bass boat vs. v-bottom lund type

[santacruz]

I'm looking to buy a boat this fall.I've always thought and wanted a nitro ranger type bass boat.But after watching fishing shows and reading mag. articles,I may have changed my mind.A lund v-bottom type boat seems more stable and more useful.Your thoughts and comments are greatly welcome.

[NBR]

Just guessing that you would fish the Ohio River, Patoka, the reservoir at Bloomington,  Kentucky Lake or some of the other impoundments in KY, TN, IL or IN. I'd go with the bass boat type. More stable when you are standing up and in my opinion a better fishing platform as well as good speed on the larger impoundments and not as apt to be blown around while fishing.

I have had both aluminum and fiberglass but my last two have been fiberglass and my next boat will be fiberglass.

I've fished lakes Huron, St Clair and Michigan as well as several larger southern impoundments and some large (think Lake of the Woods, Rainy, etc.) and small northern and Canadian lakes. If I was going to predominately fish canadian shield lakes and wanted to beach the boat often then I'd go with the Lund.

But for most other places I like the fiberglass.

[donmac]

Rangers and Lunds, my favorites. I have had 3 Rangers and a couple Lunds.

In addition to what was stated above, if you want to fish for multiple species, a Lund with a front casting deck and an open rear may be a good choice.  They're much better for trolling.   

Assuming your not getting the biggest baddest Lund out there, it can also be run on a much smaller motor than a glass bass boat, and, being lighter, is cheaper/easier to tow.  So an aluminum Lund can be a more cost effective boat to own. 

But if you want to run large expanses at high-speeds, nothing beats a glass bass boat.

[BluegrassBoy]

I am a die hard Stratos man, but sometimes when running Kentucky Lake in really high swells makes a man nervous with the low profile decks.  In my personal opinion, the only reason for deeper V boats like Lund and Tracker Tundras is heavy water and trollin for stripers.  For Crappie, Bass, Panfish, whatever...on flat water, Glass is better as long as you arent careless about operating in shallow water.

[K_Mac]

The Ranger multi-species Fisherman Series are some very cool big water boats.  8-)

[Bass_junky]

The wind drift is the most important question between these two boats....If you plan on bass fishing....

[Javelin200]

I'm looking to buy a boat this fall.I've always thought and wanted a nitro ranger type bass boat.But after watching fishing shows and reading mag. articles,I may have changed my mind.A lund v-bottom type boat seems more stable and more useful.Your thoughts and comments are greatly welcome.

What articles / shows have contributed to the change in your opinion?

Here's my take:

Not unlike alot of other boat anglers, my boat aquisitions went through an evolution. From 8' aluminum canoe, to 16' aluminum bass, to 17' glass bass, and lastly 20' glass bass. I primarily fish small to moderate size inland lakes for bass, with the occasional "Great" lake foray thrown in. This set-up works very well for me. I'm not a tourney fisherman, so there's no incentive for me to beat up myself or my equipment if the water gets unruly, but I'm certainly happy to have the larger rig when caught in adverse conditions.

Your choice should be predicated on the type of water you'll most likely be fishing, the type of fishing you'll be doing, whether you'll be needing extra space for family / friends, and if you'll be using the boat for 'other' water related sports activities. If I was primarily fishing rocky Northern US or Canadian waters, I'd probably opt for aluminum for durability sake. If I were fishing large inland lakes prone to larger waves or weather influences, or where trolling may be involved, I'd go for a larger glass or aluminum V-hull. Ditto if I planned on entertaining more than one or two other anglers in my boat. Bass boats generally have shallower drafts (allowing you access to some spots V-hulls may not accommodate), definitely have an edge in the speed department, and more effectively allow techniques like flipping and pitching where a raised deck is almost paramount. Today's glass bass boat designs are far safer and more efficient, and glass multi-species rigs such as the Ranger "Fisherman" series offer excellent compromise in both layout and capabilities. That said, I don't think there has been any more innovation than what has gone into today's aluminum boat offerings. They still have the lion's share of the fishing boat market, and offer up some great values, and top of the line fishing amenities

Shopping is half the fun. You just need to decide what type of rig will best serve your purpose before you pull the trigger.

[Back2fishing]

I'm looking to buy a boat this fall.I've always thought and wanted a nitro ranger type bass boat.But after watching fishing shows and reading mag. articles,I may have changed my mind.A lund v-bottom type boat seems more stable and more useful.Your thoughts and comments are greatly welcome.

What articles / shows have contributed to the change in your opinion?

Here's my take:

Not unlike alot of other boat anglers, my boat aquisitions went through an evolution. From 8' aluminum canoe, to 16' aluminum bass, to 17' glass bass, and lastly 20' glass bass. I primarily fish small to moderate size inland lakes for bass, with the occasional "Great" lake foray thrown in. This set-up works very well for me. I'm not a tourney fisherman, so there's no incentive for me to beat up myself or my equipment if the water gets unruly, but I'm certainly happy to have the larger rig when caught in adverse conditions.

Your choice should be predicated on the type of water you'll most likely be fishing, the type of fishing you'll be doing, whether you'll be needing extra space for family / friends, and if you'll be using the boat for 'other' water related sports activities. If I was primarily fishing rocky Northern US or Canadian waters, I'd probably opt for aluminum for durability sake. If I were fishing large inland lakes prone to larger waves or weather influences, or where trolling may be involved, I'd go for a larger glass or aluminum V-hull. Ditto if I planned on entertaining more than one or two other anglers in my boat. Bass boats generally have shallower drafts (allowing you access to some spots V-hulls may not accommodate), definitely have an edge in the speed department, and more effectively allow techniques like flipping and pitching where a raised deck is almost paramount. Today's glass bass boat designs are far safer and more efficient, and glass multi-species rigs such as the Ranger "Fisherman" series offer excellent compromise in both layout and capabilities. That said, I don't think there has been any more innovation than what has gone into today's aluminum boat offerings. They still have the lion's share of the fishing boat market, and offer up some great values, and top of the line fishing amenities

Shopping is half the fun. You just need to decide what type of rig will best serve your purpose before you pull the trigger.

I live in Canada and have a Crestliner Fish Hawk aluminum V-bottom boat ,because of the rocky lakes here we don't see many Bass boats .There are some but not many,I would love to have one but with the type of lakes it would get beet up in a hurry .

Like has been said it all depends on what type of water you will be fishing

[slonezp]

Aluminum V's are great in rougher waters EXCEPT if your trying to stay in a certain spot. More of the hull is out of the water and if the wind kicks up while you're running the trolling motor  it acts like a sailboat. It can be very frustrating. I fish 80% on small water and 20% on Lake Michigan with an aluminum v. I bought the v hull because of the big water. I fish my tourneys on small water. If it's windy on the small water I spend more time fighting the wind then fishing.

Buy 2 boats. Problem solved.  

[slonezp]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

[BluegrassBoy]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

What maintenance do you refer to?

[slonezp]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

What maintenance do you refer to?

Gelcoat maintenance, waxing and repair. If you end up scraping thru the gelcoat on rocks or a dock you have to repair it to prevent damage to the fiberglass. In an aluminum boat its just another dent.

[fishfordollars]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

I totally disagree. 40 years in a glass boat and not once have I had to make a hull repair. I've been on more stumps than most will encounter in a lifetime without the first crack or cut(No dent either,lol.).

[R520dvx]

The bass boat style will be more stable as far as standing and fishing and will also catch less wind so you are not fighting the trolling motor so much.

[R520dvx]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

????  I've had both aluminum and glass ... I don't treat my glass boat any different. If you treat the boat like chit and bang it around, sure you will chip or scratch the gelcoat. But, most if not all aluminum boats are painted now and I wouldn't want one of those scratched up either.

[BobP]

I think it's player's choice.  Both boats are purpose-designed.  Deep V's are multi-species boats ideally suited to rough northern waters.  Bass boats excel for bass fishing of any kind.  You can take either boat and use it in the other's environment but it will be a compromise.  If you mostly bass fish, a bass boat is fast, has low sides so gets blown around less, elevated casting decks for easy pitching/flipping, and lots of storage for rods and lures. Glass or aluminum your choice.  If trolling is your thing, a deep V aluminum boat is the way to go.  My bass boat won't idle slow enough to troll!  But my buddy's deep V is a pain in the neck if you want to pitch jigs or worm fish on a windy day. 

[collegefishing12]

The wind drift is the most important question between these two boats....If you plan on bass fishing....

agree on this... if your in serious consideration of bass fishing only, a fiberglass boat will help you out to all ends in this regard.  take if from me, WIND > ALUMINUM BOAT

[donmac]

... My bass boat won't idle slow enough to troll! ...

Just get a couple drywall buckets, drill a few holes in the bottom, tie them to your transom hooks with about 8' of rope, and drop them in the water. You'll be amazed. I started doing this in the late 80's with a Ranger w/ a 200hp two-stroke carburetored motor. I was amazed how well it did. You can't troll all day, need to clean it out once in awhile - but I've caught a bunch of salmon from bass boats over the years...

Of course it works even better with today's fuel injected motors or four-strokes.

[Glenn]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

???? I've had both aluminum and glass ... I don't treat my glass boat any different. If you treat the boat like stuff and bang it around, sure you will chip or scratch the gelcoat. But, most if not all aluminum boats are painted now and I wouldn't want one of those scratched up either.

I agree.  I spent WAY more time fixing and maintaining my aluminum boat than my fiberglass.  It seemed something was always leaking somewhere (rivets), or splitting (requiring welding), or coming loose on my aluminum boat.  I'm not saying fiberglass boats are maintenance free, but with a good washing and a coating of BTS, you're good to go. And with a keelshield, you can beach it most places you would with an aluminum without issues.

[done]

Bass boats excel for bass fishing of any kind

I would say Bass fishing plus any other non-trolling type of fishing.  I have used mine for Catfish, crappie, Yellow perch, etc. The high decks, more stable profile help fishing while standing up or sitting.

You just need to focus on all your needs, fishing and others (i.e. towing vehicle, etc) and then find the one that meets your needs the best.

[TommyBass]

...and fiberglass requires more maintenance.

???? I've had both aluminum and glass ... I don't treat my glass boat any different. If you treat the boat like stuff and bang it around, sure you will chip or scratch the gelcoat. But, most if not all aluminum boats are painted now and I wouldn't want one of those scratched up either.

I agree. I spent WAY more time fixing and maintaining my aluminum boat than my fiberglass. It seemed something was always leaking somewhere (rivets), or splitting (requiring welding), or coming loose on my aluminum boat. I'm not saying fiberglass boats are maintenance free, but with a good washing and a coating of BTS, you're good to go. And with a keelshield, you can beach it most places you would with an aluminum without issues.

I'm not so sure about all that guys.  I let my aluminum bounce down rip rap and chunk rock banks all of the time and the most it does is scratch off the paint (which can be redone with just a few cans of touch up spray paint every year).  I would have never did that in my fiberglass Triton.  Fiberglass dents more easily and gel coats ARE more senstitive to abuse than solid aluminum.  Not to mention repair costs are not even close to the same.  If I put a hole in my aluminum boat I can either JB weld it or just cut it out and weld a small square back in... its that easy. x

I liked my fiberglass boat for stability and ride smoothness when cutting across the lake, but for carefree worryless fishing... not a contest, aluminum wins.  Also, don't get riveted if you plan on doing anything abusive, they will pop and leak.  Get all welded hulls. 

There is a reason the majority of river boats and duck boats arn't camo fiberglass... they expect abuse and the fiberglass isnt designed for that.

As far as fishability, my aluminum is roughly the same size as my old 18ft Triton and as as much room, if not more.  It also drafts much shallower.

I'm not saying that a big jon like mine is ideal for some of your huge reservoirs and it certainly isn't indestructible.  But for an all around boat that can do about anything... its pretty good.