Pros and Cons on aluminum/fiberglass?

[NJfishinGuy]

ok im still working on selling my 2001 trans am $15k obo if your interested, and when i sell it im buying a truck and a used bass boat. i was planning on a bass tracker but i sure do love those fiberlgass boats and im really fond of the one for sale on here for like 5800 the 1992 stratos.

my uncle had a tracker and said aluminum all the way because its lighter takes less hp and you can beach it anwhere in an emergency even a rock pile and u wont kill your boat. what is it that makes so many of you buy the fiberglass boats over an aluminum? besides that they can handle more hp.. this will be my first bass boat i have a 12' john now so what do you guy recomend i definatly want stability for standing and being able to walk around on the boat if needed. probably 18ft is my cut off dont want bigger than that, also NO deep v boats i hate them(just a thing)

my gf hates unstable boats so i want somethin she will be comfortable on so she will actually go, i also will do a little tubeing off of it but thats not a concern cause i would do it on my john boat to hehe. i know how stable a bass tracker is my buddy has a pro team 175tx so if you want to compare another boat to that i can judge. just trying to figure out whats the best for me. big hp is not an issue most nj lakes are 10hp limit anyway, my buddys tracker has a 40hp and to me thats hauling *** after having a 35lb troller on my john boat for 4 years. i cant think of other points to make to help u guys with recomendations so if u need to know somehtin as away. im gonna probably spend somewhere between $2,000-$8,000, id like to spend less but ill take a small loan to get somethin nice if i have to.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Fiberglass boats handle wind MUCH better and are generally more stable.

[NJfishinGuy]

im guessing that means they dont get blown around as bad when trying to fish spots

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Exactly ..... they are a lot heavier.

I will be in your same shoes in a couple of years ..... I hope. It's at least two years away and I am already debating the Fiberglass vs. Aluminum and what would be best for me.

I generally fish small lakes here locally and an aluminum would probably suit me fine, but I would like to have a boat I could take on trips to some bigger lakes.

[Brian_Reeves]

I'm looking at the Xpress boats really hard.  They have an 18ft tournament edition boat with a 150hp on it for roughly 23,000 that's loaded with all the features you need and some you don't.  A few family members have models similar to that one and they like the way it performs, even in rougher water or windy conditions.  This is probably the boat I'm going to get unless I find something better.

What I'm looking for in a boat is a new engine, a safe and stable ride, fishability, and versatility.  If I can get away with getting an aluminum one, I will simply because they are tougher and can take more abuse.  As of right now, I'm getting an Xpress when I get back for more reasons than the price.  I like tournament fishing and intend on fishing a lot more tournaments after my tour in Iraq is done.  This might be a boat you would want to look into.

www.xpressboats.com

[NJfishinGuy]

what about the xpress do you preferover a bass tracker in an aluminum boat. they seem almost the same to me from the pictures just the xpress seems a little more exspensive. im definatly not lookin into spending 20+k not even 10+ thousand but if i see one used ill definatly check it out.

[Brian_Reeves]

There are other models of Xpress boats that are more affordable, to be sure.  I like the Xpress because it packs more punch for the dollar (horsepower wise) and is from an extremely well respected boat company.  Trackers are a good bottem line boat, but that's all it is.  For the same price, I don't get half the features with tracker and nearly twice the horsepower.  Trackers are good starter boats, but I wouldn't dare take their basic models on bigger lakes unless I really trusted the weatherman.  Personally, I'm looking for a tournament boat that doesn't damage the pocketbook like a 35,000 boat will.  The Xpress seems to be able to do that for me.  Big water abilities with small water durability.  That's what I'm looking for in a boat.

[Alpster]

One thing you have to figure on in NJ if you buy a high HP boat you have to travel to another state to use it. You mentioned the 10 HP limit, the vast majority of fresh water in NJ allows electric or paddles only. I'm in Howell (at the East end of I-195) and if you want to come by and check out my 16'  aluminum. It has a V hull with a wide flat bottom. I think you will be impressed. I have less than $3000 in it with three trolling motors (one is bow mount foot controled), aeriated live well, two pedestal seats and lots of below deck storage. Very stable and can float in less than a foot of water. Easy to trailer by yourself. Everyone who fishes with me raves about the boat. I stand up to fish most of the time.

Ronnie

[NJfishinGuy]

well thats kinda why i was lookin to the tracker with a 9.9 on it. i was gonna build a 14-16ft john into a custom home made bass boat but i kinda want the real thing with more stability and a steernig wheel for fun times. how do you find out what lakes are paddle only?

[Brian_Reeves]

The smaller trackers aren't that stable at all.  They are HARD to flip, but rock pretty bad pretty easily.  I didn't know there was a horsepower/engine limit on water in NJ.  If that's the case, you might be better off with a Semi-V hulled aluminum boat that favors a flatbottem, but gives you more stability with slightly rougher water and is easier to troll with.  Most bay boats have this type of hull and I love it.  If I could get away with it with my wife, I wouldn't buy a bass boat at all.  I'd go bayboat and bass fish out of it.  best of both worlds ;D  But she thinks they are ugly >

[Alpster]

how do you find out what lakes are paddle only?

Here's a link...  http://njbassanglers.com/places.php#monmouth

Just scroll down. Hope this helps.

You should check my boat out before you throw down a pile of $. It's a wide aluminum V with a stable fishing platform and it's rated for up to 40 HP if you want to fly. I don't have an outboard because of NJ's regs. see link above.

Cheers,

Ronnie

[NJfishinGuy]

ive been on that list of the nj lakes but i dont see where it say paddle only or boats allowed for that matter, some say electric and N for outboard but i go to a couple lakes that say N for outboard and people use trolling motors all the time so i dont see how that tells you. maybe you can explain to me

if bass trackers are unstable then i cant even imagine a bigg fiberglass boat, my 12ft is the most unstable thing in the world and the bass tracker seems like a yot to me lol. what aluminum besides the xpress are better than the trackers because it seems aluminum is the better wy to go for me

[Brian_Reeves]

Might wanna look into Alpster's rig.  Seems like he has the NJ setup.  But as far as new aluminum boats that are pretty top notch, you can't go wrong with Xpress, G3, or Triton.  Tracker is decent, but there are better options out there.  I think the best prices you'll find on a new rig is with Xpress or G3.  They have cut and dry boats for pretty cheap without any of the bass boat frills.  

[NJfishinGuy]

what makes these other aluminums more stable or better than a tracker out of curiosity, i see the tritons are pretty wide so that might explain them, the g3 looks like almost the same boat the tracker in comparable size actually has a slightly wider beam than the g3 but 2" smaler on the bottom width. the triton is bigger both ways. it seems along with the xpress slightly. other than a inch or so either way between models and companys they apear to have the same hull deisgn in shape is there somthing im not seeing?

alpster thanks for the invite to see your water machine i may come take a peak one of these days but im guessing your talkin about a deep v style lookin boat with decks. i know they are great but for some reason i have somethin deep down i hate about deep v lookin boats just somethin i grew to not like growin up no real reson just never did. i always wanted a bass style boat

[Alpster]

ive been on that list of the nj lakes but i dont see where it say paddle only or boats allowed for that matter, some say electric and N for outboard but i go to a couple lakes that say N for outboard and people use trolling motors all the time so i dont see how that tells you. maybe you can explain to me

I just assumed that those lakes listed as N meant no electric. I only fish the lakes I fish and electrics are allowed.

Ronnie

[cart7t]

If all you're going to be fishing is small waters with horsepower limits or no horsepower at all then a fiberglass rig would be a waste of time for you.  Glass boats are better in the wind, give a far superior ride to any tin boat regardless of hull design and fish more stable.  There's more storage (usually) and the resell value better.  I wouldn't own an aluminum if I was running reservoirs often.  Since you're not I'd stick with a 17 1/2 foot tracker aluminum.  

[Alpster]

alpster thanks for the invite to see your water machine i may come take a peak one of these days but im guessing your talkin about a deep v style lookin boat with decks. i know they are great but for some reason i have somethin deep down i hate about deep v lookin boats just somethin i grew to not like growin up no real reson just never did. i always wanted a bass style boat

I'm sorry! I guess I don't communicate very well. My boat is what's referred to as a semi-V or modified-V and has only one deck, bow to stern and gunnell to gunnell. I will post a picture tomorrow when it's light outside. A picture is worth a 1000 words.

Ronnie

[Brian_Reeves]

The only difference that I know right offhand is that each of the brands have slightly different hull designs.  The G3 is a brand that I have zero experience with first hand, but I've heard great things about them.  The Xpress and Tritons are wider boats, more comparable to actual bass boats.  Trackers, while good bottem end boats, aren't really made to compete with the fiberglass titans.  They have their own little purpose on the backwaters and rivers.  Xpress, Triton, and G3 are made to compete and do relatively well as far as quality and features are concerned.  IMO they are dern good looking boats.

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

I fish a 40,000 acre lake that gets pretty rough at times, out of a 17' Bass Tracker PT175 (Silver anniversary edition) with a 50 HP Mercury. I'no more afraid of tackling it than when in my previous 19' Ranger used on the Ar. River. I got a lot wetter in that Ranger, staying much drier in the Tracker. I fish out of big fiberglass boats here with friends and have been in situations where the owner asked me "Jim, can you think of anyone else to pray to, you know, just to be sure we've covered all the bases?" It can get scary in a 26' cruiser with twin 200 HP motors.

I do miss that boat, but my dreams of tournament life got crushed whgen I had to choose between that and a federal career. The high payment and gas bill didn't make sense from then on. You all know the nice things about a Ranger. So why stick with this boat? Well, I didn't need it. I would have had I been allowed to fish tournaments. No point in that since I could never accept a prize if winning one on any Corps lake.

I fish places no respectful angler would take a nice Ranger. I mean way back in wooded coves where a long, wide Ranger couldn't slip betweeen the stick-ups anyway. I get to bass not many folks get to because they are more concerned about scratches. I do find George Cochran back in there ahead of me sometimes. He's not worried about scratches.

I burn about 3 gallons of boat gas a trip and get plenty of boating with that, my main objective to fish, not see how many miles I can cover in record time. "That guy made it from Joplin to the dam that quick? I've gotta beat that." That sort of nonsense cost me too much even at $1.60 a gallon for gas. It isn't going down, ya'll know that? It's about the price of milk and you know they won't stand for that.

I have enough storage to keep enough baits and rods to supply any angler a couple of years. I just don't like keeping that stuff at home any more than necessary. I have $8,800 in the boat, motor, and trolling motor NEW, and got enough trade-in left to buy a new Lowarnce LMS 332C when it first came out. No more payments  ;D  That $400 a month was killing me. Considering what I have in it I can justify buying any toy I want. I run 2 332s and had the trolling motor shaft replaced with steel. I carry extra props for outboard and trolling motor, a tent, enough stuff to weather an unplanned night on an island, a 3 million candle spot, and enough tools to fix anything about that boat except motor.

It doesn't spin in the wind. Maybe because of all the stuff loading it down? Quite stable, and standing to fish is no problem. All boats rock in the wind, some slower than others. The one thing I don't like is certain types of waves hitting the hull with a popping noise I don't hear on glass boats. I have to turn the bow into the wind to stop that.

You will have to buy a pretty old model to stay on the budget you are looking at. Maybe a 1990 Tracker with a really small outboard. They hold their value and are possibly the most common boat anywhere. Big seller.

They make XPress boats right here in Hot Springs. I gave it a long look, took test drives, but just couldn't see the extra dollars. There wasn't much difference in the ride. I think maybe the Tracker cuts waves a little better.

Jim

[Replica.]

Lund and Princecraft are great aluminum boats, far superior to a Tracker IMO.

[Brian_Reeves]

For the specs I want (18ft min) the only option I really have with tracker is their is their Tournament V18 or the Avalanche 18.  The V18 would cost me around $25,000 for a rig with a 150 and the Avalanche would cost me 26,000 to get me into the speed ranges I want.  

The Xpress is faster, comes with a 4stroke Yamaha, and only costs 23,000.  Not to mention the hull of Xpress boats are far superior and they come with 2 depthfinders, a better layout, and a wider boat in general.  For what I'm looking for, the extra dollars are what Tracker would have to justify, not Xpress.

[RobDar]

Xpress vs Tracker...

Xpress has a double layer hull with more dead rise and a wider beam than tracker.

They are a much tougher built boat and closest to a fiber you can find in a aluminum...at least that is my opinion.

My major issue with Tracker...the Better Business Buruea website. There is page after page of complaints against Tracker. Now keep in mind there is likely 10 Trackers sold for every boat sold by other manufactuers so they will naturally have more complaints because they have more boats out there to be complained against...it is when you look into the complaints and see the majority of them are warranty complaints and there are enough with "unsatisfactory conclusions" to worry me. I think some of this is that every Tom Dick and Harry who wants to run a marina sells Tracker boats...and there are some real winners out there running marina's...but if you trust your local marina ( I do not)....

In the same genre boat as Tracker there are better choices...Lowe Stinger( more stingers in the hull than Tracker)...Polar Kraft Bass America ( more deadrise and additional hull stringers)...G3 Eagle Series ( more compact design and upgraded aluminum skin on the hull)

The Triton Magnum, the Xpress, Crestliner, PrinceCraft, Fisher ( also built by Tracker)...are all on the upper scale and not really the same genre boat as Trackers.

I agree with your uncle that the aluminums are lighter and you can achieve better performance with less horse power, but this is less and less true with the capable aluminum boats like Xpress and G3...the Xpress weighs in at just 200-400 lbs lighter than similar sized fibers in the same price range...I disagree with the beaching on sand and rocks though. Most aluminums are painted these days....and beaching the boats voids alot of manufactuers weld and rivet warranties.

Fibers are generally considered to be more stable. I have a tendency to agree with that for people who fish lakes like Lake Michigan, Lake Erie and other big lakes. If you do not fish "big water" lakes, I am not sure there is much advantage to a fiber ( other than they seem to hold their resale value better)

You will typically get a better ride out of a fiber because they can do more with the hull shaping in fiber than they can with aluminum.

The problem with fibers is of course increased weight and obviously expense...you can find fibers for the same money and upper scale aluminums ( Cheap Nirto cost about the same as a Xpress as an example)...but you can easily run into the $50,000 range with a fiber as well...

I personally think in you price range you can get more boat for you buck in an aluminum...but there are better choices than the Tracker in the 15-20 thousand price range. Better layout, larger gas tanks, more storage, yadda yadda yadda

[ThomasL]

I believe aluminum is cheaper in price than fiberglass,you can use less hp

to move it compared to fiberglass,weight is lighter,aluminum might oxidize

a little unless painted,gel coat on fiberglass will fade and chalk over time

because of ultraviolet rays.The main thing is how much you'd like to

spend and how often you will use it.No sense in buying a 30k rig to sit

in a garage or driveway 75% of the year,waste of money to me...

The xpress,triton and war eagle are the top three in aluminum,and in

price also.The thing with war eagle they will build it basically like you want

with a larger front deck,low deck,flat bottom or v hull,etc,these boats

are better known in the duck hunting community.7 CAMO COLORS! 8-)

[NJfishinGuy]

ok i see your points and i see that other companys seem a little better built. i will not be on BIG WATER i think NJ's biggest lake is around 4k acres. with that in mind larger gas capacity is not a big issue. as far as warrenty i dought a boat i buy will even have a warrenty because im not lookin for a new boat. when i say beaching a boat i mean in an emergency, i wont have to say "if i beach i will crack and really f'up my boat" if i have aluminum. well i guess aluminum is the way to go for me. im guessing ill probably wind up with a tracker due to there being alot of them forsale and there cheaper price but i will definatly keep and eye open for the other brand, i did like the xpress and tritons a good bit but i have never seen any near me for sale.

i will probably be fishing almost every weekend from spring to fall and a coupe times during the week when i can, so it wont be sitting to often

[Guest ouachitabassangler]

Considering your price range and small sized fisheries, and assuming you mostly fish alone, a glass boat doesn't make sense for you. At that price range you would be looking at 25 year old boats if the outboard is in good condition, but facing some serious hull deterioration problems. A thick hulled wide aluminum jon boat with good storage and a built-in livewell would be very stable. A filled livewell adds a lot of stability in shallow rise aluminum boats.

You might find an old Tracker bassboat from 1980-90 with a shot motor for $2,000 including trailer. Remove the motor and put a trolling motor on, maybe a gas powered 1.5 hp troller. You'll need something there to stabilize forward travel and hold the boat from spinning in wind. I'd stick to all electric, a tiller mounted higher power rear motor, and a foot controlled lower power bow motor.

More realistically, your best course might be to buy a heavy duty wide jonboat and customize it. I ran across a good deal this summer, a 1976 20' Monark jonboat in very good condition with 25 hp elect start Johnson, heavy thick hulled (0.100) and roomy, with a Motor Guide bow trolling motor, for $1,200 cash, in a yard sale, the deceased fisherman a long time Lake Ouachita fixture. The fellow launced alone till age 82 long after all his old buddies died off. That boat would be perfect for you up there on small lakes. Those are well made boats. I wish I'd bought that boat.

Jim