Aluminum Bass Boats

[Down to Earth]

Though buying is still probably a ways off, I'm always bouncing ideas in my head about future boat purchase/upgrade. For about 95% of my use I'd say an aluminum bass boat would suit my needs. They other 5% like fishing the Mississippi River or pulling a child on a tube, I can probably get by with it as well. What are some good options if I go this route? I've seen pretty nice set ups by Lowe, G3, Crestliner, Tracker, Triton, just to name a few. Also, how far South will I have to travel to buy one? The Crestliner dealer at the MN Boat Show didn't carry the model I looked at and a G3 dealer down near Rochester only sold their Deep-V models.

Overall what are the pros and cons with going with Aluminum v. Fiberglass Bass or Deep V aluminum?

Thanks.

Andy

[FlipR70]

I think that you're going to get a whole range of opinions on this subject. I went through the same thoughts 4-5 years ago when I wanted a fishing boat and was deciding to go with aluminum or fiberglass.

Here's what I came up with. I thought that it would be nice to have aluminum so that I wouldn't have to worry about scratches or beaching the boat.

After posting on another board and talking with several people, I actually changed my mind and bought fiberglass. Here is my reasoning ... 1) while fiberglass is heavier, it is faster in the water (it's more buoyant), it doesn't seem right but I've talked with a lot of people in the know and they all say it's true 2) because it's heavier, it's more stable in the water (i.e. it doesn't rock as much when you move from side to side) 3) while fiberglass does scratch, I haven't gotten any serious scratches in my boat and I'm not always as careful as I should be 4) you likely won't notice a significant different in price

I think that you should come to your own conclusion but you'll likely get people who are adamantly pro / con fiberglass but I would get as many opinions and think about what you're really looking for. I'm pro fiberglass but it's an opinion.

My $0.02

FlipR70

[delmuts]

with the open water season under way; keep looking at all types of boats, and ask the guys that have them questions. there are great boats in both alm. and glass, i'm sure you will find one that fits your needs!

[rangerforme]

I really like the Alumaweld Express boats, they are a pretty sweet aluminum boat.

[mamohr686]

A deep-v boat will hold a line much better when drifting or trolling (that makes them better for walleye fishing), but you may not be able to get into the shallow slop like a bass boat hull. You will also have raised casting platforms with a bass boat and if you go with a deep-v boat flipping and pitching will be more difficult. I've heard that triton aluminum boats have been discontinued so you may be able to find some serious buys right now on some floor models. Do a webseach on the bass fishing homepage and look under the boats for sale page. Jet-a marina is closing out several boats and will give you an idea of what a new one will go for. I run a fiberglass skeeter and really like them. They have a good ride and are fast. Fiberglass can be repaired as good as new but aluminum will leak and crack. Fiberglass is also faster because the hull can be formed however the mold is made. Out of the 3 styles you mentioned a aluminum bass boat will have the worst resale compared to fiberglass bass boats and aluminum deep-v boats that are in much higher demand in MN. A used fiberglass bass boat may be your best buy.

[blakjack23]

Mamohr is right, a glass boat will hold its value better, but it has a lot higher price tag when new. It really depends what you are looking for. If you have 20k to spend, get glass. If you want something cheaper that has all the goodies of the more expensive boats, then get alumimum. I didn't feel the need to spend 20k on a boat so I decided on a used Alumimum rig. I paid $6200 (off hsolist in TN) for my '98 Tracker PT185 and I got an almost new boat with only 12hrs on the 90HP Merc. My boat also has dual consoles, livewell, two large rod boxes, 4 storage boxes, a very well built trailer, depth finder, 74lb Kota Maxxum, is 18.5 feet long and rides very smooth with the Revolution hull. And she will do 45mph. What other boat can you get all that for even close to that price? Find a glass boat for that price and you'll be looking at a 1984 Skeeter with a 115 horse motor that looks like its been sitting in the bottom of a lake for 20 years.

[beeflover]

hi down to, look at specs for comparable boats, I used to think I could save some money on aluminum but there's not much difference anymore.

I think an 18 ft Alum with a 150 hp would probably go a little faster than a 18 ft fiberglass but that would be it for advantages. The alum would be a little lighter if pulling is a concern.

What's the warranty difference?

A Triton Alum deal might be sweet, that was a good tip!

Go for max hp/$.

let us know what your seeing.

[Down to Earth]

Thanks for all the feedback. For me I guess the main reason for thinking aluminum bass is price and the waters I fish. Unfortunately, I won't have 20+ to spend on a boat, so new glass will most likely be out, though I think I have seen some Nitros and ProCrafts for under 20K. Another reason is the waters I fish. The large majority of my fishing is done on smaller bodies of water(under 1000 acres), with one being an electric only lake. It may be wrong, or maybe just crazy, but I don't want to have "too much boat". Don't know if that makes any sense or not, but right now I'm running a 1982 14'Lund with a 15horse Johnson and an underpowered 28lb thrust trolling motor. Pretty much anything will end up being an upgrade.

[JPSavage]

This might sound a bit out in left field, but, my son just got a 16 foot tunnel(jon boat) with a 40 hp motor......I would have never considered such a rig, however, it is slick......The prop is only about 6 inches in the water with the tunnel, and it has all the toys, 2 depth finders, 48lb thrust troller,flat floor carpeted, casting deck and should be a great rig in smaller water and rivers as well.Shallow water should be a snap...He paid $6000 for it and it's in great shape.2001 year model.Not likey a good choice for big water or windy conditions, but, very nice set up if it fits your fishing style.

[senkoskipper]

DUDE JUST GET A RANGER OR TRITON AND I GURANTEE YOU WILL SLEEP BETTER AND FEEL BETTER ABOUT YOURSELF.

[MSchmillen]

Aluminum actually keeps its value better but is slower top end and doesn't sit in the water as well.

[Eye-lander]

I can see both sides. I bought my first boat new in 1993. At the time, for all purpose boats, it was aluminum or nothing. Glass boats have came on strong in the last 10 years. I had a chance to jump on a 1890 Warrior glass boat recently, but decided to keep the aluminum tiller. It is an extention of me, and I know it well. I would say it is up to the user, but I catch as many, or more fish in my still in great shape aluminum boat, than I would in a newer more expensive glass boat! As long as you are on the water, you it makes no matter what you are in.

[SkeeterMark]

I'll throw in an opinion.

Aluminum:

good

Lighter for pulling

Easier to care for

Cheaper

not so good

Noisier

Slower

Less stable

Rougher ride

Glass:

good

Faster

Better looking

Smoother, drier ride

not so good

Heavy

Expensive

By the way, the speed issue, despite aluminum being lighter is mainly due to the higher degree of performance enhancing shapes obtainable by fiberglass vs. manufacturing with aluminum. The weight is also what makes the ride smoother. More weight has an increased ability to absorb energy (ie - bouncing off waves).

In the end, you'll need to decide which of these are more important to you, or if they matter at all. Either way, you'll still be in a boat fishing, right? So there's nothing wrong with that.

[therancher]

I have owned both a tin boat and a glass boat. There is no comparison. Go with glass. You can get a decent boat for 12-14k. It is worth the steeper price. Aluminum is nice as well. Look at it this way. A ford taurus is a nice car that gets you where you are going just fine. A Caddilac is not a ford taurus. Buy the Caddy. Get glass.