Abstract: A laminate structure and an aluminum open-hulled boat made therefrom. In one embodiment of the laminate structure, an aluminum outer hull layer has adhered thereto a resilient foam layer for absorbing energy that deforms the aluminum outer hull layer. In another embodiment, the laminate structure includes a harder supporting foam layer adhered to the resilient foam layer. In both embodiments, the resilient layer absorbs the energy of deformation of the aluminum outer hull layer, restores the aluminum outer hull to its original shape when the deforming stresses are removed. An inner rigid sheet that is adhered to the innermost inward surface of a foam layer without direct mechanical attachment to the outer hull layer, and the laminate structure provides sufficient structural support to the hull to not require additional cross-supports. A rigid, self-supporting open-hulled aluminum boat can be contructed from either of these laminate structures.

Abstract: A laminate structure and an aluminum open-hulled boat made therefrom. In one embodiment of the laminate structure, an aluminum outer hull layer has adhered thereto a resilient foam layer for absorbing energy that deforms the aluminum outer hull layer. In another embodiment, the laminate structure includes a harder supporting foam layer adhered to the resilient foam layer. In both embodiments, the resilient layer absorbs the energy of deformation of the aluminum outer hull layer, restores the aluminum outer hull to its original shape when the deforming stresses are removed. An inner rigid sheet that is adhered to the innermost inward surface of a foam layer without direct mechanical attachment to the outer hull layer, and the laminate structure provides sufficient structural support to the hull to not require additional cross-supports. A rigid, self-supporting open-hulled aluminum boat can be constructed from either of these laminate structures.