MATERIALS USED IN BOAT CONSTRUCTION
(Extracts courtesy of A.N.T.A. publications, Ranger Hope © 2008 www.splashmaritime.com.au)
Aluminium
Ferro-Cement
Fibreglass Reinforced Plastic (FRP)
Steel
Timber
PVC
Fastenings
Aluminium
Advantages:
1. Light
2. Does not rust - almost maintenance free
3. Easy to work- skilled to weld
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive
2. Comparatively easily damaged
3. Low melting point - poor fire resistance
4. Corrodes rapidly in contact with other metals such as steel, copper, bronze etc.
Ferro Cement
Advantages:
Cheap
One piece hull, no seams
Not easily damaged
Fire resistant
Easily repaired
Disadvantages:
1. Chips easily
2. Skilled construction required for final plastering.
3. Heavy
4. Magnetic
G R P
Advantages:
1. Corrosion free
2. Light
3. Comparatively easily repaired
4. Cheap - especially if part of a mass produced design
Disadvantages:
1. Comparatively easily damaged
2. Poor fire resistance
3. Skilled construction required
4. Osmosis
Steel
Advantages:
1. Cheap
2. Comparatively easy to build
3. Not easily damaged
4. Good fire resistance
Disadvantages:
1. Corrodes readily
2. Heavy
3. Not easy to work
4. Very magnetic. Affects the compass.
Timber
Advantages:
1. Light
2. Easy to work
3. Corrosion resistant
4. Not easily damaged
Disadvantages:
1. Expensive
2. Rots
3. Burns
PVC
Advantages:
1. Cheap
especially if part of a mass produced monocoque designs
2. Monocoque one piece hull, no seams
3. Not easily damaged
Disadvantages:
1. Weathers
with UV exposure
2. Heavy
Fastenings
Timber treenails and lashings
Copper (ductile metal resisting corrosion)
Bronzes (castable metal alloy of copper, tin and manganese, some alloys can be brittle)
Brass (metal alloy of zinc and copper, not suitable for immersed use)
Stainless steel grade 316 (corrosion resistant, non magnetic and brittle)
Galvanised (electrocoated zinc only suitable for occaisional immersion)