On Sep 28, 4:55*pm, wrote:
Hi all,

* * * * I'm looking for some info on aluminum boats. *I currently have a 21 ft
* * * * Seaswirl Striper (fiberglass). *It's a good boat...but I want something
* * * * that is more appropriate to the weather here in Oregon so I'm looking for
* * * * something with an enclosed cabin. *And since I'm getting to old and heavy
* * * * to be climbing along the outside of a cabin, the walk through windshield
* * * * sounds like a good idea. *Apparently that limits me to aluminum boats,
* * * * although I've no real preference either way. *The two models I like so far
* * * * are the Hewescraft Ocean Pro and the Weldcraft Ocean King (links below).
* * * * If anyone knows of a fiberglass model with similar configurations to those,
* * * * please let me know.

http://www.hewescraft.com/2007/oceanpro/index.html

http://www.weldcraftmarine.com/model...cean_king.html

* * * * SInce it looks like I'm going aluminum, I'm hoping to get the benefit of
* * * * others experience.

* * * * One of the significant differences is that the Weldcraft boats have a
* * * * "marine grade plywood" floor while I believe the Hewescraft boats have an
* * * * aluminum floor. *Although the Weldcraft boats certainly look nice in the
* * * * pictures, my first impression on the plywood was that they were cutting
* * * * some corners to make it cheaper. *Or am I wrong there? *A wooden floor
* * * * would certainly be easier to remove than a welded floor should any under
* * * * floor maintenance be required. *So I'm hoping to hear what people who have
* * * * actually owned an aluminum boat think about the pros and cons of each.

* * * * Another probably stupid question is regarding the corrosion issue. *I've
* * * * heard the story of the copper penny eating through the hull. *While I'm not
* * * * planning on experimenting with a $60,000 boat...it does make me wonder how
* * * * expensive that sort of thing would be to repair.

* * * * Also, I've heard that corrosion is less of an issue for boats that are
* * * * trailered. *I'm figuring on every other weekend in the water, with about a
* * * * 70/30 split between salt and fresh water...plus maybe two weeks a year
* * * * moored in salt water during the summer salmon season. *I've heard that I
* * * * should use magnesium in fresh water and a less noble aluminum in salt
* * * * water. *So...for a boat that goes back and forth...do I need to swap them
* * * * out, use both, or just use one or the other?

Ray in Oregon

Ray,

If you are 70% in salt and 30% in fresh use Aluminum. Your primary
concern must be protecting your boat in the most corrosive water
type... salt. And.. who want to change their anodes each time? Mag
anodes work great but for fresh water only. If you use them in salt
you will actually see them working like an anti-acid puck. So avoid
Magnesium if you touch salt or even brackish water. Your anodes will
not waste away very quickly if you trailer your boat. It takes
approx. 24 hours for the the cell to stablize anyway. I have 20 years
experience in the pleasurecraft corrosion field.