Aluminum or Fiberglass

[Boz]

OK. Time to buy a new boat. I have always had aluminum. Last boat was a Crestliner Phantom 1750 with 100 Hp. Mariner on it. It is old and tired and been put away wet a few to many times. Now, what do I do?

I fish the St. Croix River (only during the week due to the pounding one takes on the weekend), Gull Lake, Lake of The Woods, Mille Lacs. Not too many little ponds anymore. Probably do more sitting on the islands on the St. Croix sipping on a toddy than fishing during the summer. The Significant Other and I like a windshield. Like comfy seats. Always figured I would own a Lund next. But with the prices of the big Lunds and BIG motors, used big glass multi species boats are not too much more expensive. Oh yea, I forgot an important factor, I have a 19 year old son that fishes 4 to 5 times a week and beats the $#%& out of my boat. So it has to be durable. Any suggestions are welcome.

[REW]

You will get lots of opinions, but the simple hydronamic fact is that a glass boat can be manufactured for the very best hydronamic shape. The only restriction is that the top of the mold has to be larger than the bottom of the mold.

Conversely, aluminum can only be bent in one plane. This essentially prevents including double reverse bows in the front of aluminum boats, which are quite common in glass boats.

This double reverse bow, is one of the major reasons why glass boats tend to be a very dry boat - all things considered. i.e. when the wave comes up along the bow, the bow flares out and down and blows the wave down rather than letting the water extend up the side to be caught by the wind and blown into your face.

Summary -
Look at a bunch of boats.
Look for the features that you want.
Stand in the front of the boat and look down the hull from bow to stern to determine the flare of the water away from the boat, as well as the shape of the hull - which determines the bow entry into rough water.
A well made hull can last for many years.
Conversely, a poorly made hull can be beat to death in a season.

Notable fishing style boats that have held up to wear and tear are
Ranger, Skeeter, Yar Craft, Warrior, Patriot, Sylvan, as well as others.

As with any used boat purchase, do a very careful marine survey of the boat. Look for obvious as well as hidden defects.

Shop well, choose wisely, and you will be a happy boater.

Note: the order that I listed the boats was in no specific order of good or bad boats. Simply a list of boats that many folks have found that have worked well for them for a long time.

Take care
REW

[Todd_NE]

All that stuff about glass and aluminum used to be true... Now Tracker has "stretch formed aluminum". I wish I had a $ for every person that has "knocked" on my boat the last few months and then I had to prove it was aluminum - not glass - by showing them a few small welds in the transom area.

I think you owe to yourself to check out a Tracker Tundra. They are dry like glass but ride like a solid aluminum boat. I couldn't be happier.

I'm a staffer that got switched over from a Glass Fisher FX to the Tundra and it really is the best of both worlds of boat construction.

That said, there are a ton of great boats and packages on the market right now

Todd
Yup, got her... oh yeah... feel that head shake!

[daren]

Considering the waters you frequent I would recommend the Tundra also. It has many things going for it. First, it's design gives it an exceptional ride, which, it sounds like you would like. Second, it is a good strong aluminum boat so it should take any accidents that may occur along the way. An aluminum boat is a better choice when you are going to beach it now and then as glass can get worn bad by contact with sand and rocks. If you do go glass I would look into a Hamby's keel guard, it will help take most of the abuse of beaching, it won't however, help with rocks that are contacted to the side of it. Even the Tundra would likely benefit from a Hamby's if you do alot of beaching the boat.

Daren

[Miami Vice]

The weight of the boat also plays a big factor in how it will ride.
Glass boats tend to be heavier, and that extra weight can give a smoother ride.
The worst part about fiberglass is all the maintenance associated with it.
A glass boat is a lot more work to keep looking nice, than an aluminum boat.
In an ideal world it would be nice to have 2 boats:
A “high maintenance” glass boat for the big water, and an easy to keep up aluminum boat for the smaller bodies of water.
Miami Vice

[Dave in Walker]

This is a very hard decison, now if I was a wealthy man, I would have both! but I am a retired Firefighter from Mpls, and now i have a Ranger Glass boat, best riding boat, driest boat, best workmanshiop I have ever had! that being said, I also fish the upp er Misssisppi River, shallow and full of rocks, I use Jon boat, I fish Lake of the Woods, Northwest Angle, nothing but rock reefs! sure wish I had a Lund! You have to weight everything in a balanece, what ever you do the most, what ever you can afford, sacrifice in some waters, sure wish I could win the Lottery,! then I would Have a big Ranger, A big Lund! a Jon Boat!, a sail boat~ a canoe! a cartopper! but not a JETSKI! now if I was a young guy I would love a jet ski

[HaleDamage]

One thing not to forget -- "the dealer" The dealer can make or brake your boating fun--
Wish I could afford the Tundra-- Have not gone for a ride in one yet -- maybe that is good I have not --
Got my 1st boat this year -- a Tracker Targa 18sc 115 4stroke -- Learning and having a blast doing it.
Test drive all you can -- Now maybe a good time to find a left over 03 with the 04's coming out..
Lots of luck.
HaleDamage

[Saggy]

REW,
How could you include Patriot in that list?I am not saying that they are not a well made boat,they are hardly available to fishermen yet.They have only been making fishing boats for 2 years and they don't have a dealer network set up.I don't even know of a dealer that actually has one.

[Boz]

Thanks for all of the great advise. The big question I have about a Tundra, would have to be resale value. They look like they drop like rocks. I'm not sure why I am worrying abuot that, I tend to keep every boat until they are worthless. 10 years and maybe 5000 hours weakens even the stoutest boat.

So fiberglass boats are not great on rocks? I have to admit, I have hit a few, but mostly when I was younger. Now I don't seem to be going quite so fast when I hit them. Now, the 19 year old might be a different story.

Another concern I am having, what is all of this talk about care. I vacuum my boat twice a year, and wax? What is that?

[Dealer]

Unfortunately, the list part may yield to meltdown of an otherwise good post. Hopefully, that won't be the case
I must say it is a surprising list.
Listed boats include some common, some uncommon, some top dollar, some low dollar, and some favorites obviously missing. A diverse and disengaged group, to say the least.

[Johnnie Candle]

The resale of the Tundra is yet to be determined. I do not know of many that have been resold as of now. 03 was the first model year for the 20 and 21 foot models and the 18 has really only had two model years so far.

I understand the concern about resale, it is there with every big ticket item you buy, but let's face it wether it is a car, truck or boat, if you buy it new and don't sell it in the first year or two you have it, the price drops like a lead baloon.

My advice is buy what you will be comfortable with and what you like. Get what fits your needs and lifestyle. Enjoy the tijmes you have with it and when it comes time to sell it, hope to get the best price you can.

Best of luck in your decision.

[shale]

Boz,

Keep it simple - your probably best off with a used Pro-v for your son's sake.

Reasons why:
1. Your son will have much more fun on the river cause he doesn't have to worry scratching a new glass boat.
2. It will handle the croix (including weekends) and bigger water like Mille Lacs without any problem.

I grew up on the croix (Hudson, WI) and know a new (or newer) glass or aluminum fishing boat probably won't be in great condition after a summer of fun. My weekend agenda at 19 was beaching the boat on the rock rip rap in Hudson, pickup chicks and buddies, motoring out to the islands and beaching it in rock/sand, pitching a tent, and having a good old time. The last worry on my mind was scratching in the boat.

[Nofish]

Howdy Saggy,

Actually, Patriot is setting up a dealer network and growth is constant, albiet slow. Check their web site or call Steve Worrall to find a dealer. Also, Patriot has been making walleye boats for at least 3 years, and saltwater boats for over 30.

I wouldn't take a boat off the list because they dont have dealers all over the place.

Just my thoughts........R

[Regular]

LOL!
In the words of Jeff Foxworthy: "You just MIGHT be an aluminum guy"

[Saggy]

NoFish,

"Notable fishing style boats that have held up to wear and tear are
Ranger, Skeeter, Yar Craft, Warrior, Patriot, Sylvan, as well as others"

With 3 years of making fishing boats how do we know they hold up to wear and tear?I am not knocking Patriot Boats at all.I would just love to actually see one at a dealer here in MN.I waited till June for Patriot to have a boat at the MN dealer and they still do not have one there yet.I ended up buying a different brand but am in the market again this spring.I think REW may have answered one of the other posters questions as to what boat he runs? Maybe it is a Patriot.

[Nofish]

Howdy Saggy,

You list valid questions. Yes they have only been doing freshwater, walleye/multispecies rigs for 3 years, but they have been doing saltwater boats for 40 years. ( http://www.patriotboats.com/ )

The owner of Patriot comes from a boatbuilding family and has designed hulls for several saltwater boat manufacturers. They make boats that the RCMP's buy (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) and design not only boats but manufacturing processes as well. The boats have an excellent track record.

I have spent a good deal of time in patriots this summer and have been nothing but impressed. And their pricing structure is realy friendly on the ol wallet. Add to that, the 1710 and 2050 hulls perform very well with one or two sizes smaller motors. A guy can save some real money by putting a 175 or a 200 on the back of a 2050, or conversely a 115 or 135 on the back of a 1710.

http://69.56.141.58/03chat_worrall.shtml

I do not fault someone wanting to wait and see how the test of time treats Patriot. However, there is quite a long history to support them, just not in the walleye arena. http://www.patriotpowerboats.com/

I didnt want this to sound like an ad either, but I posted links to the saltwater and freshwater sites as well as the recent chat here on walleye central.