Aluminum or Fiberglass?

[scrobo]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

Well.. I learned the hard way about that. After talking to the neighbors when I bought the boat... they mentioned it had sat in his backyard on the trailer for 8 or 9 years.

Transom was rotted... floor was falling apart... seats were goners.. all wiring destroyed. Yet I've seen my grandfathers boat stored in a garage on hangers every winter and it's a 52 and it's in mint shape.

I still like the aluiminum boats personally. but I was looking for cost. So I guess best lesson in this thread would be "Don't cheap out on either glass or aluminum because it'll bite ya in the end. Literally."

I'll be storing my boat properly now that she's seen the water again. Hopefully lots of years left in her.

$500 purchase price
$2500!!!!! in work.
= Lesson learned.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

Couldn't help but notice the thread about aluminum vs fiberglass.

Now... I read in there "doesn;t have a wood core to rot." Is that the stringers? Or is there a thin layer of wood sandwiched in the fiberglass?

I know... stupid question... but my stringers weren't made of wood. Some hard pink composite material like fiberglass. Which is the basis of my question.

Also... is there a lifespan on the stresses fiberglass can take through regular use? My old Lonestar is somewhere around 50 years old but I did not see any cracks during the sanddown to repaint it. Only the rotten transom cracked where the wood was swelling.

Well, I was actually talking about older ones. These days there are a good many all composite boats. I have just seen too many glass boats with rotten wood poking through a hole in the hull, where the glass wasn't thick enough. And the stringers are wood. The transoms and decks in old alums were often ply, but easier to fix, and at least the whole hull didn't rot! These days many alums have all alum construction, so the only thing that rots is carpet/seats.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

Considering that you're pretty far from saltwater, that concern isn't an issue. A lot has to do with the boat and how you intend to use it. If you like to beach the boat and run shallow water, then aluminum may be your best bet, if your looking for a sportier look and don't feel that hull wear from ground contact will be a concern, then I would consider the glass boat. But remember that both will always need some maintenance to keep them in top shape.

 

[bass buster]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

If looking at a used boat another thing to take into consideration is how they have been stored and cared for.

Yes, this is great advice!

I bought my first boat (used) about 2 months ago. A friend of mine gave me this advice......

If it looks as if the owner is passionate about boats, and has done some of his own modifications to the boat, chances are good that the boat and motor are seaworthy. This shows that the owner really cares about his boat. Also, cleanliness is a big thing to look for when buying used.

How true! You can tell if someone has taken care of their boat, after you look at many. I looked at more than a dozen boats before I settled on buying the one I have. You will "know" when the right boat comes along.

As far as aluminum vs. glass.....I think alum is way easier to maintain and is more forgiving for a new boater.
Aluminum hulls are easier to repair too. I had a VERY small leak in my boat, and a shot of marine silicone sealant took care of that.


Happy and safe boating to all!

 

[cougar1985]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

hey falcon i live in n.ontario and see a lot of legend boats they are good boats and competetively priced.go to their website.also another great boat is stanley,built in s.ontario,pricey but will look new when most other boats have turned to dust.

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

There's a reason aluminum boats are so popular here in Minnesota as well as Manitoba. Shallow rocky lakes.

 

[CDN_Falcon]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

Your profile doesn't list where your neck of the woods is, but having spent a lot of time in Northern Minnesota and Canada, I can tell you that a lot of the reason for Lunds carrying a higher price, is reputation - most of which is very well deserved.

This is the original poster's dad and we live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Minnisota/N.D.'s neighbour), so salt water isn't an issue.

We now own a 1987 16' Aroliner, that's a locally made (no longer in business) great "basic" tiller fishing boat that my son calls too "basic" even tho it's got full running lights and full carpeted floor in it (floor currently the project, it rotted out and our project now is replacing it. For me, I want an Aluminum boat for fishing, pure and simple, other than the floor rotting out (it was never covered) which showed up ONE leaking rivet (more info on how to fix a rivet leak other than some good silicon appreciated) it's all the boat I NEED (tips on how, what and where of replacing a boat floor greatly appreciated). I'll admit (even to my son) that the boat with it's '97 15HP Evinrude 2 stroke was a mite underpowered. That's why I found a "mint" 2001 30HP Mercury 4 stroke (VERY heavy motor) to replace it with.

Sorry son, it's strictly Aluminum for ME and MY needs to go fishing. I MAY be open to buying another boat that you can ski behind, but FG boats are out for me because, quite frankly, I'm not "careful" enough to use one when I go fishing.

 

[CDN_Falcon]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

Hi all...

Thanks for all the info and help in deciding what to buy...

This is CDN Falcon's dad again and we've decided and bought our boat yesterday...

We ended up with a very nice used (well used, about 200 hrs a year, but used well, local boat) 1999 16' Lund Pike SS with a ('99 package deal) 50 HP Mercury 4-Stroke PTT and Shorelander trailer for $9500... Having looked through the used boats for sale quite a lot, I think we got a pretty fair deal... Tough to beat Lund's excellent reputation even though they're a bit more pricey than some other lesser(?) brands...

My son (CDN Falcon) will have to wait a year or two to get the Bayliner (or the like Glass Boat) for skiing and boarding that he still wants...

BTW - CDN Falcon registered on my computer and when I wanted to get my own registration I couldn't because CDN Falcon was over (looking at boat info) at my house and registered on my computer... How can I get my own "handle" and registration here on this (my) computer?

 

[CDN_Falcon]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

This is the original poster's dad and we live in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada (Minnisota/N.D.'s neighbour), so salt water isn't an issue.

We now own a 1987 16' Aroliner, that's a locally made (no longer in business) great "basic" tiller fishing boat that my son calls too "basic" even tho it's got full running lights and full carpeted floor in it (floor currently the project, it rotted out and our project now is replacing it. For me, I want an Aluminum boat for fishing, pure and simple, other than the floor rotting out (it was never covered) which showed up ONE leaking rivet (more info on how to fix a rivet leak other than some good silicon appreciated) it's all the boat I NEED (tips on how, what and where of replacing a boat floor greatly appreciated). I'll admit (even to my son) that the boat with it's '97 15HP Evinrude 2 stroke was a mite underpowered. That's why I found a "mint" 2001 30HP Mercury 4 stroke (VERY heavy motor) to replace it with.

Sorry son, it's strictly Aluminum for ME and MY needs to go fishing. I MAY be open to buying another boat that you can ski behind, but FG boats are out for me because, quite frankly, I'm not "careful" enough to use one when I go fishing.

I have a question... Which do you think would be the better way to sell the above package...

Sell the 2001 30HP Mercury 4-Stroke Tiller seperately and the "boat package (1997 15 HP Evinrude Tiller on 1987 16' Aroliner and Trailer)", or leave the 30 Merc on the boat and sell the 15 HP Evinrude seperately? I'm thinking the boat may pull down the value of the newer, bigger, motor... Both motors are long shaft and in great running condition... Once we finish with "cleaning up and restoring" the boat and trailer a bit, they too will be quite nice and very usable as a fishing combo...

All input greatly appreciated...

 

[KCook]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

I believe forum registration is by E-mail address. So long as both the new user name for yourself and your E-mail address are different, it should let you register. If you are sharing the same E-mail, then you're stuck with the single identity.

Kelly

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

I have a question... Which do you think would be the better way to sell the above package...

I would leave the 30 on the boat. Both are nice newer motors that you'd have no trouble selling but the 15 would have a larger "audience" if you will because people could use it as a kicker.

 

[bouttime007]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

My 15ft aluminum Seanymph bowrider has been a rugged, lightweight little rig. I had a fiberglass tri-hull bowrider years ago, and the stability of the ride was good compared to my V, but the weight issue of alum is more important to me. I personally would pick aluminum over glass anytime. I stay in the freshwater anyways, so the saltwater is a non-issue for me.

 

[BillII]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

The Aluminum costs less but the fiberglass gives a much better ride. Bill

 

[Zero Balance]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

I would say hull composition would have to be related to the type of fishing I was doing. I use both aluminum and glass boats but for two different types of fishing. I fish Lake Mich. between April or May through Oct. and I prefer a heavier boat for lake fishing. The lund types are great for the same fishing. Wave for wave and fish for fish they (17-19'rs) get it done much cheaper and easier than my 23'r by the time you add up gas for the tow vehicle. Then again in 3 to 5' waves all that goes out the window and I'm getting what a fiberglass hull has to offer.

I have a Alumaweld jet sled for my spring/fall/winter fishing on some of Michigans finer rivers and small lakes. This boat can pretty much run on a wet floor so you can imagine the thumping my hull takes by rocks, logs etc.. I look up under my boat on the trailer somtimes and wonder why some of the scratches and gouges I picked up with as deep as they were had never cracked. Thats aluminum for ya. Much more durable than glass! Don't plan of the ride of a glass boat though it feels every little ripple in the water.

All in all I'd say it has to do with what your looking for with each there are pros and cons.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Aluminum or Fiberglass?

This is a bit off subject but I don't understand the concerns mentioned previously about aluminum boats in salt water. I live on the west coast of Canada and aluminum boats are very popular here, including large commercial fishing vessels which are kept in salt water permanently except for haul outs every couple of years. As long as marine grade aluminum is used and the boat is protected against galvanic action there isn't any problem.