Has anyone looked at fuel efficiencies and the various aluminum hulls? With fuel at $1.50/litre in Ukee this year I have friends who charter out of there who are looking at their boats totally differently now. I am looking to upgrade to welded aluminum but when I look at the write-ups on numerous forums here they to be more of a focus on performance, comfort, looks and speed. I fully understand the details around construction and the differences between custom boats ( like the Cope Sculpin is looking at building) and the cookie cutters like Hewes. Valco built light welded aluminum boats years ago but they never got inot the cabin thing.
I had been looking at fibreglass and know I could work with an Arima or C Dory and sacrifice speed and certain ride elements but can see good fuel economy and some comfort with these boats. I fished an Arima 21 out of Kyuquot, a 24 Osprey diesel off Ukee, numerous other glass boats elsewhere but really like the simplicity of aluminum (powerwash rather than polish). I am thinking of 20-22 feet with a smaller cabin for overnight trips. I commercially fished for many years, pounded herring skiffs all over the coast and don't really need a yacht but do appreciate a dry bunk and being able to make a cup of coffee each morning.
Is there a model of aluminum boat that would have similar characteristics? Your thoughts appreciated.
I had been looking at fibreglass and know I could work with an Arima or C Dory and sacrifice speed and certain ride elements but can see good fuel economy and some comfort with these boats. I fished an Arima 21 out of Kyuquot, a 24 Osprey diesel off Ukee, numerous other glass boats elsewhere but really like the simplicity of aluminum (powerwash rather than polish). I am thinking of 20-22 feet with a smaller cabin for overnight trips. I commercially fished for many years, pounded herring skiffs all over the coast and don't really need a yacht but do appreciate a dry bunk and being able to make a cup of coffee each morning.
Is there a model of aluminum boat that would have similar characteristics? Your thoughts appreciated.