I am considering upgrading boats and would like some opinions and yall's shared experiences with aluminum boats. I have fished out of an 18' x press catfish series the last several years and love it. My complaints with it is how rough it is going across the lake. The other thing is it doesn't have carpet, which has always been ok for me until now. I reckon I'm just getting old. I tend to fish heavy cover (stumps, and skinny water) so I don't want a fiberglass boat. Just some thoughts on what you guys are fishing and any pros and cons that you have with your rigs. Thanks.

I love my basstracker works just fine for me. I can think of no cons...

I have a basstracker ProTeam 175, love it, great boat however.... if the wind is blowing at 10mph you are being pushed across the lake at 9 mph. I put on 2 Talons that help with the situation but... if the water is choppy and the back of the boat is bouncing it still moves you around. I just wish it was heavier. (I fill the livewells for the extra weight, that helps) I almost bought a Nitro Z7 but it wouldn't quite fit in my garage.

Aluminum catches the wind like none other but if you're not a deep water/main lake kind of guy I'm sure an aluminum boat would fit the bill.

I fish two tourneys a month. Local club and Media. Really like my 2002 Alumacraft 195 Invader. Mercury 150. Very nice fishing platform. 60mph with myself and all gear. Minn Kota 80# with 60" shaft. Yes wind can blow them around. Get biggest troll motor you can afford. Talons if you can afford. Get the biggest motor rated for hull ( that you can afford). Any questions feel free.

I have an Xpress X19 that I have had since 2004. Been a great boat and has held up well. Doesn't have the fit and finish of fiberglass boats but it has served me well. As others mentioned it will blow in the wind but I don't even notice it that bad anymore until I get in a fiberglass and step up to run the trolling motor. I do fish offshore and put a Motorguide Xi5 on it and that sure made offshore fishing a pleasure. Only issue I have had in rough water is I have to stay on the front to keep the trolling motor in the water.

^^^ Here's the deal:
Bass are a shallow water fish. There are ALWAYS some bass shallow.
And....there are days when the wind does not blow.

I've fished em all. Big fiberglass down to a buster boat or canoe.
Aluminum costs less to start with, is lighter (this time of year that means shallow draft / shallow water), trailers great, uses less fuel trailering, is a WHOLE lot less maintenance then fiberglass, pushes easier with less horses - i.e. better gas efficiency, and NEVER suffers from gel coat related issues (there are many as boats age).

It's true, if you plan to fish Rayburn or Texoma on windy days - forget tin boats.
If you want ease of use, trailering, loading / unloading, maintenance and start up cost.............might wanna look at aluminum.
Bass fishing doesn't have to be complicated but it should be easy to enjoy.

You are correct sir!!!

If I was going to go Aluminum, I'd be looking at a Lund boat. Has all the features and size of a big fiberglass boat plus a lifetime warranty on the hull.

http://www.lundboats.com/boat-models/2075-pro-v-bass/

I fish a triton 18cTX with a 115 merc 4stroke. It is one of the new aluminum boats that triton and ranger came out with a few years ago. I am still impressed with the way it handles the rough water and the way it fishes, very stable for an aluminum boat. Look into them, I think you will be very pleased. The size of the trolling motor is important also, I have a 24 volt 74 pound minn kota and it does very good.

John Cox is making a good living out of the tin-can

Also, the Minn Kota Ultrex is making the wind a non-factor basically. Get one and the biggest "issue" with tin goes away.

Reeltexan had it right. Aluminum will do it all. I've had many. I've also had fiberglass. If your crossing open water on a windy day even a 21' high dollar heavy fiberglass boat will beat you up. A well built, all-welded, mod V aluminum boat is the way to go.

Belton Lake was windy yesterday and my boat got pushed around alot. Anchor mode on my xi5 may help pin the front of the boat down but the back end kind of acts like the tail end of a windmill. back and forth.....
I really like my Lund but the wind kicks it in the balls. Where it performs the best is white capped 2-3 footers wont affect it one bit getting from point A to B.

btw.... who ever was out on Belton yesterday (heading into owl creek area) with the 12ft flat bottom.... much respect your way, you sir, are a savage.