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Question by juneaulady: What hull material is best for cold water ocean boating?
We are looking at displacement trawlers for Alaskan waters. Fiberglass, aluminum and even steel hulls have come up. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each? Which would you have and why? What about electrolysis in harbors with a steel or aluminum hull? Does a steel hull use sacrificial zincs up faster?

Best answer:

Answer by panjshir L
Good question …

I would pick the hull which is best suited to withstand running over and into ICE !! That would reduce your choices down to steel. Though if you don’t have a concern for that, I would think that Fiberglass is the easiest material to deal with. Fiberglass can easily have issues such as cracking or decay from say trapped water but the hull itself can’t rot from galvanic corrosion per se. Though the anodes are needed to protect other parts of the boat.

If you are serious about stray current or galvanic corrosion, a fiberglass boat with a bonding system, properly maintained electrical system, and perhaps one of the devices; either galvanic isolator or Isolation transformer being installed is the best solution in my opinion. Also be careful not to put parts in the wrong places made of materials which will cause the boat to decay before it. And NEVER use brass.

COMMENTS:

Fiberglass is relatively cheap, holds up well, and is the most commonly used consumer boat material. Of course anodes are still required.

Aluminum, is light and even more durable than fiberglass. Since it’s lighter it may be more ideal for planning boats opposed to displacement or semi-displacement hulls. Maybe good for sailboats ? Also, salt water will pit aluminum over time, I’m sure it requires a lot of attention and sacrificial anodes to ensure protection.

Steel, is the comerical grade stuff. Though steel is constantly trying to return to it’s original state (red dust). When steel starts to rust badly, it costs a lot of money to repair. Steel is best suited for serious sea travel in my opinion.

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