alloy plate or aluminum

[miike]

are these the same thing? im starting to feel like its time to turn in my 89 grady and move the motor to a new hull. i've been looking at harborcrafts because i need a pilothouse for the winters in seattle. they are "pre-flexed" aluminum. what is the best choice here? i will be likely moving to a new house in the islands where i will beach very often and let the boat sit on the bottom during low tides. looking in 25' range.

[kerno]

Aluminum hulls do very well in the cool waters of the Northwest (and Alaska). As you know, most hulls are welded, so the alloy that is used has to be one that forms well and welds well. 5052 is a popular alloy for the plate areas and 6061 is often used in the higher stress areas. If you do plan to beach the boat a lot, it is simple to just add another layer of aluminum to the wear are. They'll just form it and weld it on. In my opinion "alloy plate" and "aluminum" are used interchangably. Nearly all aluminum is alloyed, since pure aluminum is very soft.

[yaktoo]

Harbercrafts are nice boats. Very fuel efficient.

[YankeeBoater]

Yes, aluminum plate is alloy... nice thing about it where you are is that it doesn't mind rocks as much as fiberglass does.

Another company you may like to check out that isn't too far from you is Lifetimer,they are right on Vancouver island, and seem to offer some quality built and realistically priced aluminum boats.
http://www.lifetimer.bc.ca/index.htm

...and if you like the walk-around pilothouse models, Pacific Skiff, who just introduced a new larger walk-around house.
http://www.pacificskiffs.com/

[welder]

What yankeeboater said,

[miike]

hey welder, is your boat a pacific skiff or a black lab? did black lab change their name from pacific a while ago?

thanks, i was hoping you aluminum guys woudl chime in.

mike

[YankeeBoater]

If you want to hear some noise, try posting another thread with a title of - "Hey, are those Black Lab/Pacific Skiffs any good?"

Then stand back a bit and have a straitjacket at the ready, because those customers tend to be a little bit enthusiastic...

I don't think I have ever heard a more uniformly positive feedback on a boat/organization than here at THT on Black Lab Boats and Jay Perrotta... the owners are like Born Again Boaters or something Jay and the folks at Black Lab must be doing something right.

[welder]

If your on the east coast give Jay at BL a call if out west call trade wind [ where I bought mine ] farralon or the manufacture in wash.

You will be treated the same where ever you purchase , the Pacific family is a tight group.

Cruz the Black Lab or the pacificskiffs.com web site's and you will gather a butt load of info. on these boats.

Here's a pic of my ride in Florida this year,

[tomictime]

you have a LOT of choices in a welded boat in the Pac NW. Here are a few:

Almar
North River
Pacific
Motion
Wolf
Raider
Hewes
Fishrite
Harber
Wooldrige
ACB
Silverstreak
Liquid metal
Lifetimer
bridgeview
Eaglecraft
Coldwater
leeshore
armstrong
Maxweld (maxcat)
...the list goes on...

I run an Almar, they build about 60 boats a year, most go to Govt and hardcore users. Most of the builders listed above are semi-custom. Some like harbercraft sell thru a dealer network - those are spec boats essentially where somebody else makes choices. I prefer the have it built YOUR way route - which is one of the great things about alu..if you can imagine and pay for it, they can generally build it.

The east coast set may be all starry eyed with one builder, because that's what is available (and it seems VERY well supported and sold!)..but in the NW, you have some other great choices...explore them. I Have spent considerable time in frnds pacific, so I know what it is like - yes it's a good boat ....

Pollards book on alu boat construction would be a good investment, alu like any mtl system has + and -, you consider them, before you buy...

My $.02, worth what you paid for it.
I have no financial connection to any builder listed above.