- Technology and Innovation
From Raw Polymer to Water-Ready Vessels: Inside the Impacd Boats Operation
Automating Hull Fabrication
Constructing traditional fiberglass hulls generates severe material waste. Impacd Boats completely alters this production cycle through Large Format Additive Manufacturing. Operating out of their newly expanded 8000-square-metre facility in Woudsend, the company utilizes a massive 12-metre robotic print line to extrude precise vessel outlines. This automated process operates continuously, translating digital naval architecture directly into physical forms while slashing intensive workshop labor.
Scaling Additive Capabilities
The physical scale of 3D printing in the marine sector is expanding rapidly. The Impacd Centre houses a Flexbot print line capable of executing full-scale leisure and commercial craft. As the heated thermoplastic extrudes from the printer head, it bonds instantly to the preceding layer. The resulting prints incorporate the exterior skin alongside transverse frames and integrated engine foundations in a single cohesive run, utilizing various recycled materials.
The Woudsend Operational Hub
Founders Marieke de Boer and Jörgen de Jong established the company in 2021 by acquiring the Beaufort Watersport harbor. Combining de Boer’s background in operational excellence and AI with de Jong’s industrial machine building expertise, they engineered a facility where everything happens under one roof. From the print hall and assembly line to direct harbor access, vessels transition from raw material to water-ready testing without ever leaving the premises.
Eliminating Marine Coatings
Bare thermoplastic surfaces deliver severe operational advantages for coastal operators. The robust tenders produced by Impacd Boats reject standard marine fouling. Because the base material resists external adhesion, the shipyard completely eliminates the application of toxic antifouling paints. The builder currently produces highly durable vessels that resist dents and scratches, securing recognition like the Eco-Focused Boat of the Year for the IMPACD 570 at the 2023 Boat Builder Awards.
Innovation as a Service
Beyond standard leisure craft, the shipyard actively serves the commercial, research, and defense sectors through its Innovation as a Service model. Clients bring specific maritime challenges, and the engineering team develops working prototypes like the SeaRush Uncrewed Surface Vessel, which recently completed sea trials with MARIN. By controlling the design, printing, and on-water testing phases internally, Impacd Boats dramatically accelerates the transition from initial concept to validated vessel.
