I found you need two things. A good
Electric Airhammer impact drill. The best
battery one I have ever come across is the DeWalt 24V unit. And the second is a good masonary bit. The big DeWalt uses an SDS captivating system for the bits. Although the DeWalt bits are good, I use another one called.......??? Dang, can't remember the name, but they come in a blue labeled plastic case.

Anyway, the bit ends will handle
steel rienforcing mesh. Not sure if the would handle pipe if your
boat used that in the frames.
I also use the smaller Diamond hole cutters for grinding out holes as well, If I needed a bigger skin fitting etc.