The Hylas 56 and Southerly 57 are Fitted with GMT Composite's

Innovative In-boom Roller Furling System

BRISTOL, RI -- GMT Composites has introduced a smaller version of its popular carbon-fiber roller furling boom. PowerFurl booms have now been delivered on two 2011 "Boats of the Year," according to GMT Sales and Marketing Director Jay Kiley.

The new Hylas 56, named "Boat of the Year for Best Premium Cruiser Over 55-feet" by Cruising World magazine, has been delivered with a GMT Composites PowerFurl boom. The boat's owner selected the electric furling version. The PowerFurl-equipped Hylas 56 will be on display at Strictly Sail Miami February 17-21, 2011.

The original GMT PowerFurl boom, designed for larger yachts, was shipped to the UK and fitted on this year's Sail Magazine "Flagship Boat of the Year," the Dubois-designed Southerly 57 by North Shore Yachts. North Shore is the largest boat builder in the UK. Typical of larger PowerFurl installations, North Shore chose the hydraulic version of the PowerFurl roller furling boom.

"PowerFurl booms offer distinct benefits to boat owners," explains Kiley. "The new carbon fiber booms feature the ability to furl a full-roach, fully battened mainsail in just 40 seconds with the push of a button. The electric or hydraulically controlled booms will furl and unfurl mainsails on nearly every point of sail. In addition, the light-weight booms allow furling from the safety of the cockpit."

Because of its unique design, a PowerFurl boom allows sails to be reefed or furled when sailing upwind or downwind effortlessly. The innovative winding motor is mounted inside the boom's mandrel, rather than using a universal joint and through-mast winding shaft.

GMT Composites, founded in 1984, stands at the forefront of carbon fiber composite innovation and new applications development. GMT provides engineering and manufacturing on a custom basis with production run, prototyping, and one-off capabilities.

Download Word  file of this Press Release 

Download Hylas 56 photograph (high-res).

Download Southerly 57 photograph (high-res). 

48 Ballou Blvd. ~ Bristol, RI 02809 USA
Contact: Jay Kiley
+1 401-253-8802
jay@gmtcomposites.com

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