Well I just started looking for a new(er) boat and wanted to see if anyone has experience with some of the aluminum center console bay boats on the market (20' preferred but am somewhat flexible). I have only owned a boat for just over a year so am still a novice and learning alot. I currently have a 2007 Lowe FM165 Side Console Deep V with 50hp mercury that I primarily use for bass fishing but also like to chase striper and hybrids and I have 2 young sons so would like a boat big enough to take the family out to fish or just hang out on the lake. So even though I would love to get a bass boat I think a center console will have more versatility for me.

The 2 models I have been looking at are the Alumacraft 2072 Bay and the Lowe Bay 20 but am open to other suggestions.

So questions:
1. Anyone have experience with these or other aluminum bay boats that can share what they liked/disliked?
2. Fiberglass or aluminum bay boat? Prices aren't drastically different like on bass boats but was thinking aluminum based on price, weight, and durability (stumps, rocks, etc...).
3. What kind of water can they handle ? I own a 16.5' deep V now will the ride be better or worse in chop?
4. How will these work for bass fishing? They have a large front platform, sit in skinny water, bow mounted trolling motor.

I'm a novice boater so what else should I be asking? Any thoughts or feedback are appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I would check out the Ranger intercostal RB190 HERE

It pretty much does exactly what you are looking for.

Hundreds of choices. Literally.
To narrow it down be honest.
Budget?
Tow vehicle?
Where will you use it the most?
How many people do you really want to drag around?
What saltwater bay are you planning on fishing?

Start there.

Thanks for the replies. I did look at the Ranger RB190 as well and really like it but was thinking the others listed because they are slightly bigger.

To answer Pat's questions
Budget? <30k (preferably ~20k used)
Tow vehicle? 2 wheel drive F150
Where will you use it the most? Lewisville, Texoma, & Lavon. Fishing with my brother in law (I don't ever fish alone on the boat)
How many people do you really want to drag around? 6 on holidays and weekends for recreation (4 adults, 2 kids)
What saltwater bay are you planning on fishing? I have no idea and probably won't do it often. But like having the option if I make a trip down to the coast for vacation possibly bringing the boat and fishing.

Those answers are what led me to the boats listed above. Not so concerned with specific model of boat but more curious if based on those answers people think a ~20' aluminum center console is a good solution.

I sold a lot of these G 3 Bay Series boats to satisfied customers.
[img]http://www.g3boats.com/bay-series[/img]

I like tin boats in the shallower south TX bays, they can take a beating much better than fiberglass. But when it gets rough, you'll take the beating, especially on a choppy inland lake.

Some that are really good bass hulls that can take a load of people and take the big water pretty easy:
Pathfinder.
Haynie Big foot or Magnum.
Kenner/Mako/Nitro liner hulls (all the same)
22' Bay Champ
Bass Cats bay hull.
Brands to avoid:
VIP/Stealth (same boat) JUNK
Redfish
Any rolled edge hull before 2007 (They'll all be plywood decks and floors)

If it's a 20' hull, it needs a V6, don't think anything smaller "will do" it won't.

Now, the biggest difference that inland people don't understand, but will soon enough. If you're going to dunk your toy in the bay, make DANG sure it was rigged for saltwater use. What???
Bass boat riggers don't take near the time and effort to rig up a hull, they don't seal every electrical connection (especially in the bilge) they tend to screw stuff into decks and just can't comprehend the fact that saltwater will get everywhere and rust everything.

If you are going to hit the bays, I wouldn't look at any tin boat constructed with less than .125" material. Most are .100 or .102. That extra .025" makes a difference. An oyster bed can deal out a lot of damage pretty quick. Some of the custom builders like Boatright use heavier but you're getting into high end tins at that price point.
I'm partial to Seaark, since I own one. The MVs have 28" freeboard so you're standing in the boat as opposed to on it, good safety factor for kids. The 72's are all .125" aluminum including the floor. You can order one exactly the way you want it so everything they build is basically a one-off. They are a little pricey and because of that a lot of guys shy away from them, but if you want an almost indestructible tin boat, it's an option. I said "almost". Anyone can get stupid. My 1872 CC fishes four people comfortably and safely.
I had a G3 and after several broken welds on ribs and some other issues, I got rid of it.
Look at how the hull is welded up. The sides of the bottom pieces should fit in a slot on both sides of a heavy extruded aluminum keel and welded full length on both sides. If it's not, I would look elsewhere. G3 brakes the hull halves, butts the flanges together and welds the seam. Then they cover it with a strip of angle aluminum and stitch weld it in place to cover the keel weld. It holds water, so if you're in salt, you better be diligent about rinsing or it will eat it up.
Don't let a salesman tell you a painted steel trailer will do fine in salt water. Anything but aluminum or galvanized is good for a couple of years at best.
Pat is absolutely right on about saltwater rigging. Sealed electrical connections, and stainless steel components are used on salt boats for a reason.
The tradeoff with a tin is comfort. Most do not have much deadrise and that can make for a rough ride in the chop. You just have to decide which is more important, comfort or being able to go shallow.
Just be aware of what you're looking at.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Lots of good info for me. I did look at the seaark as an option but like you said the price kind of scared me away. Maybe I need to look at them again.

Bob do you think you could fit 4 adults and 2 kids on your 18'. My boys are 4 & 6 years old now but they will grow up fast....

We have had seven people on board at one time tubing and kneeboarding. It was a little cramped but doable. From what you have indicated, I would be looking at a 20' My advice is that whatever you get, get the largest motor that the boat is rated for. You won't be disappointed.
As far as affordability, when you get into that range, prices become pretty much in the same ball park, and features and construction are going to be the main consideration.
If I ad the luxury of another person with me, I would have looked at the 20' but since I'm almost always alone on the water, the 18 is a very manageable size for handling and trailering

Thanks again Bob. Spent most of my afternoon at work looking at the Sea Ark 2072 (place in FL has a few different ones for sale) and it is definitely on the short list now. And understood on the motor. I'm not much for going fast in a boat but know it is better to have the power available if you need it.

Speed is not the concern. It's not a bass rig. The 2072 is a very heavy boat, even before you start adding options and you don't want to take forever to get it up on plane and you don't want to dog the motor down trying to keep a loaded boat on plane.
Keep in mind, Seaark will build a boat off your build list so you don't have to buy options you don't care about or won't use. The only down side may be the build time. I don't know what it is now. My dealer told me the last batch he ordered for stock took six months. Mine was delivered in 10 weeks and that was an agonizing wait. LOL

Do yourself a favor and go take a look at one of these. https://www.excel-marine.com/baypro.html Their prices are comparable to the the high end Lowes, Alumacraft and SeaArk but that's where the comparisons end. These guys are pretty sharp.

Even as a die-hard Seaark fan, that looks like a really nice ride and I like the specs. I would be interested to know what the 18's and 20's are selling for. The 20' with a 150 would really be the ticket.

Did xpress boats die off or something? I'm surprised I haven't seen their name pop in to this discussion. They should also be worth a look. I had a 18' model back in the early 2000's, it was a rough ride in rough water, but did every job I asked of it flawlessly and it certainly took a beating. You can find some used ones as well if you look, I saw several when I was boat shopping earlier this year.

xpress boats are alive an well building lots of boats. folks are buying a lot of all aluminum brands because most are less expensive an you can pull them without having a bigger truck .

I did notice those Excel boats when I first started looking but didn't realize they were different then the Xpress ones. My research on other forums didn't give much positive feedback on the Xpress ones. Build quality seemed to be a concern/issue with alot of people so I was generally avoiding them. They (Xpress) can definitely be found used (and new) for cheaper then the others mentioned.

I'm gonna look more into those Excel. The link you posted is exactly what I am looking for and in the right price range.

I really like these Sea Arks as well though. This one looks like exactly what I am looking for. But doesn't seem to be much of a market for them used (which is probably a good sign)
http://www.boats.com/power-boats/2017-seaark-2072-fxts-cc-6103085/#.Wk6QYFVKupo

I used to sell a lot of iron boats.
Xpress was the crappiest to deal with on an issue.
Whatever you do, do NOT put carpet in your sled.

Don't worry I have no intention of putting carpet in my next boat. The SeaArk in the link above has GatorHyde sprayed on the interior panels which I would consider over painted metal. Haven't seen this product in person but people on line say it is basically the same as truck bed liner.