Fiberglass Vs Aluminum Boat

[Todd2]

I've fished out of a 17 foot fiberglass Fish and Ski for about 12 years. It's the only boat I've owned and has served me well..but I've got this new boat itch that won't go away so I'm looking to move up to a 18-19 Bass Boat. Enough chatter...what's the pros and cons?

[Matthew2000]

Aluminum

- Slower

- Cannot handle big water as well

- Less Money

- Most have a odd layout

- sip gas compared to some fiberglass.

Glass

- Faster

- Handle big water well

- More Options

- More Money

- larger outboards

[Matthew2000]

Are you looking new or used ? And what years ?

[Catt]

Aluminum

- Slower

- Cannot handle big water as well

- Less Money

- Most have a odd layout

- sip gas compared to some fiberglass.

Glass

- Faster

- Handle big water well

- More Options

- More Money

- larger outboards

Completely false!

[Matthew2000]

Completely false!

Enlighten me!

[Catt]

Ya ever run a 2015 Xpress X21 with a Yamaha 250 SHO in Xclusive Team Package?

Or a 2014 Xpress X19 with a Yamaha 200 SHO in Xclusive Package?

Or a 2012 H18 Hyperlift Series with a Yamaha 150 V-Max?

I can go on if ya want

[Long Mike]

Aluminum, when compared to a glass boat and engine of the same size:

Generally, less expensive to buy.

Generally, less expensive to operate and tow because they are lighter.

Generally, hull repairs are less expensive.

With the proper choice of hull, will be just as fast, or faster, than a glass boat.

 

Glass, when compared to an aluminum boat and engine of the same size:

Much more eye candy. i.e. variety of colors and glitter.

 

A properly chosen hull will allow any boat, regardless of type of construction, to handle big water, and be very stable to fish from.  A properly chosen interior layout, regardless of type of construction, will allow ample storage of rods and other gear.  This is speculation on my part, but I would surmise that glass boats can be faster because they can handle larger engines.  There may be aluminum hulls out there that will handle a 250 hp, but I don't know of any of the bass boat variety.

 

Edit: I was typing this before I saw Catt's post.  What he said.

[slonezp]

Enlighten me!

Be enlightened

https://youtu.be/8Z0CodkhhZM

[slonezp]

Are you looking new or used? Size of water you fish? Budget? Reputable dealerships nearby?

[Glenn]

Buy an AlumaFiber boat. 

 

I think the answers you're going to get are going to depend on personal experience and budget. Aluminum boats cost lest than fiberglass, so that's a major consideration

 

I've owned both, and won't get another aluminum boat.  Why?  It leaked like a sieve.  It was a Smokercraft 17' aluminum and leaked really bad.  I finally replaced all the rivets with expensive aircraft grade rivets and FAA approved sealant, along with some expensive aluminum welding (read that "specialty welding"), which finally fixed it.  But it never compared to the storage capabilities (no dry storage), nor speed (45mph tops) of fiberglass boats.  Plus it wasn't as stable as fiberglass boats (rocked back and forth easily).  Also, it didn't handle waves very well....ok, not at all.  Anything more than small whitecaps were out of the question.  It was like riding a battering ram.....and you were going to get wet no matter what.  Rough water handling was horrible.  It didn't have a V-hull, that's why. Never get a Smokercraft.....ever.

 

I now have a Ranger 520 Comanche and couldn't be more happy.  Check out all the storage I have:  http://www.bassresource.com/bass-fishing-videos/boat-organization.html

 

I'm certain there are better aluminum boats our there that are fantastic options.  I'm just saying my personal experience would advise you to go with fiberglass. I'm sure others with great experiences with aluminum boats would say otherwise.

[Lund Explorer]

Enlighten me!

 

Just for giggles, enlighten us!

[Todd2]

I'll be buying used. I mostly fish about 2 or 3 reservoirs that are about 4000 to 6000 acres. I do fish KY lake a few times a year at most and even now in my 17 footer I stay off the main lake if there is a strong South wind. My main lake is about 25 min from my house so fuel efficiency isn't a huge deal as a pro for aluminum. But I would like to fish up in the rivers a little more so I'd like to find a good welded aluminum boat. I'm just concerned about how they ride in big waves and just the stability of normal fishing. Also, it appears I can get a much nicer/newer boat if I go Aluminum. Decisions decisions.

[Matthew2000]

Ya ever run a 2015 Xpress X21 with a Yamaha 250 SHO in Xclusive Team Package?

Or a 2014 Xpress X19 with a Yamaha 200 SHO in Xclusive Package?

Or a 2012 H18 Hyperlift Series with a Yamaha 150 V-Max?

I can go on if ya want

Ahh I was thinking like the trackers.

How much does one of those X21s cost ?

[S Hovanec]

And a 621 Ranger and a Lund 2075 Pro-V both weigh the same and are both north of $60k.

My 17' Lund handles heavy water just as good as any comparable glass boat in its class.

[slonezp]

There's a good number of tin bass boats with a 18 foot platform. Once you up it to 19 foot the choices slim down. Xpress and sea ark will be the 2 brands with higher HP ratings. Then crestliner and the new 19ft tracker are rated up to 150. Lowe has one of the wider platforms on their modified v.

[slonezp]

Ahh I was thinking like the trackers.

How much does one of those X21s cost ?

A tournament loaded x21 is close to 50 grand with all the bells and whistles.

I'd put my Lund up against any of the glass brands. It may not be as fast since it tops out at 60 mph but it will exceed most if not all in fish ability and versatility.

[Catt]

The Xpress Xclusive Team Package is a Team Fishing Package with Yamaha, Minn Kota, Hummingbird, Gamma Fishing Line, Dobyns Rods, Lews Reels, ARE truck covers, Onyx, & K2 Coolers. It comes in 19' with a 200 or 21' with a 250, don't know what the total package cost!

[J Francho]

I have an Xpress and a Bullet. I also have fishing kayaks and a rowboat. There things I can do with each, and places I can go in each that I can't with the other.

Where you fish and how you fish determines what is best for you.

[J Francho]

Slonezp, I bet your Lund can go 50 when I'm stuck pointing the bow of my Bullet to heaven.

[Matthew2000]

Slonezp, I bet your Lund can go 50 when I'm stuck pointing the bow of my Bullet to heaven.

I hate the layouts of bullets. Going fast is awesome and all but I just hate their layouts.

[Rented Mule]

there are exceptions to every situation, but I've always looked at it like this.

 

A guy buys a tin boat and gets passed on the highway by a glass boat, he'll most likely be second guessing his self about not opting for a glass rig.

 

A guy buys a glass boat and gets passed on the highway by someone towing a tin boat. Do you ever think he says to his self  " sure wish I had bought a tin rig  " ?

[Tim Kelly]

there are exceptions to every situation, but I've always looked at it like this.

 

A guy buys a tin boat and gets passed on the highway by a glass boat, he'll most likely be second guessing his self about not opting for a glass rig.

 

A guy buys a glass boat and gets passed on the highway by someone towing a tin boat. Do you ever think he says to his self  " sure wish I had bought a tin rig  " ?

 

In PA I bet that happens a lot. The tin boat guys are killing the big smallies on the Susquehanna and the glass guys don't dare put their boats in the river so are stuck on some of the less than stellar ponds. 

[Rented Mule]

Yes, the Susky is one of those exceptions. I've had my glass boat in there several times, but ultra careful about where I went, and could never attempt to get on plane. It was one place where I wish I did have a second boat that was made of metal.

 

But, PA is a big state, and just because you can't fish the Susky, doesn't mean you're stuck fishing sub prime waters. And if you prefer LM's over smallies, the Susky is hardly the place to fish anyway. But regardless, it's a first class destination.  

[slonezp]

Slonezp, I bet your Lund can go 50 when I'm stuck pointing the bow of my Bullet to heaven.

Put the Bullet back on the trailer and get yourself one of these  https://www.facebook.com/jake.parkinson.984/videos/364189383733843/

[Todd2]

Well..I took pics to sell my current boat and I started thinking about all of my memories the last 12 years. Memories of fishing with my dad before we lost him 3 years ago, of him rebuilding the motor...wow, not sure if I can let it go. He had rebuilt auto and tractor engines but never an outboard. He told me mine was the first and the last and it was. It's been running great for about 8 years since. It's going to be hard to let go but I don't have room for two.