Aluminum Hulls Vs. Fiberglass: Which Is Best For You?

Boating is an age-old part of human society as a pastime, a sport, and as a part of many professions. We’ve come up with so many shapes, sizes, types, and models of boats that it can be hard to tell which is right for you. Lucky for you, we here at L&M Marine are here to help you narrow down the possibilities: we’re going to talk about aluminum and fiberglass hulls and what they’re best at! If you want more help, or you’d like to see our inventory of boats for sale, contact our store in Stapleton, Alabama, today!

Aluminum Boats

Aluminum boats are a significant advancement over more traditional wooden ones. Wood can rot and splinter, but aluminum is corrosion resistant and flexible enough to bend and bend back rather than break. Compared to fiberglass, an aluminum boat is significantly more affordable and still more resilient, since fiberglass cracks and shatters on hard impacts. 

Aluminum is also relatively lightweight, making aluminum boats significantly more maneuverable in the water. The low weight means it’s easier to find a trailer that can hold your vessel, and the actual towing can be done with smaller vehicles. Aluminum also tends to require less maintenance.

Fiberglass Boats

A fiberglass boat’s heavier weight can make transportation harder and slow it in the water, but it also means that the hull is more stable in choppier waters. High winds will have less of a buffeting effect on a fiberglass boat, so weather is less of a factor when you’re considering how safe it is to go out on the water.

Fiberglass hulls are also easier to shape into complex designs, allowing for more complicated hull designs and customization. You’re more likely to find a heavily-specialized boat with fiberglass hulls than with other materials. That complexity allows for built-in livewells, tackle stations, seating modules, and fishboxes. 

Which Is Best For You?

A fiberglass boat, with its weight and stability, is a better bet if you’re going to be in rough waters on a consistent basis. That especially applies to seafaring vessels, even if you stay near the coast. So if you intend to go out on stormy days or into traditionally choppy waters, you’re going to want the safety of a fiberglass hull. You’ll also prefer fiberglass if your boating goals fit into a specific niche, and you have the funds to support that niche. 

However, if you’re sticking to calmer areas and want a more all-purpose vessel, aluminum is better for you. Not only will it mean easier transportation and better agility, but it will handle bumps and bruises more readily. If you don’t need something heavy and specialized, your wallet will thank you for going aluminum.

We hope this helps you find the perfect boat for you! We here at L&M Marine are proud to serve the people of Mobile, Alabama, and Pensacola, Florida—let us serve you today!