Why Build An Aluminum Boat?

For things that go bump in the night. For ease of construction. For longevity. For good resale value. For the benefit of being able to create a custom design and build it economically, without the huge penalty of having to build a mold first, as with fiberglass. For freedom from the stench of fiberglass, and from the dread fiberglass boat pox. For repair-ability. For lightness and strength. For the competitive edge in performance. And most importantly, for the security of safe cruising. It takes over 60,000 pounds per square inch (psi) to tear apart a chunk of mild steel, and 30,000 psi to deform the same piece; to make it yield. With aluminum, around 45,000 psi will tear it apart, and around 35,000 psi will deform it. Yes, you read that correctly: size for size, aluminum has a higher yield strength. In these facts lie the extreme benefits of metal for hull construction: The "plastic range" of either metal is quite high, so the material can take a terrific beating without failure. ...  more