14 · Buying
Welded vs riveted aluminum boats
Two ways to join an aluminum hull. How they differ in leaks, stiffness, repair and price.
2026-10-27 · By Hugo Ramírez
Short answer. Welded hulls are joined into one continuous piece of metal. Riveted hulls are panels held together with rivets and sealant. Welded hulls are stiffer and do not develop loose rivets. Riveted hulls are cheaper to build and easy to patch in the field.
Leaks
Every rivet is a small joint. Over years of pounding and flexing, some rivets loosen and weep. A good weld has no joint to loosen, which is why most aluminum boats meant for rough water or salt are welded.
Stiffness and ride
A welded hull behaves like one structure. That lets the designer shape a sharper V and stronger stringers, which matters in chop. Riveted hulls are usually flatter and lighter, which suits calm rivers and lakes.
Repair
A riveted boat can be fixed with a rivet gun. A welded boat needs a welder who knows marine aluminum. Both are repairable, and both outlast a cracked fiberglass hull after a hard hit.
What we chose
The ADB 420 uses a welded aluminum hull because a RIB lives in chop, wakes and salt water. If you are still deciding on the format, read what an aluminum RIB is.
Related reading
Built one at a time.
The ADB 420 is welded aluminum, numbered, and designed by the person who answers the phone.
See the 420
