Any tool with a carbide cutter you would use on wood can be used on aluminum. This includes miter saws, circular saws, routers, table saws etc, etc. Many other tools that you wouldn't use a carbide blade for can be used for aluminum, with a minor blade swap, such as jig saws, recipro saws, etc. Really the only specialized tool is a rivet gun, and a good one can be gotten for less than 20 bucks, so I wouldn't call that a deal breaker.
When designed and used properly aluminum is lighter than wood, less prone to water damage (think rotting - no matter what sealer you use, if you keep the boat long enough, you will face rot issues) etc.
The only real advantage I can see with wood is it is somewhat cheaper, especially when using aluminum sheet and not plywood for the deck, like many do. Being that a boat is something you want, not need in life, I personally would think more folks would be willing to pay more to make it "better."