Aluminium or Fiberglass?

One of the oldest issues in boating is whether to choose an aluminium vs fiberglass hull. Old time boaters didn’t have that problem. It was wood and nothing else. But what are the issues between the aluminium vs. fiberglass hulls.

Is it really that critical?  It depends.  Each has their benefits and choosing the right hull depends on what you’re using the boat for, and what factors are important to you.

If a comfort ride is important then a fiberglass hull wins hand down.  The reason is fibreglass is heavier than aluminium. That allows the hull to “break through” waves better, resulting in less lift and push from waves, making the boat more stable and less likely to “slap”.

There’s a limit to how far aluminium can be “stretched” when creating a hull shape. Fiberglass can be moulded to form almost any shape.  That means fiberglass hull designs are sleeker and allows the hull to “slice” through the water rather than “slapping” it.

 If you want a smoother ride, choose a fiberglass boat.

What about Aluminium hulls?  Aluminium boats take more punishment, are  stronger and more “forgiving”. If you plan on “beach launching” a lot, or if it’s your first boat, an aluminium hull is more “forgiving” to wear and tear, and generally speaking,  you can get a aluminium boat with similar specifications cheaper than fiberglass.

Regardless of what boat you choose and how you use it, the responsibility for protecting your boat remains the same. Investing in high quality Canvas coverings from CMC Canvas LLC will preserve and protect your investment.