Fiberglass vs Aluminum

**Spaceman** · 01-22-2017, 09:58 AM

First, You will always get great advice and opinions on this site. I agree and respect everyone's thoughts above and will offer a few additional thoughts without trying to repeat the advice/thoughts above. I own both an aluminum and glass boat. I like both boats very much for different reasons. For the predominant type fishing I do (e.g. cast and retrieve, flipping, and vertical) I am in my aluminum boat 90%...and, it is also set up for spider rigging. For open or big water with longer runs to fishing locations, I am in my glass boat.

Thought to consider: I am a Dave Ramsey kind of person. Think about what you can afford. If you can't pay cash, then you can't afford that boat. I do not believe in financing a boat...just my opinion. Next consider what type water you will predominantly be fishing. Big or open, windy water with longer runs, I prefer the weight of my glass boat with the larger motor. For smaller water and creeks with short runs, aluminum all the way.
Aluminum boats for the most part are less expensive to own, operate, insure, fuel, maintain, etc. Yes...you can buy some really nice and more costly aluminum boats. Glass boats absolutely handle big water and wind much better. Also, aluminum boats are lighter, easier and less expensive to pull from your house to the ramp.
Bottomline: Consider all the thoughts from those above with the type water you predominantly fish. And, then consider what you "need" and can "afford". That is much different than "what you want". Good luck and best wishes.
P.S. Whatever you choose, put a motor on the boat that matches the max horsepower rating for that boat...you will be much happier!

**bandchaser** · 01-22-2017, 10:55 AM

Spring winds on big lakes or open water requires a larger boat, regardless if it's a tin or glass boat. I now have my first glass boat and we absolutely love it! Don't get me wrong, my previous tin boat was no joke, 1860 G3 with a 80" beam. Fished with confidence in multiple states on multiple bodies of water.
But for safety, I would take my glass boat first.

And the final piece that I had to learn about was boat control. Tin boats do sit higher and catch a lot more wind than glass boats.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

**yobuck** · 01-22-2017, 11:16 AM

In the world of boats, perfect dosent exist, at least all round perfect.

**rnvinc** · 01-22-2017, 11:24 AM

I started with glass ...

Then I got tired of wiping that monster off every time I put it on the trailer ...

Now I'm ratch-ed down and driving off while that glass guy is still looking for his shammy rag ...

Rickie

**Spaceman** · 01-22-2017, 11:34 AM

Originally Posted by rnvinc

I started with glass ...

Then I got tired of wiping that monster off every time I put it on the trailer ...

Now I'm ratch-ed down and driving off while that glass guy is still looking for his shammy rag ...

Rickie

Hey, I resemble that guy at the ramp.

I do clean my tin boat at the ramp as well. Spray bottle with water/vinegar and an old rag and both the tin or glass boat are clean and ready for the next trip.

**yobuck** · 01-22-2017, 12:37 PM

That would depend on the guy, mine always seems happy even without wiping it down.
Salt spray now is a totaly different situation.

**chaunc** · 01-22-2017, 01:59 PM

My deep vee Lund aluminum fulfills my every need. I can fish big waters and shallows in it and I sit in it not on it.

**pab1981** · 01-22-2017, 02:17 PM

Valid points on both sides brought up in this thread but not many really addressing what you listed as your primary concerns. I have a deep v aluminum and a glass boat both in the garage and like both. But from what I gathered your main concerns are stability in the wind with trolling motor down with a couple people moving around in the boat. If that was my main concern and I was you, I wouldn't be shopping for anything but whatever Ranger glass boat fit in my budget. Your mileage may vary or you may have more concerns that you didn't list.

**sinkermaker** · 01-22-2017, 04:56 PM

Go with a nice 18 to 21 ft glass boat that is big enough to seat 2 side by side. The glass boats are so much more stable and not affected by the wind. I can fish 15 to 20 mph winds trolling and not have to use a drift sock. Spider riggin I can fish about 10 mph. Also can get off the lake quicker in case of bad weather.

**Eagle 1** · 01-22-2017, 05:18 PM

Another factor will be do you tournament fish ? You pay , you play ! lol Do you normally fish back to back or even multiple days ? How many methods/techniques do you partake in ? How much tackle storage do you need ? Insurance on a 30-40 k rig will be a big jump over a 5k rig and the depreciation rate is phenomenal on those men size toys . BOAT= BREAK OUT ANOTHER THOUSAND , IS A TERM NOT DEVELOPED BY A MAN IN A CANOE .

Thread: Fiberglass vs Aluminum

Thread Tools

Display

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions