Hi guys been reading for a while this is my first post though.

I am looking to get a boat in about a year and I am narrowing the field down to suit my wants and needs. I live in west texas and have noticed lots of people with fiberglass boats have problems after a few years because of the sun. I might be uninformed on that but it seems to be an issue in the desert. So I have been looking at aluminum boats and I came across the War Eagle Tomahawk 962 and it seems to fit what I'm looking for. Anyone ever fished one? Are there any major problems with aluminum vs fiberglass? What should I look out for when buying a new boat as a first time owner? Are there other brands I should look at? I'm looking to keep the price under 20k so that will definately be a factor.

It depends on where and how you're going to be fishing. If you're fishing Amistad i think you'd be better off with a solid 20 foot fiberglass boat. Whatever you get, make sure the motor's in good shape.

That aluminum boat will be fine as long as you don't plan on fishing windy days or real hot days in the summer.

Nothing wrong with a good aluminum boat. I would look at the Xpress line of boats while you are looking.

http://www.xpressboats.com/

If you take care of a fiberglass boat, and not let it bake in that west tx sun, you will be fine. Like Jpost said, make sure the motor is in good shape. If possible, ask the owner for compression test results. Also, take it for a test ride before you buy. I realize that may be hard in west tx, but its better to be safe than sorry. I have an aluminum basscat, but look to upgrade to a longer fiberglass boat soon. Good luck!

That is a prety sweet looking ride. I am all for aluminum boats. I have a buddy with a Proteam 175 that has been going strong for 10+ years of hitting stumps and rocks. Two things to consider though are the HP rating and weight. Most top out at 150 hp and can handle quite badly in the wind due to the low weight vs fiberglass making them hard to track and trailer. Good luck and enjoy whatever you get.

With that kind of budget you could get a very nice used fiberglass rig.
Aluminum boats can have there advantages at times(draft shallower, more economical ) but you are limited when it comes to fishing in the wind because they are so light you will be blown all over the place and they don't handle driving in the rough water near as good as a fiberglass boat.

As far a sun affecting a fiberglass boat that should only be an issue if it is stored in the sun, if it's kept covered ( preferably under a roof) when your not using it there shouldn't be issues of fading or cracking of the gel coat for a long time.

http://www.gatortraxboats.com/c-55-fishing-from-your-boat.aspx



built it the way you want it

I have owned an alluminum boat for a few years. It will act like a sail in the wind so you will need to over kill it on the trolling motor, but it will be constant work staying in position. I use a i pilot alot which helps out in that department. Also, the rough water will break your back going across the lake. I am 33 and in really good shape and it makes my back sore the following day in rough water.
On the posotive is I can hit any stump I want without problems and get it in places the bigger fiberglass rigs cannot go. Overall, I love my rig and am able to fish without thinking about scratching my gellcoating....

I have been an aluminum boat advocate for over 27 years. IMO aluminum boats are a lot easier towing,cheaper on gas both running and towing and do not need nearly as much maintenance upkeep as fiberglass ones require. I personally don't try to hit every stump in the lake! I have gone in super shallow spots that glass cannot access unless they get out and drag/push them over the shallows. I can also go in iced over rivers and lakes with just a bag of kitty litter to gain traction on frozen ramps. On the last condition ear plugs quiet down the horrible sounds of breaking ice with the hull, I can make it as long as the ice is less than 4 to 7 inches thick. If the weight of the boat/trailer won't break the ice and it's in the teens maybe I am a wee bit early yet Tracker proteam 185 owner

I tried for years to buy the Tomahawk 962. I wanted a new one but couldn't get the price I wanted to pay. I just wasn't going to pay the same price for an alum. rig as a fiberglass rig. When the wind blows in West TX. the alum. boat is a lot more work keeping it in line to fish. They just get blown around because they sit higher in the water. If you are set on an alum. then the Wareagle is the way to go. You just can't find a used one. They keep them forever.

I have a tracker and agree with most of the other comments.
Sucks in the wind but cheaper to maintain, tow, drive. Not as worried about hitting things (i do avoid) I can get into very small creeks, canals. It doesn't break the bank!

I use to have a prodrive and prodrive outboard, and when I get another aluminum boat I will go back to these, can go anywhere, and are made of steel, but I will get with the company for installing a livewell. Lots of places in tourneys these could go others could not. They are more pricey though because they are built tough!

Do they come equiped with the girls in bikini tops? Lol....