Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

[Jayb123]

By show of hands, Im very curious would it be easier and/or cheaper to restore (if I do decide to take this route) a:

1. Fiberglass hull
2. Aluminum hull
3. Wooden hull

I am good with woodworking tools and have experience. Restoration in the terms of maybe transom rot and or floor/stringer repair replace and painting the hull etc. a medium sized resto... not a very small or very large one. A boat in the size of say 16-18 feet.

 

[tlzimmerman]

Re: Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

Aluminum is way easier...this coming from someone who has started...and then gave up on, restoring a fiberglass. LOL

 

[heyyou325]

Re: Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

I have done all three, and Aluminum is hands down easier, and will take less maintainence, and more abuse.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

there is a lot to working with wooden boats that aren't apparent to the inexperienced, such as accounting for swelling, types of woods, sealants, finishes, etc. But it is also true craftmanship.

 

[Jayb123]

Re: Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

there is a lot to working with wooden boats that aren't apparent to the inexperienced, such as accounting for swelling, types of woods, sealants, finishes, etc. But it is also true craftmanship.

Im thinking the same thing... I may be good with wood and tools. However working on/with wood projects does not make one by default capable of wood hull resotration.

I have over the past few weeks.. read several resto threads.... and it 'seems' that aluminum hulls have an easier repair/maintenance life cycle

 

[spudshaft]

Re: Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

I'd say aluminum by a long shot, unless it is dented up or something

 

[dozerII]

Re: Fiberglass - Aluminum or Wood Poll?

I have done both a fiberglass and aluminum and am about to start on another aluminum. I did buy a wood boat to fix up once but it was just to far gone. Aluminum boats are far eaiser to do, but both fiberglass and aluminum, are holes in the water you throw money into,lol.
Glen