Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

[imported_JD__]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

I own a 2003 Avalanche. It is advertised to have a high performance hull design with formed lifting strakes and a modified V pad. On my boat there is an exposed weld bead running the full length of the keel from the stern to just before where the bow starts to turn up and there is a very slight rippling in the hull on either side of the keel. I'm not complaining, I was aware when I purchased the boat and accepted this as being representative. Compare the aluminum Avalanche @ 1380 pounds to its glass counterpart, the Nitro NX 882 @ 1487 pounds. Hang a 150 Opti on each. The Avalanche estimated speed is between 60-62 MPH, the Nitro is 63-64. Drop down to a 115 and you're talking about 4 MPH difference. <br />Most people can't believe my boat is aluminum, it has a baked-on automotive paint with clear coat. The boat does have a dry ride and is roomy with the 8' beam. It sits rather high out of the water with no back-wash when coming off plane. The hull is .125 thick with all aluminum decks, lids, etc. All in all I like it a lot. There are some things I don't like but that's true with any boat. <br />I found this one at a repo brokers lot last year. It was sold new in Janurary '03, re-poed in June '03. Got it for about 9k less than what a new one cost.<br />Buy a new boat? Heck no, unless you can figure out how to write off around 5k or more in depreciation the first year on a boat. Look around, there are some deals out there.<br />JD

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

I recently replaced my fiberglass deep V with an<br />aluminum deep v crestliner, I had my fiberglass<br />boat for more than 15 years and we were quite<br />attached.I went aluminum with the new boat for<br />many different reasons. From weight to resale<br />,maintenance, longevity,saltwater use, beaching,<br />I am very impressed with this aluminum boat and<br />am glad I went that way.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Fatmanmike,you are obviously not a real boater.You are what we refer to as a "fair weather boater".You dont leave the dock if you see a ripple on the water.Real boaters go BOATING!!!! even if there is a chop.If you are worried about getting a little wet,take up bowling.

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

very few "calm" days on lake Ontario charlie. I<br />reg. deal with tougher conditions than I saw when<br />I lived in Cali. and was on BIG water...<br />that said, FG/wood deff. has it's advantages.<br />you mentioned sound and I agree (in smaller hulls),<br />but when I miss all that extra weight the most is<br />on rough water. my new/old light Al. boat reacts<br />much quicker and more extreme than a heavy hull.<br />so.... it's a trade-off <br />MY biggest consideration in choosing this hull was<br />the price of gas now and in the future.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Cant argue the fuel issue Mellow.It didnt take many ponies to get the alum boat I had going and it seemed to go a long way on a tankful.I was also able to zip through some shallow areas that I could not even consider going near now.I guess you had some insight as to the gas prices going nuts.Glad to hear you made a good decision.Charlie

 

[gsbodine]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Originally posted by NOSLEEP:<br /> I recently replaced my fiberglass deep V with an<br />aluminum deep v crestliner, I had my fiberglass<br />[snip]...

I've got a 26-year-old Crestliner and I love the thing to death. It handles the rough weather far better than my old FG Chap. Of course it's a little bigger (19 instead of 16), but it seems designed to handle the junk. In windy/rougher conditions, we often have the lake to ourselves in that thing (well, except for those darned power cats ). <br /><br />I'd certainly vote for aluminum.

 

[Bob La Londe]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Originally posted by tcube:<br /> 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

I understand your definition of calm etc... but the daily wind and rough water in the afternoon on some of the big canyon lakes like Powell and Meade, and to a slightly lesser degree Havasu can make the average day on the bay look like a dead calm. I have seen a boat come off a wave top next to me that a moment before was totally hidden by the waves. (That was on Powell)

 

[KCook]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

For Powell I would go with a glass job by Champion, Ranger, or Triton.<br /><br />Kelly

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

charlie, get a life buddy! youre roo much of a "real" man for me, buddy.

 

[youngboater]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

I own a Lund and I am very pleased. Stable in rough water, pretty dry for the most part, and is an overall nice boat. I like the 27 gallon fuel tank for a 16.5 foot boat. I've owned alumacraft and they are also a very good company and make sturdy boats. In Arizona there is one Lund dealer in the state. It is on Indian school Rd. in Phoenix. I bought my boat there. It was a 2002 bought in August 2003. I got a good deal on it. He sells or deals Rangers and Lunds. Last time I spoke with him beggining of summer he had 5 Lunds on order. It is called Southwest boats he has a website but I don't know the address. I know no help much. I would look at his place if you haven't yet. YB

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

I had a great day today in this new crestliner<br />It even has great karma. The wind come up heavy<br />in the mountains and to say the water was rough<br />would be an understatement. The wide beam helped<br />tremendously to keep the boat stable. I caught <br />landed and released a 25lb lake trout on lake<br />Miniwanka in over 300 feet of water downrigging<br />at 110 feet. I was buy myself and had to keep <br />the boat under control and play the fish out and<br />run the downrigger. Anyway after 45 minutes I <br />had the fish in the boat. It sure does make a <br />difference when you have reliable equipment to<br />help you get the job handled.And hats off to<br />Bombardier for the e-tec motor runs flawlessly<br />and starts on a dime when you really need it. <br />What a great day!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

NOSLEEP, glad you are enjoying your new boat, and congrats on the fish.

 

[NOSLEEP]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Hello roscoe. <br />I am pleased with the performance of both the<br />boat and the motor. I still feel that I made the<br />right decision waiting for and taking delivery<br />of this package , even after all the hassle.

 

[Beck]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Bob...<br /><br />I have the leaky riveted all. flat boat. I like it because it is 72" wide x 14' long. I am in the market for a 16' x-wide welded all. flat boat. <br /><br />All that said, my son-in-law has a Xpress 16' all. bass boat, slight vee. I was very impressed with the ride in rough waters. A very sturdy boat. They also make much larger bass boats and recently started making bay boats. The larger boats the all. is .125 thick. <br /><br />When checking the selection of boats I think it would be worthwile to look into the Xpress line.<br />No I don't sell them, ha ha. <br /><br />Beck

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

I have a 46 year old Crestliner and a 45 year old Texas maid (both aluminum) finally had to replace the original floor in the Texas maid this year, oh by the way no leaks in either of them and no dents and im not easy on a boat, i have had several glass boats and always go back to the old ones. I say buy what you like if you make the wrong choice buy something else, your choice everyone likes something different thats what makes the world go round.

 

[Rick Carlson]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Nicely put Bass Runner. I'd be a boring world without choices. Test both, buy what you like, go out when it suits you. <br /><br />Metal fatigue? Gimme a break. Maybe for boats made by Yugo or Reynolds wrap run in a shallow rock quarry.

 

[teamstromer]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

i just purchased an alumacraft navigator 175 cs with the 140 merc. the boat is loaded and carpeted. it it great in rough water whcih i attribute to the splash rails on the sides. the whole package ran 19,500. and boy does this aluminum boat catch fish!!!!!!!!!!

 

[UpstNYer]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Water test any welded aluminum boats you may be considering. Pay particular attention to how much water runs out when the plug is removed. I didn't when buying a new '02 16 ft. Fisher Avenger walleye boat and regretted it later. The thing leaked like a sieve....something like 2gph. Apparently bad welding jobs can slip past some builder's QC inspections.<br /><br />Lost the use of the boat for most of last summer when it went back to Fisher to be re-welded. I was fit to be tied. That was how they chose to honor their lifetime hull warranty.<br /><br />But it worked out OK and I'm happy with it now. When the plug comes out, nary a drop of water appears. It seems to be a tough boat and handles rough water well. With new 90hp Merc, it'll go a little over 40mph.

 

[KCook]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

^

 

[brownies]

Re: Aluminum vs Fiberglass - Picking a new boat

Fishing below a hydroelectric dam for trout. This water MOVES and FAST!<br />Big Rocks, Little rocks, shallows, Rapids.<br />There's a trout dock every inch or two for 20 miles.<br />I've yet to see an aluminum or metal boat at one of these places.<br />Any idea why?