fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

[vahunter]

I currently have a 14ft fiberglass trihull with a 25hp Johnson and have been considering getting a 16ft Tracker or Weldbuilt welded aluminum Jon. I duck hunt and do some fishing out of it in saltwater and freshwater normally with 2 people and 1-2 dogs. I plan to keep the 25hp outboard. How would you compare the two boats with the same motor as far as speed, weight limit, stability and will I get less wet? On a 20*f morning it sucks to get wet when cruising to my spot. My boat currently goes anywhere from 20-25mph.

 

[lncoop]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Ride will be just as rough when there's chop. You will get just as wet, but that's what duck hunting gear is for. That's pretty good speed from a 25 on a glass boat. I would expect about the same, maybe a tad more, on a 16' john boat. The john boat will be able to run shallower and will be roomier, not just because of the two extra feet but also because they're more or less wide open. The amount of space you gain will of course vary depending on whether you'll be using tiller or console steer. Of the two brands you've mentioned Weldbuilt is far superior, but there are myriad other lines that are as good or better still depending on what you want to spend. Based on your stated purpose I think you're spot on with the 16' jon, but if it's within your means you'll be happier with a forty horse. Have you considered selling the entire glass rig and starting from scratch? Might be worth considering, especially if the 25 will require remote steer.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

I'm picturing your 14' is like a whaler? it is typically drier than a jon, but you will like having the extra room. I htink the performance with a 25 will be about the same.
An aluminum boat is loud! slapping waves, drop a sinker, shotgun shell, stow a paddle--something to get used to and try to soften. First thing is put in plywood floors for this. Also keeps you from tripping over the ribs or getting your hip boot caught in that one place every jon boats seems to have.

 

[vahunter]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Very similar to a whaler. It's a 1978 Lucraft

 

[canuckjgc]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Why a jon? If you are in salt it could get choppy, might be nice to have a deep V for a better ride. I have Lund 16 with a 40, a 25 would be a little slow but would likely work for 2 people.

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

only thing i didnt like about the tri-hill i ownd was water splapping the bow curves very loud and can get annoying after awhile. however i never got wet even with a few of the 5 foot waves some rude 30+ft boats sent my way. id say your going to be happier with a jon boat over a deep v stability wise. i've been on quite a few 15 ft deep v's and they rock awfully bad when you walk to one side or the other.

 

[lncoop]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Why a jon? If you are in salt it could get choppy, might be nice to have a deep V for a better ride. I have Lund 16 with a 40, a 25 would be a little slow but would likely work for 2 people.

Based on his typical use I suspect he frequents water better suited to a john boat. He doesn't implicitly state that, so I could be wrong. Won't never admit it though!

 

[vahunter]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Thanks so much for yalls info and opinions. It makes my decision a lot easier...now I'm stuck between a 15ft or 16ft semi-v Weldbilt and whether I should get factory sheet metal floor for $300 (welded and painted) get it without the floor and install wood floor? I think I like the 15ft with metal floor because I'm worried about weight and making the boat slower. I wanna be able to hit 30mph with my 25hp. Compared to woodfloor I would imagine it would be more quiet but heavier and doesn't last as long

 

[lncoop]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

15' john boat and a 25 horse outboard is a match made in heaven. It's interesting that you expect the metal floor to be heavier and less durable than a wood one. I would expect the inverse to be true, but of course I could be wrong. In any case, I think your best bet would be the 15' with the metal floor. Keep us posted.

 

[vahunter]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

15' john boat and a 25 horse outboard is a match made in heaven. It's interesting that you expect the metal floor to be heavier and less durable than a wood one. I would expect the inverse to be true, but of course I could be wrong. In any case, I think your best bet would be the 15' with the metal floor. Keep us posted.

Actually I guess I could have worded that better...I do agree that metal would be lighter than the wood...I was trying to say that I like the idea of metal floor because it is lighter and last longer but louder...but would wood be nice because its quieter and easier on bare feet in the summer but won't last as long and is heavier and I would fear it would slow it down some.

 

[lncoop]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Understood. There are all sorts of surface applications to mitigate heat and noise. Look into marine carpet, Durabak, Rhino type coatings, rubberized mats that can be easily laid in and removed, etc. The world is your oyster.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

I'd go for wood--you can do it yourself, easy to modify, remove to clean the bait that gets down there, etc etc. and quiter. You can paint it and not have to carpet it (yuk).
Judging from your name I assume you are getting an olive drab paint job for duck hunting and boating in Virginia. Keep in mind that the paint gets real hot in the summer. So if you go with floor coverings, maybe a light colored one you can remove for hunting? And get white throwables for seat cushions in the off season, too.

 

[crablegs]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Eh I would personally shy away from weldbilt. They are very cheap boats, which is good because you can get a new boat for a used price, but their welds are not up to par, and they use very thin low grade aluminum for every part of their boats, .100 for the floor and I think maybe .090 for the sides. If you take it in some rough water or if you hit some things your floor will start to buckle and you will have a trashed boat in no time. I would look for just about anything else, a custom builder can build a MUCH better boat for about the same price.

 

[vahunter]

Re: fiberglass trihull vs. welded aluminum jon

Anyone have any opinions on the weldbilt gun boxes? Pretty sure I want one. Some nice storage