I know Insetta and a few other companies that make outboard powered Cats slightly angle the motor mounts so when you turn the "outside" engine lifts the hull slightly, thus forcing the lean angle a little bit. Regarding glass v aluminum v steel for the hull(s). It all depends on where you're boating, in tropical climates like S. Florida a glass hull makes perfect sense. In harsher climates, like British Columbia, having an aluminum or even a steel hull would fit better. As far as corrosion/electrolysis is concerned, it will all depend on how the hull material is treated/coated when the boat is built. Durability? I haven't seen ONE mini-jet boat designed for shallow river running that's made from fiberglass or even carbon-fiber. They are ALL made with an aluminum or steel hull, admittedly with a "plastic" rub skin on the outside. Please note, I'm excluding Jet-ski's or similar PWC's here. I'm referring to a boat you sit IN, not one you ride like a motorcycle!
I'm still a bit confused about the advantages of aluminum over fiberglass. You mention harsher climates but I'm not sure why that would matter. I see three advantages to aluminum: 1. For fiberglass construction, you need to invest in a expensive mold before you make your first boat. 2. Aluminum can be welded together into any shape you want allowing much higher customizability 3. Fiberglass construction requires machines capable of handling a huge mold that is larger than the boat. You can weld an aluminum boat from many smaller pieces with less equipment and a smaller factory For yachts that are completely custom, fiberglass construction is impractical. But we are now seeing boats 65+ feet made of fiberglass, so I don't see why having a 39 foot boat made of aluminum is necessary. I don't think aluminum is stronger than fiberglass - both are going to break if you crash into a rock.
Way superior, lighter & stronger and most importantly, aluminum boat saved my life once. I was only 17 years old just got my harbor permit in Skopelos Greece, went out to a neighbor island with the catch of the day (female tourist) and on my way back got caught in a storm 12’-14’ waves double size swells . My dads boat 10’ deep V John boat 20hp mercury manual no steering wheel, I decided to ask the lady to go to the bow and anchor herself there for 50/50 weight distribution. I definitely couldn’t go straight back to the shore due to size of the waves and swell so I decided to climb each wave sideways and once on the crease I pointed the bow straight down then back to sideways climb, repeating all the way back. Once at shore my father furious of course told me that the coast guard refused to come out and help regardless of his pleads, I thought I did a great job but once my father calmed down he explained to me that the coast guards have a fiberglass boat and new they wouldn’t be able to get to me without huge issues, my father explained to me the only reason o was able to climb the waves was due to the lightness of the boats and the deep V design. Brother love your videos love boats even more, but after that day I refuse to buy a fiberglass boat. Sure the choices are limited in the aluminum boats industry but I have my conspiracy theories about that, let me know if you wanna know what those are because it might anger a few people, let’s just welders are unionized, fiberglass guys ………. Regardless I’m saving up now for a MAKIRA because they use 5/16” aluminum that’s what yachts use. Yeah fiberglass boats are beautiful but there’s nothing better then a safe aluminum boat.
I told you guys at FLIB show you should have taken a ride on the 37 Frontrunner cat. Then I found out you’re a pay for video company… how does anyone get an honest ($$) opinion?? if you think that’s a smooth ride, your mind would be blown… That is a good looking cat - though seems heavy… what up with water spout between the engines every time you turn??
He has to pay his bills obviously. He definitely does this full time and has lots of viewers that has to be worth something to anyone trying to advertise their brand
Aluminum is nice as it's such a cheaper hull both material and labor so always been amazed to see the amazing work of the fiberglass folks as trying to post up against aluminum *OR* steel is really hard to do that (let alone wood as well actually.. and even carbon fiber.) not sure about retail power boats for offshore Florida but obviously for Great Lakes work and Mississippi River they always use aluminum for their fishing set ups as stumps, trees, hopefully never but yes occassional rock too that type of damage to fiberglass i don't think that can be patched at all and worse still will sink your craft...same said true to say using metal but at least you have better odds going with metal (steel still best in this regard ... carbon fiber worst obviously.) aliminum is nice because of incredible buoyancy "if you know what you're doing" as often times to cut costs don't use enough metal and sit on top of water rather than in the water. I know Australia really into Aluminum offshore fishers i think the launch them straight off the land there actually no boat launches or Marinas something Florida will never learn from but should. Always surprised Big Cat players like World Cat and TwinVee never tried this way out as they went all in on 40 footers which to me anyways is an absolutely massive hull for fiberglass but yes i think this is a great idea yes absolutely. Great review as always. Not sure how anyone sees over the bows of these things so definitely want a tuna tower before i would have a look at all.
Aluminum has a few big disadvantages... (not intended to be a comprehensive list) Namely electrolysis / galvanic corrosion, and the tendency to be loud, as they can ring like a drum. However, both of these are easily mitigated. For electrolysis, proper coatings and careful monitoring of sacrificial electrodes is key. For the noise factors, again modern coatings and insulation go very far in reducing NVH. But it has a tremendous advantages for strength to weight ratio, and of course also the customizability aspect many people have already mentioned here. Another major advantage which no one here has yet touched on... Aluminum has a tendency to bend instead of break. It's even superior to steel in this respect, particularly when it's cold. This is the reason so many sailboats which attempt the Northwest Passage tend to be aluminum hulled. Hitting ice and just getting a big dent, instead of a crack and water intrusion, is a major benefit. Like many have said, aluminum might not be strictly necessary in Florida, but in other parts of the world, it can be of massive benefit.
no, it will just get holes in it if you hit something. anodes or make sure the hull is protected with paint and alloy will last nearly forever. you don't need to worry so much in southern florida, but there's a reason alloy is popular in the Pacific NW and places like Australia, New Zealand. or Canada where this boat is made.
@@vorjay I’ll take my Fibreglass Sharkcat any day of the week thanks. I live in Australia and work in the Marine industry. I’ve seen far, far too many ally boats up on the hard having major reconstructive works done, it’s scary to say the least. You hit something quick enough in any boat it’s going to get a hole in it.
Some turbulence at the stern between the motors, especially when cornering. Since there are no molds, an aluminum boat can be customized more easily than a fiberglass boat.
I've had a aluminum boat, ""alloy plate welded"" for 20 yrs. An aluminum boat is 10 times tougher than any plastic boat! Easier to customize no molds to deal with. I'll always have an aluminum boat but it won't be one of these million dollar ones, you guys seem to always hone in on. I like workin boats, not toys.
Totally disagree....how do you explain all of the aluminum yachts (sail and power) out there that are way older than 15 years? Some of the best yachts out there are aluminum! It’s the ultimate build material....
So all those cost guard boats that last way over 20 years before they be commissioned, you would say what? There all rotten? Aluminum boats last much longer than fiberglass in the sun after 15 years plus.
heres a thank not eveyone can Repair Aluminum and gel coats just more common I mean there's a reason salt water and Aluminum boats are not wide spread I'm not a boat designer but i wouldn't buy this
Welding aluminum is very common. Any boat over 50-60 feet especially multi million dollar yacht are all aluminum. Very easily repaid and less repairs on aluminum hulls.
Aluminum is nice as it's such a cheaper hull both material and labor so always been amazed to see the amazing work of the fiberglass folks as trying to post up against aluminum *OR* steel is really hard to do that (let alone wood as well actually.. and even carbon fiber.) not sure about retail power boats for offshore Florida but obviously for Great Lakes work and Mississippi River they always use aluminum for their fishing set ups as stumps, trees, hopefully never but yes occassional rock too that type of damage to fiberglass i don't think that can be patched at all and worse still will sink your craft...same said true to say using metal but at least you have better odds going with metal (steel still best in this regard ... carbon fiber worst obviously.) aliminum is nice because of incredible buoyancy "if you know what you're doing" as often times to cut costs don't use enough metal and sit on top of water rather than in the water. I know Australia really into Aluminum offshore fishers i think the launch them straight off the land there actually no boat launches or Marinas something Florida will never learn from but should. Always surprised Big Cat players like World Cat and TwinVee never tried this way out as they went all in on 40 footers which to me anyways is an absolutely massive hull for fiberglass but yes i think this is a great idea yes absolutely. Great review as always. Not sure how anyone sees over the bows of these things so definitely want a tuna tower before i would have a look at all.
What’s the with the rooster tail of water at the stern? Is that from asymmetrical cats?
How did the ride compare to a similar size Invincible or Freeman?
Looks nice but they should move the batteries out if the bilge
I know Insetta and a few other companies that make outboard powered Cats slightly angle the motor mounts so when you turn the "outside" engine lifts the hull slightly, thus forcing the lean angle a little bit. Regarding glass v aluminum v steel for the hull(s). It all depends on where you're boating, in tropical climates like S. Florida a glass hull makes perfect sense. In harsher climates, like British Columbia, having an aluminum or even a steel hull would fit better. As far as corrosion/electrolysis is concerned, it will all depend on how the hull material is treated/coated when the boat is built.
Durability? I haven't seen ONE mini-jet boat designed for shallow river running that's made from fiberglass or even carbon-fiber. They are ALL made with an aluminum or steel hull, admittedly with a "plastic" rub skin on the outside. Please note, I'm excluding Jet-ski's or similar PWC's here. I'm referring to a boat you sit IN, not one you ride like a motorcycle!
I'm still a bit confused about the advantages of aluminum over fiberglass. You mention harsher climates but I'm not sure why that would matter.
I see three advantages to aluminum:
1. For fiberglass construction, you need to invest in a expensive mold before you make your first boat.
2. Aluminum can be welded together into any shape you want allowing much higher customizability
3. Fiberglass construction requires machines capable of handling a huge mold that is larger than the boat. You can weld an aluminum boat from many smaller pieces with less equipment and a smaller factory
For yachts that are completely custom, fiberglass construction is impractical. But we are now seeing boats 65+ feet made of fiberglass, so I don't see why having a 39 foot boat made of aluminum is necessary. I don't think aluminum is stronger than fiberglass - both are going to break if you crash into a rock.
Way superior, lighter & stronger and most importantly, aluminum boat saved my life once. I was only 17 years old just got my harbor permit in Skopelos Greece, went out to a neighbor island with the catch of the day (female tourist) and on my way back got caught in a storm 12’-14’ waves double size swells . My dads boat 10’ deep V John boat 20hp mercury manual no steering wheel, I decided to ask the lady to go to the bow and anchor herself there for 50/50 weight distribution.
I definitely couldn’t go straight back to the shore due to size of the waves and swell so I decided to climb each wave sideways and once on the crease I pointed the bow straight down then back to sideways climb, repeating all the way back. Once at shore my father furious of course told me that the coast guard refused to come out and help regardless of his pleads, I thought I did a great job but once my father calmed down he explained to me that the coast guards have a fiberglass boat and new they wouldn’t be able to get to me without huge issues, my father explained to me the only reason o was able to climb the waves was due to the lightness of the boats and the deep V design.
Brother love your videos love boats even more, but after that day I refuse to buy a fiberglass boat. Sure the choices are limited in the aluminum boats industry but I have my conspiracy theories about that, let me know if you wanna know what those are because it might anger a few people, let’s just welders are unionized, fiberglass guys ……….
Regardless I’m saving up now for a MAKIRA because they use 5/16” aluminum that’s what yachts use. Yeah fiberglass boats are beautiful but there’s nothing better then a safe aluminum boat.
@@mikesgt3rs I'd love one of the new Bering Marine Catamarans. The 34 is aluminum and is a hydrofoil supported design.
Whats with that reverse roost between the inboard motors? does it come over the stern and soaking the deck?
I told you guys at FLIB show you should have taken a ride on the 37 Frontrunner cat. Then I found out you’re a pay for video company… how does anyone get an honest ($$) opinion?? if you think that’s a smooth ride, your mind would be blown… That is a good looking cat - though seems heavy… what up with water spout between the engines every time you turn??
So these dudes are just fake? Pay them to advertise all these Cuban penis extenders?
Thanks for the insight....I'll move on from now on, then.
He has to pay his bills obviously. He definitely does this full time and has lots of viewers that has to be worth something to anyone trying to advertise their brand
The hardtop matches the lines of the bow
Aluminum is nice as it's such a cheaper hull both material and labor so always been amazed to see the amazing work of the fiberglass folks as trying to post up against aluminum *OR* steel is really hard to do that (let alone wood as well actually.. and even carbon fiber.) not sure about retail power boats for offshore Florida but obviously for Great Lakes work and Mississippi River they always use aluminum for their fishing set ups as stumps, trees, hopefully never but yes occassional rock too that type of damage to fiberglass i don't think that can be patched at all and worse still will sink your craft...same said true to say using metal but at least you have better odds going with metal (steel still best in this regard ... carbon fiber worst obviously.) aliminum is nice because of incredible buoyancy "if you know what you're doing" as often times to cut costs don't use enough metal and sit on top of water rather than in the water. I know Australia really into Aluminum offshore fishers i think the launch them straight off the land there actually no boat launches or Marinas something Florida will never learn from but should. Always surprised Big Cat players like World Cat and TwinVee never tried this way out as they went all in on 40 footers which to me anyways is an absolutely massive hull for fiberglass but yes i think this is a great idea yes absolutely. Great review as always. Not sure how anyone sees over the bows of these things so definitely want a tuna tower before i would have a look at all.
Aluminum has a few big disadvantages... (not intended to be a comprehensive list) Namely electrolysis / galvanic corrosion, and the tendency to be loud, as they can ring like a drum. However, both of these are easily mitigated. For electrolysis, proper coatings and careful monitoring of sacrificial electrodes is key. For the noise factors, again modern coatings and insulation go very far in reducing NVH.
But it has a tremendous advantages for strength to weight ratio, and of course also the customizability aspect many people have already mentioned here. Another major advantage which no one here has yet touched on... Aluminum has a tendency to bend instead of break. It's even superior to steel in this respect, particularly when it's cold. This is the reason so many sailboats which attempt the Northwest Passage tend to be aluminum hulled. Hitting ice and just getting a big dent, instead of a crack and water intrusion, is a major benefit. Like many have said, aluminum might not be strictly necessary in Florida, but in other parts of the world, it can be of massive benefit.
Good points and thanks for the information.
I’ve had both ally and glass boats, glass will never ever get electrolysis. Enough said!.
no, it will just get holes in it if you hit something. anodes or make sure the hull is protected with paint and alloy will last nearly forever.
you don't need to worry so much in southern florida, but there's a reason alloy is popular in the Pacific NW and places like Australia, New Zealand. or Canada where this boat is made.
@@vorjay I’ll take my Fibreglass Sharkcat any day of the week thanks. I live in Australia and work in the Marine industry. I’ve seen far, far too many ally boats up on the hard having major reconstructive works done, it’s scary to say the least. You hit something quick enough in any boat it’s going to get a hole in it.
Welded aluminum all the way. They are easily customized during the build, making them fully customizable to your requirements.
Some turbulence at the stern between the motors, especially when cornering. Since there are no molds, an aluminum boat can be customized more easily than a fiberglass boat.
Why is the hard top so small
Self bailing deck is mandatory.
I've had a aluminum boat, ""alloy plate welded"" for 20 yrs. An aluminum boat is 10 times tougher than any plastic boat! Easier to customize no molds to deal with. I'll always have an aluminum boat but it won't be one of these million dollar ones, you guys seem to always hone in on. I like workin boats, not toys.
Nice rig but the price must be insane, which is typical of boats these days.
bath tub interior
All that pretty paint will be flaking and lifting soon
And aluminum rots. In the long run 15 years from now it will be scrap metal.
Totally disagree....how do you explain all of the aluminum yachts (sail and power) out there that are way older than 15 years? Some of the best yachts out there are aluminum! It’s the ultimate build material....
aluminum rots? I have a 1988 24' aluminum boat and its like the day it was welded. Explain your statement, this is absurd.
So all those cost guard boats that last way over 20 years before they be commissioned, you would say what? There all rotten? Aluminum boats last much longer than fiberglass in the sun after 15 years plus.
heres a thank not eveyone can Repair Aluminum and gel coats just more common I mean there's a reason salt water and Aluminum boats are not wide spread I'm not a boat designer but i wouldn't buy this
Welding aluminum is very common. Any boat over 50-60 feet especially multi million dollar yacht are all aluminum. Very easily repaid and less repairs on aluminum hulls.
Aluminum is nice as it's such a cheaper hull both material and labor so always been amazed to see the amazing work of the fiberglass folks as trying to post up against aluminum *OR* steel is really hard to do that (let alone wood as well actually.. and even carbon fiber.) not sure about retail power boats for offshore Florida but obviously for Great Lakes work and Mississippi River they always use aluminum for their fishing set ups as stumps, trees, hopefully never but yes occassional rock too that type of damage to fiberglass i don't think that can be patched at all and worse still will sink your craft...same said true to say using metal but at least you have better odds going with metal (steel still best in this regard ... carbon fiber worst obviously.) aliminum is nice because of incredible buoyancy "if you know what you're doing" as often times to cut costs don't use enough metal and sit on top of water rather than in the water. I know Australia really into Aluminum offshore fishers i think the launch them straight off the land there actually no boat launches or Marinas something Florida will never learn from but should. Always surprised Big Cat players like World Cat and TwinVee never tried this way out as they went all in on 40 footers which to me anyways is an absolutely massive hull for fiberglass but yes i think this is a great idea yes absolutely. Great review as always. Not sure how anyone sees over the bows of these things so definitely want a tuna tower before i would have a look at all.