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The Advantages of an Aluminum Boat

More and more yachtsmen are discovering what commercial boat owners (and European cruisers) have known all along - that there are significant advantages to owning an aluminum boat. It's less expensive to customize, easy to maintain and repair, forgiving when abused, and above all it's strong, which means it is safer at sea.

For decades, fiberglass has been touted as the perfect material for building yachts of every sort, but as we learn more about delamination, blistering, crazing, water-saturated coring and other fiberglass-specific problems, there is a growing awareness that this isn't necessarily true. In fact there is no single, perfect boat building material, but rather a selection of materials, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. For semi-custom-built, world-voyaging vessels like our Strong Yachts, we feel aluminum is probably the best all-around choice. Here's why:

• Aluminum boats are immensely strong, much stronger than fiberglass, cold molded, strip planked or traditional wood hulls. Pound for pound aluminum is stronger than steel. 

• Aluminum boats are durable, far outlasting comparable fiberglass, steel and wood vessels.

• Aluminum lends itself to sculptured detailing with soft shapes and edges, ideal for custom boat building.

• Aluminum is a cost-efficient material for building one-off boats in the size range of our Strong Yachts.

• Marine grade aluminum is virtually maintenance-free (except for periodically replacing the bottom paint and zinc anodes).

• Aluminum boats typically maintain their value as well as their fiberglass counterparts, and better than steel.

• The hull, deck and keel of an aluminum boat are all one welded structure, with no joints and no leaks.

• An aluminum hull requires minimal bulkheads for structural support, allowing great flexibility in interior layout plans.

• Aluminum does not absorb water, blister or delaminate as does fiberglass, and it doesn't rust like steel.

• Aluminum boats are so corrosion resistant that they only need antifouling paint on the bottom. All other paint is purely cosmetic.

Myths About Aluminum Boats

• They are noisy! - Not true. In fact, a well built aluminum vessel with proper soundproofing is often quieter than an equivalent fiberglass boat.

• They are cold and damp! - Not true. Our hulls and decks are fully insulated and our cabins are as dry and cozy as any boat built of wood or fiberglass - and much less likely to leak. 

• It's difficult to install hull fittings! - Not true. To install hull fittings, simply drill and tap into the hull and use a stainless steel fastener. In fact, you can work aluminum using many ordinary woodworking tools.

• Aluminum is prone to corrosion, oxidation and electrolysis. - Not true. Today's marine grade aluminum is highly resistant to corrosion. Some surface oxidation may occur, but this in no way affects the strength or integrity of the aluminum. Electrolysis and other potential corrosion issues can all be avoided through good construction and maintenance

• You cannot paint aluminum. - Not true. With proper preparation and the application of the correct primers and undercoats, aluminum holds paint very well.