Tradition has not hindered Bootsbau Rûgen GmbH the company from experimenting with modern boat building materials. They were present among the pioneers who wrought forth fiberglass as a common hull construction medium. Today, they are known for offering Europe's best-built cruising yachts based on German Lloyd' specifications, the most stringent boat building standards in the world!
The Vilm yachts are a perfect combination of superbly built and low-maintenance fiberglass on the outside and beautiful handcrafted mahogany inside. All Vilm hulls and decks yachts are laid up with isophtalic-acid resin and gelcoat. This special resin is considerably more expensive than ordinary boat building resins (and therefore rarely used); however, it absorbs very little moisture. This combined with a special method of exclusively hand-laying selected glass roving, matting and bi-axial glass provides a far stronger and extremely durable hull, deck, and superstructure. Common problems with other yachts, such as blistering, delaminating and cracking are unheard of in Vilm yachts.
When you hear about hand laid fiber glass remember that there is a considerable difference between "hand laid" and "100% hand laid". All major production boat builders talk about "hand-laid fiberglass". However, they actually use chopper guns to replace the traditional fiberglass mats with "chopped strand" - two inch long glass fibers - wetted with resin by the chopper gun and sprayed into the mold. Only the woven rovings are rolled or "laid in" by hand.
The problem with the chopper gun method is that it produces a hull that lacks the strength to withstand rough weather conditions, submerged logs, reefs and rocks. A 100% hand-laid hull of the same thickness as a chopper gun hull has three times more impact strength!
Look for isophtalic acid resin, or at least vinylester resin. Orthophtalic is the least desirable and the most likely to lead to osmosis and blisters because it absorbs more moisture. As in the composition of resin, the best gelcoat is isophtalic because it offers high resistance to penetrating water molecules and much longer gloss retention. It is also much easier to polish. Unfortunately, however, it is rarely used because it is expensive and more difficult to work with.
Even if the best resins and gelcoats are used, you are well advised to have the under water body of your boat coated with at least five coats of epoxy to further protect your hull's laminate from moisture penetration. The epoxy coating also provides a better bond for the antifouling paint. Insist that a high quality, ablative antifouling, such as Interlux CSC, be used.
Every detail of fine Vilm yachts shows the builders' many years of sailing experience. The cockpit is deep and offers unequalled, comfortable seating with very high backrests. The fiberglass dog house offers protection from the elements.
Safety and comfort were the main objectives in the design of the Vilm yachts. One has only to look how the stanchions are fastened to the hull, how bow and stern pulpit are designed or check the stainless steel bow fitting, the extra strong cleats, or the rig, and last but not least, the beautiful hand-crafted mahogany interior, to recognize the quality details that set the Vilm so far apart of any other yacht in this size range. Water, fuel, and holding tanks are special stainless steel, not plastic, and not aluminum.