Still considering a glass boat

[WPCfishing]

Nitro Z17?

 

I’ve read good and bad.. tell me what you know. Make recommendations. Definitely appreciated. It’s a lotta money. 

 

I prefer an 18’ but can’t go that long, won’t fit in my garage. 

[Captain Phil]

Unless you fish big or rough water, 17'-18' is the perfect size for a bass boat.  Back when high performance bass boats were developed, they were all that size or smaller.  It was the introduction of large HP motors that required bigger boats.  I fished out of a 22' Storm for two years.  It was like fishing from an aircraft carrier.  I couldn't turn it around in a canal and I needed a 4x4 truck to tow it.  I sold it and bought an 18' Skeeter that I kept for ten years. Early on, Tracker and Nitro boat quality wasn't the best.  Before 2000, many boats had partial wood construction.  This has since been replaced with composites.  Wood rot is the worst thing you can have in a bass boat.  I wouldn't buy any boat built with wood anyplace.  My 2000 Skeeter was all composite.  I would buy it or one just like it again.  I wouldn't have a problem buying a well kept used Nitro less than ten years old. The bigger issue is the motor.  I hate used outboards.  Probably because they caused me so much heartbreak in the past.  If I had to buy a used outboard, it would probably be a four stroke Mercury.  Service is everywhere and these motors are bullet proof.  I wouldn't buy a used 2 stroke outboard as the difference so substantial.

[airshot]

Guess I get to give an opposite opinion....depends on what you are gonna do...a glass boat will give a smoother ride in chop over an aluminum boat, but it takes more hp and fuel to push a glass boat.  The inside rot is a really big deal and expensive to fix, so be sure you know for positive if there is any buried wood.  It will take a bigger vehicle to tow a glass boat over an aluminum hull.  If there is any wood in an aluminum boat it will just be at the top of the transom and easy to replace, where a glass boat needs cut apart.  So....what is important to you....ride, weight, towing weight, how big of an engine, fuel economy, repair and maintenence,  appearance....only you can decide depending in your wants, needs and budget. 

I know, many are into these heavy four stroke motors now, we have yetvto see how well/ long they will last and what repair costs will be, only time will tell for sure.  I am still sold on the old reliable two stroke,  (not the efi models), easy to work on andvyou don't need to be a computor wiz to service them.  My current motor is a 1992, purrs like a kitten, not hard on fuel, very little smoke if the right oil us used.  My neighbor has a similar size 4 stroke outboard and while his fuel economy is a little better, he needs to run his motor for well over 6 years to makeup the cost savings as his motor costs wayyyyy more than mine did.  Your boat, your choice...whatever you choose, have fun !!

[Born 2 fish]

I looked at nitro along with a the other brands I ended up choosing Phoenix I would look at the Phoenix  518 and 818 if I was you.

https://www.bassboat4sale.com/boats/standard/34903/

[Bird]

This is an 17.5 ft Lowe Stinger bought new for almost half of what a glass boat would cost, no wood anywhere.

Easily fits in the garage with a fold-away tounge.

Good luck in your search.

[gim]

37 minutes ago, airshot said:

I know, many are into these heavy four stroke motors now, we have yetvto see how well/ long they will last and what repair costs will be, only time will tell for sure.  I am still sold on the old reliable two stroke,  (not the efi models), easy to work on andvyou don't need to be a computor wiz to service them.  My current motor is a 1992, purrs like a kitten, not hard on fuel, very little smoke if the right oil us used.

Four stroke motors aren't anything new.  They've been around for almost 30 years now.  I wouldn't even consider a two stroke motor anymore given the fuel efficiency, reliability, quiet operation, and zero maintenance with modern four stroke outboards.  The last year that Mercury made a two-stroke outboard was in 2006.  There's a reason they stopped making them 17 years ago.

 

The only disadvantage of a 4-stroke is that they weigh more than a 2-stroke outboard.

[Siebert Outdoors]

Nice boat Bird!

 

I'd go 4 stroke for sure.  Weights are not even that far off.  My 250 pro xs 2 stroke is 505lbs.  A 4s is 511 lbs. in a new 250 pro xs  Plus there is no oil reservoir in the boat.

 

Boat brand if its glass I'm a Phoenix fan.

[NYBasser]

Aluminum boats are generally cheaper, easier to tow, and require less gas to run.

 
Where glass shines is generally speed, rough water ride, and fishability. I would take glass over aluminum any day, but you’re going to be paying for it.

 

As for glass boat manufacturers, Phoenix and BassCat over all else imo. Both have excellent customer service, best in the industry imo, and you’ll be well taken care of if anything was to come up. Can’t say the same for many of the other manufacturers out there.

 

I’d recommend looking at the boats in person before you decide to buy and definitely do your research on what others have experienced in terms of customer service/warranty from the companies you are considering.

[Woody B]

You can basically beat the heck out of an aluminum boat.  Glass is more fragile.  If you use boat fenders and take good care not to bang your boat around glass is cool.   My boat is a tool.  I'll tie it to a dock with a couple ropes and let the wake boat waves bang away.   

 

My Dads neighbor just bought a new Phoenix  (818 pro I think).  It's a super nice boat.   Where I fish I'd guess that half of the bass boats are aluminum.  I see lots of super nice X-press aluminum boats.  Of the glass boats I see on the lake I'd guess that at least half of them are Nitros.  

[WRB]

 

Boat/engine with pivot tongue trailer over all length limit?

Tom

[Catt]

Bass Cat Bobcat 

Length 17' 7"

Beam 90"

HP  70-150

Weight 1390

[WRB]

^^^^?^^^^

Tom

[Junk Fisherman]

You're getting a lot of good advice in this thread.  If I was getting a 17' boat there is no question I would get an aluminum boat.  This is also assuming that I wasn't planning on fishing Lake Michigan and other big open water which is why I have the boat I do.  But if I was primarily fishing inland lakes and was limited to 17', the Ranger RT178 would be my choice.  I know the glass boat will give you a better ride and it doesn't get pushed in the wind as much even though with spot-lock motors that is not as big of an issue as in the past.  Aluminum boats are much more forgiving, easier to handle, and their lighter weight make run more efficiently with a lower HP-motor and are easier to tow.  Plus, I have to wonder if resale is worse with a 17' glass boat.  I think most people that get a 17' boat are going aluminum and if someone wants fiberglass they likely want a a longer boat.  17' glass doesn't seem like an in-demand configuration.  Just a thought.  Good luck on your purchase.  

[Susky River Rat]

Just some food for thought. The G3 I will be getting is 18ft I have a 16ft tracker currently. The tracker does not have a removable tongue but the G3 does. It’s only a foot longer over all with the tongue taken out vs the fixed tongue of the 16’ tracker. 

[thomas15]

When faced with such a dilemma such as should I buy a fiberglass or aluminum boat, I usually settle that internal argument with a compromise. Get one of each!

[WPCfishing]

21 hours ago, WRB said:

 

Boat/engine with pivot tongue trailer over all length limit?

Tom

 

19 hours ago, Catt said:

Bass Cat Bobcat 

Length 17' 7"

Beam 90"

HP  70-150

Weight 1390

Interesting, the Z17 is a bit heavier than your Skeeter. 

[WRB]

Bass Cat Bob Cat w/150, 4” jackplate trimmed storage length is 19’11”. Far better boat and company then Nitro imo.

Tom

[Catt]

31 minutes ago, WPCfishing said:

Interesting, the Z17 is a bit heavier than your Skeeter. 

 

Skeeter?

[Jig Man]

I doubt that many here can tell much difference in the design, construction and performance of today’s bass boats.  Lots of people have opinions about different brands.

 

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:  Which dealerships are in a reasonable driving distance of you?  Does the dealership take service appointments or do you have to drop it off and wait until they get to it.  Your boat will have to be going back for service and possibly repairs.

[TnRiver46]

10 hours ago, thomas15 said:

When faced with such a dilemma such as should I buy a fiberglass or aluminum boat, I usually settle that internal argument with a compromise. Get one of each!

Winning answer!!!!

[RHuff]

I tournament fish locally and regionally out of a 2007 aluminum Triton VT17  it's 17'8 with a 2-stroke 50HP Mercury and a single axle trailer with a swing away tongue. I paid $5280 cash for it from a guy selling it who wanted the payoff amount to get out of debt. I've had it for almost 7 years now. I added a Garmin UHD 93sv to the console and a Garmin Echomap 7sv to the bow and the new 24v Motorguide Tour Pro with pinpoint GPS anchor..... It costs about $40 to fill it up and I can make several trips on a tank of gas and by myself in calm water I can run 32 mph. Two people can fish out of it comfortably. I'm not gonna win any drag races to fishing spots but if I don't catch any fish it's not because of the boat....

 

I've thought about trading it for something bigger but can't justify trading in a rig that I fully own for going into debt for something the price of a small house. If I ever decided to attempt to get my teeth kicked in fishing tournaments nationally I would probably trade it for something to fit that need but for what I need right now it fully fits my lifestyle. It doesn't take up my whole garage and I can move it around with one hand..... 

 

On a side note... A lot of times I fish team tournaments out of this boat as a single and I'm not gonna lie every time I beat a pair of guys fishing from a 70,000 rig it does make me smile a little bit.... 

 

 

[gim]

17 hours ago, Jig Man said:

Which dealerships are in a reasonable driving distance of you?  Does the dealership take service appointments or do you have to drop it off and wait until they get to it.  Your boat will have to be going back for service and possibly repairs.

Really good advice here.  Proximity to the dealer for possible repair, routine service, or alterations is a very important factor.  There's nothing worse than having to drive 2 hours one way to get something fixed and then having to wait weeks before its done.  All the while you aren't able to use that new rig because its "in the shop."

 

This was a big factor when I selected my boat back in 2015.  I narrowed it down to 3 dealers, all within 40 miles.  All things being equal, I bought it from one that was second closest, but they also told me I could take it to an even closer one that was only 15 miles away.  I haven't had to take it in there for any issues since I bought it, other than annual winterization in October every fall.

[DaubsNU1]

I looked and and researched boats for a long, long time. Great advice here.

 

If you are going to pull the trigger...then "buy once, cry once" (!!)

 

Get what you want, and don't skimp or compromise.

 

For my type of fishing, budget, family needs, garage space, etc., the boat for me was a Lund Adventure 1775. Doesn't do anything great...but does a lot of things well. Multi-species boat, so I can fish LMB's, SMB's, Musky/Pike, Eyes, & Panfish easily. Can pull a kid on a tube, and cruise around with 6 in comfort with the Bimini top up.

 

If you would have asked me ten years ago, my choice would have been a glass boat, probably a Nitro due to budget. Three years ago I was set on Alumacraft Competitor with Garmin Force and Garmin electronics. My brother got a Lund Alaskan three years ago, and outfitted with Ulterra and Helix 9" MEGAs. I was amazed how much more detail the Helix displayed vs. my Garmin. My Adventure mirrored his set up. I am very happy with this decision.

 

Keep researching, keep looking...and let us know what you get. Good luck!!

[WPCfishing]

On 8/15/2023 at 4:44 PM, Catt said:

 

Skeeter?

sorry, that was a response to Catt 

On 8/16/2023 at 12:25 PM, DaubsNU1 said:

I looked and and researched boats for a long, long time. Great advice here.

 

If you are going to pull the trigger...then "buy once, cry once" (!!)

 

Get what you want, and don't skimp or compromise.

 

For my type of fishing, budget, family needs, garage space, etc., the boat for me was a Lund Adventure 1775. Doesn't do anything great...but does a lot of things well. Multi-species boat, so I can fish LMB's, SMB's, Musky/Pike, Eyes, & Panfish easily. Can pull a kid on a tube, and cruise around with 6 in comfort with the Bimini top up.

 

If you would have asked me ten years ago, my choice would have been a glass boat, probably a Nitro due to budget. Three years ago I was set on Alumacraft Competitor with Garmin Force and Garmin electronics. My brother got a Lund Alaskan three years ago, and outfitted with Ulterra and Helix 9" MEGAs. I was amazed how much more detail the Helix displayed vs. my Garmin. My Adventure mirrored his set up. I am very happy with this decision.

 

Keep researching, keep looking...and let us know what you get. Good luck!!

The Z17 was a good fit for me. Bought from Richie at Thayre Marine. ( I will not buy from a chain store. )

Picked the boat up yesterday, now in my garage.. 

[Catt]

3 minutes ago, WPCfishing said:

sorry, that was a response to Catt 

 

I didn't reference a Skeeter, BassCat was the reference.