Thread: Glass vs. Aluminum...Pro's and Con's

If all I was going to do is fish I'd have a glass boat.

Brian,

All I can say is that you will never ever regret it!!
I switched in 2012 and can honestly say that I fish more days in rougher conditions than I would of even considered before.
I noticed one of your methods is 2 poling which is the only way I fish. I can still remember the days when it didn't matter how long I fished if there happened to be much boat traffic or the wind was over 15 mph that by time I got off the water I was mentally and physically exhausted. I never fill that way in my fiberglass boat.

My biggest recommendation for you is to check the width of the front end. It doesn't matter if boat is 18' or 22' some manufacturers just don't make their front ends wide enough to be able to mount 2 seats up front comfortably for one and without mounting the seats on top of a storage or rod locker lid for two. I looked at several brands before I bought and that was the one major obstacle for some of the boat companies. I absolutely refused to mount my seat pedestals on top of another storage are for possible lack of support and because IMO as soon as you didn't think you would need in that area while out the water then boom all of a sudden there would be a particular item that you couldn't live without in that storage area and then not only would you need to remove the seat to be able to lift the lid you might actually have to remove two seats to get into that area.
Also be aware that some manufacturers might have a wide enough front end but run their rod locker boxes almost up to the very tip of the front deck.

Hope this helps a little and good luck with the shopping.

I fished both tournaments and pleasure-fishing for years out of fiberglass. First, a Stratos and then two Rangers. There is no way I could ever argue against the stability and all-around comfort of fishing out of glass. I especially loved my last 19 ft Ranger for the wide front and low profile that made it easy to fish with in the wind. However, with the advance of aluminum hulls and profiles, I had been looking for a while at perhaps going to an aluminum boat simply for manuverability and the fact that a lighter boat is easier to handle and load/unload as I get older. After looking, thinking and studying many models, last year I purchased the new Ranger 188C crappie rig with a 115 4 Stroke Merc. It has the same wide-hull design as the fiberglass model without the weight. And I have to say: I LOVE IT! It takes as rough a water as I want to be on and runs and handles like a dream. The layout is comfortable to fish out of and meets all my needs. It runs about 50 mph (down for the 70+ mph I could get out of my big motor glass boat) which is plenty fast for me. I plan to retire next year and will use the boat as I go back to doing some guiding on the lake. All that said, I guess it depends on what you like. I cannot say anything against fishing out of fiberglass, but I love my new aluminum!

I have a 188vx Ranger with 150 Yamaha 4 stroke that fished really nice in all the wind this year. It is wide in the front and has factory 3 seat post holes in the front. Fished out of a 1986 Basstracker for 10 years and spent a lot of time watching the main Ky. lake if I was in a bay away from my truck. I ended up getting a 1756 G3 for the rivers especially Smithland so I have both. I love the 188 for it's stability and the first day I bought it I fished all day with the plug out. LOL Sure felt heavy on take off but I did not know the boat then. I feel safe in this boat and that means a lot because I fish alone 99% of the time. When I get in the G3 it feels like a pop can!!! Have you seen this site.Boats4SaleRanger

You are welcome to get in mine and see the difference

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I had 13 glass boats & loved them all, but as I age the lighter aluminum boat are what I use. Wind will push you a little harder but otherwise no difference to me on water.

Depends on your needs. As I age with a beat up body that limits my physical abilities I really enjoy my aluminum Wareagle. It's easier to load and unload. Some days my body requires several trips to shore for my back to walk out kinks. Always beach for lunch so dog can romp. Finally when my stiffness causes me to react slow or misjudge, the nick, scrape, and occasional gouge is easier to take on a tin boat instead of a shiny glass boat. My boat isn't perfect but we have kinda molded together the past few years and do alright. If I was to go glass, I really like the older ranger fisherman series boats. Good luck in deciding and stay safe on the water.

Thank you guys for all the replies thus far, keep them coming!

Dean, I will take you up on the offer.