This Aluminum Hull: Is it Thick Enough?

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Times are certainly changing, but its not all bad - there are still highly skilled and passionate boat builders out there and RH is no exception.

Back on topic, there are plenty of much larger sailing yachts out there bouncing off rocks at speed (all be it mostly the keel) with the same plate thickness and they are not littering the bottom of the deep blue sea.

StuartT... sounds like rmjranch has dwg files or another format that needs a drafting program to access, and cannot access himself. Well it was worth a shot for you, and the owner got a little attention for his boat on the market too. My guess is the aluminum boat is stronger but not as forgiving for inexperienced repairs.

If it was me I would nearly always pick an aluminum boat over steel... except if the size was much larger than here I think Aluminum is the most perfect of the practical metals to build boats.

A final comment. I do not think as a user you will normally be able to tell the difference between and aluminum and steel boat day to day. Perhaps the steel is more abrasion resistive and better at taking grounds and the like. Perhaps the aluminum might be better for day to day resistance to hard bumps against the dock or something without dents. The aluminum will be easier to maintain inside like bilges as usually they are not painted and the steel on the outside or bottom... but day to day it will not matter.

I know of no one purposefully banging into things or running aground (usually that will take out the running gear and props before other damage) or any of that. And, I don't see you would notice much difference in fuel consumption. Nor, are you racing and don't really need to shave a .1 or .2% advantage between first and back in the fleet. So I would pick the boat that you think best serves your needs and you like best... the one that gives you that satisfied feeling and forget what it is made out of.

Just happen to see this old post so I thought I would reply. I am the owner of "Grand Cru" a 80' all aluminum Jongert Motor Yacht. I have owned the boat for six years. I had the boat for sale several times when we were looking for a larger vessel. Had firm offers but could not find another boat to suit our needs.
As my naval architect, from Murray and Associates says, when I have him look at a possible newer boat: "Grand Cru" is a ship, not a yacht. Impossible to build anything like her today for any reasonable cost. He will always talk me out of a newer used boat. Yes you must pour money into refits but you have a battleship. (Grand Cru has crossed the Atlantic 7 times on her own bottom)
I have been on "Impossible Dreams" multiple times now called "Halcyon Days". I am an engineer by education.
We have traveled extensively with our boat. Per the hour meter on the injection pump, which was rebuilt when we bought the boat, about 2200 hours or about 20,000 miles at 10.3 knots. We have been in seas 14 feet, going into them. Great ride, boat just slices thru no pounding. We were on bridge, wife reading a book, me drinking my tea. (plastic mug not a proper cup & saucer).
Anyway we are now on our third MAJOR refit. Boat needed nothing but we are going to the Med for two seasons and wanted to get ahead of the curve. Boat on the hard. We survey the boat twice a year for our own information. Anyway NO issues with the aluminum hull. Inside or out.
"Halcyon Days" has been for sale for quite some time. Owned by a charity. It is my understanding that the last possible buyer did a survey and there were problems with the steel, beside other issues. They did not buy the boat.
This is NOT a fair comparison of aluminum vs steel, since the original owner of my boat was a super yachtsman and I have an open checkbook on the boat. "Halcyon Days" might not have had the same care but hard to tell.
Bottom line, if I am in the middle of nowhere, and have an accident, with a hole in the hull, I could fix it myself if steel or find someone anyplace to fix it. Aluminum harder and doubt I could fix it myself and harder to find someone. Either way it might not look pretty but could be underway in a few days. Fiberglass impossible to fix yourself.
Looking for a newer boat, have to buy steel hull / aluminum top, since very few all aluminum boats, too expensive to build today.

I was aboard Halcyon Days. I called the previous broker before Bradford and he told me run not walk.

I think there might be some corridor in the integrated tanks. If someone is up for a project you would have a timeless boat.

Thanks Capt J. I have no experience fixing aluminum. I saw another boat in the yard with an aluminum hull being fixed.Took them forever. Saw a steel boat being fixed and it went much faster. Will do my homework on fixing aluminum.

As to "Halcyon Days" formerly "Impossible Dream" I have to agree. From my review of the information that the possible buyer sent to me, after the survey, the boat is very tired. It will take a buyer with deep pockets. That being said, they will have a special boat. Problem is the the market for real trawler boats, that can cross the ocean, or cruise in difficult situations, is VERY limited. People say they want to cross or cruise, but when they hear 9 to 10 knots they pass. Want a "White Boat" that can go 20 Knots. Some really good trawlers sit on the market for years.

Buy their 20 Knot boat and go to the Bahamas.
#1 4 foot in the gulf stream will not cross. No kidding. Had an 80 foot fast boat next to us in the marina. We were crossing and he would not go. Good captain said he had to slow to 8 knots in anything over 3 foot and boat would pound like anything. Afraid it would break something. Over 5 million dollar boat.
#2 Get to the Bahamas and anchor. Realize they do not have enough food for more than a few days. Anchor will not hold if it gets rough. Zero speeds - good luck. Have you ever seen Zero speeds on this kind of boat?

People want marina boats. OK with me and the dealers love it.
We left Florida, went to Washington DC, cruised to Maine, and back. 4 months. Filled the tanks with 5,000 gallons. Almost made it round trip without fuel.
Have friends with a 100 ft Hargrave. Use that much fuel to get to Newport and have to stop multiple times for fuel. Don't get there any faster since we leave Florida and go nonstop at 10 knots.

I was the broker who had the buyer under contract on Impossible Dream, now Halcyon Days. I recommended aborting the survey after the third day. Beautiful yacht but requires a buyer with deep pockets and perseverance to restore her to her former glory. With even deeper pockets, she could be upgraded to the level of Grand Cru.

Judy