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Points of Differences
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Plate Aluminium Boat
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Fibreglass Boats
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Aluminium or Fibreglass boats
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Weight
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Weighs less by approximately 20 percent or more. Weight savings of 35% to 45% in hulls, and 55% to 65% in superstructures, can be achieved with aluminium compared to steel.
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Heavier, not as versatile and as strong as Aluminium
Too heavier to put on a trailer with a 4WD towing. Requires a truck to tow a heavy fibreglass boat. |
Aluminium preferred
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Speed
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Less fuel, more speed
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More fuel, less speed.
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Aluminium preferred
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Manufacturing
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Aluminium is easier and faster to weld. Aluminium is also very easy to shape, so aluminium boat hulls can have more detailing than other types.
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Cannot be welded, requires a mould.
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Aluminium preferred
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Repair
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Very easy to repair if they become damaged. If damaged, pound it out with a hammer. If this won’t work, the area can be cut out with a saw and replaced easily.
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Costly to repair.
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Aluminium preferred
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Durability
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They are durable. Aluminium boat hulls will stand up to impacts much better than steel or fibreglass varieties. These hulls will also resist corrosion in saltwater unlike steel.
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Fibreglass hulls are very brittle and will easily break if they sustain an impact..
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Aluminium preferred
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Flammable
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Aluminium is not a flammable material,
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Fibreglass boats are processed with a flame-inhibiting resin, in case the boat catches fire it will burn easily
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Aluminium preferred
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Coomercial aspects
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When the coastguard or navy buy boats in survey they buy a Noble because of all the advantages mentioned above.
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When was last time you saw a fibreglass patrol boat?
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Aluminium preferred
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THE BOAT IDEAL – ADVANTAGES OF ALUMINIUM
Aluminium plates
What can you expect from a boat? Water and impact resistance, low maintenance, long lifespan, lightweight and ease of use…read on and discover why Marine Project Srl only designs aluminium craft.
Aluminium is all of the above and much more. Aluminium is not just attached with rivets but welded and is, therefore, completely waterproof; it is highly impact resistant, which does not mean it is unbreakable, but that it is more difficult to damage. Rather than breaking, aluminium tends to bend, which is a fantastic quality. When it hits something, it dents, whereas if VTR hits something it would probably result in a hole and someone would have to come and get you, because the boat is sinking.
Aluminium plates
Aluminium is highly resistant in relation to its weight. Therefore, it is light and manageable, both in the water and when being towed. Moreover, it requires very little maintenance and lasts forever.
Whereas a VTR boat however, presents some inconveniences. It is heavier and less impact resistant, with the risk of breaking, sometimes badly. It requires more upkeep compared to a boat made of aluminium, even if a lot less than a wooden boat.
Aluminium plates
An aluminium boat will maintain its resale value overtime as its features will remain unchanged, something which is not true of VTR boats as the deterioration of fibreglass cannot be prevented, but only delayed.
To inspect an aluminium boat, simply X-raying it is enough to confirm that a section is undamaged. This is not possible with a VTR boat. It would have to be dismantled to confirm that it is intact.
So we have seen the advantages that Aluminium boats offer compared to VTR craft. Overall the advantages, compared to the competition, are numerous considering its weight, resistance, lifespan and maintenance.
And don’t forget that Aluminium is eco-friendly in that it is completely recyclable, again something that VTR is not!!