It is said that boat construction with fibreglass and its derivatives is the only known method of boat-building where you actually create your hull material as the work progresses. Thus in its most advanced forms, with carbon fibre and extra-special resins - such as we get with today's America's Cup boats - the result is a uniquely strong unit in which every section contributes to the overall strength.
Consequently, any localised damage such as a hull puncture or crack causes an overall weakening whose extent is difficult to evaluate and fix. This explains why aluminium or steel is preferred if you're going ice-bereaking, for with plastic – however advanced - it's theoretically impossible to give a guaranteed 100% repair to the damaged hull, particularly without a significant increase in overall weight.
RACING AGAIN THREE DAYS LATER
Yet despite being accidentally dropped onto its cradle all of 20ft last Thursday evening through crane failure that resulted in an "enormous bang" which left visible hull damage including a significant crack, the Emirates-sponsored New Zealand boat Taihoro was out racing again yesterday (Sunday) with success.
Some hint is given in this report about what needed to be done, but apart from noting that the word "Titanic" is used, the deeper technicalities are glossed over, and it's doubtful if a full report will ever appear in Practical Boat Owner
