Advantages and Disadvantages of an Aluminum Fishing Boat
Fishing boat styles and types come in various forms nowadays. Each has its own use and specifications with their own advantages. An aluminum fishing boat is one of these. The size of an aluminum fishing boat can be as small as 10 foot but can go up to a huge 24 foot long on some specialized models. The shape of aluminum boats can come in both flat, V shape designs and also in a pontoon style. An aluminum fishing boat can be used as a charter fishing boat when you simply want to rent out a boat for the day or weekend.
Advantages of Aluminum Boats
While there are advantages shared by any type of fishing boat out there; the aluminum fishing boat has some merits all to itself. With the greatest competition comes from fiberglass boats, the aluminum boat has a lot of fans thanks to their advantages:
1. Aluminum fishing boat can be customized and painted to become just about any other kind of boat you desire.
2. Aluminum boats are preferred for most man made lakes, because of their stength that can resist being stomped by underwater trees and other submerged items.
3. Aluminum boats are resistant to rust, decay and drips. Many aluminum fishing boat has seen use for decades.
4. The ability to repair or fix aluminum boats is rather easy. Most repairs are done with welding or hammering out dings and dents.
5. Aluminum boats are fuel efficient because of their light weight. They are also easier to row, if you are running out of fuel, compare to most other types of boat.
6. An aluminum fishing boat can be carried by one person depending on the size of the boat. Most other boats, made from fiberglass need five people just to move it around with more amounts of time and energy.
7. An aluminum fishing boat can be customized by the user to gain the best function from the boat that is wanted by the user.
Disadvantages of Aluminum Boats
While there are many advantages of using an aluminum fishing boat, like any kind of things there are also disadvantages as well:
1. An aluminum fishing boat is not good for use when there is bad weather approaching. Lightning can easily target the boat and the users in it.
2. Aluminum is not good for salt water fishing because the salt is corrosive and will eat away at the rivets. Needless to say, this will cause the aluminum boat to leak or crack.
3. Aluminum fishing boats are not as flexible as fiberglass boats when it comes to shaping and customizing the boat.
4. Aluminum fishing boats are not as sleek on the water as fiberglass boats and tend to plow the water as opposed to pushing it aside. This allows some water to get into the boat from the splash.
5. Aluminum boats do not run as smoothly on water as fiberglass and tend to give riders a funky ride.
6. Aluminum boats can not carry as much fuel as their fiberglass counterpart. Therefore extra fuel cans are needed for any long trips away from shore.
I used to have a small 10 foot aluminum boat when I was younger. It had a 5 hp outboard and I had many hours of fun running around on the lake. But now, I dont live close to the lake. I live fairly close to the beach though and I have a good quality inflatable runabout. I can put an outboard on it or not and its great for fishing or camping. Plus I can store it in my closet at home. Not a bad alternative at all!