texasfishingforum.com logo
Main Menu
Advertisement
Affiliates
Advertisement
Newest Members
TraeMartin, Power-Pole CS, T-Rigger, JoeGoes, EcKo
119150 Registered Users
Top Posters(All Time)
hopalong 120,565
TexDawg 119,511
Bigbob_FTW 94,879
John175☮ 85,892
Pilothawk 83,259
Bob Davis 81,478
Mark Perry 72,280
Derek 🐝 68,311
JDavis7873 67,416
Forum Statistics
Forums59
Topics1,037,809
Posts13,934,836
Members144,150
Most Online39,925
Dec 30th, 2023
Print Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2
Fiberglass vs Aluminum #13657445 08/05/20 03:56 PM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 63
A
AustinWader Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
A
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 63
Hey y'all,
I fish Lake Buchanan mostly for Whites/Striper and similarly sized lakes. Will also fish bay fish in Galveston couple times a year. I've been looking for a used 1-3 year boats for around a month now and have always been looking at fiberglass. I just started looking into some aluminum boats such as the ranger 19RP or Alumacraft 18 SW Bay. What do you guys think is best for my needs? Will a fiberglass be much superior compared to a aluminum boat for my type of fishing?
Also, to make for sure, any boat with a carpet will get wrecked by saltwater correct? Are bass boats absolutely a no-no if I do plan to fish inshore? (Ranger Rt188)
Thanks!

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13657618 08/05/20 06:13 PM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 139
C
CamoKing Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
C
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 139
Look into the War Eagle 961 Blackhawk.. I have one.. beats others hands down.. IMO.. I fish primarily fresh water but fished port aransas several times as well with it... Aluminum

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13657693 08/05/20 07:21 PM
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 459
rebait Offline
Angler
Offline
Angler
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 459
I like fiberglass because the tend to be quieter and smoother running, but they take more HP so more expensive. Lots of great aluminum boats out there and are more popular at the coast all the time. I do like the center console as the best all around boat for fishing. As many before me have said, you never have a perfect boat. All boats have tradeoffs. Always hard to tell someone else what the best boat will be for their uses. Lake Buchanan fishing in the open water, I have a 19' and many times wish I had a 22'. It can get rough out there in a hurry. Yes if I never have another boat with carpet it will be too soon. Would never have taken my bass boat to the coast. To much electronics.
PS also don't go to the coast with a metal trailer, aluminum only in my opinion.
Good Luck

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13657710 08/05/20 07:36 PM
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,560
B
BrandoA Online Content
TFF Celebrity
Online Content
TFF Celebrity
B
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6,560
for whites and stripers I say fiberglass, especially if you are going to thump.

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: BrandoA] #13657746 08/05/20 08:04 PM
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,171
C
chrisc/striper express guide service Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
C
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,171
Fiberglass is also a very superior ride aluminum boats are light and will beat you up...lighter boat with fuel economy that can run with less horsepower etc. fiberglass imo


Lake Texoma Striper Guide Chris Carey


Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: rebait] #13657760 08/05/20 08:13 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,608
PlanoKeith Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,608
Originally Posted by rebait
. As many before me have said, you never have a perfect boat. All boats have tradeoffs.
Good Luck


I have the perfect boat. LOL I got what i wanted and it is a beast. I have been out at tawakoni in 30 mph winds and this thing handles it and we stay dry... Just kidding i love my boat though :

I like fiberglass because it is easier to clean. I went with the big four stroke and don't use much gas and this boat is heavy. I haven't been to the coast yet but i am sure it will do fine. It's 22 foot 6 inches and almost 9 feet wide OMG


[Linked Image]


Keith smile

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: BrandoA] #13658077 08/06/20 01:13 AM
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 150
P
Piscivore Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
P
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 150
Originally Posted by BrandoA
for whites and stripers I say fiberglass, especially if you are going to thump.


Why is thumping better in fiberglass? I would figure that aluminum would be more conducive to thumping.

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: Piscivore] #13658096 08/06/20 01:37 AM
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 139
C
CamoKing Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
C
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 139
Much more..... Aluminum lasts forever...

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13658104 08/06/20 01:50 AM
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,373
scubaarchery Offline
Extreme Angler
Offline
Extreme Angler
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 1,373
I thump in my Lund all the time. If you are going to run a smaller boat, less than 20’ aluminum is cheaper, as they get bigger and the motor gets bigger the difference in price gets smaller. For smaller boats Aluminum boats require smaller motors and are not as fast. Flat bottom bass boats cannot handle wind/waves safely IMHO. I have a Lund deep V which manages better but it is definitely a tougher ride when it’s choppy as you don’t have the weight to cut through the waves.


Catch more hybrids, sand-bass and striper with the Thump’emup Thumper!
www.thumpemupfishing.com
Thumpemupfishingchannel@gmail.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi602ZTsxnkaVwT0wq3OgCA
Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13659062 08/07/20 12:37 AM
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 76
E
enjoying retirement Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
E
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 76
I fish for sand bass and hybrids I mainly fish Richland Chambers and it can get choppy. My first boat was a fiber glass boat my next boat was an aluminum boat I have never regreated switching. As far as the ride it depends on the type of boat you get. With an aluminum boat it does not take much wind to blow you around where a fiber glass boat does not get pushed around so easily. My first aluminum boat was a deep vee boat my next and current boat is an Xpress H17 when the water gets to be pretty choppy instead of running wide open I idel back some so it does not beat me to death. Because aluminum boats are lighter they do not require a large engine, they can also be launched in shalower water. With my Xpress boat launching and trailering it is pretty easy. I would recommend that if you know of some one that has a fiber glass boat and some one else that has an aluminum boat go out with them and try them out to see which one you like as both boats have there pros and cons to them. Hope this helps you which boat you decide to get I am sure you will enjoy it.

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13659493 08/07/20 01:34 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,507
CHAMPION FISH Online Happy
TFF Celebrity
Online Happy
TFF Celebrity
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 8,507
I agree with everything above especially the idea of riding in different boats if you can. I went with fiberglass, my boat takes rough water really well, it’s a dry ride and I can get in and out quickly. I work 60-70 hours each week so I go fishing when I can and I can’t pick the weather or wind conditions. If you have a lot of time off or are retired it probably won’t make a difference. You can choose nice weather each trip. My boat will hold several people and all of our equipment. [Linked Image]


[Linked Image]
" Success is a ladder you can not climb with your hands in your pockets."

www.pro-cure.com
www.falconrods.com
Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: AustinWader] #13659495 08/07/20 01:35 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
B
beowulf77 Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
B
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
I've got the same thoughts as the OP. I have a SeaArk 180XV SC and it thumps well, and is very stable but have really been looking at fiberglass CC for Buchanan and the coast. I've got it down to two that will fit in my garage... Blue Wave 1902 Evo or the NauticStar 1810. Both seem like great boats to me. I want fiber for the family as I have young kids and it just seems easier for them to deal with/cleaner. My dad has an Alumacraft CC and it is a very nice boat too.

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: beowulf77] #13659520 08/07/20 01:49 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,608
PlanoKeith Offline
TFF Team Angler
Offline
TFF Team Angler
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3,608
Originally Posted by beowulf77
I I've got it down to two that will fit in my garage... Blue Wave 1902 Evo or the NauticStar 1810. Both seem like great boats to me. I want fiber for the family as I have young kids and it just seems easier for them to deal with/cleaner.

I am not knocking Bluewave but when i was shopping for boats at the boat show the blue wave seemed to have too much flex in the fiberglass on the outer sides of the boat. Maybe they are different now. Also the blue wave 2200 pure bay was actually 21 foot 6 inches long. I went with 227 xts Nautic star it is 22 foot 6 inches and the fiberglass is solid all around. I looked at the Nauticstar 215 it is a really solid built boat . But i wanted bigger. Good luck


Keith smile

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: PlanoKeith] #13659532 08/07/20 01:55 PM
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
B
beowulf77 Offline
Outdoorsman
Offline
Outdoorsman
B
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 32
Originally Posted by PlanoKeith
Originally Posted by beowulf77
I I've got it down to two that will fit in my garage... Blue Wave 1902 Evo or the NauticStar 1810. Both seem like great boats to me. I want fiber for the family as I have young kids and it just seems easier for them to deal with/cleaner.

I am not knocking Bluewave but when i was shopping for boats at the boat show the blue wave seemed to have too much flex in the fiberglass on the outer sides of the boat. Maybe they are different now. Also the blue wave 2200 pure bay was actually 21 foot 6 inches long. I went with 227 xts Nautic star it is 22 foot 6 inches and the fiberglass is solid all around. I looked at the Nauticstar 215 it is a really solid built boat . But i wanted bigger. Good luck


Thank you for that I will definitely keep the flex in mind when looking. Yeah I hate that the number doesn't match the length on the longer ones. It's sneaky.

Re: Fiberglass vs Aluminum [Re: beowulf77] #13659757 08/07/20 05:14 PM
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 63
A
AustinWader Offline OP
Outdoorsman
OP Offline
Outdoorsman
A
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 63
I'm took a deal for an 2017 alumacraft MV 186 side console with 90 Yamaha for just 15000. How should I get it inspected? My first boat and I don't know anyone good with boats? Should I hire a mechanic? Thanks.

Page 1 of 2 1 2
Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread

© 1998-2022 OUTDOOR SITES NETWORK all rights reserved USA and Worldwide
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.3