Fiberglass Boats Vs. Aluminum; What’s the Difference?

Buying a boat can be challenging, especially when you go in without any prior knowledge. To help me make an informed decision, I went ahead and did some extensive research on the difference between fiberglass and aluminum boats. Here I want to share with you everything that I learned.

Fiberglass boats vs. aluminum; what is the difference? The main difference between an aluminum and fiberglass boat is in the material they are made of. Aluminum is more supple. It can bend without breaking after contact with brunt force, while fiberglass boats are more aesthetically pleasing but prone to breakage after forceful impact.

It is undoubtedly true that each kind of boat is not without its specialties and weaknesses, and your choice should be mainly based on what you are primarily going to be using the boat for. However, you do not want to dive in headfirst when making a choice without first taking the time to go over the details thoroughly.

Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Detailed Assessment

The fiberglass and aluminum debate is one you will most likely encounter if you are set on acquiring a new boat. It is undeniable that both possess its pros and cons, and what should help you decide is what best suits the purpose for which you want it.

The number of differences between aluminum and fiberglass boats depends on varying factors.

Economics

Fiberglass boats are generally more expensive than aluminum. However, advances in boat-building technology have been made where aluminum boats are concerned, and this has led to an increase in pricing, but a higher number remains quite affordable. The fuel efficiency aluminum boats come with make them less expensive to handle in addition to their affordability.

Appearance and design

Fiberglass boats are more inviting to the eye because they come equipped with flashy gel coats and because they are more flexible to mold into quite the number of different shapes than aluminum. They usually have better-shaped hulls as well as polished stainless steel and woodwork that gives them a very tasteful look.

Weight and performance

Aluminum boats are considerably less heavy in comparison to fiberglass boats. Some aluminum boats even fall in a 30 to 40 percent range when weighed against fiberglass boats of the same size. Fiberglass boats are heavier and as such, provide solid rides with a more grounded feeling than a lightweight aluminum would.

Strength and durability

When it comes to toughness, aluminum is more durable. If you are in the market for a boat that can take some hard hits and still come out none the worse for wear, then an aluminum boat is the way to go. Fiberglass boats, on the other hand, show more fragility where exposure to sunlight and harsh water conditions may cause it to deteriorate much faster.

Repair and maintenance

It is relieving to know that both boat types can be repaired. Usually, aluminum is simpler to repair as most damages are often just dents to the hull of the boat. In contrast, significant impacts on fiberglass are likely to result in a hole. Fixing dents is easy as they can just be hammered out, but a hole in a fiberglass boat will need to be tended to by an experienced fiberglass repairer and is inclined to be more costly, and the reparation process takes time.

Maneuverability

Fiberglass boats win the maneuverability round as they can cut through waves more solidly than aluminum boats. They are also less noisy because, unlike aluminum, they have less metallic features and as such, make for a smoother and more comfortable ride.

When is Aluminum the Best Choice?

Aluminum boats are made out of notably robust yet light material with excellent corrosion resistance and are considerably affordable too. This is why in places where there are rocky beaches, shallow waters and harsh weather conditions like the Nordic areas and Alaska, aluminum boats are the best choice for your boating activities. You can also go for aluminum if you’re just generally looking for a cheaper, longer-lasting boat that needs very little to be maintained.

When is Fiberglass the Best Choice?

Fiberglass boats are made out of resins derived from petrochemicals. The process of making a fiberglass boat is fast and straightforward because the substance they are made from is flexible and thus can be easily molded into a variety of shapes. This is an absolute delight for boat builders and designers because they have more room to create pieces that are not only visually appealing but provide stability on high-speed rides. So if you are after a boat that is easy on the eyes, then fiberglass is the way to go.

Aluminum Boats Pros

Aluminum is a typical favorite among boaters because of the many benefits they come with such as the following.

Lighter

Since aluminum boats are lighter than other counterparts made of steel or fiberglass, they also require the use of smaller and lighter engines, and this makes them faster and able to take on more cargo. They are also easier to tow, which reduces charges in fees.

Stronger

Aluminum is your guy if you’re looking for a boat that can take rough handling without major damage. The secret behind their strength is the ability of aluminum to absorb the energy of an impact due to its low modulus of elasticity, aiding in the prevention of damages its hull might otherwise suffer. This makes them the preference for most Alaskan fishermen as they can scratch the bottom of the water and come out unscarred.

Longer Lasting

With resistance to harsh ultraviolet rays from the sun and corrosion, aluminum boats can last so long that they can be refurbished and resold later down the line or passed down many generations within a family because they do not deteriorate or wear out as time passes.

Inexpensive

Even though aluminum boats have seen improvements in their specifications recently, which has contributed to a rise in their prices. You can still get a much cheaper boat with similar features as a fiberglass equivalent.

Easier Maintenance

The most maintenance aluminum boat will need is a quick cleanup and rinsing off after time in the water. If there are any dents, you can even them out yourself with a hammer because it is not that complicated a process.

Safer

When it comes to boats, you want to be assured that you are safe, and your best bet for that is with aluminum. They are considered one of the safest boats out there because of how lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and strong they are. If you happen to have a high impact collision on an aluminum boat, you’re more likely to just end up with a dent or even a scratch. In contrast, a fiberglass boat would develop a large hole that can subsequently sink it. They also possess non-flammable qualities, so any risk of it getting burnt is extremely low.

Environmentally Friendly

Although aluminum is mined from the earth, it is a completely reusable material. The process of making it is also much more kinder to the environment than the making of fiberglass boats. They also use less fuel due to having smaller engines, and this not only helps cut costs but also lessens their emissions of carbon dioxide into the environment.

Customization Properties

Anyone who knows anything about boats would probably argue that when it comes to the customization of boats, fiberglass is more flexible as opposed to aluminum, and they will be right. However, what most do not take into consideration is that because aluminum boats require a lot of different parts screwed and bolted together to form a whole, they allow for more customization later on in contrast to fiberglass which can be molded from just one material or two and cannot be taken apart to be customized without major damage to the boat.

Aluminum Boats Cons

Although Aluminum boats have much to be recommended by, they are not without their faults. These are some of their drawbacks.

Aesthetically Weak

Aluminum boats have always been considered as not being as attractive as their fiberglass counterparts. Still, in recent times, boat-builders are changing the livery of aluminum vessels to look more like their fiercest competition.

Noisy

If peace is something you want out of your boat rides, then aluminum may not be the better choice as they can get quite noisy when their hulls hit the water. This makes it challenging to have conversations on board and can scare fish away if the metal is struck.

Limited Comfort

Aluminum boats are not the most comfortable out there. If comfort is very important to you while boating, then you would be better off with a fiberglass boat. Because aluminum is light, they do not provide the most steady rides and can get quite bumpy. So although they are faster, they are much more challenging to handle for high-speed rides.

Rust-Prone

If aluminum boats are not well taken care of after use in saltwater areas, they can easily rust. Even though they are praised for their resistance to corrosion, they are not rust-proof.

Costly Antifouling

The application of antifouling paint onto aluminum boats is difficult and complicated, which amounts to its exorbitance. Antifouling paints aids in the prevention of the growth of organisms that attach themselves to the boat’s hull.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiberglass Over Aluminum

Fiberglass boats are preferred by boaters and builders due to the following qualities they possess.

Visually Appealing

Fiberglass boats have glossy finishes from gel coats applied, and this makes them just beautiful to look at. With smooth angles and sleek lines, you won’t find a better-looking boat brand. With proper handling and polishing, your fiberglass boat will sparkle for many boating seasons to come.

Malleable

Fiberglass is appealing for boat-builders because of its ability to be molded into any shape or form. You can build a complete hull without needing to screw or bolt additions from a single fiberglass material, which gives freedom to create stunning creative masterpiece hulls with no limit.

Comfortable Rides

Due to their heavyweights, fiberglass boats can slide effortlessly through the waves unwaveringly, giving extreme comfort on rides and are less noisy in comparison to aluminum boats.

DISADVANTAGES

Despite being very appealing, fiberglass boats are not without some weaknesses which include:

They are Costly

Fiberglass boats are more expensive than boats made with other materials such as wood or aluminum, and this also contributes to the building costs that customers have to bear. They are also expensive to maintain and take a lot of time to clean, unlike aluminum, which just needs a quick rinse after time on the water.

Lacking in Strength

Fiberglass easily shatters upon any jarring contact, and this makes them unsuitable for rocky beaches and shallow waters. They also absorb water easily, which can be damaging and cause rot to the boat if undetected early on.

Not Eco-Friendly

The resins fiberglass is made from cause pollution to the environment. Because they require more maintenance, they present more in the way of secondary pollution than aluminum and do not recycle easily.