Conference wahoo::fishing

    Jim,
    	I would strongly recommend against purchasing an aluminum boat
    for salt water use. In my opinion, an aluminum boat does not have the
    weight required and stability of a glass/wood boat. I am also sure that
    you have heard about the most prevalent problem , rivets loosening up
    and leaking. With the constant stress and pounding that salt water
    boating delivers, this is a major concern, and with a 20-22 foot boat,
    I would assume that you would like to venture a bit offshore. 
    I understand the pro's that people like to stress, for example;
    the ease of trailering, and minimal power requirements, but from
    my experiance, the ocean is one to be respected and safety measures
    will pay you back 10 fold when you need it.
    
    I think to better understand your situation, and for you to make a
    better decision, you must ask yourself a few questions ?
    	1. Where, location , will you want to use the boat ?
    	2. Will you trailer or keep it in the water ?
    	3. How far, and what will be your fishing needs ?
    	4. What are your finacial limitations ?
    
    Good Luck, Joe.

    I don't have much time for a reply, but I don't like them either.
    In addition to the other drawbacks that you will hear, Aluminum
    doesn't form as well as glass as a result there are a lot of sharp
    angles which result it the abrupt transfer of energy during flexing.
    Glass allows the smoothing out of these stress risers and therefore
    better lines and joinery. I would think that stress cracks would be
    fairly common because of this characteristic even if the hull is welded. 
    
    	Just my opinion.
    
    	Paul

    I just bought a 18' Starcraft aluminum boat. For two reasons I didn't
    go for fiberglass, price and weight. The weight is a big factor because
    I will always trailer the boat. 
    
    Check out the VICKI::BOATS notes file.
    
    	Steve

    If aluminum is so bad, how come you see so many aluminum commercial
    fishing boats. We have many of them here in Puget Sound and lots
    in Alaska in use in the Gulf and that is nasty water.
    

    	Re:0
    
    	Is cost or weight a factor in your choice ???
    
    	I may be wrong but I suspect that you'll pay more for a commercial
    quality aluminum fishing boat then you'd pay for a good quality
    fiberglass boat. 
    
    	I remember watching some shows and seeing some of those Alaskan 
    boats and one of the shows mentioned the price of the boats (one was 
    used to run rapids - i.e. bounce off rocks, etc.). VERY sturdy boats 
    but they were also VERY BIG $$$$. These were also not your typical
    Starcraft type boats if that's what your considering.
    
    	Ray

    Re:  commercial fishing boats.
    
    those made of aluminum are welded, Strcrafts are riveted.
    
    I doubt that they could be welded, too thin....
    
    Jim.

    What about Crestliner. They have aluminum boats which are welded seams 
    and I believe a 10yr warranty on them. They have a 27' fishing boat
    that I was interested in for both salt and freshwater.

    Are you really sure you want to get into aluminum in that size.
    
    Your up against the Galvanic Chart. They outlawed TBT for
    bottom paints, unless you meet the length requirements.
    It has nothing to do with the quality of the boat, its just 
    that there are so many considertions after you buy it,
    it could turn out to be a nightmare.
    
    jim.

    What kind of considerations are you talking about regarding the
    galvanic chart and other problems.  I wasn't aware of them.

    a Galvanic Chart will show you how similar or disimalar
    metals are. Here's an example:
    
    Most boats that run is Salt will have Zinc anodes on rudders,
    shaft, trim tabs etc.
    
    the zinc is less "noble" than the other materials and will
    dissolve, or give up before the others, sacrificing itself
    so the others do not dissolve. the salt is one of the
    best enviorments for galvanic action, for many reasons.
    
    The weaker metal will always go first. Aluminum is not
    an ideal metal for salt water. 1st what paint can you
    use on the bottom. well since we only now have copper
    bottom paints since they outlawed tbt, you have to use
    a barrier paint between the hull and the paint.
    if you scratch thru the barrier, (and you may not even
    know it) the copper the is all over the bottom will
    begin to attack the "open area". it will keep attacking
    your hull until there's nothing left.  it will sink
    obviously.  The folks with I/O's that run in the salt
    ain't to haapy about the outlawing of tbt, there's
    no substitute with any track record. look back into the
    boats notes file, you'll find conversations about
    using copper on aluminum, you simply launch your boat
    and kiss your outdrive "GOODBYE". if you have any 
    maechanical engineers in your plant see them about the Galvanic
    Chart and galv. action. if you don't i'll make a copy
    and mail it to you. its hard to explain it in a notes file.
    
    jim.