3D printed boats, additive manufacturing boats, composite boat technology, future of boatbuilding, large-format 3D printing marine, Oakdale Yacht, UMaine 3Dirigo, University of Maine boat printing

The Future of Boatbuilding: How the University of Maine Is 3D-Printing the Next Generation of Vessels

The Future of Boatbuilding: How the University of Maine Is 3D-Printing Boats at Full Scale

Most people in the boating world have heard the buzz about 3D-printed homes, cars, and aerospace parts — but the real breakthrough is happening in a place boaters know well: Maine.

The University of Maine’s Advanced Structures & Composites Center (ASCC) is leading the world in large-format 3D-printed vessels, and what they’re building today could reshape what boating looks like over the next decade.

At Oakdale Yacht, we keep a close eye on innovations that will eventually impact our customers, our industry, and the way boats are designed, serviced, and delivered. What UMaine is doing isn’t just interesting — it’s a preview of the future.

Breaking Records: The World’s Largest 3D-Printed Boat

In 2019, the University of Maine made history with 3Dirigo, a 25-foot, 5,000-pound patrol-style boat that set three Guinness World Records:

  • Largest 3D-printed boat

  • Largest 3D-printed solid object

  • World’s largest polymer 3D printer

What made it revolutionary wasn’t just its size — it was the way it was built:

The entire hull was printed as one continuous piece.

No seams.
No stitched mold halves.
No traditional lamination schedule.

This kind of monolithic construction could dramatically improve long-term strength, reduce failure points, and streamline the entire manufacturing process from months down to days.

How 3D Printing Works in Boatbuilding

UMaine uses a unique bio-based thermoplastic reinforced with wood fibers — recyclable, repairable, and far more sustainable than petroleum composites.

Large-format 3D printing lays material down exactly where it’s needed, allowing shapes and structures that are difficult or expensive to build using fiberglass methods.

Advantages of 3D-printed boat construction:

  • Rapid prototyping — print a hull in days

  • Fewer structural weaknesses

  • Lower build costs in certain sizes

  • Minimal waste — additive manufacturing uses what it needs

  • Sustainable materials

  • Full customization from design to finished hull

Imagine designing a boat digitally, modifying the hull form with a few clicks, and printing the new version the same week.

That’s where UMaine is headed.

Real-World Projects Already in Motion

This isn’t a lab experiment. UMaine is already printing:

  • Autonomous research vessels

  • Work skiffs for aquaculture

  • Full-scale marine molds for commercial builders

  • Hybrid composite boats

  • Defense-industry marine platforms

One of the most promising developments is the ability to 3D-print boat molds — something that could save traditional builders hundreds of thousands of dollars per model.

The more molds they can print, the more new designs can go to market.

What 3D Printing Means for the Future of Recreational Boating

Large fiberglass vessels won’t disappear, but expect major shifts:

Within 5 years

  • Printed molds become standard

  • Printed consoles, cabinetry, and interior structures

  • Hybrid boats using both composite and printed components

Within 10–15 years

  • Printed small and mid-sized boats enter the recreational market

  • Fully printed hulls up to 40+ feet become feasible

  • Lower manufacturing costs for entry-level boats

  • Faster design cycles and more customization options

For boaters, this means:

  • More innovative hull designs

  • Lighter, stronger structures

  • Shorter lead times

  • Lower long-term manufacturing waste

Why Oakdale Yacht Is Watching Closely

Innovation in boating moves quickly — and the most forward-thinking builders are paying attention to what UMaine is doing.

At Oakdale Yacht, we’re committed to staying ahead of emerging technologies so we can guide our customers with the most accurate, modern insight possible. Whether it’s composite innovation, propulsion evolution, or the future of boatbuilding itself, we want our community to understand what’s coming next.

3D-printed boats aren’t science fiction.
They’re coming — and the University of Maine is leading the charge.