Sold my boat a few weeks ago and I am looking to get a new one next month, but I have a few questions for you guys. Ya'll probably fish in the trees more than most fisherman and I do to. I had an aluminum boat before hand so hitting stumps wasn't that big of a deal. I am trying to decide between fiberglass and another aluminum boat. My question is how hard would you have to hit a stump to do damage to a glass boat? I mean all ill be doing is using the trolling motor in them would it damage it at that speed? Also when looking at a fiberglass boat what are some of the things to look for that indicate the condition of the hull? I fish Tawakoni mostly and a bass tracker doesn't ride to smooth when the wind gets up over 10mph that's why im looking into a fiberglass boat. I have never had a fiberglass boat so any tips would be greatly appreciated.

You won't damage the hull at trolling motor speed. You may scratch it up some. I've owned both and where aluminum does offer some advantages I prefer glass. I would inspect the transom closely. Some older boats have wood transoms covered with glass and they can be an issue sometimes. If you find a used one you like, have a shop check it over. I think you'll like the glass over aluminum especially in rough water. Let me back up, I have never damaged a hull at trolling motor speed. I'm sure somewhere that someone has>lol. Good fishing!

How would you check the transom without drilling a small hole. I think I have heard of pushing down on the motor to check for flex, but my transom was never an issue so I haven't messed with them to much. I am looking for a mid 90s to early 2000s model to keep my cost down, when did manufactures stop using wood.

Just like you said push down on motor and watch top of transome for flex. Tapping on it with knuckles and listen for a different sound usually means a soft spot.

Check which maker only used glass on the transom. Ranger...

The surveyors that I know use a small hammer and tap VERY GENTLY all over a fiberglass hull to check for voids and delimitation. There is a disctinct difference in sound between that and a good solid layup.

There are many good brands to choose from. But if you can land a skeeter or a ranger, you are in good hand, especially a ranger. I like the big deck of a skeeter, and I like the handling of a ranger hull.

I've hit a lot of stumps in mine trolling and at idle speed. Have yet to do damage knock on wood

Thanks for the input guys

Stratos is a good boat also, IMHO, and I think they had composite transome's back in 2001 but I'm not positive. I LOVE my '07 even though it's their "entry level" model. I know a couple angler's that have older Stratos rigs & they love them.