Boats?

Im sure this has been discussed time and time again and everyone has an opinion about it but here's my question. If you had the choice of a 1754 aluminum boat or a 18 ft fiberglass which would you choose? My biggest problem is I have never fished out of fiberglass. Will it handle well enough in the shallow waters single pole fishing? Or should I stick with aluminum? Any input would be appreciated!

I prefer tin boats myself, they will take a beating if they have to, but , i dont want a flat bottom , the ride is to rough.

I was gona go with a mod v for sure if I decide to go with aluminum.

Aluminum will generally sit shallower than glass in the water. Not enough to make a difference though. A wider boat will float shallower than a narrow boat. That being said, there is no comparison on how well a glass boat rides and handles the wind simply because they are so much heavier. They each have their advantages and disadvantages. You just need to find what works best for your style of fishing.

My tracker is a mod v, let me know when you have time and we'll hit the lake so you can run it so you can see if handles the way you want.

Lots of pros and cons on each type. Big diff in $ too. To buy, operate, tow and maintain. That part aside for shallow water single poling

Tin - louder, more responsive to trolling motor input, all else equal (and it never is) will get shallower or at least be easier to get unstuck if you bottom out. It is much more affected by wind generally.

Glass - quieter, takes more thrust to move, but move less in wind. Will tip less as you move. Generally will get very shallow depending on the make -just as or even shallower than some tin boats - ever notice the most popular saltwater flats boats are fiberglass, but that's a different animal. Trouble is, even with a TM, it is possible to ground one that is work to get off.

All that said, if I could only own one boat, it would be glass, but if need at least two trolling motors.

Wannabe...

I have a Polarkraft aluminum mod V. It rides good and corners well. Also, aluminum is alot more forgiving on that RipRock at some ramps at these Corps lakes. Mine is 22 yrs old and has a few scratches, but doesn't leak.:twocents

if you are going to fish big water like Nadar or Sardis I would at least get a 60 in bottom boat or maybe a 64, There is no comparison of how safe they feel over a 54 when you get in rough water in a tin boat

18 ft fiberglass will usually be more expensive, ride better, be less effected by wind and waves
17 ft (would go at least 60" bottom) will be more affordable, a little more forgiving in brush and rocks, easier to tow, and require a smaller tm and less batteries. Fish out of each before you make a decision. I have a 20 ft aluminum 8 ft wide with a pad hull much like a fiberglass. It rides tons better than the mod v, but still not as good as glass. For my style of fishing it is the best of both worlds.

Get the 18', it's bigger. And bigger is better on these lakes around here.

I went from glass boats to tin boats. And have had 7 tin boats in the years I left a glass boat. When I trade this Lund in ( If I ever do) a 18 to 20 ft glass boat will be my next boat. The Lund does it all, but still like glass better for most of the fishing. Thinking about trying my hand at Tournament fishing next year. And if I do any good will be going to a glass boat after the first year. But don't think I will do it long enough to trade boats. Unless I find someone to fish with.:biggrin
But as posted fish out of both before you make the choice.
Pete