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

I have the dirtiest boat east of Ky Lake, just maybe worse than wiskers. My carpet has holes in it, it leaks a little, there are fish scales from one end to the other. Its a 1989 Basstracker Panfis Pro and yes its aluminum. I've beached it on every concrete ramp that Barren River has along with numerous times at the Jonathan. It sits low in the water and you sit below deck and I feel comfortable. I've had a lot of compliments over the years and no, its not for sale, I love it too much. My son bought it for me. On the other hand, if your planing on fishing the big water, go glass.................Now hear this!!! G0 OUT WITH BUFFALO. You'll love it more than bacon.

Aluminum Xpress X-19 made more sense for me. Big enough to handle big water, easier to tow, less fuel burned, less worry about damage (gel coat), lower maintenance (waxing).

I'm with ChrisS, Aluminum Xpress XP200 although I can't give you a comparison with a glass boat.
The XP200 has 3 pedestal mounts up front, open floor plan (kids sit in lawn chair and fish off the sides). Handles really well on big water and very low maintenance.
Good luck with your decision as it is a tuff one, been there and done it but very pleased with my choice.

I've got a 16ft Alumacraft Competitor deep vee that I bought new in 2014. I mulled over many different models and makes. I really liked the Lowe Stinger I believe it was and of course the Ranger boats too.

I've got a 7 year old and I'm telling you, the deep vee designwas our choice because of its safety. I sometimes scratch my head on the number of bass boats down here, they can't be that comfortable of a ride in three foot rollers, which is common down at the Twin Lakes. My boat struggles in the wind but I rarely fish on windy days.

I love my boat because I think it saved our lives last year on Barkley. I hit a HUGE wake from a monster cruiser in the main channel and it knocked me out of my captain's seat and into the bottom of the floor. I'll guarantee you we would've all been thrown completely out of a bass style boat. I've only got a 90hp and had it at 42 today, good enough. I actually really like glass boats but once you get past the sex appeal, the Ole practicality starts to factor in. I can't see spending 50-80k on a boat.

Let me say this too, if I was guiding down here, I'd spend the big bucks on a really nice boat like Doug or Terry has.

Iam down on the ky lake now if you want to go out on a xpress h20pfc it comes set up for crappie