Before making a boat, it's a good idea to pay attention to the advantages and disadvantages of aluminum boats and fiberglass boats. The properties of aluminum and fiberglass alloys are as follows:
1. Modal Navigation:
The weight of the aluminum alloy boat is half of the weight of the fiberglass boat under the terms of the same size and structural strength. A lighter and more fuel efficient boat.
2. Handling and stability:
Because aluminum boats are lighter, handling and relative movement will be smoother. On the other hand, because fiberglass boats are heavier, they are more stable under high swell conditions.
3. Appearance:
Besides the aluminum boats built by Morningstar, usually other company's aluminum boats are assembled by pieces one by one, and welding or riveting. So, the appearance of the fiberglass boat looks more presentable and beautiful. fiberglass boats have a beautiful appearance and excellent flow properties, this is because the glass cloth can be deformed and attached to the model boat by using glue. Due to this flexibility, fiberglass boats have a more beautiful appearance compared to traditional aluminum boats.
4. Mobility:
Due to the high and limited costs of berthing and maintenance, especially the growing demand for motorized vessels, more and more ships have been put on the ground. aluminum boats are lighter than fiberglass boats, using a car to tow the boat is also easier.
5. Maintenance costs:
Aluminum will form a single layer of protection that will not corrode when in contact with air. This feature can protect the ship from leaving scratches in minor breaches and does not need special care to repair. Spray paint the aluminum hull not for protection purposes, but for appearance. In contrast, fiberglass boats require careful maintenance.
6. Long service life:
Aluminum boats have a longer lifespan compared to fiberglass boats. Fiberglass internal damage is not easily detected on the fiberglass surface. Therefore, developed countries including Taiwan will take into account the age limit of ships when choosing to import fiberglass, but aluminum ships are not restricted to any of these.
7. Environmental Protection:
Aluminum can be recycled. The owner of the fiberglass boat had to hire someone else to take care of this boat. Apart from burying it with garbage, fiberglass can only be ground into powder and added to asphalt on highways.
8. Used Price:
The price of aluminum boats is higher than fiberglass boats because of easy maintenance, long life limit, and easily detectable damage.
Aluminum is divided into seven types, only aluminum-5000 and marine-grade aluminum-6000 are internationally recognized and can be used on ships. Other aluminium, such as window aluminum using aluminum-2000 and aluminum-3000, due to their weathering ability to seawater, are prohibited from being used in hull construction.
It's not a better choice than an aluminum boat with a fiberglass boat, but it all depends on your needs.
