Fiberglass vs Aluminum

New to the crappie world and looking for feedback and opinions on Fiberglass vs Aluminum boats. I bought a little bass tracker 175PT not knowing what or how I was going to fish. I have since gotten deep into the spider rigging scheme of things. I have managed thus far but have realized quickly that my BT is probably far from the best choice to rig out of. I know there are better aluminum boats with better stability or should I got with fiberglass. I wanna be able to fish 2 up front with out worrying about the wind when its only blowing 5mph and have the stability so that if one person moves towards the stern everything else up front is not out of kilter. Enlighten me.........

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Everyone has their opinions on this subject and most folks are dead set one way or the other. Since you asked here is my view, hope it helps. I've owned both metal and glass boats. Used to be metal boats were much less expensive and people bought them to save money, not so anymore, cause their are some mighty high $ tin boats on the market. In my opinion glass rides much better, and depending on models, have low profiles to catch less wind. The glass boats are definitely much heavier crafts than the metal boats I've seen. Stability, comfort, and ease of use is what I look for in a rig. For me it's glass all the way.


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I'm voting glass. I have a bay 20 tin and hoping to move up to glass soon.

If money was not a factor , then no doubt it would be glass for me . The cost of larger motors keeps me in aluminum .

If money were not an issue I would go glass. However, in my world it's an issue that keeps me fishing in my beat up old flat bottom with a 25 Mercury.

If I were looking to go aluminum I would look very strongly at the Edge boats. I have fished with a friend in his and have been very impressed. I never felt unstable, even with three foot whitecaps coming over the bow into my boots. And yes we still managed a boat load of fish.

If you ever launch where there is no dock aluminum is preferred. You can destroy a glass boat beaching it on rocks or concrete.

I'm a TIN man myself. . Have a 18' express and love it!! Handles the big water well and it works great for me because I fish a lot of skinny water .and launch at a lot of paces that don't have docks.so I can just pull er up on da bank. ( I wouldn't do it if it was glass) Also really like the Lowe boats . Both are very sturdy and are set up for 2 to fish out of the front. :twocents

aluminum for me. i have had both over the years. i go up in creeks sloughs shallow bays and even over log jambs a lot. the lighter boat allows me to man handle the rig when needed. my rig is an old lowe jumbo 16 semi-v with middle seat removed and floored off. i stumbled across this hull/boat by chance in a barn and picked it up for 300bucks. i wouldn take a 1000 for it. lol your situation mite be totally different from mine though. it all depends what you need. its just nice to have a heavy boat anymore ill tell ya.

This has been discussed many times, but I'll stick my nose in. I came from metal to an 18' bass boat that I have owned since '09. The comfort on rough days and speed of the reaction of the boat when moving inside at rest have me sold on glass. Some things I will point out are what I've found since buying my current boat. The term is "Carrying the beam forward". Kinda self explanatory but what it means is that it doesn't get skinny as you go forward, letting you fish side by side in the front of the boat. When a boat does this well, your partner can get up to put one in the live well or re-rig and you don't have to pay attention to his every move. It's one thing my boat doesn't do as it has a skinny nose. While talking about this, lets talk about seating versus storage. I see some boats that are plenty wide and don't make provisions for 3 seat bases and have storage laid out like a salt water boat that prevent adding seating later. As you look at different models you will see this. Access to pumps and fuel cell and inherent plumbing for all the mechanical stuff is rather handy also.

Glass boats also take more ponies to make em go, and in today's market they are pretty pricey. Mine is an '88 150 Mariner with 3 carbs. I could upgrade to a 4 stroke and cut my fuel use to about a third of what it is now, but that motor is 80lbs heavier. Everything in my boat is in the rear, fuel, batts, live well, and so on. An extra 80lbs added changes the way the boat sits at rest. Talked with a man with a Skeeter that had done this and he said if he were to do it over, he would have gone with a 2 stroke Pro XS Mercury instead because of the weight. It sat noticeably nose high at the dock when he went to get the trailer. Point is to pay attention to weight distribution. It may not matter now but it will at some point.

Having spent a while looking at what I would move into should the chance come, I am leaning towards an 1860 or 2072 aluminum rig with the lowest sides I can find, a minimum floor thickness of .125, all welded, 3 wide seating in the nose and rear. The 18 would have a 90 four stroke and the larger a 115. These aren't speedboats and would plane well at less than wide open throttle. I'm leaning towards the 20' for several reasons, one being the chance to go back tot he salt water that my current boat isn't built for. I could go with 150hp but just don't see the need for me. Battery storage for the TM is also something to keep in mind whether you go glass or metal. Rod storage is something you also have to decide on and most metal boats have a good box but I don't know of any maker that caters to the long rods we use.

Each has their advantages. The weight of glass and the ride are worth a ton, especially if you fish in places like I do where it seems the wind follows me. But on the other hand, if I had a glass boat, it would have sunk by now. I have hit every stump in every lake I think, and I'm still floating.

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!

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.

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

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 ...

:yikes

Rickie

Quote:

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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 ...

:yikes

Rickie

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Hey, I resemble that guy at the ramp.:dono :scratchhead :biggrin 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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 . :biggrin

I have been round robin with boats. The best boat to own is one that doesn't leak.

I have fished out of both and if you can pick and choose the days your going to fish I would go with a good aluminum boat. If you are like me and only get a few days off a month to fish I would go with glass boat. I recently bought a glass boat and love it. The wind isn't as big of a factor anymore

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Joey Clark

I have fished out of both and if you can pick and choose the days your going to fish I would go with a good aluminum boat. If you are like me and only get a few days off a month to fish I would go with glass boat. I recently bought a glass boat and love it. The wind isn't as big of a factor anymore

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Exactly why I went to a glass boat. Also, like Joey, we fish big lakes that can get torn up real quick. Again, boat control is the key.

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For where I fish, there's just no comparison. My glass nitro has a nice deep hull and is very comfortable and safe. I don't think I'll ever go back to aluminum.

I've had several bass boats glass, deep v,s aluminum, Jon boats, 26 ' cuddly cabin lake mich. boat, canoes, kayaks, and now back to a G3 flat bottom aluminum and not afraid to use it on any lake in the US or river. I also,have a very good builge pump in the back. But my fav. No maintenance is this G3 easy to pull down the road easy to launch and gets me into tons of fish. It's whatever floats your boat and just set it up the way you want it to fish out of and enjoy your boat.

I like my bass tracker but when the wind gets to blowing hard I have to head to the launch while the bass boats keep on trolling!

I bought my Tracker 175 in 2011. It is a very good boat for what it's designed for. I fish in 10 mph winds on a regular basis in smaller lakes and rivers. On big water find the side of the lake with less wind. Since you have already made the purchase, set up the boat like you need and deal with the nuances until you can do better. You may want to try longlining out the back of your boat but just a warning...it's addictive. You can find info on this technique on this site and on youtube. Just my .02

Wind and two up front. Go with a glass boat bass boat or bayboat. Both should have lower sides. 20' would be best but you could get by with an 18'. I would go to bassboat central and ask on the general forum who makes the widest front deck at the pedestal base. It won't take long to get that info. With two up front, you want as much room as you can get.

I have a tracker 175 as well and have set it up to spider rig with two up front and have not had any issues. They all have ups and downs with the wind, you just have to learn the lake you fish and learn how to play the wind. I only get to fish the weekends and as my luck goes most weekends the wind is kicking. I just figure out he direction and find some fish where I know the wind wont be as bad. Before I got the tracker all i had was a 1436 jon boat so hiding from the wind was a every time out thing.

I just don't feel safe fishing two up front on a bass style boat in my area of the country. Up north we fish a lot more open water that will kick up three foot waves unpredictably fast, so its best to be sitting in the boat, not on it. My Lund Mr Pike let's me do this, and stay comfortable while I'm catching fish. It's heavy enough to fish in any wind too as I have an eighty pound thrust trolling motor to pull me around. Like they said here, just depends on where and what style you want to fish.

Aluminum is noisy, fiberglass needs care. If you are lazy and cheap like me I would go aluminum, if you are the kind of guy that would buy a corvette go glass.

Basically it depends on your budget. Glass is almost twice as much as aluminum. The engines and accessories are the same cost regardless of the boat you put them on. With engines, size matters when talking price.

I sell aluminum boats and have used one most of the time. I just bought a Ranger and it rides tighter in windy conditions, but I didn't not think it'll catch one more fish than I usually catch. It's whatever you get used to. Again, it's all about your budget. If you decide on aluminum, make sure you understand hull design. Stay with the pad style hulls. They ride like a glass boat in the rough stuff.

Really it depends on you and your style and location of fishing. If you spider rig a lot glass would probably be he best option. I personally like tin due to fishing a lake with stumps throughout it. But to each his own. But don't count out the tin boats. They are better designed than ever before and with newer hull designs they can be very sturdy if you go big enough. As far as wind goes throw some chains out and fish! Works for me.

This is my idea of a tin boat. https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...04a2921cc0.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...65254ffba7.jpg

I totally appreciate each reply and everyone's in put on the ever popular question of Fiberglass vs Aluminum. With all things considered here is what I came up. My home lake is Kentucky Lake (big water), which is reason one for my choice of Fiberglass. The next reason is the fact that I still have 2 smaller aluminium boats for my smaller stump infested holes. Lastly I will fish regularly with at least 2 of my 4 teenage boys with me, stability stability stability!!!
To be expected many of you mentioned money. I am a blue collar Union worker with 5 kids. Money was definitely an option. So here is what I settled on. 1990 Stratos 201, 1997 150HP Evinrude sitting on a single axle cuntom aluminum trailer. (So I did get something aluminium out of the deal) I bought the bear boat. All holders, seats, electronics I did myself. I have had it out 5 times now and I LOVE IT.

THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL THE INPUT. HAPPY FISHING. BE BLESSED!!!

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https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a58b17d7d4.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...3b125437be.jpghttps://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b933f17f9d.jpg
Forgot to add pictures. My son and my dad built the deck all the way to the console. Love it!

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That 201 is a great hull and that Evinrude is virtually bomb-proof if she's been taken care of by the previous owners. I think you'll be happy with it here on KY Lake.

Happy you got what you wanted, enjoy.

I've owned both...... I prefer glass , espically with the type of fishing your wanting to do...... but it is def possible in a tin boat that has enough trolling motor ....... I'd say what ever you do buy the biggest / baddest / monster..... variable speed trolling motor you can afford ........

Aluminum for me, I think it's easier to maintain, never had problems fishing 2-3 folks in one and wind is easily manageable with today's trolling motors and shallow water anchors. But ultimately I will be choosing kayak over boats just for personal preference.


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