Flat Sheet

More than just tubing

Offering 20″ x 50″ flat carbon fiber sheets for specific applications

Our primary focus has always been tubes, however, at the request of a few good customers we started building some flat carbon fiber sheets for specific applications and it developed into a small offering of flat stock. Our current tooling allows us to build sheets that are 20” x 50” in size.  Currently we are not offering cut-offs smaller than the full 20×50 sheet.

Flat Sheet Information

We have laminate designs that are relatively isotropic in thicknesses; .125”, .190”, .250” and .375”. The sheets are built with a combination of unidirectional fiber, +/-45 biax and 0/90 cloth pre-preg. Both sides are finished with 0/90 cloth on the outside layers – giving it a smooth checkered pattern (2×2 twill).

Generally, they are pretty smooth on both sides but they are not without the occasional imperfection. These plates would be classified as structural plate over cosmetic plate although with a little bit of work and some clear paint, they could be made to look excellent.

Currently we are not offering cut-offs smaller than the full 20×50 sheet.

** Please be aware that depending on your application, you may not get exactly 20×50 of perfect carbon fiber. Expect to waste about 1/4 – 1/2” of material on all edges – leaving a good 19×49” of plate. **

The Possibilities Are Endless

We are able to make custom laminate and / or thickness
for specific applications.

what they’re saying

The carbon fiber tubing we use in the Mosquito Air Helicopter has proven to be very reliable and strong. Forte offers a good product at a very reasonable price.

John Uptigrove - Innovator Technologies

Before and during the 2002/2003 Around Alone race, we broke every type and every brand of sail batten you can imagine. This is one thing about Ocean Planet’s unstayed (freestanding) mast, that it is very tough on battens. However, for the end of the Around Alone and for the Vendee, we are using custom braided S-glass/carbon fiber battens by Forte… Forte battens are incredible, and it is so nice not to have to worry about battens anymore.

Bruce Schwab - Skipper Ocean Planet

Thanks for the awesome new mast for Strummer. It’s made a huge difference; she’s a much better boat, definitely stiffer and faster. We took 2nd (Class IV) in this year’s (2007) Bermuda 1-2. Lots of days in the 25-30 knot range. No problems with the rig at all.

Louis Meyer Strummer — Hinkley Pilot

My Forte mast is fantastic. It is light and extremely strong… two gales in the Bay of Biscay and three flying gybes (thanks to autopilot malfunctions) with the spinnaker up, and each time it came through unscathed. ACADIA Once I gybed in 30 knots of wind 2 miles from the finish with a full main and broke one of the running backstays, so no backstays on downwind… no problems.

Clay Burkhalter - Team Acadia

Strong, light and fairly priced ~ a good value! That’s what our clients tell us about their Forte poles. And we appreciate having a reliable source of spinnaker poles to meet our clients’ expectations.

Lisa Vizzini - Port Townsend Rigging

I would like to thank you, Tony and all the crew at Forte for the great service and excellent product. As you know, we were without a supplier for a mast, spirit and spinnaker pole for the new Rocket, and your company was the only one with a “can do!!”attitude. Right from helping us to pick the correct mandrel, creating the laminate schedule, to helping us construct the first mast, you went beyond the call of duty. We were nervous that the mast would be too stiff, and had lots of “nay sayers”, but when we set the rig up and went for our first sail, it was just what we were looking for!! Keep up the great work!!

Alan Barnes - Rocket Boats