Aluminium racing Cats/Tris?

Was there ever any? A successful Aluminium racing Cat or Tri? I can't seem to find anything in a search or on google. If there was - when was the change-over to carbon or fiberglass?

see also:
http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12328

 

Pen Duick IV

Pen Duick IV was a alu successful racing tri.

http://www.penduick.com/pages/uk/accueil_bateau_uk.htm

It also was one of the last, most reasons have been debated in your previous thread:

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12328

The first answer by SamSam was most clear.

 

Thankyou for your example:

 

Reply in existing thread:

http://www.boatdesign.net/forums/showthread.php?t=12328

 

Palmer Johnson built some 12 Meter boats of glued aluminum. I am not sure of the details, but my understanding is that the plate was too thin for the welding techniques of the time. I wonder if with modern adhesives an aluminum hull would be competitive.

 

One problem you have with aluminum is its poor fatigue strength. Especially where welded, because you compromise the heat treatment. The Searunner 31's with aluminum truss beams had problems with fatigue, as did Pen Duick IV, IIRC.

There are a lot of fluctuating loads in a multihull from wracking as the boat goes through the waves. When I'm riding on the weather ama of an F-boat, I can feel the whole boat vibrating from waves and gusts. That makes for a lot of cycles.

Carbon re-inforced composite construction is the ideal material today. Stiff and light, and highly fatigue-resistant. In a multihull, you can't afford the weight of adding enough aluminum to have anything like the same stiffness & strength after a large number of cycles.

 

can i have three guesses where epoxy glued alu is used ?