How sturdy is the Raptor 16?
Like all high performance water craft, the Raptor’s design and construction reflect a necessary compromise between light weight on the one hand, and strength and durability on the other. To maximize strength and durability at the lowest possible weight, each Raptor is laid up by hand using carbon fiber cloth and epoxy resin with extra reinforcement at critical stress points. The latest vacuum-induced resin infusion techniques are used to insure complete resin saturation without any excess weight. The Raptor is considerably stronger and more durable than the typical fiberglass OC-1. As a result, it is a great boat for paddling in surf. However, it is not designed for sailing in surf, where the combined dynamic forces of wind and waves can easily result in structural failures of the aluminum iakos.
