Fiberglass vs. Aluminum

[Lkconwayguru]

Well I prefer fiberglass boats over aluminum boats for a number of reasons, here are some of them,
1 comfort while fishing
2 stability
3 not affected by the wind as bad
4 durability
5 on stump filled lakes fiberglass boats slide off of stumps rather than hanging up
6 drier ride on windy days when crossing the lake
7 handles the waves on big waters where aluminum does not do as well
9 storage there is alot more storage
10 just has a overall performance benifit

Dislikes
1 the need for a sure enough launch ramp, or a really strong 4x4 if launching with out a ramp
2 gas milage, generally takes more horsepower to push fiberglass
3 other than 1,2 I can't really think of any others.

chime in guys, I like to hear what other people think about this topic, everyone has a different opinion I am sure. I know how the story goes In the bass fishing world.

[crappie cowboy]

Here are somethings to consider also, Alum. will give about 6 times it's thicknes before rupturing. You can weld alum, it's also much lighter, less horse power to push.
Alum. will whole up better while left out in weather. Alum makes a very good ground, much more dangerous in storms.
Alum. boat less care, cheaper to buy than glass, less insurence cost.
I've had both, and for my fishing I like alum., I don't worry about pulling up on a concrete ramps, or logs, brush.
Right now I just have a 17 1/2, alum. bass tracker, and it does about all I want, of course it is not as nice as a glass boat.
It cost so much to fish now days pulling a heavy glass boat with my dodge truck getting 13 mpg, plus the fuel for 150 hp motor, I had to cut back.

cowbow

[creekslick]

All tin boats are not flat bottoms, as far as rough water look what the walleye fisherman use in the Great Lakes.

[rtark]

Here are somethings to consider also, Alum. will give about 6 times it's thicknes before rupturing. You can weld alum, it's also much lighter, less horse power to push.
Alum. will whole up better while left out in weather. Alum makes a very good ground, much more dangerous in storms.
Alum. boat less care, cheaper to buy than glass, less insurence cost.
I've had both, and for my fishing I like alum., I don't worry about pulling up on a concrete ramps, or logs, brush.
Right now I just have a 17 1/2, alum. bass tracker, and it does about all I want, of course it is not as nice as a glass boat.
It cost so much to fish now days pulling a heavy glass boat with my dodge truck getting 13 mpg, plus the fuel for 150 hp motor, I had to cut back.

cowbow

Also the original investment is a consideration. 18 foot aluminum boat verses 18 ' Glass. I will always take the metal boat.

[Roughneck]

I am an aluminum fan. I've had both, aluminum will dent, not crack and I have hit some
LARGE rocks over the years in the White River and others. If all you are doing is fishing the large lakes than fiberglass would be fine.

[Lkconwayguru]

I to have had both glass and aluminum, I have a 15/42 wareagle with a 25hp Johnson, I also had a 17' triton aluminum bass boat, but I find myself liking the glass boats more, I have hit some underwater structure pretty hard and I have scratched my hull but have never busted it, the only holes I have put in it were from rusted of rebar yo-yo stakes in the top of stumps these would have ripped aluminum also.I started this thread because I am thinking of getting another boat and I can't make my mind up what I want, I can find the good and bad in both alum & glass, but my gut says I won't be happy unless I get a glass boat, but my the other part of my gut says get aluminum. I do agree with the expense of fishing now and days. It's getting more expensive everyday it seems.

[Handicrappie]

I am very partial to my aluminum boat because..............it's paid for!

[xring]

I have owned both also, and now have a aluminum boat, I am more than pleased with the ride, comfort and especially like the fuel economy of the aluminum boats. For my purposes Aluminum is a better choice..But I don't run and gun, I never caught a crappie going 50 MPH....If a glass boat serves your purpose, bite the bullet, pay the bucks and be happy.

[luvpt]

Good things and bad with both. I have a 17 ft aluminum Procraft but also a 20 ft glass Triton. The glass is much more comfortable and the choice for large lakes but the aluminum can get into places the other one can't. And besides, who is worried about being comfortable when you are catching fish! I'll fish out of a tin can if the fish are biting and that's the only way to get to 'em! I use the glass boat about 80% of the time.

[RangerZ21]

I've had both. Got a glass boat now. I'll never go back to aluminum.
Z21.