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STRONGALL® Aluminum Yacht Construction

 

Strongall® Defined

"Strongall" is the patented aluminum boat building method developed by Meta of Tararre, France. Strongall is a self-supporting-hull building method based on thick plate scantlings with minimal framing, providing extremely robust and durable construction. Using developable shapes with thick plate virtually eliminates material stress from working while allowing for improved weld integrity. Strongall is ideally suited to both power and sail cruising designs, providing a hull strength greater than steel at a 30% to 40% weight savings.

History

Strongall® was patented in 1977 by Joseph Fricaud, owner of the Meta boat yard in Tarare, France. Meta is famous for building Bernard Moitessier’s steel "Joshua" in 1963. Moitessier became a French long-distance sailing legend, as did the Joshua, and a series of seventy similar hulls were built between 1963 to 1977. The yard also built scores of other steel yachts.

Meta’s steel hulls were known for their fair, beautifully crafted, compound round construction utilizing traditional transverse framing and longitudinal lap plate seams. Meta boats were also widely known for the exceptionally effective corrosion control coating system Fricaud developed. Meta's boats are typically found today with their original “Inversalu” zinc primer and anti-corrosion system in tact. The success of these coatings placed Meta among the world's leading authorities on metal boat corrosion control. 

Joseph Fricaud was constantly innovating, always seeking better ways to build metal cruising yachts. He started experimenting with aluminum in the mid 1970's. The traditional approach to aluminum boat building in those days yielded good lightweight racing boats, but the material seemed too light and restrictive to meet the robust requirements of ocean-going vessels, and there were problems with the welding, and with electrolysis. 

Meta shifts to Strongall Aluminum

Joseph Fricaud solved those problems and then some. In 1977, the Meta boat yard shifted entirely to aluminum construction based on Fricuad’s revolutionary, patented invention - the Strongall method for building aluminum hulls. Strongall took advantage of the low specific weight of aluminum to allow for thick plates. Thus, longevity and robustness were substantially increased and at the same time most of the framing was eliminated, a decided economic benefit. Furthermore, by applying Meta's unique corrosion control coating system, electrolytic corrosion was virtually eliminated. 

Today, Meta's Strongall aluminum construction method and their acclaimed corrosion protection system boast more than a quarter-century track record of proven success, with over 250 Strongall hulls built and sailing. 

The Strongall system features:

Thick hull plating

  • Stronger than steel construction
  • Approximately 30% lighter than steel
  • Allows higher intensity welding
  • High uniformity in metal fusion
  • Virtually eliminates distortion
  • Extremely fair hull lines

Developable hull shape

  • Plating forms within elastic limit of the metal
  • Virtually eliminates metal crystallization
  • No cold hammering or wheeling required
  • Significantly extends fatigue life cycle

Meta's Inversalu Anticorrosion Control System

  • 26 year history of proven electrolysis protection
  • Lowest maintenance
  • Self antifouling

5086 – H116 Aluminum

  • Highest corrosion-resistant aluminum alloy in the world
  • Painting of topsides is optional
  • Interior does not require paint
  • Will never rust

Click here for 10 sound reasons to own an aluminum boat