Steel or fiberglass body - which is better?

Material durability

Here, with a large margin, steel boats go ahead. They are more durable, they are stronger - if you want your great-grandchildren to have a boat, then your choice is a steel yacht. 

Their body frame is more durable and rigid. Steel hulls are more susceptible to damage; bumps and abrasions are not so critical. Steel is more ductile than fiberglass - hence the strength. 

boat weight

Fiberglass at the base of the boat will help keep the weight relatively light. Many people like light yachts - they tend to be faster and easier to propel. 

Among other things, a fiberglass hull requires less wind and motor power than a steel hull. The main disadvantage is that fiberglass yachts are more susceptible to sharp wind blows. 

Anti-corrosion qualities

Sailing yachts today are manufactured to the highest quality standards and the most advanced technologies. Alas, even they cannot change the basic physics and chemistry. Steel in any case will be subject to corrosion under the influence of air and salt water. At the same time, if the alloy was chosen correctly, then regular maintenance will be enough to ensure that the boat does not rust.

Fiberglass is not subject to the destructive effects of corrosion. However, this material also has an enemy - osmosis. When laminating a boat hull, it is impossible to achieve perfect coverage and fill all the cavities with resin. Air bubbles remain in the case. These bubbles are dangerous because water can accumulate there over time. In the future, this may become a problem. Another weak point of fiberglass is exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

Boat stability

It is clear that steel boats are heavier, which means they are more stable. The fiberglass hull will "walk" more when rolling. Moreover, due to its weight, a steel yacht will drift more slowly and more predictably. This quality will be appreciated by anglers.

Chassis maintenance

Steel will require more careful maintenance. In addition to ordinary corrosion, galvanic corrosion can occur. Such corrosion occurs when two different metals are nearby and one begins to oxidize the other. To avoid this, you need to use high-quality connections, screws, anodes. Salt water will accelerate the process of galvanic corrosion - therefore, before wintering in a dry dock or on shore, the steel hull should be thoroughly washed with fresh water.

Fiberglass has no rust problems because there are no welds or rivets. However, the same osmosis can lead to serious problems. However, here the solution, as with a steel case, is easier to prevent a problem with regular maintenance than to look for a solution with deep rust or cracks.

For both fiberglass and steel, the hull requires antifouling. It is necessary so that the bottom of your boat is not chosen by marine life. However, keep in mind that such a coating will cost more for steel boats.

Repair

We believe that our readers are careful yachtsmen who care about their boats. But even the utmost care and careful handling of the yacht does not guarantee that there will be no damage.

A steel boat will survive small and shallow dents without any problems. But if you find yourself in a situation where the damage is very serious, repair or replacement of several sections of the case is required, then the repair will cost you a pretty penny. Such work requires a qualified specialist who can do it efficiently.

The fiberglass body is easier to repair. But there is one “but” - the repaired fiberglass body may not have the same strength and durability as before. Consider this.

Cruise safety

Fiberglass is obtained as a result of cunning chemical reactions based on products of petroleum origin. Needless to say, all materials of this family have the properties of burning very well. A fire on a boat, in principle, is a foul thing, but when literally the entire boat can ignite in your place, the matter is generally “not very good”. In addition, a strong impact from some "unidentified floating object" can cause irreparable damage to the fiberglass body.

Steel in this regard, of course, wins. The steel case will not burn out, and, as mentioned above, it survives damage better.

Facilities

A steel yacht is usually an order of magnitude louder than its fiberglass counterparts. This applies to everything from running the engine to cruising rough waters at high speeds. In addition, steel conducts heat and cold better than fiberglass. If the steel boat is poorly insulated, then expect unbearably cold winters and equally unbearably hot summer months.

There are no problems with thermal insulation on fiberglass hulls. However, as with the volume of work.

Appearance

Fiberglass boats usually have a smooth, glossy and polished hull. Steel hulls can often show traces of reinforcement or other manufacturing effects. For a better look, the steel boat should be painted. Sometimes a putty is enough.

But with putty, not everything is so simple. Putty must be applied with high quality and wisely - its task is to hide any manufacturing defects, and not to show them in all their glory. Naturally, this increases the cost of maintenance.

Boat cost

Fiberglass will cost less than steel. Such cases are easier to mold into complex shapes and produce. This reduces the cost of production and speeds up the assembly process of the boat. 

Steel sailboats are more expensive. During the creation of such a case, many complex technological processes take place - welding, grinding, specialized tools and more time are needed.

Which boat to choose?

To summarize, the bottom line is this: Do you need a boat for around the world that will last for generations of your family, durable, shockproof and capable of surviving the most difficult sea trials? Then your choice is a steel boat. But be aware of the high cost of both the boat itself and its maintenance, as well as lower speed.

If you want to enjoy the aesthetics of the boat, its appearance, forget about the protective and decorative paint on the hull, as well as about some special and thorough care - your choice is a fiberglass boat. But remember that her hull is not as strong and that the boat is more affected by the wind.

Do not think that the hull is a death sentence, because you can do a round-the-world trip on both steel and fiberglass. The main thing is your skills and desire. When choosing a boat, consider not only the cost, but also your sailing style and needs. You can buy a very expensive steel yacht and an equally expensive fiberglass yacht - but what good is it if it is gathering dust around?

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12.01.2023