Glass boats and wind vs aluminum

[slonezp]

On 4/6/2023 at 8:55 AM, Catt said:

 

Have you fished out of an Xpress, Ranger, or Vexus?

 

Most aluminum bass boats are nothing more than a glorified Jon boats. 

 

You're gonna have to look at shape of the bottom on aluminum bass boats. Xpress, Ranger, & Vexus have a full pad hull, not a modify vee bottom.

 

I would also suggest talking to some of our northern friends about Lund & those type boats.

 

Compare boats not just hull material.

 

You forgot Lund #1 hull in the industry for aluminum in northern waters. I know Lund isn't a name in the south. It's not one to discount.

[Woody B]

On 4/6/2023 at 2:13 PM, Functional said:

Front included, if I'm off the TM for more than a few seconds I'm getting blown into my fishing area or objects.

 

That's where having a trolling motor with gps and spot lock comes in.  I don't mind fishing in the wind at all.  Launching, loading and going across the lake with high winds is the problem.   

[Catt]

On 4/6/2023 at 8:55 AM, Catt said:

I would also suggest talking to some of our northern friends about Lund & those type boats

 

8 hours ago, slonezp said:

You forgot Lund #1 hull in the industry for aluminum in northern waters.

 

[ChrisD46]

Vexus AVX Series Bass Boat -This deserves a serious look : https://vexusboats.com/series/avx/overview/ .

[Functional]

2 hours ago, Woody B said:

 

That's where having a trolling motor with gps and spot lock comes in.  I don't mind fishing in the wind at all.  Launching, loading and going across the lake with high winds is the problem.   

I do,  garmin force. Works great when setting a line to follow on the chart or clicking SL but if I'm manually working my way in any wind beyond a gentle breeze I need to be working it constantly. Even SL when working a wind blown side my aft come around which a Power pole would be great for but the boat can't support that. Even my 4 batteries I had to put one in the port bow storage because the bilge can only support 3 before I need to swap the gas tank out. 

 

I really do need a new boat the more I'm working through this process, just going to be a decision between AL and glass and which fits my preferences I've mentioned better. 

 

@ChrisD46 I looked at the avx 1880/1980 and they are on the list again,  review I saw it seems most of the complaints were addressed since. Only thing I can't confirm was seeing people complaining the paint is very fragile on the hull. 

[Bird]

Also give Lowe a serious look.

No wood in the construction, wider than a Tracker with an enormous casting deck.

[A-Jay]

39 minutes ago, Functional said:

I really do need a new boat the more I'm working through this process, just going to be a decision between AL and glass and which fits my preferences I've mentioned better. 

 

 

When it comes to a new rig, there can be quite a bit to think about.

I went through the process a few years back.

Received a metric Ton of very helpful information from the forum membership.

Thanks again.

First thing I did was to decide on an aluminum hull.

That cut my decisions in half.

We may all have our reasons why we go one way or the other,

mine revolved around design, capability, storage layout & capacity as well as having a dealership relatively close.  Additionally company reputation and customer service was and still is important to me. And that all comes down to the people I purchased my rig from and who has eventually serviced it.  All positive experiences. 

 

My advice is simple.

Purchase a little more boat, motor & trailer than you think you need.

Rarely is a rig reported to have too much HP, too much storage, too much battery life,

too powerful a trolling motor, too much range (gas tank size) or too big of a casting deck. 

There's more but I'll stop there as I'm sure you get my point.

As for how different hull materials & designs act in the wind.

All boats drift and blow around to some extent, some more than others.

However using how that deal goes as a determining factor when selecting a rig may result in missing the mark on at least one or two other more critical choices.

In the hands of a capable & experienced operator, most all of todays modern rigs can take us to & from the fish quite comfortably.

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay

 

 

[TOXIC]

17 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

 

When it comes to a new rig, there can be quite a bit to think about.

I went through the process a few years back.

Received a metric Ton of very helpful information from the forum membership.

Thanks again.

First thing I did was to decide on an aluminum hull.

That cut my decisions in half.

We may all have our reasons why we go one way or the other,

mine revolved around design, capability, storage layout & capacity as well as having a dealership relatively close.  Additionally company reputation and customer service was and still is important to me. And that all comes down to the people I purchased my rig from and who has eventually serviced it.  All positive experiences. 

 

My advice is simple.

Purchase a little more boat, motor & trailer than you think you need.

Rarely is a rig reported to have too much HP, too much storage, too much battery life,

too powerful a trolling motor, too much range (gas tank size) or too big of a casting deck. 

There's more but I'll stop there as I'm sure you get my point.

As for how different hull materials & designs act in the wind.

All boats drift and blow around to some extent, some more than others.

However using how that deal goes as a determining factor when selecting a rig may result in missing the mark on at least one or two other more critical choices.

In the hands of a capable & experienced operator, most all of todays modern rigs can take us to & from the fish quite comfortably.

Good Luck with your decision.

A-Jay

 

 

I was waiting for your response since I know you have the tin version of a glass boat.  My problem with all of the tracker/triton/Ranger  smaller tin boats is that they are more modified Jon boats than they are bass boat.  I watched your walkthrough of your tin and it was very much closer to a glass boat.  My other comment is coming from me and my 21 foot hunk of fiberglass……you have a lot less maneuverability and you better get skilled at anticipating your slow starts and slow stops while on your trolling motor.  I’ve seen a lot of big glass boats slam docks and rocks because the boat was slow in responding to trolling motor input.  

[Catt]

@J Francho I believe has or had an Xpress, would like to hear his input

 

[nocluefisher]

I owned a glass 18 ft boat and sold it and just bought an aluminum. I did most of my fishing alone, or with my daughter. Launching the fiberglass boat basically by myself got old. I am not picking up my tin boat for a couple more weeks, but I look forward to having a lot less weight to handle, yet knowing the trade off will be handling in wind and choppy water.

[airshot]

Do your research and find a boat that suits your needs and wants. Whether glass or aluminum really is up to the owner!!  As long as the boat suits your fancy and you enjoy it...go for it !!  Many pro's and cons for both, so you wont go wrong with either. Keep us posted on what you decide....

[Functional]

What's everyone use to hunt these suckers down?  I've been reading about people driving a few hundred miles for good deals but curious how they find them. 

 

Good maps search dealers?

Boat trader?

Boats.com?

FB market place? 

[airshot]

58 minutes ago, Functional said:

What's everyone use to hunt these suckers down?  I've been reading about people driving a few hundred miles for good deals but curious how they find them. 

 

Good maps search dealers?

Boat trader?

Boats.com?

FB market place? 

In my area I use craigslist and market place, I dont do the social media but the grandkids do, so they use their social depts to look for me.   Hunted fir over three months to finf my current 16' Sylvan, and yes drive over two hundred miles each way!  Once I found what I wanted, I dropped everything and hit the road cash in hand.  Owner held it for me knowing I was enroute.  Had three others waiting for me to decide when I got there!!!  Neighbor bought his the same way four years back, hit the road with cash in hand or it will be gone...especially if it is really a nice one !!

[WIGuide]

22 hours ago, Functional said:

What's everyone use to hunt these suckers down?  I've been reading about people driving a few hundred miles for good deals but curious how they find them. 

 

Good maps search dealers?

Boat trader?

Boats.com?

FB market place? 

Craigslist, boat trader, boats 4 sale (not updated as often but still valuable), boats.com, FB marketplace, and that one central site about bass boats. I scoured them all for over 2 years before finding mine over halfway across the country (roughly 2,400 miles round trip). 

[Functional]

There is a really mint 2018 triton trx179 with ultra 10s front and rear with panoptics for like 28000. Has a really narrow beam though at 91" compared to Rangers z185 at like 96". Not sure it's worth it.

 

Ranger z185/518/519

Skeeter zx150/200

Nitro z18/z19

Crestliner mx19

 

Seems to be top of my list right now. 

[J Francho]

On 4/9/2023 at 9:50 AM, Catt said:

@J Francho I believe has or had an Xpress, would like to hear his input

 

I had a H18. It was pretty heavy, but still would wander in a strong head wind. Manageable with just an 80 lb troller. 
 

 

[Catt]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I had a H18. It was pretty heavy, but still would wander in a strong head wind. Manageable with just an 80 lb troller. 
 

 

 

How did it handle running in rough water.

[WIGuide]

16 hours ago, Functional said:

There is a really mint 2018 triton trx179 with ultra 10s front and rear with panoptics for like 28000. Has a really narrow beam though at 91" compared to Rangers z185 at like 96". Not sure it's worth it.

 

Ranger z185/518/519

Skeeter zx150/200

Nitro z18/z19

Crestliner mx19

 

Seems to be top of my list right now. 

If it's not too far away, it might be worth looking at the Triton. A few things to consider on them is that boat is only rated for a 115. A lot of other boats that size are rated for 150-200. Maybe they run ok, but I would assume they'd give up a little in performance category. That's not necessarily the worst thing for you, but keep that in mind when looking at comparable boats and prices. I'm not sure if 2018's are included, but a lot of the newer Trition's sit really low in the cockpit seats, like low enough that it was very noticeable by the end of the day and I can't say I've ever noticed that in any boat before. I know a lot of guys actually make risers to put those seats on. 

[Cbump]

On 4/6/2023 at 8:01 AM, casts_by_fly said:

fiberglass is heavier

This. My 20’ Vexus gets blown around pretty good but no wind has ever kept me off the water where I would have went if I had a glass boat. If that makes sense. Ultrex helps a lot. 
It would be nice to have glass and be able to get off the tm more but I’m used to It now. 

Also premium tin boats (Vexus, ranger, xpress) have lower sides which help alot. 

[Cbump]

On 4/6/2023 at 9:11 PM, airshot said:

Everything posted on here is true, been a boat owner for over 60 years, owned wood, glass and aluminum hulls. About 25 years back we hit a submerged steel barrel at about 35 mph, the whole bottom of my aluminum Starcraft pushed up about 2-3 ft but never leaked a drop, made it back to the ramp but had a tough time getting it on the trailer.  Sort of tied it in place to get it home.  When the insurance adjuster showed up he stated " be glad you were in an aluminum boat". Had it veen a glass boat, it would have shattered on impact and sunk like a rock.  In his 20 years of boat claims he has never saw a glass boat that could have with stood that impact and still float !!

Now...I hope nothing like that ever happens again, but I do know, I will never own another glass boat just for that reason!!  Just food for thought...glass boats can be awesome, beautifull paint jobs, ride nice in chop, solid in the wind, confortable to ride in....but...when in a serious accident....your call.  

Do you think glass boats today are same as glass boats 25-45 years ago?

[Captain Phil]

On 4/9/2023 at 8:14 AM, Bird said:

Also give Lowe a serious look.

No wood in the construction, wider than a Tracker with an enormous casting deck.

 

I owned a Lowe Rough Neck for nearly ten years.  I used it for bass and coastal salt water fishing.  It wasn't a fancy looking boat by any means, but it was tough as nails. I put that boat through pure hell and it never let me down.  I gave it to my son and he still has it.

[Catt]

Fisher Marsh Hawk ?

[airshot]

5 hours ago, Cbump said:

Do you think glass boats today are same as glass boats 25-45 years ago?

Probably not, but according to insurance stats, they are still far more likely to have a complete loss, thus higher insurance costs by a substantial amount. Even modern glass boats still shatter on impact.  Having experienced a severe impact makes me more concerned than others might be...

[J Francho]

On 4/10/2023 at 8:24 PM, Catt said:

 

How did it handle running in rough water.

I'd rather be in the Xpress than the Bullet on Erie. That's why I had both boats when I was doing the TX thing. 
 

Choose your craft wisely. 

[PABASS]

I didn't see mention what types of bodies of water you will be fishing so assuming its not the great lakes sizes I would buy aluminum.  I own a G3 19' and I with my motor trimmed I don't get blown around any more than the fiberglass fellows.  I have also ridden in, ranger, triton, skeeter, lowe,  nitro, crestliner and bass tracker and while the fiberglass is faster I would put my deck space and stability up against any other the similar size fibers glass.  The smaller aluminum tend to get blown around and anything over 19' seems to handle the wind better.  So if you leaning towards a smaller length boat fiberglass will certainly be more stable.