One aspect of the present invention relates to a method for making a boat. The
boat includes a port side positioned opposite from a starboard side. The boat also
includes a floor and stingers supports positioned within the hull. The method includes
providing a insert having two spaced-apart elongated portions interconnected by
at least two spaced-apart transverse portions that extend between the elongated
portions. The elongated portions are sized and relatively positioned for one of
the elongated portions to extend along the port side of the hull and the other
of the elongated portions to extend along the starboard side of the hull. The method
also includes positioning the insert in a chamber defined between a male mold piece
and a female mold piece. The method further includes providing fibrous reinforcing
material that surrounds the insert within the chamber. The fibrous reinforcing
material includes portions positioned between the male mold piece and the insert,
and also includes portions positioned between the female mold piece and the insert.
The method further includes transferring resin into the chamber between the male
and female mold pieces such that the resin envelops the fibrous reinforcing material,
and curing the resin within the chamber. As the resin cures, the resin enveloped
fibrous reinforcing material hardens to form the hull, the floor and the support
stringers of the boat.