Luke's Utility Boats

Luke's Utility Boats

At Paul Luke's Yard , 1975. Framing an Aluminum Boat Framing an aluminum boat varies little from that for a wooden boat. Here the aluminum lobster boat is in its early stage of construction. In frame the utility boat looks remarkably similar to a wooden boat framed up with longitudinal battens defining the planking. Longitudinal stringers are welded to the frames, which will help support the thin aluminum plating. The boat was made almost entirely of aluminum, including its gas tanks. In 1975, when Paul wanted to see if fishermen would buy an aluminum boat, he went to proven lobster boat designer Everett Barlow for the design and had builder J. Ervin Jones make molds. While there was interest, the boat didn't sell, but it was a good tool on which to hone aluminum building skills.