I prefer Al alloy for many of the reasons you like steel.

I once owned a French built Al sloop. I always felt safe with her. In
France, where ocean sailing is almost a national pastime, Al is preferred
over steel.

I have never owned steel, but some say the maintenance is equivalent to
wood. What do you think?

Bill

"Lee Huddleston" wrote in message
.. .
I agree with Neil. I own a steel boat designed by Aussie Bruce
Roberts-Goodson (now living in Annapolis, Maryland, USA). He has
created several good designs that can be built of steel.

My Roberts Mauritius 43 has about 2-3 inches of foam insulation on the
interior of the hull and the underside of the deck. It makes for a
cool and quiet boat. It also prevents condensation that would
otherwise cause rust.

I have owned my boat for several years and have never sandblasted it.
I lightly sand the bottom and re coat with antifouling paint every
couple of years. The topsides and deck get spot painted when chips
appear and lightly sanded and repainted every few years as needed.
Much much easier maintenance than I ever would have imagined.

I like steel for its strength and safety. I have ridden out seven
hurricanes in the boat -- most at the dock, one at anchor. One
hurricane drove my boat up against a pylon. Wooden pylon was chewed
up; steel boat was not even scratched. Probably good sailors can own
fiberglass boats. For those of us who have a habit of running aground
and into other objects, steel is the only way to go.

Lee Huddleston
s/v Truelove