Would appreciate opinions on

(1) Aluminum vs. Steel...?

(2) Is the helm too far forward in the French design George has at the bottom of the 55 page for pitching comfort? (http://dieselducks.com/Duck55newstudy.html)

(3) What other shortcomings do you see in that design?

Thank you,

Eric

One concern with aluminum is corrosion. A lost penny in the bilge can sink a boat! You must also be very careful when attaching any different metal to aluminum (must be well insulated). Also, I know there are a lot of aluminum boats out there, but in my opinion, steel is more apt to survive a serious grounding ( being banged up on a coral reef). While no one wants to hit anything, especially the ground, things do happen! It is easier to find a welder to repair steel than aluminum; most anywhere in the world has someone that can weld steel (or you can carry a small welder and D.I.Y.).

On the other hand, you can get by without painting an aluminum boat ( a very substantial benefit!).

Just my .02 .

John

Hello, I am new, do not have a duck but do have an aluminum trawler (40'). It is true you have to be careful with corrosion, but that is true with all boats. If you watch your zincs and keep your bilge clean the worry is not to significant. Always be careful attaching dissimilar metals but as long as you are aware of it, it is not a problem. They are harder to get welders to work on. Advantages are their weight and no painting (if you don't want to). I think where aluminum is used more often than steel is on the one off custom boats. Some good articles on aluminum vs. steel are written by Michael Kasten on his website.

I hope it was OK to reply given I don't have a diesel duck, but I do enjoy your forum. If it wasn't I apoligize in advance.
Jeff

Hi All

I have been reading this site for some time. I am not a diesel duck owner but am the owner builder of a steel yacht named Spirit Of Balto. I spent 5 years building Balto in Seattle and am now living aboard full time in Tacoma doing fit out and getting ready to take the grand voyage.
I thought I would respond to the steel aluminum thread. In my view both metals have their place in boatbuilding. I would say aluminum would be the metal of choice if you were building a higher speed vessel rather than a full displacement trawler. This is not to say that you can't use aluminum for full displacement vessels, however my point is that a displacement vessel must draw a certain amount of draft to be stable. To light and you have to add ballast. That is why steel hulls with aluminum top sides are becoming more and more popular.
I went with steel hull and topsides due to a steep cost savings but this was five years ago and the prices of steel and aluminum were much further apart than they are today given that the metals are sold by the pound. I am very pleased so far with the steel hull as I used only the best coatings and have not had a bit of a rust issue. As a matter of fact zilch nada.
Hope this info helps

Dan