what are the pros and cons of differet boat building materials?

Question

i am looking for a new boat but i cant decide between aluminum and fiberglass, i will be launching the boat in shallow water off a beach and i will probably be beaching it alot, i also need a safe and verry stable boat that is relatively light and easy to launch in shallow water. let me kow what pros and cons u have experienced with ur boats.

Answer 1

there is not a lot of diference in the weight of the two hulls but an alloy one will not abraid as much if and when you beach it My dinghy (glass) lasted a year beaching it on the rocks daily but the alloy one is still going after 4 years albeit fairly bent and battered. For rough use or abuse I would suggest plate alloy like the pro's use

Answer 2

There are many marinas who allow live-aboard owners, particularly on the canals, it is very common. Some even offer a slightly reduced rate - because it is good for security to have people about at most times, though this is rare. You may, however, not desire a marina berth - preferring so-called 'continuous slow cruising'. Though, because of winter maintenance on 'the cut' by British Waterways, which creates annual 'stoppages' (well publicised in advance and, I believe, directly notified if you are a toll payer) you just need to bear in mind where you plan to be for the winter and consider a berth for those months. All the monthly magazines about the canals and inland waterways regularly carry features on living aboard and, if you are considering living on a boat on these waterways, they are essential reading anyway. As a boater already, the 'pros' are the ones you are already familiar with, but better. The main 'con' I suppose, is that fact that however you look at it, it is quite a bit more expensive to maintain a narrowboat than a house. For example, you need to dry-dock every two to three years and, at the very least, pressure wash the bottom and re 'black' it; and usually the whole vessel will need a coat of paint by this time also; the water tank will need draining and inspecting - and possibly repainting with tank paint, and every three years, you need to have a new Boat Safety Scheme inspection, which may entail work being done to comply. There is also all the engine maintenance, or servicing, and associated systems if installed. Batteries also need replacing about every three to four years. But all more than outweighed by the 'pros' if it is for you! Happy cruising and good luck.

Answer 3

I think you would be happier with an aluminum skinned boat. Fiberglass requires many coats of gel-coat. Most fiberglass boats are coated and colored this way. It's fairly complex to apply properly as once a sprayed coat goes on it needs to be covered to prevent oxygen from touching it for faster harder drying purposes. Weird I know but you need to apply a minimum of a dozen coats the build up the surface thickness.
Boats such as Mastercraft have 1/4 in. thickness of gel-coat on the surface. It's so hard that it chips easily and the abrasion you will be giving it by dragging the boat on shore easily scrapes off the gel-coat.

Answer 4

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