by Emil E. Brodbeck
Aluminum and small boats are made for each other. And it’s no mystery material to use
Since its brisk entrance into the boating picture, aluminum has continued to dominate the smallboat field. Lightness, strength, lack of maintenance problems, long life are some of the reasons why unit sales of aluminum boats in the 10’to-14’ class continue to outpace all others by a considerable margin. Not so well known even after 15 years of universal use is the fact that aluminum is no mystery material. It can be cut, shaped, formed and fitted by amateurs with no other tools than would be necessary to build with wood. And the use of aluminum doors and storm windows has filled local hardware stores all over the country with aluminum extrusions, sheets and fastenings in all sizes. These are ready material accessories to an aluminum design. With these facts in hand, I decided to pioneer and build my own boat out of aluminum. The result is a prototype craft that satisfies me and holds out exciting promise for any backyard builder.
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