When customers are looking for a new AB Inflatables, one of the usual questions is: should it have an Aluminum or Fiberglass Hull? There’s no right or wrong answer, it depends on the needs, circumstances, use and tastes of each customer. Here some key facts of each, which could help answer this question:
Aluminum Hull Facts
– Toughness: The aluminum hulls are more resistant to impacts in certain conditions. (Rocky shores and shallow waters). In case of an impact, the hull might suffer a scratch or bend, but will not fracture.
– Weight: Their low weight demands less power, which results in fuel economy. It is important also to remark that users can lift larger tenders with their davits.
– Handling: These are easier to carry and dock.
– Customization: A consumer can design further details and different layouts with the boat builder, due to the fact that molds are not used in its construction process.
-Maintenance: Aluminum requires very little maintenance other than keeping the salt off to protect the hull from corrosion.
– Global Care: The recyclable property of the aluminum and the nature of its manufacturing process, make it more environmentally friendly.
– Safety: An aluminum hull has a higher melting point than other type of boat building structures. Therefore, it make slower the fire expansion and becomes safer under a fire situation.
Fiberglass Hull Facts
– Aesthetics: A fiberglass hull tender has a molded and sleeker finish.
– Repairs: Fiberglass hulls are easier and cheaper to repair when minor accidents occur. It is also easier to find fiberglass technicians almost everywhere.
– Under Deck Ample Space: Fiberglass console ribs have more under deck space on the smaller sizes (Up to 15ft). These can offer a higher under deck fuel tank capacity and/or more ample space for storage, among other benefits.
– Quite ride: These boats produce less noise under operation.
Source: http://ribexpedition.net/history Finally we are all here in Buenos Aires on the threshold of our dream becoming a reality. Getting here means being thousands of miles away...
Finally we are all here in Buenos Aires on the threshold of our dream becoming a reality. Getting here means being thousands of miles away from our homes spread across Switzerland, Germany, India, Argentina, Netherlands, Denmark and Italy. Arriving at this point has been an odyssey of thousands and thousands of emails, countless long distance phone calls and Skype conversations across the continents, dozens of flight, some connecting some not, and at times permits that had ensure passage would be arriving well after the flight had departed. But most of this is now behind us.
Crew
Which is the most important and difficult task and if a team can get factors right, success and a rewarding sense of teamwork will follow. Humans are in the mix, and each team member brings along all of their baggage—for the good and for the less good.
We worked good as a team and managed quite well the 5 weeks of depending on each other 24hrs a day. We had our struggles and our highs and lows. As a leader I must inspire a high level of commitment and performance. But as a human being it is not always easy to deal with the pressure of the unknown and the expectations everybody has in me. In the beginning of the trip I felt sometimes too much pressure on my shoulders for various reasons. I also tend to expect too much from my crew. Crew changes are always healthy but also sometimes difficult to adjust fast enough to the daily grind of the old team.
The aim of the Expedition was to travel through four countries: Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and Brazil. The teams will journey 6800 km in 72 days on 8 different rivers, from the Delta of the Paraná River in Buenos Aires, Argentina to Manaus, the heart of the Amazon river, in inflatable boats and capture as much of the unique natural landscape, flora and fauna as possible.
We are thrilled to invite you to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2023, where we will be showcasing the most complete portfolio of rigid inflatable boats. Don’t...
We are thrilled to invite you to the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show 2023, where we will be showcasing the most complete portfolio of rigid inflatable boats. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore and learn more about the largest portfolio available and see for yourself why AB Inflatables is renowned as the world’s best yacht tender producer.
