Fiberglass verses Aluminum

[YKnot]

I've been looking at several manufacturer's models in the 55-80 foot range and have noticed most are fiberglass, but several offer aluminum hulls.
I'm aware of oxidation, but what are the major differences between a FG hull and a metal one?
Thanks for the response.
Yknot
Bill B

 

[REBrueckner]

You can check various aluminum manufacturers online. I did that some years ago and did not see any advantage for Al unless you have heavy duty requirements such as extra strength for ice protection. Aluminum bends, deforms and bends upon significant impact; fiberglass breaks, it's more brittle and not as strong.

There are a dizzying array of aluminum alloys and usually different ones are used for hull versus superstruture....one manufacturer that you might research is STRIKER which has been making moderate sized aluminum SF since the 1970's I think....and bigger ones more recently....

The obvious potential issue with Al is corrosion so protective coatings and paint must be preserved....some newer boats have little paint like the newer USCG nonsinkable's....they must have some form of superior anodizing and maybe newer alloys. Metal thru hulls must be insulated from the aluminum hull and cathodic protection is far more necessary than for fiberglass hulls.

With fiberglass of course water intrusion, bubbles, de lamination and so forth is a significant issue. Aluminum provides superior lightning protection analogous to an automobile....like a "Faraday cage" .....a hollow conductor where you are pretty safe inside....

 

[Brian Degulis]

I build metal boats for a living but for recreational use glass wins hands down. Aluminum or steel only makes sense if your not building many and the expense of making molds is not practical. When a builder is planning a production run say 40 or more your going to get a better value and probably a more well thought out boat. Aluminum boats have some advantages in certain use like an oil field crew boat that needs to be light strong cabable of withstanding impact and easily repairable. Recreational boats need to look nice and that requires a lot of fairing with aluminum and it's difficult to get the shapes and compound curves that are common in glass boats. They also need to livable which requires a lot of insulation with metal boats and on and on. There's good reason why 95% of recreational boats are glass.


Brian

 

[MicroKap]

Last I read is that Striker hasn't built a boat since 1995. The founder's son now runs the company's website, but stated that most people won't pay for a custom aluminum yacht today because cost is now much more than a comparable size fiberglass boat.

 

[krush]

Aluminum bends, deforms and bends upon significant impact; fiberglass breaks, it's more brittle and not as strong.

That comment is misleading. Fiberglass flexes very much before ultimately failing. Aluminum will deform permanently and stretch much more before breaking (it's more ductile).

Ultimate strength does not depend on either of the characters you mentioned. The stress/strain curve of both materials is much different. Also, fatigue is less of a concern with composites.

 

[jim rosenthal]

I've had both. I had a 44 Striker, and I have a 36 Hatteras. There isn't any comparison. Buy a fiberglass boat. Buy a Hatteras. Metal boats are great for commercial use. For recreational use, it is pointless and problematic. There isn't any advantage to them for recreational use, and you would have a whole set of worries that you will not have with a fiberglass boat. PLUS, used boats are a better bargain than they have ever been. If I'd bought the Hatters first, I would never have owned a Striker- or any other boat, for that matter.

 

[YKnot]

Jim,
"Mambeaux" keeps telling me the same thing.
"Quit wasting energy on anything but a Hat!"
That's why I joined the forum, but there's so many deals on the market
I want to keep an open mind.
The only sure way I have found for a boat to sell is for me to make an offer on it. Four offers, all four boats sold! but, not to me
Bill

 

[TedZ]

I think there are some very nice aluminum Burgers.

I prefer fiberglass but if you hit a dead head out in the ocean, the ductility of aluminum comes in mighty handy.

I don't see anything to be learned from stress (lbs) vs. strain (in) curves that you don't know and that is that most aluminum alloys are ductile.

Ted

 

[Vincentc]

A friend who has many years of experience in shipbuilding and operating a fleet of commercial boats including aluminum boats advised me to not consider an aluminum boat due to corrosion issues. In theory, aluminum should be an excellent boat building material, but we don't live there.
Regarding deals, pleasure boat ownership is emotional, not practical, look first for what you will likely love a year after purchase, then at the deal.
So Many Boats, So Little Time... I wouldn't look beyond Hatteras, unless I was looking for a particular size or type that cannot be found there.
Regards,
Vincent
Lilly Marie
43DC