rough water what do you want-glass or aluminum

[eric]

What handles best on big bodies of water when it get's rough? Is the ride better in a lund prov, alumacraft, or ranger etc. Glass seems to be the choice, but what does everyone else think? Eventually on the aluminum boats won't the rivets begin to loosen due to the pounding it takes over the years(which would make the boat harder to sell). I realize that it's a matter of personal preference, but still what do people think holds up better against rough water-Glass or aluminum?

[Ric]

Search the archives. This subject has been pounded more than a Great Lakes charter boat.

[Todd_NE]

I don't think this comes down to personal opinion as so many say.

Hands down, it has to be glass because it can be formed much more intricately than aluminum. The Tundra's may change this, but glass will ride and drive better, and particularly drier.

Either way, buy what YOU want. Obviously there are a ton of other reasons and factors in buying a boat, material is just one of many.

Personally, I think the dealer is about as high as it gets contrary to some opinions also.

Further, some guys drive better. Would you rather be in a aluminum boat with a good driver than a glass with a poor driver - absolutely.

Todd

Yup, got her... feel that head shake!

[Vikings Fan]

In response to Reply #1. Interesting analogy regarding Great Lakes Charter Boats. 99% of which are built out of fiberglass. Why? Because nothing else held up to the kind of abuse Charter Boats recieve. On the same vein when was the last time you saw an offshore racing boat made out of aluminum? If you can't afford fiberglass buy aluminum, but don't tell me it is better. I own both.

[Ric]

Good for you. I own both and my aluminum boat rides smoother.

[Swede2]

check theese boats out made in saltwaterproof aluminium
http://www.anytec.se/eng/startindex_eng.htm

[Schnauzer]

Yes, if I had a dollar for every time I've seen this discussion on WC I'd have enough to buy a new Aluminum AND a glass boat.

I have a big tin boat and I have been through some nasty stuff on Mille Lacs with it. I love it. On the other hand, I have seriously enjoyed my time in glass boats. If I were to head to the dealer tomorrow to pick between a Tyee, Pro V, or a 619... man... I seriously don't know what I'd do. I like all these boats.

Although I don't know what I'd finally pick, I would not overly concern myself with durability on those boats. Yes, rivets can pop. Welded seams can crack. Fiberglass can crack. I grew up fishing/boating on Mille Lacs in a Lund boat that was older than I was and it never leaked a drop.

I like the storage better in the glass boats - especially the rod storage (although you can get center rod storage in a pro V). I also like the idea of not having to have transducers hanging off the hull. The ride is better, although the driver does have a lot to do with that. I like the maintenance better on the tin boat (although I'd never get another black one - water spots!). I also like the layout, except for the rod storage, in my Tyee. Like I said, I honestly don't know if I'd go glass or tin but I do know this: for me personally - I would HAVE to have a windshield. That is one thing I won't give up. I fish a lot between Labor Day and ice over.

I realize this doesn't answer the question. After 20 guys post aluminum is the ONLY way to go and another 20 say glass is FAR better, the question still won't be answered.

[BlackSilver]

Actually you asked three questions....

.... 1) which handles better?
.... 2) which rides better?
.... 3) which holds up better?

All things being equal (which they never are) the builder of a glass boat has a lot more freedom in how the hull is shaped and contoured. So, presuming the designer has those issues in mind, a particular glass boat built by him will perform better on issues 1 & 2 than an equivalent aluminum design.

If the over-riding design issue is which holds up better, then look to the boats built to handle skinny water on the rivers of the NW and Alaska and you will see welded aluminum or steel. The boats I drove in the "Brown Water Navy" were made of a composite sandwich of fiberglass, aluminum, and wood.

In the real world all these factors get melded in along with build cost/price-target, weight, and a host of other factors, so there is no single pat answer "pat answer" to all three of your questions.

Walk softly and carry a big fish.

Hans/MN
--
"If you don't go fishing because you thought it might rain you will never go fishing. This applies to more than fishing."

[CarpetBagger]

Over 20 ft if u had a 22' aluminum or a 22' glass...id take the glass every time...
I fish erie...50+ days a year, 2-4's 3-5's im out and im fishing...Now maybe one some smaller lakes that u might only see 2' waves on max...i could see an aluminum being better suited just due to it being lighter, and better on gas, not to mention those lunds are dam nice boats...its just that price tag on them...lol
0
Grant it there are some nice nice alumi customs on the market, Armstong marine makes a real nice one for big water...but foot per foot glass is superior...especially one that is hand laid glass...

CB

[go fish]

don't you think that overall in fishing big waters such as l.erie or sag. bay any other big body water where you can expect big waves that a glass boat will push the water better? Can't imagine a aluminum boat handling that kind of punishment. Those aluminmum boats just got to be rattling to pieces by the end of the year and can't see why anyone would buy a used aluminum boat especially one that a pro uses and put's it through. To me it's glass all the way

[Tim]

A little too much glug, glug?

[crestliner]

this is an issue that you can fight over all you want, But Hans put it best. A lot has to do with the driver of the boat. With the new boats that are built today, most at 20 feet, they have the ability to span the waves better than a shorter boat. Everyone says that glass will hold up better than aluminum, but they both perform well. boats have been made for over 1/2 a century out of alminum. If you had the ability to look inside the fiberglass, you would be amazed at the number of stress cracks that are made. Todays boats either glass or alminum are designed to hold up well. Again it depends on the driver. If you took a new pickup and drove across a plowed feild 50-60 mph what would happen. Boats are built to last, but you need to know when to slow down.

[frozen]

How about just some calmer water????

[Rough water]

Let's say your on a large lake that has no dock at the boat ramp and the only way to get in and out of your boat is at a rocky shore line. I'll remind you that the waves are pounding the shore. Tell me who with their 30K plus fiberglass boat is going to want to damage their boat? What do you guys with fiberlass boats do in this case? Carry waders? I would really like to know.

[Tennessee Jed]

Hi Hans!

Were you in a PBR in the Mekong Delta, shuttling SEAL's and ducking RPG's? MY HAT IS OFF TO YOU!!! I knew you were a vet, but didn't realize you were with the BWN. Thanks for what you did, and I am glad you made it back safely!


My two boats are Roplene, which is fancy for "plastic." Hit my hull with a sledgehammer, and you're likely to kneecap yourself when the hammer bounces back at you. You'll have to look hard to see if you even made a scratch or dent on the boat.

They probably aren't as fast as a comparable glass or aluminum hull boat because of surface imperfections in the plastic, and you have to be careful trailering or putting the boat on a lift because the hull will flex into a bad set, but this natural flexibility cushions the ride in rough water.

I love my "plastic fantastic" Triumph boats, and wouldn't trade them for any other make of boat for inland lake, or inshore saltwater fishing.

[HardWater]

Good point. When the water gets that rough that I hurt from pounding over the waves, I look for the lee side of islands. I may have to hunt for a while to find a lee side that contains fish, but I am not interested in fighting Mother Nature.

Last September I spent 2 weeks fishing Lake of the Woods. High for the days was like 46 and the winds were raging (the forecasts were never less than 20 mph and 3 days were for 30 mph and one day with gusts to 40 (that day I fished only about 3 hours and gave up and went back to camp and had a beer or two with my campmates)). I fished close to camp and in the lee of islands. I caught fish ... nowhere near the size and numbers that I could have caught on my favorite spots (which were exposed to the elements), but I was happy not having to fight the wind to catch those fish. The older I get, the more sense that philosophy makes. I used to stand in the teeth of the wind ... but after a number of close calls nearly getting pitched overboard, I have changed my mind about how smart that is.

[VMC 9299]

I own both a glass and tin boat. Which one is more durable? Don't have the answer. I have yet to have any water come from the bilge of my Pro-V when I pull the plug and I've been in some big water with it. I guess the question of rivets vs. glass could be answered with a question. "Ever seen an airline jet made from fiberglass?"

[bob]

airplanes are made with rivets because of airpressure changes for flexibility!!! man why do people argue this all the time? Either boat will sink if you hit something and if the waves are 5 footers, your butt will hurt no matter which you are in. Go fishing and quit bringing this argument up!!!

[Goldpig]

If I had to guess, I would think he was kidding.

[Bushwkr]

Wood boats are the best!

[Brad]

Have you checked out the new Coast Guard cutters? There was an article about them in Boating magazine within the last two months. Anybody who read that article would probably agree that no boat would handle rough water better than one those rigs. And guess what, they're made of aluminum. Hull design matters more than hull material. Look into it.

[SUPERTROLLER]

It doesn't matter if it's Aluminum or Fiberglass. It just needs to be BIG. The rest is all personal preference. I do disagree with your comments on Riveted boats though. My Lund is from the 60's and doesn't leak a drop. I don't think you can make a blanket statement on riveted boats eventually leaking just from bouncing in the waves.

[wa_walleye]

I own both aluminum and fiberglass too. I will take whichever boat has the better driver!!!