Fiberglass Vs Aluminum Boat

[mcgreggor57]

Can't add to the discussion Todd, but if you're ever looking for a co-angler I just live up the Snyder from you.  LOL

[Todd2]

Can't add to the discussion Todd, but if you're ever looking for a co-angler I just live up the Snyder from you. LOL

I don't tournament fish but if you fun fish we can get hit it sometime...

[Matthew2000]

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.

If it has the sentimental value then don't let go of it. Memories are worth much more than a new boat, if the boat makes you have happy memories about you're father, I would hold on to it forever.

[Todd2]

If it has the sentimental value then don't let go of it. Memories are worth much more than a new boat, if the boat makes you have happy memories about you're father, I would hold on to it forever.

I hear ya buddy...it's tough. But I'll always have those memories.

Back to topic, wide range of opinions. Ill probably keep an open mind and grab a good deal. The only way I'll make this "jump" is to sell mine first. Then I'll go crazy without something.

[J Francho]

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

Do you need a hug?

[Matthew2000]

Do you need a hug?

I need a bass cat. But I would be honored to have the chance to hug you.

[gardnerjigman]

I need a bass cat. But I would be honored to have the chance to hug you.

Get a room

[Todd2]

I sold the fish n ski, looked at a lot of boats. If I were purchasing a new aluminum, the answer would've been Ranger. Not much more expensive than Lowe or Bass Tracker but honestly a better boat after talking with the Cabelas guy for about 45 mins. As it turned out, I found a used Tracker 175 and picked it up last night. So hopefully I'll get my gear all set and get out in the next day or two. My Fish n Ski was 16.5, so technically only a foot longer but I have way more room.

[GetJigginWithIt]

Ahh I was thinking like the trackers.

How much does one of those X21s cost ?

And what is wrong with a tracker?

[thomas15]

^{A tin boat is far superior to no boat.}

 

^{Or a leaking glasser.}

[mcgreggor57]

I sold the fish n ski, looked at a lot of boats. If I were purchasing a new aluminum, the answer would've been Ranger. Not much more expensive than Lowe or Bass Tracker but honestly a better boat after talking with the Cabelas guy for about 45 mins. As it turned out, I found a used Tracker 175 and picked it up last night. So hopefully I'll get my gear all set and get out in the next day or two. My Fish n Ski was 16.5, so technically only a foot longer but I have way more room.

Congrats!  Pics when you get them.

[Todd2]

Congrats!  Pics when you get them.

Thanks, nothing too fancy. Just a 2003 Tracker, but it's "new" to me, lol. Here's a pic of the inside.

[jamey1e]

Thanks, nothing too fancy. Just a 2003 Tracker, but it's "new" to me, lol. Here's a pic of the inside.

Congrats on the boat. 

[viking4]

I have a RT 178 and live in PA and here is my opinion. I can do anything on my boat that all the Bigger Fiberglass boats can with one exception, SPEED, it tops out around 40 miles per hour. On the contrary the Fiberglass guys Cannot do what I do in this boat for fear of damaging their hulls. I can fish HEAVY cover, I can Beach if I need to and I can also retrieve my $5 spinnerbait when I wrap it around a tree near the bank. The storage is dry and the layout is equal to or better than some fiberglass models of similar size. The Beam allows for a very stable platform to fish from, very comparable to Fiberglass stability when fishing. To sum this up I can fish everywhere I want to with this thing of which you cannot on a fiberglass hull.

The two Big negatives of aluminum are as follows for me

 

Speed: I can get anywhere I need to get to in a reasonable amount of time, there are no HUGE lakes in our area that the speed would make that much of a difference

Big Water: I would not take this thing on BIG WATER, however the only BIG WATER in PA is Lake Erie which is not something I would choose to fish in any Bass Boat when the conditions get bad

[BrianinMD]

Tin boats of today are WAY WAY different than tin boats of 10 years ago. Cannot compare the two.

[Mjmj]

3 hours ago, viking4 said:

I have a RT 178 and live in PA

Where at in Pa. 

[gim]

13 hours ago, viking4 said:

it tops out around 40 miles per hour

Hey viking what kind of outboard/prop setup are you running on that thing?  I can only get about 35 out of mine on a merc 75 four stroke.

[viking4]

I live in SW PA, most lakes in my area are smaller aside from a few exceptions, speed is not that important for me as I do not make a living bass fishing. The boat will run 40 mph with just me in it and an empty livewell, I have a 75 merc on the back with a 3 blade black max aluminum prop.