Jake,

The cure time of the resin can be configured for infusion, especially so with epoxies. There are epoxy curatives that will give you 5 days or more work time at room temp. There is one that gives you 6 months(!) But with only modest heating (120-180*F) full cure in a few hours.

With polyester, the Sunrez system is always an option. The Sunrez system will never cure until exposed to a strong ultraviolet light source.

Then there are the 'static' mix tubes.

http://www.chreed.com/tah_mixers.htm

The resin and catalyst are stored seperately and only metered, combined and thoroughly mixed at the moment of infusion into the layup using static mix tubes, greatly reducing the chance of a mishap with gel time vs infusion time.

I saw and participated in a buildup at After IBEX a couple of years ago that used mixers like these. We built a ~12' dinghy in about 45 minutes from empty mold to finished boat (with plenty of guidance from our instructor <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> )

So keep in mind that there are basically two types of composite boat manufacturer in 2006: Those using some form of resin infusion and those who are going to use some sort of resin infusion soon. If Nacra or anyone else making boats has begun using infusion, then they still are. No way they would go back. Better to work out the bugs (if there are any). This is how boats will be built from now on.

Jimbo