Aluminum VS Fiberglass..should I switch??

[Bassnajr]

Hey all..

I got back into bass fishing this past year after a 15 year lay off. My buddy and I scored an older Fisher aluminum hull bass boat with a 25 HP Mercury. We have been using it since the early summer and into this fall. The boat was used on the ocean (bays, inlets etc.) and we are in the process of "fixing" the wear from the salt water. (Mostly the wiring) The boat runs great, looks great, and with a little more TLC well......

Here's the thing. My buddy wants to "trade up", Ranger, Skeeter etc. but we live in Rhode Island where there are not many places to run a huge bass boat with a 225 HP engine. Plus, I like the durability of the aluminum boat. I would like a more stable boat (larger beam) but I worry about the durability of fiberglass hulls and the cost.

I would appreciate any advice, comments, ideas from other boaters; maybe those who have had both type of boats.

Thanks,

bassinajr

[jdw174]

If you're lacking in water to run a larger bass boat and don't plan to travel to where you can, I say by all means go with the tin boat.  There are some very nice aluminum bassin' rigs out there.  

[Long Mike]

I don't know how large your boat is, but my aluminum Tracker is 17,' with a 60hp engine.  I can take her out on any decent sized lake without fear of sinking.  If the winds are 25 or more, I stay close to shore or to areas of short runs across big water areas.  I love my tin boat because my area of the country has lakes with a lot of stick-ups, i.e. tree stumps, even in thirty feet of water.  I hit one today, but I was only going six miles an hour.  Took me twenty minutes to get my boat off that stump, and I was in 12' of water.  Fiberglass boats are great for stability and the amount of horsepower you can hang off of them, plus they come in all sorts of neat glitzy, glimmering colors.  If I had run a fiberglass boat up on that stump I would be very concerned about scratches and/or cracks to the gel-coat.

I do not fish tournaments, so there is no need for me to go tearing across a lake at 60 mph and burning up gas at an obscene rate.

I like my little tin boat and I will keep it.  

[Jig Man]

That is a hard call to make.  I have owned both and both have their good and bad points.  I currently run a glass boat because I fish lakes from 20,000-60,000 acres.  I have it for the stability and safety.

I think you and your bud will just have to work this thing out.  Is this a partnership with both of you paying for the boat?

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I think Bassnjr is thinking more along the lines of "ramp needed" boat or a "no ramp needed" boat.

In RI, having a "tin" boat commonly refers to boats like mine.  Stop and drop fishing, as opposed to a "larger" boat (tin OR glass) that requires a ramp.

So,...to ramp or not to ramp.  In this state, you are severely limiting yourself to waters that get pounded by tournament anglers if you go for a "ramp only" type of vessel.  On the other hand, the state offers lots of great isolated fishing if you like to adventure in.

Now, having a larger boat affords you to travel to Mass, NH, Ct and search out other bigger lakes with Smallies, etc.  I would think about saving up and waiting for that right deal to come along on an older used bass boat that you guys could do a restore on.  But,...NEVER GET RID OF THE TIN BOAT YOU HAVE UNLESS YOU ARE REPLACING IT WITH ANOTHER STOP AND DROP VESSEL!!!

We have 1 canoe, 2 float tubes, 2 jon boats, and whaler.

Never deplete the fleet, just add to it and increase your options

[Tin]

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAY! Even when I want to fish tourney on bigger bodies of water I will buy a glass and keep my tin. For RI you just cant beat it. If you hit a rock or something you wont loose sleep over it like some people with glass (stratosdad). Think about this too, how many lakes can you start an engine over 10 horse in? Watermans, Watchaug, Wordens, Johnsons, and Tiogue. Whats the poitn inhaving a boat that does 70 if you can only use it in 5 lakes? In any of the real windy lakes like Wordens and Watchaug where you can get blown away,just buy a drift sock, they are worth every penny.

[The Next KVD]

if you want u could buy a 18ft or smaller glass boat.  Most 18 footers have the same beam as a 20fter.  My Nitro 640 LX is an awesome boat has it has a wider beam than tin boats and it can handle big & small lakes, I've gone through 5ft waves with it w/out getting wet.  Or you if u want a tin boat i reccomend Xpress.  Not only do you durability, but it can outrun some glass boats, i know because i've been in a few that outran rangers, nitros, and a few tritons.

[Munkin]

I just picked up a X-18 Xpress that has a 150 Merc to replace a 17' Basstracker and it can keep up with most glass boats.

Allen

[=Matt 5.0=]

I think Bassnjr is thinking more along the lines of "ramp needed" boat or a "no ramp needed" boat.

In RI, having a "tin" boat commonly refers to boats like mine. Stop and drop fishing, as opposed to a "larger" boat (tin OR glass) that requires a ramp.

So,...to ramp or not to ramp. In this state, you are severely limiting yourself to waters that get pounded by tournament anglers if you go for a "ramp only" type of vessel. On the other hand, the state offers lots of great isolated fishing if you like to adventure in.

Now, having a larger boat affords you to travel to Mass, NH, Ct and search out other bigger lakes with Smallies, etc. I would think about saving up and waiting for that right deal to come along on an older used bass boat that you guys could do a restore on. But,...NEVER GET RID OF THE TIN BOAT YOU HAVE UNLESS YOU ARE REPLACING IT WITH ANOTHER STOP AND DROP VESSEL!!!

We have 1 canoe, 2 float tubes, 2 jon boats, and whaler.

Never deplete the fleet, just add to it and increase your options

And a crawdad for when you want to go commando style.  

[X17xpress]

Just joined this sight love all the info i can get here. I love my Xpress boat it's a X-17 with a 95'' beam so its plenty wide enough and has a 115 Yahama on the back. BUt your best bet it to try both a glass and metal boat out for yourself and see what you like best and suits your needs best

[Kansas Angler]

I would keep with the aluminum because I usually fish were there is alot of fallen timber and i wouldnt want to damage my nice $50,000 bass boat paint, so i have a 14 foot flat bottom jon boat and it works just fine for me adn i have it down at grand lake and it handles the big wakes of all the other 30ft.+ boats just fine.