jkmacleod
Veteran Member
- Joined
- Dec 8, 2019
- Messages
- 28
- Location
- United States
- Vessel Name
- Gracious
- Vessel Make
- Defever Downeast
Any thoughts on steel hulls vs fiberglass
Yup.Any thoughts on steel hulls vs fiberglass
In a collision? I think I’ll go with steel. What did I win?
I've owned both. Neither are maintenance free. The smaller the boat, the more likely I would be to go with fiberglass. Over 50', I would start learning more towards steel. If I were purchasing new, I could be more comfortable with steel. I would be more comfortable with fiberglass if purchasing an older (25+ years) boat. For salt water, I would prefer fiberglass. In colder freshwater, I could be happy with either.Any thoughts on steel hulls vs fiberglass
If you want to see what it is like to get a small, low-cost steel trawler seaworthy again, look up "Dangar Marine Steel Trawler" on youtube from down under. It is entertaining and it completely cured me of my soft spot for cheap steel boats.
Wifey B: Steel = slow. No no no.
No slower than a full displacement fiberglass hull.
Wifey B: Full displacement = slow.
...Your point though is that the weight of steel isn't a negative for a full displacement boat and many find then the other advantages offset the other disadvantages.
Now a question for you Judy, in today's world and market how does the escalation of costs compare on the raw materials of steel vs. glass?
... steel yachts are usually cheaper to build.
In the US a steel boat for recreation is usually done because a Custom steel boat is easier and cheaper to build than a custom GRP boat..
The plastic boats are built to mass market to the general public , mostly for inshore or coastal use.
Weather the specific steel build meets the next owners desirements is a big question, however it only takes one understanding buyer , which may take longer to find.