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)