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Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
#13289180
09/22/19 01:54 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 191
JSouther
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 191 |
Currently have a 18 cc with 90 mercury 2 stroke. Too small don’t like Merc. Looking at express h24b what are your thoughts. I fish all species but do prefer crappie when I have a tough time catfishing. Considering guiding as I am retired or being second boat for local guide when overbooked. I like the layout and 250 Yamaha. What do you think or experience with express boats?
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290146
09/23/19 12:45 AM
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 239
clk
Outdoorsman
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Outdoorsman
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 239 |
Cooper Lake Trophy Catfishing on Facebook
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290396
09/23/19 11:19 AM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,234
Jerry713
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,234 |
I'm interested in hearing pros AND cons about this boat. I know most people love their boats and don't like to talk bad about them. But honest good and bad feedback is always appreciated and helpful.
You get out of it what you put into it!
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290466
09/23/19 12:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,699
Fishin' Nut
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,699 |
Hey no fair. I'm in the market for a new to me boat as well. I'm considering the glass vs aluminum debate as well.
He is truly a sick individual.
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290503
09/23/19 01:14 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 676
red snappa
Pro Angler
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Pro Angler
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 676 |
The Crestliner Bay 2200 is a solid choice! They handle big water with ease and keep you dry. Self draining scuppers is a bonus for this boat also. I say go test drive an Xpress and a Crestliner and see which one you like. For me, the Crestliner Bay will be my next boat.
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290559
09/23/19 02:07 PM
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Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,861
jackiekennedyfishingguide
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 3,861 |
And those scuppers. Talk to some who has em after a year or two, they are totally useless. I have a friend with a new 26' Blazer Bay with scuppers, and they didn't function from day one. He has screw in plugs in the holes. Also BlueWave scuppers work the same way, water in as well as water out.
Last edited by jackiekennedyfishingguide; 09/23/19 02:09 PM.
903-603-3793 Clients or I have landed eight state record fish and eighteen water body records. TPWD Elite Angler jackiekennedyfishingguide
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290601
09/23/19 02:51 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
Scuppers are working great on my 23’ polar..never have water entering the boat through them. I test drove a sea hunt ultra 210 and water was entering the boat through the scrubbers. I thought something was wrong with the boat!
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13290652
09/23/19 03:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,485
redchevy
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,485 |
Went from a 19 foot Carolina skiff to a 24 footer.
The old one had an 70 hp 1985 Evinrude and would run 35 mph top speed had a 12 gallon tank.
New one has a 2014 150 hp Suzuki will run faster on a bigger boat burns less fuel and has a 28 gallon tank.
Open water fishing the 24 rides better, handles weight and rough water much better and has a lot more room.
If you fish tighter cover the size and maneuverability of the 19 is something I would not trade for!
A 24-foot boat is a big boat. Also keep in mind where you store it. I had to redo my plans for my garage because a 30-foot deep stall isn't enough for a 24 foot boat on a trailer, it needed a min 33 foot so I built it 35 lol.
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13291222
09/24/19 01:39 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413
TCK73
TFF Celebrity
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 5,413 |
I have both glass and aluminum, and have owned a few of each over the years. I primarily fish open water and prefer the glass boat overall. I still use the metal boat some, but usually just when fishing dirty shallow water two or three times a year. If I were to go all in on a metal boat and not get a custom, I would look hard at that Crestliner 2200. My aluminum boat is a Crestliner Mod Vee and built really well, but that type hull will rattle your teeth loose in light chop. As for engines, Suzuki and Yamaha 4 strokes have treated me well over the years. My cousin has a four stroke 150hp Merc that has been good. A 24' boat handles significantly bigger when fishing in trees than a 20'. With that being said, I like the bigger boats. As for scuppers, I have never had problems with them, my current boat turned five years old in July, and has not had any problems, nor has the Sportsman's, Pathfinders, or Haynie's I fish on sometimes. I do know some boat builders put them in wrong, and you hear a lot more about that in the saltwater community. I like them especially when washing blood and stuff off the floor.
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13291313
09/24/19 02:47 AM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,690
BigPoppa007
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 2,690 |
Last edited by BigPoppa007; 09/24/19 02:48 AM.
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13293427
09/26/19 04:19 AM
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,481
snowyriver6
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,481 |
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13293472
09/26/19 10:50 AM
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Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,234
Jerry713
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 1,234 |
They are holes in center console boats typically at the inside rear of the boat (one on each side). They are designed to allow any water that splashes into or gets in the boat to drain out. A few designs aren't good and allow water to come in especially when you back up. Most of the CC's I've been in do work well.
You get out of it what you put into it!
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JSouther]
#13297266
09/30/19 12:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12
JKeller
Green Horn
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Green Horn
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 12 |
My POV. Four years ago I purchased a used 2011 Express H20B and generally love the boat. I was/am not an experienced boater when I purchased the boat SO I learned a lot through bumps and such that a 'glass' boat probably would not have tolerated. I have added what someone else referred to as character to the boat. Again, IMHO: PROS - I often go by myself and it is easy to load and unload at the ramp. Sad but true. - I do a lot of trolling and the CC allows me to easily troll 4 rods at a time. - It is very easy to clean, inside and out, and the speckled interior flooring does not offer a lot of glare which makes it easy on the eyes. I wear shoes because I think the flooring can be slippery when wet. - for me, there is plenty of storage, although I would not consider it DRY storage. - having a rear live well and a front bait well has proven very handy when fishing several people and catching whites hand-over-fist. - good ride in moderate waves, approximately 1ft or less. I have been on the lake when there were 20-25mph gusts and it can be exciting. - raised lip around front and back decks is nice. You know where the edge is without looking.
CONS: - big step down from front deck that is difficult for someone with bad knees or elderly. - In larger waves you can get wet if you are not careful and you will feel every bump/wave. - I would like to see a recessed hole in front deck for the TM foot pedal. - back live well is partially hidden beneath the center console bench seat. This is more of an issue when a seat is in place on the back deck as it limits ability to access the live well when inserting your catch. - the flip up rear seating is great for kids but not conducive to taking the wife and grandkids because my wife does not 'feel' safe perched on the front center console bait well seat. No hand holds. - the boat seems to be easily blown around on windy days. Having a remote control for the TM has really helped me with this issue.
I could probably think of more but I will stop here. Long story short, considering this was my first boat purchase I like what I have and use it as much as I can. It will catch fish!
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Re: Choice of new boat glass or aluminum?
[Re: JKeller]
#13297345
09/30/19 01:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435
🍀El Gato Azul🍀
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 3,435 |
My POV. I was/am not an experienced boater when I purchased the boat SO I learned a lot through bumps and such that a 'glass' boat probably would not have tolerated. I have added what someone else referred to as character to the boat. Again, IMHO: PROS - I often go by myself and it is easy to load and unload at the ramp. Sad but true. - I do a lot of trolling and the CC allows me to easily troll 4 rods at a time. ! If your not tearing up some $?iz your not fishing hard enough Keller! You’d be surprised at the abuse a fiberglass boat can take. My 23’ CC is a war machine and it has taken a pounding that would have left my aluminum boats at the bottom of the lake or torn to hell at the very least. I also fish solo a lot and my big fiberglass boat is much easier to trailer than any other boats I’ve owned. Even when buddies fish with me I still do all the loading and unloading. I got the fiberglass boat because i fish big water solo and have to make long runs across open water to get to my spots. It’s a safe dry ride across the lake and you don’t get pounded.
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