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• Before You Buy: 17 Pros And Cons Of Aluminium Boats

Before You Buy: 17 Pros and Cons of Aluminium Boats

Fiberglass and aluminium (known as aluminum in North America) are two of the most commonly used materials when building boats. If you're in the market for a new vessel, you'll need to decide between the two.

What are the pros and cons of aluminium boats? And how can you tell if an aluminium boat is right for your needs?

The Pros of Aluminium Boats

We'll start by taking a look at the benefits of aluminium boats, when compared to their fiberglass counterparts:

• Lower weight. One of the biggest and most universally recognised advantages of aluminium is its low weight. When compared to the same volume of fiberglass, aluminium is 30 to 40 percent lighter. It’s also 45 to 55 percent lighter than steel , though steel is a less popular material for constructing boats. There are several reasons why it's beneficial to have a lighter boat; in addition to having an easier time towing the vessel, you'll enjoy higher fuel efficiency, so you ultimately save money on fuel. These vessels can also have smaller, lighter engines, and they can run faster, all other factors being equal.
• Overall lifespan. If you're looking for a boat that will last you as long as possible, aluminium may be the best material for you. Aluminium has an incredible tensile strength that makes it ideal for whole durability. As we'll see, it's also resistant to many forms of damage and is relatively easy to maintain. Generally, aluminium boats last longer than fiberglass boats.
• Resale value. Because aluminium is easy to maintain and capable of preserving its integrity for longer, it has a tendency to preserve its resale value better than its competing materials. If you're thinking about reselling the boat in the future, aluminium may be the best choice.
• Hull integrity and energy absorption. Are you heading to rough waters? If so, you should know that aluminium is an ideal material for absorbing energy. Compared to fiberglass, aluminium is resistant to impact and much more flexible, allowing it to prevent hull damage in even the worst conditions. As an added bonus, because aluminium is highly ductile, it's relatively easy to repair – so even if it does get damaged, the damage will be temporary.
• Easier maintenance. If you want to maintain a fiberglass boat properly, you need to wax and buff the fiberglass gel coat on the outside. If it ever suffers significant damage, you'll also need to spend an excessive amount of money on a fiberglass specialist to repair it. In contrast, you won't have to do much to maintain your aluminium boat – and repairs are relatively inexpensive.
• Solar radiation resistance. Hopefully, you'll enjoy bright, sunny days when taking your aluminium boat on the water. All materials can suffer from sun damage, but aluminium is particularly resistant when compared to fiberglass. If you overexpose your fiberglass boat to solar radiation, the gel coating can degrade – and even the hull can suffer damage.
• Recyclability (and eco friendliness). The process of creating an aluminium boat is more environmentally friendly and less resource intensive than creating a fiberglass boat. This makes aluminium an eco-friendlier option from the outset. Aluminium is also easily recyclable, meaning it can find new life if the boat is ever retired or destroyed.
• Corrosion and fire resistance. Aluminium can corrode, but it's much more corrosion resistant than other materials. Modern aluminium boats are capable of handling seawater without issue, accordingly. Aluminium is also resistant to fire, while fiberglass is highly flammable without the proper fire-retardant resins to reduce the chance of ignition. Overall, these properties make aluminium a safer choice.
• Flexible options. There are some issues with aluminium from a construction perspective, which we'll explore in the next section, but because aluminium boats are constructed from many different parts welded together, it affords boat owners significant customisability.

The Cons of Aluminium Boats

Of course, there are some downsides of aluminium boats, as no material is perfect.

• Excessive noise. Aluminium is highly durable, but this property also makes it noisier, especially during rough conditions. The sound of the metal slapping the water may interfere with your ability to relax – and scare away the fish if you're not careful.
• Unsteady handling. The lightness of aluminium is a major advantage, but it also has some drawbacks. Because there's little resistance and light weight, rides on the water tend to be bumpier and handling tends to be somewhat more difficult.
• Welding and riveting requirements. Boat manufacturers prefer fiberglass because it can be easily moulded to any shape. With aluminium, boats need to be constructed from individual parts, using intensive welding and riveting processes. This also makes aluminium boats more expensive in some cases.
• Susceptibility to corrosion (in some conditions). While aluminium is corrosion resistant, it's not totally inert. If you neglect your boat, or if you leave it in seawater for too long, it could end up experiencing corrosion.
• Anti-fouling difficulties. If you're thinking about applying anti-fouling paint to your aluminium boat, you may need to reconsider. While this coating can help your boat remain resistant to barnacles and other forms of marine life, it's also much more expensive and complicated to apply to aluminium.
• Aesthetic preferences. Some people simply prefer the look and feel of fiberglass to aluminium.
• Vulnerability to cold weather. Since aluminium is a metal, it's highly conductive. It also attracts condensation. Because of this, aluminium boats are notoriously cold during cold seasons.
• Historical perceptions. Historically, aluminium has been a cheap and unreliable material for boats. Despite the fact that modern aluminium is far superior, it still has a questionable reputation in some circles.

Whether you're looking for a fiberglass boat, an aluminium boat, or you're undecided on the matter, you've landed in the right place. At TheYachtMarket, we list thousands of vessels from all over the United States and Europe so you can find the new or used boat you've always wanted. Browse our selection today if you're ready to get started!

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Since 1973, ALUBAT have been designing, building and commercializing 100% aluminium boats for blue water sailing. 

100% aluminium means that the hull, the deck, the coachroof and the cockpit are all made in aluminium. Everything is welded together with an inside and outside weld, because your safety is priceless. 

Lifting keels, ALUBAT have unparalleled experience in the aluminium boat market with more than 1,600 units built in over 49 years of expertise carried out by our metal workers, carpenters and shipwrights.

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Aluminium Boatbuilders

Harman Yachts is specialized in building aluminium boats with 15 years of experience and ongoing R&D for optimizing the quality and building efficiency. We supplied many aluminium hulls and complete yachts to our satisfied clients.

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Aluminium boats in great condition.

Harman Yachts builds complete aluminium yachts, but also supplies hulls to other boatbuilders.

Aluminium guarantees a stiff and strong hull. Being slightly less tensile than steel yet three times lighter makes it best choice for maximizing the strength/weight ratio.

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Callista, designed by Dykstra&Partners posesses an aluminium hull and many custom made accessories built beyond the standards of european yachts for a private owner.

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Harman 60 the sister-ship of Callista built with the same design philosophy with slighlty different approach to get a lighter and faster ship without compromising on the spirit and beauty.

Nazenin V, 52m Aluminium Ketch, designed by Sparkman&Stephens is the biggest aluminium yacht in Turkey built by RMK Marine. The hull built by Harman Yachts team in 2007.

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Aluminum is our material of choice when it comes to yacht building. It is lightweight, strong, stiff, low maintenance and infinitely customisable.

The best aluminum yachtbuilder

Why aluminum? The short answer is it is the best material to build boats with. The longer answer is that over the past two decades we have come to know the material inside and out. We know its strengths and its weaknesses. And the more we worked with it, the more we came to love its characteristics, its versatility and, not unimportant, its recyclability. Yesterday’s coffee capsule is tomorrow’s sail boat.

We have learned from our customer’s feedback, and have kept improving. Today, our customers come to Makkum from as far as Chile and Australia and our yachts can be found sailing literally from pole to pole. Which gives us the confidence that we are on the right track with aluminium.

Aluminium engineering

Dreamyard – Explore the boundless potential of aluminium.

Engineering – Next to building complete yachts we also engineer parts. From hulls and superstructures, booms and tillers to keels.

Construction – Whether you’re envisioning art installations, grand constructions or embarking on ambitious architectural endeavors, KM Yachtbuilders is your trusted partner. Our craftsmen and cutting-edge technology ensure flawless execution, every step of the way.

Why choose an aluminium yacht?

Lightweight.

Aluminium is three times lighter than steel. A lighter hull offers a shallower draught, lower fuel consumption. To sum it up: better overall performance.

Strong & safe

Much lighter than steel (3x) and much, much stronger than composite, aluminium makes it possible to build a yacht that is light, yet strong, and thus safer yacht.

Low maintenance

Contrary to steel, modern aluminum alloys do not rust. Our yachts have a bare aluminum hull, and sometimes even superstructure, for a low maintenance lifespan. And if damage occurs, aluminum is easy to repair. This makes aluminum yachts retain their value over a very long period of time.

Sustainable

Next to material characteristics, sustainability is an important factor for us to choose aluminum. Compared to carbon fibre, the production process is cleaner and the best part, aluminum can be recycled and reused. Yesterday’s coffee capsule is tomorrow’s sail boat.

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Every yacht we built is unique, and built specifically for its owner. No two yachts are the same, as each owner has his own wishes and demands.

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Aluminium  |  Light, Durable and Ductile

Our metal of choice for building is Aluminium that offers a rare combination of valuable properties. It is almost three times lighter than steel but it’s also very strong, extremely flexible and corrosion resistant as its surface is always sealed by an extremely strong layer of oxide.

Welding Aluminum presents some unique challenges compared to welding steel or other common materials. Because no paint systems are applied to our hulls they need to be completely smooth without heat induced dents or unevenness. We do not have the luxury to apply large quantities of filler, hence the need for experienced craftsmen with the best welding skills available.  

Aluminium doesn’t catch fire, it doesn’t need special paint and unlike plastics, it’s not toxic. Both Aluminium and its alloys can be melted down and reused without any detriment to its mechanical properties. About 75% of all Aluminium produced since the Aluminium industry started, is still in use today!

Fast and Efficient

The round bilge hull of the Korvet with one chine is like the hull of a Volvo Ocean racer. Very efficient and shallow, we call these ‘fast-displacement’ hulls. Because the boats are made of Aluminum the weight is much less than of a steel or GRP boat of the same size. While a traditional steel or GRP boat will cruise at 6 to 7 knots, our boats cruise at 9 to 10 knots. That is true for all our models: they will have a top speed of around 16 knots or more, depending on choice of engines. The selection of engines is such that cruising speed of 9-10 knots is reached at 50-60% of their power, at which point the engines reach their ‘sweet moment’ with maximum torque.

Maintenance Friendly

Not a drop of paint is used. The hull is carefully sanded after which a hard oxide layer develops that protects the underlying metal. The superstructure is covered in a 3M film. The deck is of maintenance free synthetic teak. These features make the boats very maintenance friendly as they only need a wash down from time to time. Alternatively, it is of course possible to fully paint the boats to your specifications.

Built for harsh conditions

Built in aluminium under the demanding CE-A category, our yachts are rugged, seaworthy and self supporting to brace harsh oceanic conditions, while at the same time provide the shallow draught needed for exploring inland waterways, tidal inlets or even dry out on a mudflat.

With Aluminium as our building material of choice, the Korvets are durable, strong and maintenance friendly. The hull and construction require no paint system as the Aluminium creates a protective oxide coating.

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Nahoa yachts.

Crafted in partnership with the world’s leading shipyard and seasoned professionals who’ve built dozens of expedition yachts, Nahoa Yachts are purpose-driven catamarans made for those who dream big, pursue uncharted adventures, and explore with complete confidence. From icy fjords to sunlit tropical waters, Nahoa Yachts offer unparalleled safety, comfort, and performance—designed as the ultimate tool for boundless exploration.

When sailing around the world, you spend approximately 80% of the time at anchor. Leaning too heavily towards performance is a double-edged sword; performance vessels have narrow hulls and less space aboard. You arrive at destinations even earlier, spending more time at anchor, all while having less space.

Crossing oceans is an endurance test, not a race. Therefore, priority needs to be a balance of speed and comfort. While long, dark, squally nights cannot be avoided, enhancing the crew's alertness and reactivity through comfort and rest is essential.

Having completed one circumnavigation, Ben & Ashley prioritize crew safety above all else. The forward cockpit , skegged rudders , and aluminum's extreme ductility reinforce the Nahoa 55's commitment to safety at sea.

Living conditions aboard become uncomfortable with boat speeds over 12 knots. So it only makes sense to design a vessel that takes advantage of the load carrying capacity while optimized for 10-12 knots of boat speed. The Nahoa 55 will easily exceed 200 mile days offshore .

The worlds oceans are a vast playground. Whether kiting, scuba diving, fishing, surfing, or simply exploring with a full-sized capable dinghy, being able to carry a load is essential. The whole point of sailing the world is to have fun which requires toys and equipment.

Why Aluminum

Sailing around the world is a monumental task, from navigating foreign waters to procuring broken parts; it’s a full-time job and more. The Nahoa 55 is born from all the lessons we’ve learned over the past nine years and 50,000+ nautical miles from our first circumnavigation. 

Aluminum is the ultimate material for long-range, expedition-style cruising yachts due to its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and ductility (deforms before it breaks). Unlike fiberglass, aluminum doesn’t require constant polishing, and deck hardware such as cleats and stations are welded on, eliminating leaks from above.

Maintaining a boat is a constant, but aluminum significantly minimizes those efforts. Most great expedition vessels are still built in aluminum to this day.

Carbon Fiber

Upon impact, carbon fiber tends to splinter, creating sharp, jagged edges. This splintering can compromise the structural integrity of the hull. Despite its strength, the brittleness of carbon fiber means it can be more susceptible to catastrophic failure when subjected to high-impact forces.

When impacted, fiberglass tends to crack and can develop a network of fractures radiating from the point of impact.

Aluminum hulls are extremely ductile, allowing them to absorb and distribute impact forces effectively. Instead of cracking or splintering, aluminum hulls typically deform, showing dents and bends rather than punctures.

Ductility (noun): The ability of a material to undergo significant plastic deformation before rupture, often characterized by its capacity to be stretched or bent without breaking.

“Top 5 Ocean Cruising Catamaran - Toby Hodges”

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Quality & certification.

The Nahoa 55 has been crafted not merely to comply with Lloyd’s SCC and relevant ISO rules for stability, buoyancy, and watertight compartments, but to surpass them. Given that the Nahoa 55 is conceived as an Expedition-style catamaran, having a design that not only meets but exceeds certifiable standards is of paramount importance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can i purchase a nahoa 55 .

First and foremost, we are still in the process of finalizing the details for the design. This phase is expected to be completed in the next few months. Currently, we are focusing on ironing out the remaining interior and exterior fit-out details.

What is the build time?

When it comes to the build time at a professional yard, we anticipate it to range from 14 months to 18 months. We already have one exceptional yard that ticks all the boxes, and we are confident it will be an excellent choice. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!

What are the trade-offs?

Nahoa Expedition yachts aren’t for everyone. Every boat is a series of compromises. Too performant and you loose on comfort. Too comfortable and you loose on performance. After 10 years of sailing around the world and countless conversations with fellow cruisers and delivery captains, we have arrived at this performant yet practical expedition catamaran. Emphasis has been given to durability and safety yet not compromising too much on speed. She will be able to exceed 250 mile days at a 10 knot average.

We understand your anticipation and eagerness to plan your future adventures, and we promise to provide regular updates via email on the finalized design, base build price, recommended yards, and other exciting details. If you sign up above , you will be the first to receive this exclusive information.