Helping marine go green: Shrink wrapping a new breed of sustainable boat

Tufcoat’s roots are in the marine industry. Set up by Ewan Lake two decades ago to provide shrink-wrap solutions to boat owners after a lightbulb moment while travelling in America, this is where we made a name for ourselves.
Fast-forward to the present day, and the sector still remains an important part of who we are. We still serve customers in the maritime segment and follow keenly the industry’s progress towards decarbonisation – many new technologies are entering the market, not least around propulsion solutions and alternative fuels.
Hydrogen is one such fuel, and some of the brightest young minds at Cambridge University Riviera Racing have pioneered a whole new breed of zero-emissions boat which competed at the 2024 Monaco Energy Boat Challenge earlier this month.

Needless to say, when the opportunity came along to help them, we had to get involved.

In terms of its design, Meridian’s cockpit structure is inspired by vintage aircraft and uses a plywood frame with shrink-wrap covering, which is replacing traditional fabric for improved performance after the team had discussions with advisors from Americas Cup competitors.

So, what role has Tufcoat played in getting the boat ready for Monaco?

We were proud to supply Cambridge University Riviera Racing with shrink-wrap coverage for the top, bottom and nosecone of the boat, as well as 200mm width repair tape for in field repairs, should the need arise.
The innovative design of Meridian is the ideal showcase of shrink-wrap’s versatility beyond traditional applications. This project will certainly be among the most memorable that Tufcoat has supported on, not least because it is helping to push sustainable maritime technology forward.

The Monaco Energy Boat Challenge was held earlier this month between 1st – 6th July. The competition involved 46 teams from 40 universities, with innovators representing 25 nationalities. Split across four classes, the challenge is all about exploring new and sustainable technologies to power boats without compromising on performance.
After five exhilarating days, the Cambridge University Riviera Racing team returned from Monaco with a mix of emotions.
Although they managed to get their boat, Meridian, onto the water, technical issues discovered during inspections prevented them from competing. Looking ahead, the Cambridge University Riviera Racing team is committed to rethinking, restructuring, and redirecting their efforts to achieve greater success in the future – a goal that Tufcoat stands ready to support.