Pavati tells you that you are getting the best drift boat made. Make sure you take a look at a PAVATI before you buy another drift boat.
Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats
With today's advancements in technology and computer software, PAVATI's drift boat models look like they were molded - but they are all fully welded aluminum.

Let's look at the other advantages of Aluminum Hulls.

1) Weight
FACT- Aluminum boats are lighter than glass boats. Don't be fooled by the glass boat manufacturer advertised "Hull Weights", they are very misleading. Usually the "Hull weight" doesn't include the line deck, side trays, seat boxes, seats, stiffeners, or even the anchor nest. We get lots of trade-ins and have weighed them all. Inch for inch, option for option, PAVATI drift boats are the lightest drifters on the market- and we can prove it.

2) Strength
PAVATI uses T6 6061 Military Grade aluminum on all of our drifters. This material has 10X the shear strength of fiberglass of the same weight. FACT.

3) Noise
This is an area where a Fiberglass drift boat does have a small advantage over a bare aluminum hull. PAVATI offers multiple bottom coatings that eliminate any noise and can actually be made quieter than a glass boat. Talk to your PAVATI sales rep for details.

4) Durability
With weight being such an issue on drift boats, the fiberglass guys have to go thin- too thin. Over time the seems and different glued together parts start to crack, blister, separate and delaminate. After a long period of time the fiberglass's protective coating wears off and becomes itchy after touching it with your bare skin. The following pictures are off of a trade in we received that was only two years old.

Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats
Durability Reason #1

We picked this picture to be number one because it's the chine of the boat. The part that takes the biggest hit when you hit a rock. This was a one hit damage report on this fiberglass drift boat. Of course you can repair it, just what you want to do on your day off. We hit rocks year after year with aluminum boats.
Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats

Durability Reason #2

You can see in this photo what water does to glue. Here, it has eaten away the adhesive that bonds the protective boot from around the sharp gunnel of a fiberglass boat. This can easily be fixed but is a constant problem year after year that you have to worry about.

Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats
Durability Reason #3

After only a few years of wear and tear, there are stress cracks under the oar locks. Also, notice the exposed carriage bolts to grab your line with. Not good...
Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats


Durability Reason #4

Here is a transom giving way. We know for certain that this boat has never seen a motor. We think this is a 2005 model.

Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats
Durability Reason #5

Another stress crack that shows the floor pulling away from the bottom.
Aluminum Drift Boats vs. Fiberglass Drift Boats


Durability Reason #6

In this photo, the fiberglass has delaminated. You will have to grind it out, sand the surface of what healthy fiber laminate is left and lay up several plyes until you regain original thickness.

5) Temperature
Glass boats are a little warmer to the touch on a cold day. But if you are going to be fishing in the cold- a heater is a must. Fiberglass boat owners are disappointed when they find out a heater in a glass boat isn't the best idea. Fiberglass contains petroleum-based resins that can burn fast- real fast. Aluminum does not burn and requires a temperature of over 1000°F to melt. So turn up the heat!

6) Repair Costs
Fiberglass + High repair costs = hassle.           Aluminum + No repairs = No hassle and no costs.

7) Flexing
Glass boats are notorious for feeling flimsy. The manufactures have to make the bottoms so thin to keep the weight down that just walking around in the boat causes flexing under your feet. Every time you make a stroke on the oars, you lose power as the boat flexes. This will also cause you to get "high-centered" on sharp protruding rocks instead of just slipping off.

8) Sliding
Fiberglass gel coats slide over rocks nicely; at first. But the bottom is covered with nothing but a gel coat, which is basically just hard paint. This wears off over time and you are left with a raw fiberglass leaky bottom. They will repair it if you drive to there facility and you bought it there and it is considered normal wear and tear and, and, and...

9) Easy To Clean
PAVATI Drifters are Powder coated on the inside. Powdercoating is not only tough, it is SUPER easy to clean. It doesn't stain like fiberglass painted insides and the old zolotone interiors.

10) Resell Value
On average aluminum boats have an approx. 20% Higher resale value - FACT.

11) Maintenance
Fishing is supposed to be fun- not work. Fiberglass boats deteriorate in the sun and are always getting weaker. Some manufacturers won't even warranty a glass boat that has been left outside. Aluminum boats have this one hands down. Leave it outside and forget about it. ZERO maintenance.

12) Warranty
PAVATI has the only TRUE LIFETIME WARRANTY in the industry - it doesn't expire when you sell it, leave the state, or if you are a guide. Look close at our competitors warranties and you will see the difference in black and white.

13) Greener
Aluminum is recyclable and lasts forever. If you have ever been in Fiberglass shop, you know how nasty that stuff is. Chemicals and fumes fill the air and are about as non-eco friendly as it gets. It's old technology and not a very clean way to manufacture.

All told, aluminum boats offer significant advantages over the competition with regard to their weight, strength, durability, the maintenance they require, and their resale value. And, if your aluminum boat bucks the odds and winds up headed for the scrap heap, take heart; it's also highly recyclable.

 Pavati w/Kevlar 
 Fiberglass w/gel coat 
 Traditional Aluminum
 
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Lightweight vs. Strength (FACT - Aluminum is up to 20% lighter than fiberglass and has 10x the shear strength.)
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Slides over rocks easily and safely
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Quiet when hitting and when moving around in the boat. - Doesn't scare the fish or take from the river experience.
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Choice on bottom/side thickness and hardness - you choose if it flexes or not.
 
 
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Exposed Extruded Aluminum Chine that sticks out and grabs currents, rocks, and cuts fishing lines.
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Easy to clean - just use a rag and wipe it down.
 
 
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Rough gunnels that cut lines unless you have rubber over them.
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Motor ready - doesnt void warranty or crack out over time. Rated for bigger HP.
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Safe for heaters. Doesn't use flammable petroleum based resins that can burn once started.
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Maintenance free. Leave it outside without worry of deteriorating, fading, losing gelcoat to UV rays or turning chalky.
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Best Resale Value. FACT: Aluminum boats on average retain there value better than fiberglass boats.
 
 
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Chips apart when you hit rocks and can only be fixed if you take it back to the factory.
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Combines the latest materials to make the best rowing/fishing experience, not 50 year old technology.
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Patented Drifter Doors for easy access and safe entry and exit from your boat.
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Fast Lock Seat System that allowsyou to set your boat up anyway you want, balance for weight in seconds.
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Easy to mount and move Rod Holders to Gunnel Rails.
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Cheap and easy repair costs.
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TRUE TRANSFERABLE LIFETIME WARRANTY. NO RECEIPT, NO PROBLEM.
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True custom work. ANY SIZE ANY PAINT, not bound by patterns or molds.
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Extensive testing ran through the latest CAD Marine software to help design you the ultimate boat.
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Not bound by square shapes and angles.


Why an aluminum drift boat is the answer
And finally... this is why you DO NOT WANT a fiberglass drift boat.