Aluminium is the professional's choice for bluewater passage-making yachts. Strong, light, corrosion-resistant when correctly treated, and repairable anywhere in the world. Turkish yards have built aluminium vessels for decades - but quality varies sharply.
An aluminium hull properly specified and built will outlast a GRP hull in most offshore conditions. It does not osmose. It does not delaminate. Impact damage that would hole a GRP vessel may only dent aluminium. Properly anodised and painted, aluminium is effectively immune to corrosion in seawater.
The critical caveat is galvanic corrosion. Aluminium in contact with dissimilar metals - or even in proximity to them in seawater - will corrode rapidly. Correct electrical bonding, zinc protection, and isolation of underwater hardware is non-negotiable. This is where poorly supervised builds fail.
Aluminium welding in Turkish yards is of variable quality. The best yards use certified TIG welders experienced in marine-grade 5083 or 5086 alloy. The worst use MIG processes unsuitable for hull construction. This is not visible to the eye after paint - only an independent surveyor with access to weld inspection tools can verify quality.
We have supervised aluminium builds in Bodrum and Tuzla (Istanbul). Both produce capable aluminium vessels when the right yard is selected and welding is verified at each stage. Key specification points: alloy grade (5083-H111 for hull plating, 6061-T6 for extrusions), weld procedure qualification, paint system (HDPE liner or epoxy-based), and bonding system design.
| Vessel type | LOA | 2026 Turkey build cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium Sailing Yacht | 12-15m | EUR 280,000 - 450,000 | Bluewater specification |
| Aluminium Sailing Yacht | 15-20m | EUR 430,000 - 780,000 | Offshore passage-maker |
| Aluminium Motor Yacht | 12-16m | EUR 320,000 - 600,000 | High-speed or displacement |
| Aluminium Expedition Vessel | 15-22m | EUR 550,000 - 1,100,000 | Ice class available |
| Aluminium Day Charter | 18-25m | EUR 600,000 - 1,200,000 | Commercial SOLAS compliance |
Visual inspection of all accessible welds. Dye penetrant testing where cracking is suspected. Frame-to-plating weld quality is the primary structural concern in older aluminium vessels.
Full electrical bonding system inspection. Zinc anode condition and placement. Isolation of bronze and stainless hardware. Stray current testing in marina environment.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement at multiple hull locations. Identifies hidden corrosion and wastage. Critical below waterline and at frame connections.
Paint adhesion test. Checking for underfilm corrosion - particularly at waterline and deck edge. Specification of correct antifouling system for aluminium (copper-free mandatory).
We survey aluminium vessels and supervise aluminium new builds in Turkish yards. Galvanic protection and weld verification are included in all aluminium surveys as standard.