Aluminum Boat Plans Reviewed
5 Best Aluminum Boat Plans Reviewed
Making a boat is easy because you get various boat plans and designs online. All you have to do is source the required materials and tools and follow the instructions on the boat plan. You will soon have a brand-new boat that would stand the test of time and won’t cost a fortune like some ready-made boats.
Top aluminum boat plans
When it comes to choosing the best material for boats, you may want to choose a wood first. That’s because wood is a popular material, and you often see it in many small and medium-sized boats. But wood isn’t a convenient material. It requires frequent maintenance. If you fail to maintain your boat, the wood will slowly warp and deteriorate your boat’s quality over time. It may lead to an accident when you are in the sea. Therefore, always choose a material that requires low maintenance, so I would recommend aluminum kit boats.
Aluminum is lightweight and can stand the test of time. It doesn’t rust easily. Most importantly, it’s not as costly as wood. If you are ready to use aluminum as the primary material for your boat, here are a few aluminum boat plans and designs that you can implement:
1. Aluminum drift boat – 14ft drift boat
An aluminum drift boat usually resembles the McKenzie river drift boat. This type of drift boat requires marine-grade aluminum. It has a welded construction that makes the boat long-lasting. You will need to design different parts separately and then assemble them.
This eliminates the need for special extrusions at the junction of the boat’s sides and bottom. Some people use stock chine extrusions to make the boat look stylish. The advantage of this design is you can either choose a high or a low side. Its high side is 2 inches higher than the low version.
The 14-ft drift boat would have a beam of 1.95 meters and weigh approximately 385 lbs. You can choose a bigger version, though. A 14-ft aluminum drift boat is ideal if you are traveling alone or with your partner. It looks more like a double-ended river drift boat. As already mentioned, it comes with high and low-side options.
You can choose one depending on the type of water you want to take your boat into. For example, a low-side boat is suitable for lakes and rivers. On the other hand, it’s wise to build a high-side boat if you want to take it into the sea where the water can be rough.
This aluminum boat design has a 5.19″ hull, 6’5″ beam, and 14’5″ LOA. You will need approximately 350 lbs of aluminum. Make sure you make appropriate cuts according to the instructions provided in the plan.
2. Aluminum 12 ft boat
If you are looking for a small, stylish, and long-lasting aluminum boat plan, then the 12-ft aluminum skiff is exactly what you need. It’s easy to handle, doesn’t wobble, and you can use it in both rivers and seas.
There are two options in this design: you can either make the one that operates using a 15-HP engine or one that you have to row manually. The engine will sit at the back of the boat. Some people prefer making the one with the engine chamber as it gives them two options to operate the boat.
The only drawback with the engine-chamber design is it makes the boat slightly smaller. You have to allot a dedicated space to the engine. This means you cannot use that space for sitting or keeping anything. It’s the ideal design for single-riders.
This plan includes a 2mm hull plate that reinforces the strength of the boat. It has a practical design that ensures that you can take the boat anywhere you want. The moderate deadrise at the bottom makes the boat suitable for bass fishing in some of the inland waterways. You can also use the boat in sheltered waterways.
The length and width of the boat is 3.6 meter and 1.3 meters respectively. It has a height of 0.4 meters and weighs approximately 132.2 lbs. You will require marine-grade aluminum to make the boat and a 10 to 15 HP engine. One of the reasons why this boat design and plan is popular is it looks stylish. In addition, it doesn’t weigh too much, and that’s why you can row the boat manually if the engine runs out of power.
3. Aludink aluminum dinghy boat
You will need two types of aluminum sheets to make this dinghy boat: an A1 33″ x 22″ sheet and an A0 44″ x 33″ sheet. The boat will have a 1.42-meter beam and 3.44-meter LOA. It has a sailing area of 55 sq. ft.
The biggest advantage of this boat plan is it can support a 10 to 15 HP outboard motor and still have enough buoyancy after its maximum capsize. According to this plan, the aluminum boat will get its buoyancy from polyethylene foam blocks and an enclosed forepeak compartment located on the side decks and under the aft thwart.
Experts believe that this design makes the boat suitable for all types of water. From lakes to seas, you can take it anywhere, provided the water remains relatively calm. The tough aluminum construction is an asset for the boat. This allows the boat to have a high carrying capacity. You can travel with another two people on it easily.
Instead of using marine-grade aluminum, you can use a TIG-welded aluminum sheet for this boat. There are actually two options for this plan: using 5052 H-34 marine-grade aluminum or a 0.1″ thick TIG-welded aluminum sheet. Both make the boat slightly heavy, giving it the stability it needs to remain afloat in rough waters. Remember, you will also need a 15-HP outboard motor. It’s best to use a Yamaha motor as it is popular for its longevity.
The hull panels’ forward section needs to come from an 8′ x 4′ sheet. You can make it by welding the top and bottom half of the panels along with the stem’s chime. It makes the boat look stylish and allows it to cut through small waves easily.
4. 16ft aluminum Boat
If you are one of those who love high forward chine, then make sure you follow this design plan. It is suitable for white water boating. The plan also has an option containing a full self-draining metal deck available with a diamond or smooth plate.
This is one of the heaviest boats around compared to some of the design plans mentioned above. The finished boat will weigh approximately 1540 lbs. It will contain a 50-HP outward motor and 10 gallons of fuel. The boat will travel at an average speed of 28 knots.
This is also one of the biggest aluminum boats around. It can accommodate as many as seven people. The maximum weight capacity of the boat for the total number of people is 908 lbs. You can operate the boat using a 65-HP motor also, make sure you get marine-grade aluminum. You will require approximately 1048 lbs of aluminum to make this boat. It will have a 2.13-meter beam and 4.72-meter LOA.
5. 18ft aluminum craft boats
There’s nothing better than a sturdy 18-ft landing craft when it comes to boating in rough waters. This is a USGC-compliant design, which means you will make a professional boat if you follow the instructions carefully. It has a door that allows you to get on and off the boat conveniently. The average width of the door is 49 inches. You can increase or decrease the width slightly depending on the room you need.
Like the previous plan, this design can also accommodate as many as 7 people. It will weigh approximately 4485 lbs. Apart from the 2088 lbs of aluminum sheet, you will also require a 130-HP outward motor and 38 gallons of fuel. The boat may reach a maximum speed of 36 knots. It doesn’t have a high-forward chine but can move faster than most of the other boats that you see.
Now that you know the five best designs of aluminum boat plans, choose one that you think you can implement. Source the materials and start making your dream boat.
