Aluminium Or Fibreglass

[GurdMar]

G'day Forum<br /><br />I am new to boating and in the market to get my self a boat to basically do some salt water fishing ( say every second weekend ). The boats I have been looking at are in the 5 to 6.5 meter range.<br /><br />I would like to ask which is a better boat for this purpose: a fibreglass or an aluminium boat?<br /><br />Which handles better? Maintainance? Pros and cons for each type.<br /><br />Thanks in advance for those replies

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

I think that when it comes to choosing between the two it comes down to a matter of preferance for a boat that size.<br /><br />Aluminum boats if docked at a marina you would have to worry about electrolysis eating away at the aluminum in a few years.I'ved owned two aluminium boats and very little maintenance.Only owned a fiberglass boat one year and finding the samewhen it comes to maintenance and don't have to worry about electrolysis.

 

[Franki]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

Generally, fiberglass boats have a softer ride and better design.. (fiberglass doesn't have the limitations of pressed ally when it comes to hull shape)<br /><br />If you buy ally, don't ever drop a lead sinker under your seat. it will eventually corrode though your hull.. <br /><br />Ally will sacrifice itself to any metals bar zinc and one other, (can't remember the other one.)<br /><br />On the upside, ally boat will go faster for less money with the same HP on board.. (cos its lighter.)<br /><br />regards<br /><br />Franki

 

[Lark40]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

I've had both for many years. Salt and fresh water. Both have problems - rivets will leak and laminates will sog.<br /><br />I prefer aluminum, as it is lighter and therefore easier to trailer and launch. <br /><br />Now, if the boat was not trailered, but instead was docked in salt water, I would have to favor the fiberglass due to the corrosion issue.

 

[rons boat]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

Wow a loaded question. Both materials have there strengths and weaknesses. Quallity and construction is more important usually. The strength of a fiberglass boat is usually not fiberglass, but wood. Now that I have stated that the best fiberglass boats are an exception and use a composite which is light weight and strong and eliminates wood altogether. This never rots and some last a long long time. Others are cheap wood and quickly deteriorate as rot gets to structural members. Aluminum alloy boats are aluminum structurally and use a wide variety of construction techniques such as welding, all kinds of rivits, or bonding. Quality varies widely and so does maintenance. Some use techniques borrowed from the aircraft industy which are almost industructible and never leak. There is really no answer to your question without the elimnation of a lot of varables. Top quality aluminum boats never have rivet problems and top composite boats never rot. Nothing is perfect and your job, should you choose to accept it is to find a boat that meets your needs at a price you can afford.

 

[Boatist]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

GurdMar<br />Aluminum boats are lighter than fiberglass, this means easier to tow and launch. Aluminum will get better fuel mileage on the trailer and in the water. Aluminum is lighter so faster on the water which means can use a smaller engine to get the same speed and realy save on fuel. I have had two aluminum boats one with rivots that leaks and one that is welded and has never leaked a drop. The boat with rivots is a 1967 and leaks around several rivots that I can not get to the back side to tighten up, but other than that as good as new. My 21 foot (6.4 meter) is a 1980 Model and does not leak a drop. I have to reoil the teak every year to keep it looking good and the paint on the sunny side is a little faded.<br /><br />The aluminum boat is lighter so when in the ocean will tend to go over that big swell more than the fiberglass, so ride is a little ruffer. Still over that big swell better than under.<br /><br />If you are going to leave in salt water then must have a good Quality marine aluminum or must keep painted. Having said one of the US Coast Guards new boats is a 47 Footer aluminum boat and only paint it has is a red strip on the front to idenify it as a US Coast Guard boat. This boat is almost twice as fast as the 44 foot boat it replaced but uses a lot less fuel.<br /><br />Main thing I like about Aluminum boats is have aluminum stringer so do not rust or rot. My boat is 23 years old and still looks great and when I bought had a lifetime hull warranty but the new ones only have a 20 hull warranty. Still try and find a fiberglass boat with a 20 year hull warranty.<br /><br />Ok I like aluminum but Fiberglass does have some good things also. Usually ride a little better and some have a area can put a depth finder tranducer and shoot thru hull. They are a little quieter ride less water noise on the hull. If keep in salt water may need a little less hull maintenance.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

do a search. This subject has been covered exhaustively in previous posts.

 

[KCook]

Re: Aluminium Or Fibreglass

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