which resulted in the delivery in May 2009 of our first generation combatant craft to U.S. Special Operations Command. That craft (pictured below) has been characterized by senior officials as “exceeding all expectations.” The second generation RAC Combatant Craft was introduced at the Sea Air Space Exposition in Washington, DC in May 2010.