Recreational boating is one of the most loved activities in Australia. With thousands of kilometres of beautiful coastlines, sparkling seas and bountiful lakes and waterways, there’s so much opportunity to have fun with boats. While traditionally, people heading out into the oceans might have preferred boats made of fibreglass or alloys, plastic boats now rule Australia’s market of boats for recreational purposes.
While you might find it surprising to learn about boats being made from plastic, the benefits of polyethylene as a boat-building material are well-proven and have been documented over decades. These boats are smoother on water and easier to handle than boats made from other materials, making them the ideal choice for transporting cargo or passengers, or for resource extraction, fishing, rescue operations, and inspections.
Before you head out to purchase a boat of your own, read on to find out all you need to know about polyethylene boats in Australia.
What Is a Plastic Boat? What are They Made of?
Plastic boats are made from PVC and polyethylene materials, which have integral properties that make them suitable for boats under 12ft (3.6m).
Polyethylene plastic boats have taken over from alloy and fibreglass boats in the small boat market. Plastic boats are cheaper to manufacture, immensely strong and highly durable. Due to their material structure, these boats provide outstanding stability. Furthermore, they also offer soft, quiet and comfortable rides.
How are Plastic Boats Constructed?
All marine plastic boats start their journey as plastic beads or powders. While the exact procedure might differ from one builder to another, the concept and process are generally the same. Here are the basic steps by which a plastic boat is constructed:
- Plastic Beads or powder fed into a closed mould
- Mould is heated to melt the plastic and rotated at high RPMs to evenly distribute the material
- The mould is then air or water-cooled
- After the mould cools down, the boat is extracted
- The excess polyethylene is trimmed off, and the finishing process is carried out
For smaller boats, the procedure mentioned above would apply to their entire construction, while for larger boats, various parts are moulded separately and then assembled into a finished vessel. For larger boats, the construction process is similar to that of fibreglass boats, where multiple moulds are developed initially. Then with the help of resins and other composite materials, the fibreglass boats are put together.
What are the Benefits of Purchasing a Polyethylene Boat?
Polyethylene or plastic boats can be seen in almost every lake and on seasides across Australia. The rise in the popularity of plastic boats can be attributed to their relatively lower costs, longevity and low maintenance costs. Here are a few reasons why you should consider purchasing a polyethylene boat for your recreational adventures in Australia.
- Softer Rides:Plastic boats are able to absorb the impact of moving across the water in a similar manner to how shock absorbers in your car absorb the energy from road bumps, giving you a smoother, more comfortable ride.
- Unaided Floatation Ability:The plastic/polyethylene materials possess natural buoyancy properties that help them float when placed in water. Furthermore, dual wall construction traps air in the wall cavities, adding to the boat’s buoyancy.
- Strength:Polyethylene displays five times the impact resistance of fibreglass, making these boats some of the strongest boats in the world.
- Low Maintenance Costs:Plastic boats are easy to maintain, clean and repair. They are also less susceptible to marine growth than most other materials.
- Zero Rust, Corrosion, or Osmosis:As polyethylene is an inert material, it remains unaffected by electrolysis, which is common in aluminium boats, or by osmosis, which affects fibreglass boats.
- UV Stabilised:These boats are manufactured using UV-stabilised polyethylene that can survive even in the harshest conditions. Hence, the boats retain their original colour throughout their lifespan, eliminating the need for painting altogether.
Features of FSP’s Plastic Boats
Poly Water Craft
- UV Stabilised Materials
- Corrosion Resistant
- Removable Seat Storage Boxes
- Flat Floor With Drain Channels and Corner Drainages
- Anchor Storage With Drains
- Storage Box for Marine Battery
- Multiple Tie-off/Carry Handles
- Positive Placement
- High-Impact Construction With Outstanding Durability
- 4100mm (Length) X 1800mm (Beam) X 815mm (Height)
One-Person Tender Boat
- High Strength and Impact Resistance
- UV Stabilised
- Moulded Handles
- Positive Placement
- No Rust, No Corrosion, No Osmosis
- Low Maintenance
- Exceptional Durability and Longevity
- Availability in Various Colour Options
- 2500mm (Length) X 1400mm (Beam) X 380 mm (Height)
Contact FSP Oz Products: Reliable Heavy-duty Plastic Boats Supplier in Australia
Fishing is a hugely popular outdoor activity. Did you know that more than $10 billion is spent annually on fishing? As one of the leading manufacturers and suppliers of industrial-grade plastic products, FSP Oz Products hosts a wide range of plastic products, such as polyethylene boats, for all industries. In addition to manufacturing polyethylene boats, we also manufacture dry dock systems for small boats and jet skis, pontoons, pipe floats, and solar pool water heaters.
If you are looking for plastic boats on sale in Australia, get in touch with the experts at FSP Oz Products.
Contact FSP Oz Products for more details on all kinds of heavy-duty plastic products.
