Aluminium is not just used to make the hulls of small boats, but also for large passenger catamarans and ferries that are over 100 metres long. This is no accident. Aluminium offers an unbeatable combination of weight and strength. An aluminium hull is only half the weight of a comparable steel one. This gives opportunities for higher speed, a bigger payload and good economy in operation.

Aluminium offers far higher strength than GRP. If an aluminium boat suffers a major impact, the aluminium will deform substantially before it cracks, while GRP can more easily be damaged in use, leading to leaks and water being absorbed into the laminate.

The seawater-proof aluminium used for hulls is also highly resistant to corrosion, so that painting above water level is only needed for cosmetic reasons. Below the water line, cathodic protection and ship-bottom paint should be used. It is very important to only use paint that is designed for aluminium.