There is no way Id want to weld up a 5ish metre tin can with a hand feed tig.
Solid MIG unit with 100% duty cycle external wire feeder and short whip or if youve the coin a push/pull gun.
Maybe GTAW for the finishing touches but welding long seams youd be crazy NOT to use wire feed.
I tinker a bit migging Al with a simple 200A machine, short whip and teflon liner. No real problems. But when boat building youll be "up and in over and under" and need to NOT be limited to 2m from the box.
But getting back on topic
my general rule of boats
# Up to 4.5m in length - this is the realm of tin cans with generally double the manufacturers hp rating to perform adequately 
# 5m to 8m - absolutely HAS to be glass - no ifs no buts!
# Greater than 8m - preferable somebody elses boat!
Steve
'95 130 dual cab fender (gone to a better universe)
'10 130 dual cab fender (getting to know it's neurons)
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