Coosa Composites is helping boat manufacturers replace plywood with composite materials that offer high strength, relatively low cost, and - for the consumer - less maintenance. Coosa, based in Pelham, Ala., specializes in fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane foam boards for the marine and transportation industries.
Their process injects polyurethane foam into a mold with Vetrotex woven roving reinforcement to create foam boards with different degrees of density and fiber matrix. While the use of foam board in the marine industry is not new, the addition of woven roving to replace plywood is unique. This enables consumers to spend less time maintaining their boats and more time enjoying the water.
"We are one of the few foam core providers that integrate woven roving. We've been able to grow because we understand that our customers' products are only as good as the materials that we deliver," says John Turpen, Vice President of Manufacturing. This means that Coosa's foam boards meet the specifications of some of the industry's top pleasure boat manufacturers and numerous smaller companies.
The results speak for themselves. During a recent review of the Viper Cobra Coosa 216, which incorporates Vetrotex's 318 Woven Roving product, BassWorld magazine cited the "flawless performance" and "smooth as silk" ride.
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