8ft boat: aluminium or steel?

[prime]

I am wondering what the costs of material would be to build a small 8ft boat if I were to use steel or aluminium, and which would be the best material for a boat this size.

[mydauphin]

Aluminium definitely.
Advantages of AL .. Weight, Corrosion resistance, maintenance
Did I say weight, on a small boat that requires a small motor, weight is almost the most important thing.

[kerosene]

8ft boat - why does it have to be metal?

What kind of boat?

[Rangerspeedboat]

Fibreglass :)

If you really want metal, go with aluminum.
Forget that, go with steel, it will teach you to never build a small boat from steel again.

[mydauphin]

Frankly, don't build a boat unless you really want to. It is far cheaper to buy a used boat, then spend a little money making it better. And I have build a few...