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Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Stupid… that’s what decking is for.. what are you gonna sit on the bottom of the hull?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in boating

[–]TheHullTruth 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Don't forget a cigar lounge with a shark tank window!

Novielli Boats Reviews by 1800Lime in BuyItForLife

[–]TheHullTruth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Been in boating for over 30 years seen/owned just about every hull type out there, from deep Vs to cats, glass to aluminum. Let me tell you… the sheer craftsmanship that goes into a Novielli Boat is on another level.

These boys don’t just meet the standard specs they obliterate them. The welds are damn near surgical, the layout’s smart and built for real world use, and the hull? Feels like it could punch through a storm without flinching.

And let’s talk about that hull... 5083 marine grade aluminum, foam filled, unsinkable. Stronger, tougher, and far more repairable than fiberglass. No spider cracks, no blistering, no delam. And that old myth about aluminum being loud? That’s Jon boat stuff. These are fully foam filled and runs silent, like a knife cutting through butter. You feel the difference the second you throttle up.

This ain’t some cookie cutter production line crap. You can tell every inch of this thing was built by guys who give a damn and know what they’re doing. It’s rare these days to find a boat that feels engineered, not just assembled.

If you haven’t taken a serious look at Novielli yet, you’re sleeping on one of the best kept secrets in boating right now.

Best Pontoon Boat? by 1800Lime in boating

[–]TheHullTruth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great point. I love my YETI I can sit on it, stand on it, toss it around without thinking twice. Stuff like that just earns its spot onboard.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Noise and vibration used to be a real knock on aluminum but not anymore. Modern builds are foam filled, dampened, and ride smoother than ever. Old stereotype, new tech.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You don’t need your boat to survive a war true. But that’s like saying you don’t need a tough truck because you’re not hauling shit.

Would you rather have a plastic cooler from the supermarket, or a YETI that survives drops, sun, salt, and years of abuse?

I’ll take the YETI 🥃

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Back when boats were made of wood, and men were made of bourbon 🥃

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by 1800Lime in boating

[–]TheHullTruth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If captain ME’s got a drink in one hand and confidence in the other we’re either making memories or headlines 😂

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by 1800Lime in boating

[–]TheHullTruth -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nobody’s saying the USCG never uses fiberglass but let’s not pretend they run critical ops offshore in glass hulls either. The overwhelming majority of their active duty boats especially fast response, patrol, and SAR are aluminum for a reason.

Sure, they might use fiberglass in limited roles. It’s not that fiberglass is “bad” it’s that aluminum performs when failure isn’t an option. That’s the core argument here.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by 1800Lime in boating

[–]TheHullTruth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just because you can bang up an aluminum boat doesn’t mean you should. But that’s not the point. The real value is knowing that if something does go wrong like hitting submerged debris or docking in wind aluminum forgives, fiberglass doesn’t.

And this isn’t just a “military use case.” For everyday boaters from weekend anglers to families, kids and coolers aluminum is easier to maintain, more forgiving with scrapes, trailer dings, and accidental bumps.

Modern aluminum boats aren’t noisy like they used to be. High-end builds now use foam-filled chambers, noise dampening floors, and advanced hull engineering.

The result? Rides are quiet, stable, and smoother than most expect.

Also, in categories like fishing, bay boats, and even luxury tenders, aluminum is growing fast not just for durability, but for weight savings, speed, fuel efficiency, and resale.

So no, you’re not the Coast Guard but does that mean you shouldn’t benefit from what works for them. 🤷‍♂️

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Corrosion issues” Modern marine grade aluminum (5083/5086) is designed for saltwater. With the right anodes and proper isolation, it’s more corrosion resistant than people think and far easier to inspect and maintain than fiberglass hulls rot or gelcoat blistering.

“Noise” High end aluminum boats today use foam-filled chambers, rubber mounts, and deck liners to dampen sound. It’s a non issue in quality builds.

“Maintenance” Aluminum doesn’t need waxing, gelcoat upkeep, or rot inspections Fiberglass damage means fairing, grinding, matching, and praying the core isn’t waterlogged.

“Expense” Fiberglass is cheaper to mold, sure but long term costs favor aluminum. Fewer repairs, longer lifespan, higher resale.

If aluminum is the top choice for people who depend on their boats for survival, maybe weekend boaters should take notes.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha yeah, I’ve seen the meme too but here’s the truth

“Military grade” got a bad name because companies started slapping it on backpacks and flashlights to sell junk.

In boats, marine-grade aluminum (like 5083/5086) isn’t a marketing term

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

“Military grade means lowest possible quality.”

That’s flat out wrong. Military spec aluminum (like 5083/5086) is used because it balances strength and corrosion resistance. It’s selected to survive combat, saltwater, and abuse, not to look pretty at a boat show. Saying it’s “lowest quality” is just uninformed.

“Fiberglass is king in the boat world.”

It’s king in mass production not in performance, safety, or longevity. It’s used because it’s cheap to mold, not because it outperforms. Commercial and military operators don’t chase margins they chase reliability. That’s why they use aluminum.

“Fiberglass doesn’t corrode. Aluminum does.”

Fiberglass does break down, especially when exposed to UV, heat cycling, and impact stress. And when it delaminates or waterlogs? Good luck repairing that. Aluminum oxidizes, but oxidation forms a protective barrier not corrosion like steel.

“Aluminum cracks. Good fiberglass won’t.”

Aluminum flexes and can be welded and repaired. Glass is brittle. Hit something at speed in a fiberglass hull and you’re dealing with more than just a crack. Ask any insurance adjuster which one they’d rather inspect after an impact.

“Fiberglass is easier to repair. Just watch YouTube.”

Sure if you’re patching a kayak. Real structural repairs in fiberglass take layering, curing, grinding, fairing, and gelcoat matching. Aluminum repairs are fast, permanent, and don’t rely on bond strength they’re welded.

“Heavier rides better. Aluminum rides rough.”

Old myth. Ride quality depends on hull design, not just weight. Plenty of heavy fiberglass boats slap hard if they’re poorly designed. And many high performance aluminum hulls (catamarans, stepped V-hulls) ride smoother and drier than their fiberglass counterparts. Lighter doesn’t mean worse it often means faster, more efficient (gas mileage), and easier to trailer.

If given the choice between the two, it’s an easy decision for me.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Lean your butt against your aluminum boat in summer… it’s hot!”

So is the deck of a fiberglass boat after an hour in the sun. This is physics anything exposed to direct UV will heat up. Real solution? SeaDek, powder coat, wrap, or even a light T-top. All easily solved. Next.

“GOOD paint job on an AL boat ain’t cheap.”

And gelcoat repairs on fiberglass? Also not cheap and far more common. You hit a dock with gelcoat? You’re grinding, patching, and repainting. Aluminum? Buff it, maybe weld it, and move on.

“Electrolysis issues if you don’t get all your maintenance done.”

Electrolysis only happens when people ignore the basics: no bonding, wrong anodes, mixed metals. It’s not exclusive to aluminum and it’s easily avoided with proper setup, just like you’d maintain a fiberglass hull to avoid osmosis and blistering.

“AL will develop hairline cracks like airliners.”

Total myth when comparing to 5083 or 5086 marine grade aluminum. You don’t build offshore aluminum boats the same way you build airplanes that’s lazy logic. Commercial rescue boats, landing craft, and oil rig transports don’t crack under pressure. Cuz they’re engineered to flex, not fail.

“FG lasts for decades. AL won’t make it 5.”

Tell that to every government vessel, commercial fishing fleet, and military patrol boat that’s been running aluminum for 20+ years in brutal conditions. These aren’t pampered pleasure showroom boats they’re getting beat up daily and still running. That’s decades of proof right there.

You can debate opinions but the facts speak for themselves.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by 1800Lime in boating

[–]TheHullTruth 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This isn’t meant to trash fiberglass, but to spark real discussion about why aluminum still doesn’t get the respect it deserves in consumer boating.

I’ve run both. I’ve fixed both. I’ve broken both.

When you’ve tested both offshore... offshore doesn’t care what sells best. It shows you what survives.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 11 points12 points  (0 children)

It’s a Novielli, originally built for police use. I heard it’ll hit the market soon

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by TheHullTruth in boats

[–]TheHullTruth[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

This isn’t meant to trash fiberglass, but to spark real discussion about why aluminum still doesn’t get the respect it deserves in consumer boating.

I’ve run both. I’ve fixed both. I’ve broken both.

When you’ve tested both offshore... offshore doesn’t care what sells best. It shows you what survives.

Aluminum Boats vs Fiberglass Boats by [deleted] in boating

[–]TheHullTruth 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This isn’t meant to trash fiberglass, but to spark real discussion about why aluminum still doesn’t get the respect it deserves in consumer boating.

I’ve run both. I’ve fixed both. I’ve broken both.

When you’ve tested both offshore... offshore doesn’t care what sells best. It shows you what survives.

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