This is an old question that is full of half-truths, so in this article we are going to go over the facts about aluminum hulls vs. aluminum hulls. fiberglass.

Let’s start by addressing the issue of weight. Aluminum hulls are typically twenty percent lighter than fiberglass hulls and that also translates into fuel cost savings and that also means better performance. One of the myths is that a heavier hull will ride smoother, but that is not true. It depends on the angle of attack of the bow and how it divides the waves. Just look at a Coast Guard patrol boat and they are all metal and yet have a very smooth ride compared to most composite boats. This again comes from a sharp bow that splits the waves and the weight really doesn’t have much of an influence. The bow works like a knife! If it’s sharp, it’ll split just about anything, but if it’s dull, good luck splitting a stick of cold butter!

Another common myth about aluminum hulls is that they are boxy and unattractive. Again, this can be easily refuted by looking at all the mega yachts that have beautiful lines and are mostly built of metal. The shape is determined by the designer and the skill of the craftsmen who build the ship. Another example is just looking at most cars and they are made of metal and very stylish. A boat is only as attractive as the designer plans it to be. One of the reasons aluminum boats are square is that many are built by welders who have no design experience.

If you’ve heard that aluminum is maintenance-free, that’s also false. Actually, fiberglass is easier to maintain than metal boats. There is a problem called galvinetic corrosion that occurs with metals, which occurs when two dissimilar metals come into contact with each other. On aluminum boats this often occurs when stainless steel hardware is used and what happens is that these two metals have a different electrical charge which literally makes them act like a battery causing the metals to break down. Most boat owners are familiar with this concept from the motor-mounted sacrificial diode that breaks down over time.

Aluminum is superior when it comes to chipping paint from activities like going to the beach and hitting unforeseen objects. Fiberglass has something called a gel coat that makes it shine, but it’s also very delicate and can chip without much effort. On the plus side of composites, they can be easily repaired and polished to shine again.

In the end, any type of boat is a good choice, but if you plan on hitting the boat and going hard on it, a metal boat may be a better option.