I invented the term “COVE System” in the 1990’s to describe Schooner Creek Boatworks’ wood-composite boat construction method. COVE which stands for COre/Veneer/Epoxy. It a system that utilizes thin layers of wood for the inner and outer skins and a Divinycell structural foam core, all laminated with West System epoxy. Schooner Creek founder Steve Rander compares the COVE System to the traditional double planking method that originated when clipper ships were planked with more than one layer of wood–often with layers were set at different angles.
“The advent of modern adhesives during World War II allowed the layers to be glued instead of fastened together, in a double-diagonal pattern,” he stated. “Then, the introduction in the 1970s of epoxy resin and synthetic core materials allowed us to permanently bond the planking and a foam core together,” he continued. This “sandwich” method resulted in a huge increase in overall stiffness and strength, and a decrease in overall weight.