Non-BTC boat. Aluminium or Fibreglass? | FerrariChat
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Non-BTC boat. Aluminium or Fibreglass?

Discussion in 'Australia' started by Steve355F1, Jan 28, 2023.

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  1. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #1 Steve355F1, Jan 28, 2023
    What’s the consensus?

    We’ll be buying a boat later in the year for the shack. Nothing special. Just something to pull out of the shed when the weather’s nice and go for a bit of a cruise, or chuck a line in and catch some seaweed.

    Needs to be easily manageable for 1 whomo, so nothing too big.

    I’ve had two boats in the past so have some idea what I’m doing, but no expert.

    The question is, for what I want, what is better? Aluminium or fibreglass?
    It needs to be fairly tough as the sand at the beach house is coarse and when the tide goes out the moorings out the front are dry and there are small rocks everywhere. ie. the boat would be sitting on that until the tide comes back in.
     
  2. FazzerPorscheman

    FazzerPorscheman F1 World Champ

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    #2 FazzerPorscheman, Jan 28, 2023
    Greg would be happy to lend you his tender. [emoji16] Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
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  3. Ferraridoc

    Ferraridoc F1 World Champ
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    #3 Ferraridoc, Jan 28, 2023
    Certainly the only tender part of him
     
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  4. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #4 Arvin Grajau, Jan 28, 2023
    Sounds like a tin one to me .
     
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  5. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #5 simon klein, Jan 28, 2023
    I would have thought aluminium for the usage you've given.

    Are you talking tinnie or something more substantial...say half cabin?

    Give us a couple of pics as a forinstance.
     
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  6. FazzerPorscheman

    FazzerPorscheman F1 World Champ

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    #6 FazzerPorscheman, Jan 28, 2023
    Not true.

    Ian advises Greg has a great bedside manner. [emoji67]‍⚕️
     
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  7. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #7 Steve355F1, Jan 28, 2023
    Something like this would be at the top end of what I’m thinking.
    Definitely not a tinnie. Needs to have comfortable seats and be nice enough to cruise around in with 2 or 3 adults and a kid or two if necessary.
    Also chuck a line in etc.
    Not open ocean / hard core stuff. Not interested in throwing up.

    So I guess 4.5 - 6 m. General use. But tough enough to withstand sitting dry on sand / small rocks when the tide goes out.

    Oh. And not new. New boats prices are stupider than new car prices.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  8. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #8 simon klein, Jan 28, 2023
    Here are some ally boats,my pick due to easier maitenance IMO.
    I like the Webster cat,very stable but has a grenade as an engine.
    https://www.boatsales.com.au/boats/aluminium-material/south-australia-state/under-50000/over-5m-length-in-meters/
     
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  9. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #9 Steve355F1, Jan 28, 2023
    A few interesting options there, thanks.

    What is it that makes an ally boat easier maintenance?

    My heart seems to prefer a fibreglass boat but my head suggests ally.
    What are the real reasons one is better than the other?
     
  10. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #10 simon klein, Jan 28, 2023
    No doubt that 'glass is a more comfortable ride.
    Alloy easier to repair if you have an 'incident' with the hull.Plus length for length.. lighter.

    Not an easy choice.

    Perhaps look at hull design and engine brand/fuel.

    2 strokes are not the way to go anymore....period,in fact it wouldn't surprise me that they're being weened out as we speak.
    I have a little Honda 8 horse 4 stroke on my 12' punt and it's a ripper and economical.....completely different use to yours though.

    As per Ian's homework on the paint on his 'Vette,it can be a mineshaft of pain with 'glass.

    This is hunny:......and bonus it's on Gumtree!
    https://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/port-adelaide/motorboats-powerboats/boat-plate-aluminium-6mtr-centre-cab-with-130hp-yamaha-4-stroke-/1307550367
     
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  11. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #11 moretti, Jan 28, 2023
    Haines Signature

    Nothing better in the range you're talking
     
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  12. MrGrigio

    MrGrigio Formula 3

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    #12 MrGrigio, Jan 28, 2023
    That Haines 620 BRX looks great. Would suit our Steve to a tee!
     
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  13. moretti

    moretti Five Time F1 World Champ
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    #13 moretti, Jan 28, 2023
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  14. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #14 Arvin Grajau, Jan 28, 2023
    What about a Cessna T172 sea plane?
     
  15. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #15 simon klein, Jan 28, 2023
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  16. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #16 Steve355F1, Jan 28, 2023
    Signature is my default choice. I’ve always liked them. Anything from the 493 up to about a 550 would be ok. Bigger than that probably too big.

    However doing a little research suggests that the Signature boats, being built in QLD are designed for east coast conditions which are different to the SA gulf waters.

    The Northbank boat is interesting as it is designed and built in Adelaide specifically for the conditions in our gulfs.
    That means no massive swells but lots of short sharp chop. Therefore it may suit my application better.

    As long as using a fibreglass boat the way I’ve suggested won’t trash it, that’s probably the way I’ll go.
     
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  17. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #17 Arvin Grajau, Jan 28, 2023
    Klink is spot on re hull noise re an alloy boat .

    Boat hulls: for sleeping on a boat nothing beats the sound of water lapping a wooden hull.
     
  18. IanB

    IanB F1 World Champ
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    #18 IanB, Jan 28, 2023
    Steve, it's a simple thing to attach a strip of brass along the keel (and the chines too) of a glass boat to minimise rock damage. Fibreglass is also an easy DIY repair. Aluminium is less maintainance but your back will thank you for a glass hull if you've got choppy seas to deal with.
     
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  19. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #19 PAP 348, Jan 28, 2023
    Get an aluminium boat and always buy used mate.

    Some great deals on boats coming right up.
     
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  20. simon klein

    simon klein Two Time F1 World Champ
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    #20 simon klein, Jan 28, 2023
    Blokes who know boats...eh!
     
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  21. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #21 Arvin Grajau, Jan 28, 2023
    Do you also sell boats to the locals?
     
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  22. Steve355F1

    Steve355F1 F1 World Champ
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    #22 Steve355F1, Jan 28, 2023
    Exactly what I was hoping to hear, thanks Ian. :)
     
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  23. Horse

    Horse Three Time F1 World Champ
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    #23 Horse, Jan 28, 2023
    Gilligan Motors?


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat
     
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  24. Arvin Grajau

    Arvin Grajau Seven Time F1 World Champ

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    #24 Arvin Grajau, Jan 28, 2023
    Do Wes and AVCO do boat finance asking for a local Mt Isa marine center?
     
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  25. PAP 348

    PAP 348 Ten Time F1 World Champ
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    #25 PAP 348, Jan 29, 2023
    They keep asking to buy my boat which is in the yard, rather keep it for now, even though I don’t use it lol

    A family friend is slowing taking over that yard and he’s got 3x small tinnies there and they keep asking to buy them also.
     

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