Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

[Bob La Londe]

I have decided I want a new bass boat. I plan to sell two of the boats I have now, and use that as a down payment on a brand new boat. <br /><br />I have been looking at top of the line stuff. 20+ footers only need apply. <br /><br />The local Ranger dealer of course wants to convince me to go with a fiberglass Ranger. <br /><br />One thing that came up was long term resale value. I know a Ranger resells many years down the road for a lot more than some other boats, but it also costs more upfront. <br /><br />The big topic that concerns me though is the claim that on a high powered boat the aluminum will "always" experience metal fatigue. I can see that being a real issue for conventional construction aluminum boats, but for an extruded boat designed for high pwoer is this an issue? For me the long term life 10 or 20 years down the road is an issue since I want to try and retire young, and buying a new boat down the road may not be as practical. <br /><br />Now the kicker. I want a fast hull. The Rangers are very nice boats. I have fished out of several of them in the local bass club, but they are heavy boats. <br /><br />

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

There are aluminum bass boats that are pretty fast, but not as fast as the glass boats. You don't need as much power, and they can take more abuse. They don't look like big fishing lures, all sparkly and stuff like the glass boats though, they are a bit more industrial looking. Metal fatigue is a non-issue, whoever is telling you that is on something. Bass boats tend to see relatively calm water. You take a river jet boat, which reigns supreme up in my neck of the woods. These boats are welded aluminum, usually have V8 inboards powering jet drives, and bash their way up brutal rivers, taking huge poundings. I think a well built aluminum bass boat will outlast you, not just the 10-20 year expectancy you have. If it is all out speed, a good wood-free 'glass boat is what you want. If it is a lighter boat that is a bit slower but can take more abuse, is easier on the fuel consumption, and doesn't stress the tow rig as much is something that you want, then aluminum is the way to go. The aluminum bass boats are getting faster though, as the hull designs are improving. Good luck with whatever you get...

 

[quantumleap]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

If you're looking at aluminum, G3 is one of the better high performance aluminum builders. They handle higher HP motors well and are laid out as nice as many of the upper end glass boats.

 

[DJ]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Good advice so far.<br /><br />If you want longevity, get a hull with NO wood. It must be all composite construction.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

i have a boat made in the 60's that i use weekly and i have never, ever needed to replace the stringers or transom or floor...<br /><br />...oh yeah, its aluminum.<br /><br />jasonJ is exact on his thoughts.aluminum fatigue?!?, let me guess, a ranger dealer told you that....<br />dont ask the dealer, their job is to sell you what they have . point blank. thats it.<br /><br />check yamahas website and look at there peformance buletins. they have aluminum and glass boats that you can use to help you decide. remeber though that they were tested by yamaha and are gonna be a bit biased, but they are still good to think about, maybe one of your boats your thinking bout are on there...<br /><br />DJ also has a great point. the newer glass boats , some are 100% wood free, check out stratos website web page

 

[KCook]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Phoenix has 2 Ranger dealers. Plus dealers for Bass Cat, Champion, Crestliner, Nitro, Skeeter, Tracker, and Triton (incl tin). If you want extreme speed like Allison or Gambler that will be tougher to find. Just spend some time with Phoenix dealers and this may start to sort itself out for you.<br /><br />Kelly Cook

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

maint/upkeep time required = less time on water.<br />wood boats take serious upkeep, FB/wood is 2nd,<br />Al. hulls require almost none. Al. hulls are much<br />lighter and require less HP and GA$...<br />was easy choice to me when I upgraded this yr.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Mello,have you ever taken a ride in aluminum on a rough and choppy day?????They stiiiiiiiiink!!!I had 1 alum boat which we had in a slip and unless an alum boat is trailered ONLY there can be tons of trouble.Leaky rivets,electrolysis,dents when you bump the dock too hard,burn your feet when its sunny decks.My personal experience with alum made sure that I will never own another unless it is a jon boat or Grumman canoe.Charlie

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

charly, who takes a bass boat out on a nasty and choppy day?

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Me for one!! And Im sure you have been there as well havent you????We all have.If you let a little weather stop you than you are not a REAL boater,right?? Charlie

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

real boater?!? ... so when the family and i wanna go out, and its too ruff for our aluminum boat and we decide not to take a beating and get soaked, we arent real boaters??!?!?!?<br /><br />id be embarrassed if I posted something like that

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

hi Charlie, my Al. deep V handles chop fine and<br />a little white paint up top keeps her cool. 28yrs<br />old and no leaky rivets. don't worry much bout<br />electrolysis being in fresh water...<br />sorry, I'm sold! <br />MY 22' weighs about 1500lbs and a lil' 4cyl gets<br />her going just fine. a FG 22' would wiegh?<br />not to mention I will never have to replace the<br />"wood" stringers, ever!

 

[richstick]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Well, I dunno - most high end walleye boats are aluminum - Lund, Alumacraft, etc. In my opinion, aluminum is a far superior material to fiberglass, but then again, a walleye boat is far superior in form and function to a bass boat anyways, at least here in Wisconsin, where rough and choppy is a daily occurence. Guess I've never understood why speed is so darn important, unless you are fishing a bass tournament. As long as you have the power to get off the water when you NEED to (t-storms, etc).

 

[KCook]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

So Lund and Alumacraft are considered superior to Tuffy and Yarcraft in Wisconsin? Honest question, I have never had a chance to visit Wisconsin.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[myalibi]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Go Aluminum, Just make sure it is welded seams and not rivited. At least up here in Alaska people are buying aluminum. The power and weight issue is very important for many of us. And if taken care of they will last forever.

 

[tcube]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Bob, <br /><br />Well, I guess it's all about what you have and what you like. I have a 14 yo Lowe 17' V hulled aluminum bass boat. Nope, it's not one of the Ranger type go fast BBs - it is a true deep vee with casting decks fore and aft and comfortable seating for two. With a Bombardier 90 it does about 42 mph and goes a very long time on a 27 gal tank of gas. It handles chop very well but I have to admit I don't take it into "open" water. I prefer the lakes and rivers in the area to the bay. It's a riveted boat and after many hours on the water, the bilge is virtually dry. Does it have a few dents – you bet. Rather have those than cracks or worse. Fully loaded it checks in at considerably less than 3,000#. My next boat will be aluminum.<br /><br />Tcube

 

[BillP]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

I currently own one aluminun and three fiberglass boats. For fishing, the aluminum hull WILL be noiser than glass. Where I fish noise runs the fish off...flats fishing.

 

[SingleShot]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

You may want to check Trackers Avalanch not sure out big they go. All welded aluminum hulls. They look like glass due to the forming process. Some will bash Tracker boats but I think the new line of Tundras and Avalanch formed Aluminum hulls will be the way to go for aluminum. Been in a 18' tundra many times very dry and smooth ride.<br /><br />JK

 

[BillP]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Originally posted by SingleShot:<br /> You may want to check Trackers Avalanch not sure out big they go. All welded aluminum hulls. They look like glass due to the forming process. Some will bash Tracker boats but I think the new line of Tundras and Avalanch formed Aluminum hulls will be the way to go for aluminum. Been in a 18' tundra many times very dry and smooth ride.<br /><br />JK

I saw a Tracker pontoon boat the other day that said "Tracker by Lund" on the decal. From what I know Lund is a respected aluminum boat mfg.

 

[richstick]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

KCook - I would have to say in general that Alumacraft and Lund are more valued in Wisconsin, and most upper midwest areas, than a fiberglass boat like a Tuffy or a YarCraft. Of course, everyone has their opinion, but around here, by far the majority of people are fishing out of aluminum. Of course, we don't have flats style fishing, and largemouth bass fishing isn't the force here that it is down south.