Boat hunting

[marlboroman]

I have been looking for another boat to buy. I found what I thought was a good deal till, the seller wanted to make up fake trailer titles and crap.

This boat was a 05 Lowe 170w with a 90 HP merc. for 11,000 ...

I have 2 problems, I really need help with.

I am not sure if I want fiberglass or All Weld.

I have 11,000 saved up and I would like a new boat, but will settle for a slick used boat. I fish small to medium size lakes with lots of stumps and cypress trees. I just started doing some club turny's, and my little jon boat just won't cut it.

I check boat trader often, boats are just hard to find. I am looking for something over 17' in length

[bassboy1]

You want aluminum.  Doesn't have to be welded.  My 33 year old riveted lund doesn't leak.  Fiberglass is heavy, and needs a lot of care.  Dirt and sun will wear it out.  The wood inside the glass will rot if prolonged exposure to water.  

Lastly, don't try new.  Boats lose so much value just by being taken out of the dealers parking lot.  You can find some lightly used ones for half of the MSRP.  Unless you have no other use for your money, you shouldn't buy new.  

[tritonman]

Another thing to consider is your vehicle. Is it able to pull a glass boat.

For me, I am partial to aluminum boats, I have a triton aluminum boat, and I can go much shallower than a glass boat. Also not as worried about rocks and stumps as I would be in a glass boat

[SteveFinMD]

What bassboy 1 said.  My riveted 1989 Bass Tracker only takes on half and inch of water in six hours on the lake.  I would not buy new...let someone else take the depreciation.

[Way2slow]

Glass or Aluminum????? Depends on what you want from the boat. Yes, aluminum are lighter, easier to tow, and generally cost less to operate (unless you get one of the new form pressed aluminums) but personnally I've never seen an aluminum I would want to fish from all day on big lake.

Most glass boats even as small as 18 feet will ride great, even on some pretty rough water, are very stable to move around in and when big wakes from other boats hitting it.

I have a 16' Fisher aluminum and I would not even consider taking it to Clarks Hill, the lake I mostly fish. To me an aluminum is strickly a skinny water boat used when going in the rivers for bream and catfish.

When I'm going to a big lake, I wouldn't take anything for that 20' lead sled I'm dragging behind me, even though I'm having to use a full size pickup with a big V-8 burning bunches of gas to get it there, and bunches more in the boat after I get it there. The comfort level and room while on the water is just sooooo much greater.

[Jig Man]

The Lowe 170 is real short on room in the front deck.  If you can, have a look at the Xpress.  Those boats ride like glass but fish like alum.

[coacht]

check out my post on my stratos 176XT it out preforms, more room, shallow running. than any alum boat and is much cheaper.  

[nra4life]

check out my post on my stratos 176XT it out preforms, more room, shallow running. than any alum boat and is much cheaper.

 

Any aluminum boat? I doubt that, it won't go shallower, it won't outrun it if the alum. boat is the same size and has  the same or more hp, it also isnt any cheaper, i will give it to you that your stratos probably has more room.  

[fishn bear]

For the tip of lakes you fish with lots of stumps and logs I would say aluminum.   Aluminum will stand up better in those tips of conditions and will not show ware and tare nearly as much as a glass boat will.  Performance wise there are some aluminums out there that will run with any glass boat of equal size and power.  I have herd nothing but great things about xpress boats althouht I have never fished out of one.  I would say look for a used xpress although at least in my area they are hard to find.  Triton also makes a good aluminum and has the same hull design as an xpress and might be easier to find used.  Good luck with the hunt and let us know what you go with.  

[Diablos]

Try asking your local dealers if they have 2005 or 2006 new leftovers. In some cases you'll save thousands and still get the full warranty.

Example of a good deal for a 16ft   http://www.tritonboats.com/frames2.asp?cat=3&bid=256

I think new this boat is going for $11,995 with a current $1000 rebate bringing it to $10,995

[coacht]

Listen nra4life,

I don't know about your boat, but I fish mine in 2 and 3 ft of water all the time. I also have a couple of friends who have 2 different alum boats. one is a bass tracker 175 tournement. The other is a Fisher 18 ft. I out perform both those boats. MORE stable. I can literally walk on the edge of the boat and it will barely even move. If i did that on there boat it will nearly take on water and dip down. Plus both of them paid more for there boat than I did mine. And one of them has a 50 on his. I got a 70 yamaha, stainlees prop, trailerable boat cover, transem saver, extra fish finder, anchor, anchor rope, ski rope, boat paddle, and 3 life jackets. and everything tax taters and all out the door for 15,000 even. I could not find a better deal nor a better boat and I shoped around for 2 years. I checked out Xpress, G3, bass Tracker, Triton, Skeeter. You name I tested or researched it. And the Stratos 176XT is the best boat for the money. Bottom Line!! Now I admit I think it should be rated for a 90, but I cruise at 40mph with the 70.  My boat is even lighter than some of the alum out there.  It is all composite.  That is the reason Stratos built this boat.  To put the alum out of business!!!! They buit it to compete with them.  

[RoLo]

A couple things here.

On balance, I have a soft spot for "aluminum" hulls, but space is too limited to expound on the reasons for both.

On the other hand, for boats over 15-feet long, I generally prefer a "fiberglass" hull (aluminum for any boat less than 15-ft).

What's most important is what you want that boat to do, because glass and aluminum both have their benefits and glitches.

If you decide on aluminum, I would certainly avoid a riveted hull, and opt instead for a full-welded hull (e.g. Tracker, Crestliner).

Needless to say, you may get lucky and not have any problems at all, but that doesn't describe everyone's experience.

If you beat-up your boats like I do, you can "bet" on leaky rivots over time, or even worse, popped rivets.

Roger

[bob101]

I dunno I have a 1968 15' 42" flat bottom aluminum duck boat that has dents in the bottom as big as softballs from running over stumps and crap at 4 am in thick fog that is riveted and has never leaked...

I have a 2007 Triton fully welded boat that is at the dealer for the 2nd time for cracked welds and leaks....

Nothing is 100% absolute.

[RoLo]

I have a 2007 Triton fully welded boat that is at the dealer for the 2nd time for cracked welds and leaks....

Nothing is 100% absolute.

With regard to leaking &/or popped rivets, I'm not only referring to my own experience,

but also to what others have experienced and from boat dealers and mechanics that I spoke with.

This is the first time that I heard about a Triton leaking around faulty welds,

but you can be sure that I'll bear your experience in mind.

Roger