Fiberglass vs. Aluminum hull pros/cons

[Brett's_daddy]

I have been looking almost exclusively at aluminum hulls but have recently stumbled across a nice looking deal on a small fiberglass boat and am not sure of the advantages or disadvantages of fiberglass vs. aluminum.

[Tracker22]

Because fiberglass boats generally sit lower on the water the wind doesn't push them as much as aluminium. And they are heavier than aluminium.

[Brett's_daddy]

so is that a good or bad thing?

[Tracker22]

Well....good for fishing. 

Heavier boat means bigger motor, means more gas. Bad.

Fiberglass doesn't do well against rocks. Bad.

Im sure some of the  pros here can give you more pros and cons.

[webertime]

If you fish big water (Champlain) or windy areas (most everywhere in VT), you'll appreciate glass because you won't be blown around as much.  

That being said... a ratted out glass boat won't be worth a nicer tin one.

 

What are you looking at? 

[Brett's_daddy]

I was looking at 16ft. Ebbtide Dyna Trak but it sold :(. What I'm looking for is a small 14 - 17ft. boat with front and rear decks and side console. It doesn't need to be too fancy but a trolling motor and fish finder would be nice...it really just needs to be a solid and dependable boat that I can have fun on with my son and wife. I do have a very tight budget of about $2500 - $3000 dollars. I know that limits me but it is what it is.

[slonezp]

My .02, with your budget, stick with tin. It's going to be difficult finding a solid glass boat in your price range

[Catt]

52 minutes ago, slonezp said:

My .02, with your budget, stick with tin. It's going to be difficult finding a solid glass boat in your price range

Exactly! 

Be glad the Ebbtide sold, that boat's old!

[RyneB]

From my experience, buy what best fits the bodies of water you fish. If it's smaller lakes an rivers where distance traveled isn't am issue, go tin. If you fish big water that can get dangerous in a hurry, go glass. I live in Illinois where a lot of our lakes are horsepower limited, so my 19ft skeeter with with a 175 is overkill and keeps me off a lot of water. But, I can take my glass on the Mississippi River and Grand Traverse Bay and feel safe.

[Brett's_daddy]

Yeah, where I live in Vermont the biggest body of water is Lake Champlain and I don't plan on going out there any time soon. I'll mostly stick to small lakes/ponds where shore is always within site .

[webertime]

Keep an eye on the local craigslist (NH, VT, Western Mass, Plattsburgh) for 17' Trackers, they pop up all the time for $1000-$4000.  That boat will handle Hosmer, Curtis, Peacham, Waterbury, Iroquois, Hortonia, St Catherine and the likes with little problem.

[Brett's_daddy]

12 hours ago, Catt said:

Exactly! 

Be glad the Ebbtide sold, that boat's old!

I'm glad it sold too. It seemed like a great boat but the seller was an ass. I had a bunch of questions for him regarding the boat...I'm a boat beginner so naturally I have a lot of questions and with my budget being what it is I can't afford to make a mistake...this guy after he told me the boat was sold said I should stop asking questions and instead go look at a boat. Do you believe that! I replied back and said I have this thing called a job...I can't just drop everything to go look at a boat and I said are you seriously telling a boat beginner to stop asking questions? He never replied back but I am so glad I didn't buy his boat...lol.

[Munkin]

I agree with all the points here and besides BassTracker look into Xpress.

 

Allen

[Brett's_daddy]

How about Lund and Lowe...are they good too?

[Catt]

With old fiberglass boat ya gotta be careful, Ebbtide was not a top of the line,

Lund & Lowe are great boats

[Brett's_daddy]

How about Glasstreams...are they any good?

[Josh_Bovaird]

I love my aluminum 2004 Trition 176 Magnum, id put it up against any other 17ft aluminum bout out there.  Rated for 125hp and the storage is unreal, they are hard to find but worth the time and travel.   I looked at fiberglass but I'm rough on stuff and like others have said its easier to find a tin boat in good shape vs a fiberglass in the same price range.

[tiredbobmarley]

I'd stick with aluminum if you are hauling with that CRV. 

[Brett's_daddy]

1 minute ago, tiredbobmarley said:

I'd stick with aluminum if you are hauling with that CRV. 

Nice to know, thanks!!!

[Brett's_daddy]

How about this boat...

http://newlondon.craigslist.org/boa/5493051930.html

The guy who owns it says the whole thing, boat, trailer and motor only weight about 800lbs. or so...says he can easily move it around his yard by hand if he has to. I know it's fiberglass and while I'm not really looking for that it does look like a nice boat. Here's what he said in an email to me:

Hello,

The boat is in great condition. All the decking is fiberglass with no soft spots throughout the boat. The seats are all in good condition with no noticeable cuts, rips, or tears. The boat does have a live well with an aerator that is hooked up to the driving seat controls. The boat is set up for bass fishing and has two pedestal seats as well as an interchangeble leaning post for the bow of the boat. There are also pole holders mounted throughout the boat. There is no trolling motor included however there is a spot in the bow to install one with full electricity wires through the boat. The motor is the real seller in this deal. The boat motor and trailer were a package deal all made and installed in 1988. The motor is projected to have less then 100 hours on it and has never seen salt water. Engine also has stabilizers over the prop to help the boat plane off. Also waterpump was just replaced this previous season and runs very strong. The outboard alone was recently valued at over 4K. The package also includes two gas tanks as well. The trailer is in pristine condition, with new tires all around and working lights. There is also a custom cover for the boat as well. The reason I am selling is that I bought the boat for my business and I now need a bigger vessel, which is also why I am pricing the boat at less than it is worth to ensure a speedy sale, however I am very firm at the 3k price. If you are interested more I can send you more pics as well as a video of the motor running.

Thanks

-Bob 

[Josh_Bovaird]

With the price of repairs and that being an older fiberglass I wouldn't mess around with it.  Aluminum doesn't go bad fiberglass does

[Brett's_daddy]

Dully noted! Thanks for the input. I really do appreciate all of you lending me a hand in the decision making process!!! 

[Gotfishyfingers?]

I normally don't recommend aluminum (even though I own one) but in your situation, I would recommend it.  I think with the small water your going to fish and pulling it with a CRV and being your first boat for you and the family, aluminum would be the way to go. Check E-bay for boats (that you can visually inspect in person) in your surrounding area. Take your time and don't settle and you should find one just right..

[Tygaiser7]

I bought my 1996 aluminum Starcraft starcaster 1600 this winter in your price range. The boat is in darn near perfect condition everything works well and it has a 40 horse merc that runs great pushes the boat at 32 mph (Gps) fully loaded with 2 people not the smoothest ride in the world but not horrible. And it's perfect for the lakes in my area! Keep looking and you can find some really good deals! 

[Brett's_daddy]

42 minutes ago, Tygaiser7 said:

I bought my 1996 aluminum Starcraft starcaster 1600 this winter in your price range. The boat is in darn near perfect condition everything works well and it has a 40 horse merc that runs great pushes the boat at 32 mph (Gps) fully loaded with 2 people not the smoothest ride in the world but not horrible. And it's perfect for the lakes in my area! Keep looking and you can find some really good deals! 

I found a 1989 Lowe 16ft. Model 161 at one my local boat dealers. It's aluminum with a modified welded v-hull, 1989 2-stroke Yamaha 50hp outboard, 1989 Johnson trolling motor, Eagle fish finder, 3 pedestal seats,  live well and 1989 trailer (with all new wheels and winch). The decks are in great shape. My boat dealer is asking $2800 for it but I'm pretty sure I can get him down to $2400 - $2500. I know weight is a concern for me as I would be towing it with a small 4 cyclinder SUV with a 1500lbs. max towing capacity. People have said I should stay under 10% of my maximum towing capacity which would be 1350lbs., this boat according to NADA weighs 435lbs., the motor weighs 164lbs., trailer weighs about 300lbs., the miscellaneous other stuff (gas, trolling motor, batteries, gear etc.) comes to about 1150lbs. which should be an okay towing weight for me. Do you think this boat would be worth it?