You’ve heard about 3D printing—a process for making physical objects from 3D Computer Aided Design (CAD) software, typically by laying down many thin layers of plastic material. People have made trinkets, toys, cameras, and even cars. Now we are starting to see some interesting innovations in boating, such as this prototype of the Livrea26.

3D print your next boat?

This 3D printed model of the Livrea26 design, using Windform materials, will be showcased at the Miami Boat Show. Image courtesy of CRP Technology



So is it possible to print boat parts or even a complete boat? The answer is yes.

With replacements for much of the equipment on boats (especially older boats) no longer available, it is not uncommon for us to head down to West Marine or go to Home Depot to jury rig some creative workaround. But with 3D printing I could see it becoming commonplace to print replacement parts, such as plumbing clips or hatch brackets. All you have to do is create a 3D model in AutoCAD or Sketchup, output an .stl file, and either print your component on a 3D printer at home or send it off to a 3D printing service.

So why stop at parts: how about building an entire boat? That’s just what Sanya Industrial Innovation Design Center in China did. They developed a huge 3D printer and the first major project was a 2 person floating boat – oar-some!

3d-boat-main

This 3D printed boat was created by the Sanya Industrial Innovation Design Center in China. Image courtesy of 3Dprint.com.



They're not the only ones printing boats. Jim Smith, a young inventor from Grass Roots Engineering made the world’s first 3D printed kayak. It is made of 28 sections in ABS plastic that he produced in his living room, and it looks like a