The big advantage of a steel hull is for maneuvering in tight marinas. find a open dock or wall, approach dead slow, and push the bow against the wall, engine ahead, rudder hard-over.

Are there plans to install a wood strip on the bow for pushing against a wall? Some tugs have steal leaf springs covered with hemp line made of half-hitches to absorb small impacts. Even a long block of rubber bolted to the bow would be nice.

This could prove to be a very nice option for docking and maneuvering.