Bass Boat Advice for Charlotte, NC area

[FrankCostanza]

Hey all. Was hoping for some advice on a bass boat the for lakes and rivers around the Charlotte, NC area. In the process of building a house in Mt Holly, NC and am on the fence on whether I should do aluminum or glass. Will be just be the dog and I fishing mostly, and then maybe a passenger or two here and there. I'll be fishing Wylie, Norman, High Rock/Tillery/Badin, Lake James, Lake Lure, and pretty much anywhere within an hour and a half. Would also like to make trips to Lake Murray and the Santee Cooper lakes as well.

 

Think I'd be okay going Aluminum? The budget will be around 40k give or take a few k. I don't know much about the lakes in the area so wanted to see if the locals had any advice. Thanks in advance.

 

-Frank Costanza 

[VolFan]

Let me start with - you’ll be great either way with aluminum. The only reason I’d go glass is if you think you’ll be doing Norman and Badin more than the others. The lakes here just aren’t that big, and they’re mostly somewhat riverine. Aluminum is easier to tow to get around, and I’ve not been in anything my little aluminum couldn’t handle locally. Now, they are not big lakes and they can get a lot of traffic in the summer that a heavier glass boat would be more steady on. But for the amount of time that the lakes are truly busy, I don’t think it offsets the ease in towing and handling of a good aluminum. Ymmv

[Woody B]

For me aluminum is the only choice.  My boat is a tool.  I use it like one.  I don't mind it banging against a dock.  If you're meticulous.....going to use boat fenders and spacers when tied to a dock, wipe it down everytime you leave the water ect, go with glass.  (nothing wrong with being meticuous, it's just not me)   

I fish by myself most of the time and on many of the lakes you've mentioned.  I sold my old boat in 1992, bought a new Tracker Classic XL in 2021.  I love my boat.  Money wasn't an object (to and extent) but I'm tight.  My old boat was a small Ranger from the 70's with a 25 hp tiller engine.  My tracker is a Cadillac compared to it.  

 

I love my boat and have no intentions of getting something else.  However, had I known what I know now when I bought it I would have gotten a boat that's wider.   You're welcome to go for a test drive/ride pretty much any weekend at Lake Wylie.  

[Captain Phil]

I don't live in NC, but our lakes are similar in size.  I've had every type of bass boat imaginable.  If you are not going to fish tournaments, aluminum is a great choice.   What you will give up is speed and the ability to ride comfortably in rough water.   If it's too rough to fish, you are not going out or you will stay in sheltered water.  A good aluminum boat will run near 40 mph.  That's not blisteringly fast, but fast enough to cover big water.   Price is less than half the cost of fiberglass.  You won't use as much fuel and you won't need an expensive tow vehicle.  My Ranger RT178 does everything my 20' Gambler did, except run 75 mph and make me look great at the ramp.  Most men like the image of backing down the ramp with an $80K bass boat.   They feel like showing up with an 18' aluminum boat doesn't have the same "Panache".   The fish don't care.

[gim]

1 hour ago, Woody B said:

If you're meticulous.....going to use boat fenders and spacers when tied to a dock, wipe it down everytime you leave the water ect, go with glass.

There’s nothing wrong with being meticulous with an aluminum boat too you know. I am.

[MN Fisher]

Like my buddy, Gim...I'm also meticulous with my aluminum despite it being a 50 year old hull.

[rboat]

I am not familiar with that area. It sounds like Aluminum would work out fine. The only thing to add is wind conditions. If you go out despite the weather, wind will blow an aluminum boat around much more than fiberglass, and it could be a rough ride back to the ramp when the wind kicks up.

[Bird]

Bang for buck = aluminum.

I recently bought a 2023 Lowe Stinger 175 for well under 40K, check them out.

[FrankCostanza]

6 hours ago, Woody B said:

For me aluminum is the only choice.  My boat is a tool.  I use it like one.  I don't mind it banging against a dock.  If you're meticulous.....going to use boat fenders and spacers when tied to a dock, wipe it down everytime you leave the water ect, go with glass.  (nothing wrong with being meticuous, it's just not me)   

I fish by myself most of the time and on many of the lakes you've mentioned.  I sold my old boat in 1992, bought a new Tracker Classic XL in 2021.  I love my boat.  Money wasn't an object (to and extent) but I'm tight.  My old boat was a small Ranger from the 70's with a 25 hp tiller engine.  My tracker is a Cadillac compared to it.  

 

I love my boat and have no intentions of getting something else.  However, had I known what I know now when I bought it I would have gotten a boat that's wider.   You're welcome to go for a test drive/ride pretty much any weekend at Lake Wylie.  

Thanks for the reply and offer to take me on Wylie. Will definitely let you know when I'm in town to see if you are heading out on the lake - I'll cover the gas of course. Much appreciated

4 hours ago, Bird said:

Bang for buck = aluminum.

I recently bought a 2023 Lowe Stinger 175 for well under 40K, check them out.

will definitely check this model out. looks exactly like what I'm looking for. How is the stability when you're moving around the deck?

 

Also, super random, but is the storage waterproof? Just curious... was watching a review of the Tracker 190 yesterday and one of the complains was wet storage compartments after rain. Not a dealbreaker by any means but wanted to get your thoughts.

 

Thanks for the reply and suggestion, greatly appreciated.

[FrankCostanza]

8 hours ago, VolFan said:

Let me start with - you’ll be great either way with aluminum. The only reason I’d go glass is if you think you’ll be doing Norman and Badin more than the others. The lakes here just aren’t that big, and they’re mostly somewhat riverine. Aluminum is easier to tow to get around, and I’ve not been in anything my little aluminum couldn’t handle locally. Now, they are not big lakes and they can get a lot of traffic in the summer that a heavier glass boat would be more steady on. But for the amount of time that the lakes are truly busy, I don’t think it offsets the ease in towing and handling of a good aluminum. Ymmv

Thanks for the reply and info. Was leaning towards aluminum and everyone's replies in here definitely confirmed it for me.

 

How are the rivers in the area? I've heard great things about the broad river for smallmouth but have also heard it's tough to get a boat in there. 

thanks everyone! very helpful. Was leaning more towards aluminum and all of these comments confirmed it for me.

 

Have a great 4th all

2 minutes ago, FrankCostanza said:

Thanks for the reply and info. Was leaning towards aluminum and everyone's replies in here definitely confirmed it for me.

 

How are the rivers in the area? I've heard great things about the broad river for smallmouth but have also heard it's tough to get a boat in there. 

thanks everyone! very helpful. Was leaning more towards aluminum and all of these comments confirmed it for me.

 

Have a great 4th all

sorry i dont know how messaging works in here hahaha

[Bird]

@FrankCostanza

The boat is very stable walking around.

The 3 lockable storage compartments have a gasket and stay relatively dry but some moisture still penetrates during a down pour.

[Woody B]

I used to fish 99 Island reservoir on the Broad river near my house years ago.  The landing is mess up, filled in with silt now.  I suspect the entire area may be filled with silt.   There's another landing, according to Duke Energy.  It's probably 1/2 mile away on the water but it's almost 20 miles further from my house due to the roads available.  A tunnel hull, with a jet would be better for river fishing.  

 

I love Bird's boat.   

 

Edit/added.  The compartments in my boat don't even pretend to stay dry.   It's not been much of a problem.  I leave the lids propped open when I have it covered.  This usually dries stuff out pretty good.  

[Captain Phil]

Lowes are good boats.  I had mine for ten years.   There aren't any bad boats made these days, the competition is stiff and the market won't allow it.  The main difference in aluminum bass boats is in hardware, cosmetics, utility and ride.  You pay more for a quality name upfront, but you will get more when you sell it.  Many people buy things without thinking about selling them.   You will some day and the time to think about it is before you own it.  Aluminum boats make noise, especially in rough water.  Some more than others.  The floor in my Lowe Roughneck flexed some.  I only paid $12K for that boat,  motor and trailer, so I expected that.  The more you pay, the more you will get.  My little Ranger has more dry storage than I will ever need. All the compartments are carpeted.  It doesn't flex, make noise or pound.  I paid $27K in the middle of Covid for that boat, so it wasn't a bargain.  It came with a 24 volt Minn Kota, onboard three bank charger, two GPS/Sonar Lowrance units, a 75 HP Mercury Four Stroke, a Ranger Trailer with spare and an eight year motor warranty.   You can buy a Tracker for about $5K less.  The Tracker will catch fish just as well, so it's up to you.  Somewhere between 18K and 28K is what you can expect to spend.  More if you add two power poles and fancy electronics.  My buddy just bought a full rigged 20 foot Skeeter for $70K.  The last time I was at Bass Pro, they had an $80K bass boat on the floor.  I'm sure you could find a bass boat for over $100K.  It's your choice.

[FrankCostanza]

1 hour ago, Captain Phil said:

Lowes are good boats.  I had mine for ten years.   There aren't any bad boats made these days, the competition is stiff and the market won't allow it.  The main difference in aluminum bass boats is in hardware, cosmetics, utility and ride.  You pay more for a quality name upfront, but you will get more when you sell it.  Many people buy things without thinking about selling them.   You will some day and the time to think about it is before you own it.  Aluminum boats make noise, especially in rough water.  Some more than others.  The floor in my Lowe Roughneck flexed some.  I only paid $12K for that boat,  motor and trailer, so I expected that.  The more you pay, the more you will get.  My little Ranger has more dry storage than I will ever need. All the compartments are carpeted.  It doesn't flex, make noise or pound.  I paid $27K in the middle of Covid for that boat, so it wasn't a bargain.  It came with a 24 volt Minn Kota, onboard three bank charger, two GPS/Sonar Lowrance units, a 75 HP Mercury Four Stroke, a Ranger Trailer with spare and an eight year motor warranty.   You can buy a Tracker for about $5K less.  The Tracker will catch fish just as well, so it's up to you.  Somewhere between 18K and 28K is what you can expect to spend.  More if you add two power poles and fancy electronics.  My buddy just bought a full rigged 20 foot Skeeter for $70K.  The last time I was at Bass Pro, they had an 80K bass boat on the floor.  I'm sure you could find a bass boat for over $100K.  It's your choice.

I appreciate all of the advice Phil. Will take all of this into consideration when I decide to buy. 18-28k will be the sweet spot and then I'll try to leave some room to upgrade trolling motor/electronics/etc. Thanks again!

[FishTax]

I've been on those lakes in a 17' xpress my buddy runs. On Norman, it can get a little rough in the middle with traffic or wind. On the smaller lakes I feel like it's totally fine. I won't fish with tons of ski boats no matter the type of boat I'm in so that wouldn't be a factor for me personally. I'd definitely choose aluminum if I were in your shoes! Put that extra money into electronics!