Is there any "best" material for pontoon construction?

I am new to boating and am considering buying a pontoon boat. I live in Florida and some of the people I know are trying to discourage me saying they know of "several" pontoon boats have just "fallen" apart due to corrosion of the aluminum and where it is attached to other metals.

Is there any truth to this and are there preventative measures one can take to avoid this? ThanksIs there any "best" material for pontoon construction?
If you are suggesting that the kind of boats you are interested in are typically of composite and dissimilar metal construction, then there will indeed be truth in this.



Mixing metals is a sensitive area in boatbuilding and there are a few golden rules. Principally, that dissimilar metals need to be as close as possible in the galvanic series and that fixings should be bolder - more noble - than fittings. (For example, stainless steel bolts to fasten galvanized deck fittings, etc.)



But if the construction itself is of metal it is best to keep to the same type for the whole vessel.



In other words, if the hull is aluminium, then so should the decks and superstructure be, also.



It is because dissimilar metals in a saline environment set up a galvanic 'cell': an electrical current flows between the more noble (cathode) and the base, or active (anode) of the metals present - which will fizz! It is called 'galvanic action' or galvanic corrosion.



The magnificent 'J' class yacht 'Defender', designed by the great Nat Herreshoff and winner of the America's Cup in 1895 had a huge bulb of lead for the keel, a hull of tobin bronze and an aluminium deck!



Having successfully won the cup, Defender actually self-destructed, corroding away in the next couple of years because of intense galvanic action.



-|--)Is there any "best" material for pontoon construction?
Wow! many thanks for your choice. It is great when askers choose the answer. And it's rewarding to know it's of any help. Don't forget to use the 'answers' own search engine before asking questions, many Qs have been asked already.

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Is there any "best" material for pontoon construction?
By the way, many people (and sites) refer to galvanic corrosion incorrectly, as 'electrolysis'. Electrolysis is a much more aggressive form of electrical corrosion and is caused by active current leakage to the vessel (say, from a dockside) or within the vessel herself: poor electrical installation.

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Most are constructed of aluminum. And yes aluminum does corode as does steel. You are pretty much limited by what is on the market and how much time you wish to invest in upkeep or your investment - your boat. If they just fell apart I'd say it was a use and don't care method of upkeep by those owners.



Take care of your boat that is preventative - rise it off when remove from the water and inspect the structure.