Progression boats are our own design, not a splash or a copy from some other company. Progression’s designs went from the drawing board to computers, then built wooden plugs, which became the foundation for our mirror-smooth fiberglass molds. The benefit of this is that we know more about our boats than anyone in the world.
The above photos show the first Progression design, being created as a plug for the mold that would evolve into the Progression 24 hull in 1983.
Progression’s Modified V-Bottom Design
Progression’s bottom design, starting at the transom keel, has a seven inch pad running forward. Working from the pad to each side, the design incorporates a 24-degree panel, a three inch lifting strake, a 23-degree panel, a three inch lifting strake, and a 22-degree panel ending with a three inch reverse angle chine. (where the side meets the bottom). This is Progression’s unique Variable-Deadrise Bottom. The benefits of a bottom with this geometric design, as opposed to that of a straight V-bottom, is a stronger and stiffer bottom, creating greater lift in the water. All this adds up to softer entries, a dryer ride, greater stability, and higher speeds in rougher water.
A flat transom gives you the versatility to accommodate trim tabs, hydraulic steering rams, outboard engine brackets, stern drive standoff boxes, ladders, and a swim platform. All this adds up to no sacrifice in handling or speed.
Unmatched Precision
Progression builds their boats in balsa cored molds, vacuum bagging all structural laminates, which virtually guarantees a bottom that’s race ready and one that doesn’t need blueprinting. Progression’s sharp strake edges reduce drag and increases speed. This standard Progression practice is unheard of in the boating industry.
Progression believes in producing the same quality inside as well as outside, including where you can’t see. Progression does not ‘cheat’ the length of the hull by incorporating swim platforms or bow extensions into the design, driving up the price of the boat per foot. Inch for inch you get exactly what you are paying for.
Progression’s 10-Year Warranty Is Standard On All Models
In today’s market, when the average boat owner finances their package for five to ten years, owning a Progression gives piece of mind with a greater trade-in value as well as a great resale. Other manufactures would prefer not to have anything to do with their boats after the sale. Obviously, they don’t believe in their own craftsmanship. Why should you?
At Progression, we weigh all our boats with our own dynamometer scales giving us the correct weight. At other companies, they use so-called ‘junk yard’ scales, leaving much room to the accuracy of your boat’s weight. Reminder: after a boat company has finished building their boat, there’s nothing that can be done to correct this weight problem except to convince you that it doesn’t matter.
Standard Three-Color Gelcoat
Progression offers you any three colors as standard. Our standard graphics set you apart from all the rest. (custom graphics and colors in gelcoat or paint are also available).
This resin is an acrylic modified epoxy resin that is more resilient, stronger, and lighter. It also provides greater blister resistance than that of other resin systems.
Only The Best Construction Materials Are Used In A Progression
Modern directional knitted fabrics lie in a flat plane in two or three directions, carrying their load more efficiently. This knitting process increases fiber density leaving no voids for excess resins that is characteristic of woven fabrics. They also have a lower resin percentage with improved impact strength. This creates stronger and lighter laminates, with the end result of better fuel economy attributed to higher speeds using less horse power.
Progression has chosen to install balsa as a core material, between its laminates, in its deck, hull, and sides, creating a hi-tech sandwich composite. Balsa core, nature’s own low density honeycomb material, ranges in thickness from one quarter inch to two inches. Progression uses this core material because today’s foams, at the same weight, do not have the sheer strength or the energy transfer as balsa. Because of its end-grain cellular construction, it will not transmit moisture across the grain. Even though it’s more critical work, it’s by far the best selection for a high-performance boat.
These panels come in 4’x8′ sheets. They are 50% lighter and 20% stronger than marine grade plywood. We use these panels for full length stringers, transoms, transom knees for outboards, bulkheads, flooring, V-bunk, and cabin seating. The pricing for these composite panels are at least three times greater than that of marine grade plywood. Some manufacturers not only use non-marine grade plywood, but stoop to using exterior grade sheathing which is easily five times cheaper than our composite panels. The bottom line is, it might save them money but when your warranty runs out, so will the plywood glue – not to mention the rotting that is sure to follow. Progression’s hulls are built for the long term.
Hand Layup Utilizing Vacuum Bagging Technology
Vacuum bagging delivers firm, evenly distributed pressure. On a 27′ hull that works out to approximately 85 tons of clamping pressure over the entire laminate. This allows for a superior bond that results in a higher fiberglass to resin ratio and reduces excess resin in the laminate, therefore creating a stronger and lighter boat.
Progression vacuum bags the entire transom into the boat. The stern drive transom is made up of Baltek’s Composite panels, sandwiched between bi and tri-directional fiberglass. The outboard transom is made thicker and is reinforced with knee braces that distribute the load to the stringers, creating a transom that Progression can stand behind for ten years. Other companies must replace their transoms and or add external tie bars, driving up the weight and cost of the boat after you already own it.
Progression’s stringers are vacuum bagged, ensuring even load and adhesion to the hull. The stringers run full length, starting at the transom and running forward. The stringers in the outboard models are made up of Baltek’s composition panels. Since stern drive models have solid front mounts that bolt thru the stringers, we use a combination of composite panels and marine grade plywood. This gives the mount system a solid mounting base with less compression.
Progression’s stringer knees are made up of Baltek’s composite panels, creating an I-beam construction between the floor and the hull. This method makes for a lighter, stronger boat. Check on the number of bulkheads we have as compared to theirs. Some hulls barely have any—a dangerous prospect.
Progression’s transom knees are made up of Baltek’s composite panels, adding extra support from the hull bottom and stringer system up into transom (for outboards only). This method makes for a lighter and stronger boat. (you don’t have to add tie bars to the transom).
The flooring is made of Baltek’s composite panels, which are glassed into place, completing the reinforced structure called the hull. In all boats, we leave the section over the fuel tank removable in order to service the fuel tank in the future. Many companies choose to give you gel coat flooring that’s part of the deck. This gives no structural strength to the hull, but it’s easy and less expensive to manufacture. Because of this, they can’t fiberglass the deck and hull together or thru-bolt the rub rail. This produces a weaker structure.
With most other boat designs, the fuel tank is permanently fiberglassed beneath the floor. This prevents any inspection of the tank or the fuel fittings. Aside from this possible danger, the floor of the boat would have to be cut to remove the fuel tank. Progression’s design completely eliminates this danger by providing an access panel in the floor, so that the fuel tank can be inspected and removed, if necessary.
Deck And Hull Are Fully Through-Bolted
Where the deck and hull meet at the rub rail, we laminate bi-directional fiberglass to create a continuous bond around the entire boat. When this laminate cures, these two parts now become one, creating a stronger boat.
These are the braces between the deck and hull, floor and hull, V-bunk and hull, and between the stringers. These bulkheads are all made of Baltek’s composite panels.
Stainless Steel Hardware Throughout
Five cleats are supplied with aluminum backing plates that are thru-bolted using stainless steel bolts and locknuts. These cleats will not catch lines or possibly injure a passenger.
Progression supplies three toe eyes made of one half inch stainless steel rod, backed up by a 6061-T6 aluminum plate. Tow eyes are only important when there’s a problem trailering or towing. This is not the time to have small, inferior-quality hardware.
Our drain plug is a custom made stainless steel drain with an O-ring on a stainless steel threaded plug. Like the rest of the boat, we have the best quality, right down to the simplest items, giving you hardware that will last the life of the boat.
We have installed a grab handle located in front of the port side seat. This handle is made of one inch stainless steel and is mounted with two 3/8 inch stainless steel bolts. This handle ensures the passenger with the same security that the driver has with the steering wheel.
Progression’s No-Compromise Rigging Details
Progression runs its wiring through non-metallic tubing. This tubing is supported every twelve inches and runs from bow to stern. This system enables you to install additional electric components without the hassle of ripping apart your boat and without any upset to current wiring.
Progression’s fuse panels are lightweight and rugged. It accepts ATO/ATC type fuses and has an integrated ground buss bar. This system replaces the old glass fuses which are prone to premature failure in a high-shock rough water environment.
An electrical raceway trough with a removable cover for easy accessibility to the dashboard wiring. This system provides 100% support for all electrical wiring throughout the boat – a critical design feature for a rough water boat.
The rocker switches are sealed from dust and moisture and come either with or without indicator lights. The panel is mounted on the dashboard under the steering wheel.
Progression installs only the best lighting, a stainless steel bow light and a removable stern light. Both of these lights require minimal maintenance and are provided to give you years of great service.
The battery box is made of welded stainless steel that clamps and secures the battery. The box is bolted through the floor with stainless steel bolts and nylon stop nuts.
Progression has selected the Lovett 1200 Auto 1200 GPH bilge pump as standard on all models. A high-quality pump simply because it is protecting your investment. Other companies choose an inexpensive pump, caring only about the original sale, not your investment.
Progression’s In-House Upholstery Manufacturing
Progression started its own upholstery shop back in 1987, designing and building its own cockpit, cabin and boat covers. After purchasing our upholstery on the outside and finding we had no control over the end product, we began making our own interiors with the same quality you have come to expect from Progression.
Cockpit Design And Features
Progression designed its cockpit interior to accommodate six adults. The standard interior seats two in the front bolster buckets, sit down or stand up. The rear seat has enough room to seat four adults. The front and rear seats feature extra thick seat bottom padding, high back support, and great padded arm rests. In every boat these seats are race ready and race proven. The rear seat is quickly removable by pulling just two quick release pins. This makes for great accessibility to the transom storage area or to the engine compartment (or for just running around without it).
Progression designs and builds all molded seat shells in-house. They are fabricated out of AME 4000 resin, Baltek’s balsa core and bi and tri-Directional fiberglass. This is the same material that our boats are constructed of. We do not use wood that will rot, decay, or plastic that will break, leaving you with damaged, unsafe seats.
