It seems like fiberglass starts to develop cracks after 10 years.

I owned an 1984 Skeeter SD-80 that I sold in 2004. I bought it ten years old and still got 10 years out of it. By the time that I sold it, it needed some fiberglass work for sure - Make sure you check the TRANSOM if you buy a used fiberglass boat.

After I sold the Skeeter in 04', I found an 1998 Aluminum Ranger Cherokee which I still own today. I'm very happy with it. I believe that I can probably get ten more years out of the boat.

The comment about stability in wind is definitely a consideration. Aluminum boats just get pushed around easier under windy conditions. Pontoon boats are much worse in terms of boat control in wind.

The Triton aluminum and xpress boats are great boats , I just traded from a 19' aluminium bass boat to a 21' Glass boat, a Triton 21TR dual console , yes it's much smoother in rough water and handles alot better in the wind but I can't fish some of the places I could with the smaller boat , so if you'll be fishing big lakes and fishing in the wind a lot buy a used 21' glass boat , if you like fishing smaller lakes and don't plan on fishing in rough water and wind You can get a lot more for your money buying a good used Aluminum boat

a 16' bluewave will run you around 15,000 brand new. if you are gonna go with aluminum, i would look at a g3 or tracker deep v. the bluewave may be lighter than the aluminum. my 18' bluewave is lighter than a lot of aluminum boats. the bluewave is very nice to ride the rougher water in.

Check out the Alumacraft boats. We now stock them.
http://www.alumacraft.com/

All kinds of answers here. I bought an aluminum flat boat in 1970 and used it up until about 3 months ago when I bought another used aluminum boat of craigslist. Nothing wrong with the old boat except I'm older now and need a wider more stable boat.

The old boat is a Duracraft with revits and it still does not leak. Amazing craftsmanship by Duracraft. It's a member of the family and I hate to sell it in the spring.

My new boat is a G3 flat boat and it's 3 years old in perfect condition. The price was half of the same new setup would cost. It was a 250 mile trip to see the boat before money exchanged, but it was worth it.

There are some deals out there.

How much are you wanting for the Tracker?

Bought an xpress 20 yrs ago, back then they were call Alumaweld Xpress an H56 w/140 rude on the back, it was a little scarey,a little wet,rough riding, wind blown boat. But it survived 15 yrs on fork, got me into places no one else could go and caught fish like crazy and still runs to this day with NO LEAKS, gave it to my son-inlaw when I bought my champ. So 2 cents say Xpress

i bought an aluminum triton 186 from tommy at rockwall marine and have had very good luck with it,no probs so far with rough water or anything,also tommy will treat right....

Can you tell me more about the Triton? How is runs (top speed etc..) and what size engine you got on the back of it.

PM SENT regarding TRACKER

Xpress. We have amn '06 17' with a 96" beam that handles rough water well. My son is trying to sell it. It would be in your price range. Yamaha 4-stroke 115 HP with very, very low hours on it. It will run about 58 mph loaded down.

18.5 ft with a 115 yamaha 4 stroke full of fuel with me and my son on board it will run about 42-43 mph according to gps...had it on t wok in some pretty rough water and it done fine.

I own an Alumacraft 1650 tunnel hull and it is built to last and take a beating while doing it. Not the smoothest riding out there by a long shot, but it has never let me down.

I really like the Tracker 16' Panfish Crappie boat.

And, thanks to this forum, I just bought one and am ready to use it whenever the temps get over 50 deg.

I have a G3 1652 that I am very happy with. It has a 40 HP Yamaha which is plenty of motor for me. It will do around 30 MPH with two people abord and fully loaded with gear. I bought it from a firend of mine who used it in Galveston's west bay for five years before winning a CCA tagged redfish tournment in this boat winning a much larger boat and truck. I use it on the Trinity river and a few lakes in my area and love it. It is a smooth ride and a very dry ride unlike some other aluminum and fiberglass boats I have been in.

Richard