Aluminum hulls ugly?

Discussion in 'Boat Design' started by kapnD, Nov 29, 2020.

  1. kapnD
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    kapnD Senior Member

    Who says aluminum hulls must be ugly?
    Saw this on Craigslist, and although the design doesn’t really light me up, it does exhibit diversity possible in aluminum construction. So many aluminum boats are so very industrial looking. C7432C7C-B879-4140-83AB-CE5810290B0B.jpeg
    I’m impressed! C7432C7C-B879-4140-83AB-CE5810290B0B.jpeg
     
  2. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    I agree there is a real sameness about plate alloy power boats, and whilst "handsome is as handsome does" ought to be the rule, I don't think the typical bottom shape of these boats results in optimal performance anyway, especially in terms of ride quality. I've mentioned this before, but years ago I made two models about 4 feet long, of a 20 degree vee planing hull, one had the developed bottom shape you would use with a plate hull, ( it was thin ply), other had straight vee sections throughout, (made with thin wood strips), the chine and forefoot curve virtually identical. Towed behind a boat simultaneously, it quickly became obvious the developed shape was reacting much more noticeably to the ripple on the water. Probably not the most rigorously accurate test ever conducted, however the difference was quite pronounced, and yet to look at both models, looked much the same.
     
  3. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    Oh, and were there any other pics from different angles, of that old boat ?
     
  4. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    Sorry, but the boxy cabin n flat top is more of the same.

    The only aluminum boats I have liked are some dev panel cats and the Munson 50 sport
     
  5. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    They certainly used some imagination in those old riveted aluminium boats, and some expensive tooling no doubt, to get the rounded shapes. I wonder if the survivors are only still around by unusually limited use, or use on freshwater, I doubt the alloys would have been ideal for corrosion resistance.
     
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  6. Howlandwoodworks
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    Howlandwoodworks Member

    Here is my Mattie V. and Elmer, Grandpa 1954 Duracraft 14' with two 1958 35 hp. Ele starters and a 1954 Crestliner with two 1958 18 hp. Ele starters.
    I grew up with them and don't know who is in better shape most days.
    I put new rubber parts in the outboards and some new metal parts too.
    So fast they will make your eyes water.
    Freshwater lake boats.

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    upload_2020-12-13_15-51-50.png upload_2020-12-13_15-24-26.png




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    upload_2020-12-13_15-24-26.png

    upload_2020-12-13_15-55-47.png


    upload_2020-12-13_15-56-25.png
     
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  7. fallguy
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    fallguy Senior Member

    The one on top is quite sexy.

    looks like out of sequence pics a bit as I only see the windshield up top
     
  8. Howlandwoodworks
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    Howlandwoodworks Member

    Still working on them. Put all new wiring and cushions in there too.
     
    Last edited: Dec 13, 2020
  9. Barry
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    Barry Senior Member

    Aluminum boats are ugly???? NOT
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. Squidly-Diddly
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    Squidly-Diddly Senior Member

    I like them. Older ones have Art Deco Buck Rodgers thing going on with rows of rivets and nicely formed rounds, newer ones can have a Brutalist Cyberpunk vibe.

    Old or new, I hear they get better looking after someone gets their first bill from maintaining a wooden or just about any other type of boat.
     
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  11. Mr Efficiency
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    Mr Efficiency Senior Member

    The remarkable thing about those "ancient" alloy boats, is the rounded shapes, it seems to me to be a carryover from the explosion of aircraft building during the war, that maybe threw a huge amount of metal forming machinery on to the market, and was taken up for boat building. There were stories, I don't know how true, about the sheet metal used in the planes finding its way into boats, with corrosion complications, I don't know how true. But it must have been relatively "soft" alloys, to be worked into those shapes. The modern alu boats are largely thicker, tempered material.
     
  12. clmanges
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    clmanges Senior Member

    Grumman canoe.
     
  13. Barry
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    Barry Senior Member

    Grumman canoe How they Build Them
     
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  14. Tharayman
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    Tharayman Junior Member

    I think aluminium hulls are awesome! Not as nice as wooden hulls, but still very cool.
    This boat belongs to a neighbor of mine. No coating, just alumina developing some sweet patina.
    122477000_3653711071327712_5773294927528727500_n.jpg 122704988_3653710834661069_5878520045610657599_n.jpg
     

  15. upchurchmr
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    upchurchmr Senior Member

    Sweet patina is ugly
    IMHO.
    As far as shapes, anything can be done well, but they usually are not.
     
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