More new boat opinions?

[00 mod]

fiberglass vs aluminum....

Pros and cons

Dual consoles

Pros vs cons

2 stroke vs 4 stroke

pros vs cons

I have opinions on all, but would like to hear others input as well. Also for the 16-18 foot boat range what size trolling motor and what size outboard would you think as a minumun?

Jeff

[Wayne P.]

I'm only going to comment on a couple of your questions.

The outboard horsepower should be the max that the boat is rated for. No compromize-- "Good enough" is never good enough.

The trolling motor should be the most powerful variable speed you can afford considering the room you have for batteries. Again "Good enough" is never good enough.

[slonezp]

Glass v tin- Where do you do most of your fishing? If your boat is going to get alot of bottom contact tin may be the choice. Tin boats are also lighter and draft higher out of the water which makes them more sensitive to the wind.

1 v 2 console- nice for your partner but you loose deck space. What's more important?

I like my 2stroke. Never had a 4

Don't skimp on the motor or troller like Wayne said. Buy the most motor you can afford. Minimum  for a 18' 90hp and 70lb thrust 24v troller.

[cart7t]

Glass vs. Tin -

1. What size is your tow vehicle?

2. Do you fish larger lakes or smaller lakes primarily?

3. How much do you have to spend.  You can get more aluminum for less dollars than you can glass.

4. Are you fishing waters like rivers that involve frequent bottom contact with rocks or gravel.  That is not a friendly enviroment for glass boats.

1 vs. 2 consoles. 

1. Nice for the passenger.

2. Not so nice when you're trying to get longer rods out of the rod box on boats 18 1/2 -19 feet and shorter. The console tends to get in the way.

2 strokes vs. 4

1. Never owned one but the 4 strokes are incredibly quiet and run butter smooth.  So much so I'm thinking of getting one for my next boat.

2. 4 strokes require more maintenance and some of that maintenance must be done by trained mechanics if there's a warranty involved.

3. The fuel mileage gap has really closed the past few years.  It's no longer a real consideration anymore but 4's get better mileage.

4. 4's weigh a bit more and cost more than a 2 stroke.

[00 mod]

To answer a couple questions....

Tow vehicle is a 2008 Tundra, so obviously no problem towing whatever I want!

Mostly smaller lakes, but want to venture to some bigger lakes, thus the reason for a bigger boat!(only have a jon for now)

wanted to get out for 15 or less.....therefore the options are limited to used pretty much for glass, and I'm not sure I want a used boat!

I hate having to babysit the trolling motor, and the tins riding much higher out of the water is a concern, but at the same time, can get shallower in the tin.....hmmm

Not much to any bottom contact as I will fish 95% lakes not rivers!  Maybe a trip to the Tennessee when I get hooked on smallies by a good friend!

Not super concerned about the 2nd console, as the boat will be smaller and quite frankly I dont need to go 70 in a bass boat.....

2 vs 4 is my main toss up right now other than glass vs tin...

can get a bigger 2 for less money than a smaller 4 but I like the eco friendliness of the 4, quieter/smoother running 4, but the price and weight of a 2?????  HELP

PLease more comments on the 2 vs 4 and glass vs tin...

Jeff

[Nice_Bass]

You can get more boat with aluminum, thats what I went for.  I also take my family camping quite a bit, so i needed a boat that I could pull up onto the shorline and leave by the campsite at night.  I fish big and small lakes, and have done so in alum. and glass.  Like you said, under 15k for a glass new will be next to impossible. 

Taxes are a big number I seemed to forget in adding in.

As far as 2 vs. 4, I know they are starting to phase out the elpto, and going to optimax only (mercury), and for the price of a 4 stroke in the hp i needed it would be an extra couple of grand.  I would go 2 optimax, not as quite or "green" but still better than the old (i also like the smell of outboard in the morning  ).  Good luck, and happy buying.

[done]

You can get more boat with aluminum, thats what I went for. I also take my family camping quite a bit, so i needed a boat that I could pull up onto the shorline and leave by the campsite at night. I fish big and small lakes, and have done so in alum. and glass. Like you said, under 15k for a glass new will be next to impossible.

Taxes are a big number I seemed to forget in adding in.

As far as 2 vs. 4, I know they are starting to phase out the elpto, and going to optimax only (mercury), and for the price of a 4 stroke in the hp i needed it would be an extra couple of grand. I would go 2 optimax, not as quite or "green" but still better than the old (i also like the smell of outboard in the morning ). Good luck, and happy buying.

x2

I went alum because I wanted the lighter weight for towing. The downside, get a good wind, the light weight works against you.

But I will also say I use WAY less gas than a lot of other guys out there with glass boats. 

[bandsr4me20]

If its your first big boat, i would go aluminum.  You dont want over a 1000 dollar repair for fiberglass work.  I know from experience....

[Jig Man]

I have had tins and glass boats.  I don't like the tins at all.  Too hard to control in the wind and not near as stable a fishing platform.

DI 2 strokes are as eco friendly and get as good mileage as 4 strokers.

[done]

I have had tins and glass boats. I don't like the tins at all. Too hard to control in the wind and not near as stable a fishing platform.

DI 2 strokes are as eco friendly and get as good mileage as 4 strokers.

Hey Jig...I am with ya on the wind, but as far as stability goes, maybe I have not been truly spoiled yet (started with a 1443 jon) but my Tracker is pretty stable for me.

[Fishing Rhino]

Will you always get more boat for your money, aluminum vs. fiberglass. Not necessarily. I got a Nitro Z-7, with a 150 hp Merc, trailer with brakes, and a couple of other options, cheaper than a Bass Tracker Tournament V-18 with a 90 hp Merc or even the Pro Team 190 TX that were all on the showroom floor at the Foxborough BPS.

Why? Because there was a cosmetic blemish, a small depression above the waterline, near the stern on the starboard side.

The prices were within a few bucks, but the Z-7 was the cheapest. I grabbed it.

I was going with aluminum because of the upkeep associated with fiberglass.

Look around. You may find something with a cosmetic blemish that will save you thousands on a new boat.

I did.  Just over 18,000.