How Much Does It Cost to Build an Aluminum Fishing Boat?

How much does building an aluminum boat cost? The answer is a lot more than you think. I am going to break it down for you so you know exactly how much it costs to buy a boat.

I will not be talking about building your own boat because that is a whole different ball of wax. This will be strictly for those of you who want to buy a pre-built boat and do not want to spend a lot of time and effort building it yourself.

What to consider before building a fishing boat

Before you get into the nitty gritty numbers, there are a few key factors to keep in mind when it comes to building a fishing boat. Materials You can find a bunch of used boat components at auction sites like eBay.

However, I would recommend buying a brand new, fully-assembled boat instead. That way, you know the build quality is good. Engine Type If you are looking for a fast boat, then you want to go with a gas engine. Otherwise, an electric motor will do the trick. Also, stay away from big motors (3+ HP). They are heavy and not super efficient. Also, the hull shape largely determines how the boat performs in the water.

Equally important is the size of the hull. Larger boats tend to have better fuel economy than smaller ones. Also, stay away from round hulls as they are not stable in rough water. Overall length and beam When it comes to fishing boats, longer is better. The extra length gives you more casting distance. However, a boat that is too long can get stuck in shallow water. Beam refers to the width of the boat. Generally speaking, a wider beam is better for catching large fish. Hull material Fiberglass is light and strong. Also, it is more resistant to damage compared to wood. Hull color Most pre-built fiberglass sport fishing boats come in a wide range of colors.

Tips for building a strong fishing boat

There are few important tips for building a strong fishing boat.

• You should only use commercial grade hardware. This means you do not need to worry about high quality materials causing your build to fall apart. However, make sure you use heavy duty fasteners. And if you go with a composite material, you want to use stainless steel hardware.
• You want to keep the number of parts to a minimum. Think: “less is more”. Also, try to use as many components as possible from the same manufacturer. This will give you some confidence that the parts will fit together properly.
• Make sure you use epoxy on all threaded joints. Whereas glue is sufficient for some applications, epoxy is a much stronger bonding agent.
• Use marine plywood for your decking and bulkheads. Although not completely waterproof, plywood is very resistant to water intrusion.
• Try to keep your floors and transom clear. This will allow more light to get inside the boat, which helps it fish better.
• Use galvanized screws and bolts where possible. This is especially important for attaching hardware to fiberglass.
• Use polyurethane varnish on all wooden parts. Varnish seals the wood, helping it resist rot.

The materials you’ll need to build your boat

Here are the materials you need to build aluminum fishing boat DIY:

• Wood (lumber)
• Clamps
• Nails
• Spray paint (for the hull)
• Paintbrush
• Polyurethane sealant
• Duct tape
• Anchor bolts
• Washers
• Wrench
• Nut file
• Drill
• Screws
• Boat gluing supplies
• Wood stain
• Sandpaper
• Epoxy resin
• Power tools
• Carpentry skills

How much does it cost to build an aluminum fishing boat?

The estimated cost of material and cutting is 1,473 lbs. X $4.10 = $6,039.30 USD. So for all the sheet and plate parts CNC cut and loaded on a pallet along with the required stock length extrusions would be $828.00 + $6,039.30 = $6,867.30 USD.

Is building a fishing boat worth it?

I’m going to put this question to the test in an upcoming guide. But for now, I can tell you that it depends on what you want out of your boat. If you want to go out and catch big fish on a regular basis then yes, building your own boat makes sense. However, if you just want to get out there and have some fun then a factory-built boat may be your best bet. So my goal is to help you decide if building a boat is right for you.

Conclusion

In summary, finding out the real cost to build an aluminum fishing boat is not that hard, The real question is should you build or buy? I hope this guide helps you make a decision.