Team,

Good morning. I have never owned my own boat before. However, I plan to start fishing all frequently. I am struggling between whether or not I should get a aluminum boat such as a Triton X18 or Tracker 190x. Or should I get a nitro Z7.

I want to be able to fish all over texas. I want something that will last that my new son and I can enjoy for many years. Any input?

Regards,
Rusty

If you fish any lake bigger than 500 acres OR you plan to fish when windy I say go for fiberglass. Also, no way on God's green earth I would buy a small boat such as a Z7. I know some folks say thats all I can afford but that is bull. There are TONS of used boats in the 20ft range that are in the same price category as a used or newer short boat. If you find a clean well cared for older boat they will last just as long as a new small boat will. You dont have to have a 21fter with a 225 or 250, but I would go no less than 19ft with a 175. Bigger boats make it much more enjoyable as you have tons more room to move especially as your son gets larger and may want to bring a friend.

the flip side is there are a few situations u can get a aluminum in places easier than a fiberglass, north end of Palestine comes to mind... But over all I would agree that you should shop the used boat hard. You lose a LOT of money driving a new one off the lot... Javelin is pretty right on with the rest of it

I fish with a 16ft boat on one of the biggest waterways in TX. Small boats are fun.....the smaller they are the more you take them out.....especially if you can fit them at home. Since its your first boat you should buy used. Something like 50% of all first time boat purchasers change boats within two years. You won't know exactly what you want long term until you get your feet wet.

An aluminum boat will be easier and cheaper to maintain and last much longer. Its not aluminum per say that is a problem when its gets windy, its the hull. Lots of guys run aluminum boats offshore and there are aluminum center consoles that will run faster and harder in rough water than their fiberglass competitors.

be careful if the wind gets up on ya. you might wet your pants when it's all over with.

The one thing you should also look at is fuel cost with reg gas going for 3.35 per gallon. Those 20 footers get about 4 MPG at wide open throttle and best 6 MPG in the sweet spot. If you are independently wealthy well disregard. Children are expensive to raise. I fish out of an 18 foot Skeeter and it has been on all the big lakes in TX in the wind notice I didn't say breeze. Which ever you choose have fun and be safe.

All-

thank you for the advice - very good comments and helpful tips.

Regards,
Rusty

I would base my decision on what lakes your are fishing, but you will be happy to have a boat with either choice. The advice I would give is, make sure that you calculate in maintenance and repair expense. It is inevitable that with any boat, you are going to have maintenance, and some repairs needed. I would make sure that the price of the boat is low enough to cover these costs, and still have funds for enjoying the boat. I have friends that have purchased newer boats and don't get to enjoy them as much as they would like for these reasons.

+1. A good rule of thumb is budget 7% of purchase price for repairs and maintenance if its in good condition, but you also need to budget for trailer costs, ramp fees, fishing tackle, insurance, registration, etc. I had a nice big boat I couldn't afford to enjoy and it really sucked. Buy a boat you can afford to go out in every single weekend. Being on the water with family is the only thing that matters.

Hi, Rusty. In reference to your question I would definitely go with aluminum. I have owned both and my last two have been aluminum. Ill never go back. It appears your open to all types of fishing for this I'd recommend looking at a center console boat. I have two boys myself and the center console is more user friendly with more room in the bottom. Mine has three removable seats across the back and seating in front of the console also. I can fit 4-5 people easily. It also opens up the coastal bays to ya also. I don't have carpet in mine I have the lynex. Learned that from my first aluminum boat. Carpet gets nasty quick if ur cat fishing. Regardless of what you chose I would HIGHLY recommend going with a 4stroke. It sips gas and I can make several trips on one tank. Good luck with your new boat. Feel free to PM me if ya have any more questions.

First boat was aluminum second was a big glass and I've settled into a smaller glass. The glass fished better in the wind and it's Texas so theres always wind.

On boat size fuel and maintenence is what made me decide to go smaller. Once my kids out the house I will go bigger. Truth is my shorter boat is overloaded with gear but other than that it fishes just fine next to the 20' boats and sips a whole lot less fuel. Hull design is important a 16' boat with a deep v will run better in big water than a 20' with a flat bottom. Also how often do you hear about 90-115 or even 150's blowing up after two or three years compared to bigger 200-250's? The smaller motors are much more reliable imho.

If you got the cash get the biggee boat if not don't feel bad about getting a smaller one they fish plenty fine.

I have experience with both Aluminum and Fiberglass. Since aluminum went out of sight since the war. Resale is very bad on the aluminum boats.

Awesome feedback from all of you thank you!

Regards,
Rusty

http://texasfishingforum.com/forums/ubbthreads.php/topics/9897361/Re:_Aluminum_Bass_Boat#Post9897361


Lots of good reading here. I have owned both. For the money, glass all the way.

I've had both and loved them all. Definite pro's and cons, but don't let anyone tell you that you HAVE TO do either. They both will let you fish just about any water, you just have to know your limitations and know when water is getting too big for the lighter and smaller aluminum boat. Also gotta work your way back sooner if water's getting rough.

Here's some off the cuff thoughts on both:

Aluminum:
- takes up less room in the garage - narrower usually
- smaller motor that eats FAR less gas because of less HP but mainly because of weight (I'd use like 3-5 gallons per one day trip, running all over the big lakes.
- EASY to pull for anyone. Stop on a dime, easy to load on trailer, cuz you can pull them around by hand. Also easy to park back in your garage and easy to move around by hand on trailer.
- My truck pulled it like it wasn't back there (it was a 17 foot sea nymph - semi v), only reduced my gas mileage in the truck by around 3 mph.
EASY to work on, get to wires, etc.
- CHEAPER...........period. No need to argue. For those that say you can get a cheap glass boat, that's true, but you'll get that same model year aluminum cheaper. Not a ton, but cheaper.
You don't freak out when you scrap a dock or tree or stump etc. Unless you smoke one while running, they're very tough and hard to hurt.
- Livewells and storage are not great, but will suffice.
- They DEFINITELY sit high and blow easily in the wind, you simply can't fish in high winds in an exposed area. You have to plan for it and fish smart and get out of the main wind.
- Some are made very cheaply and start leaking or losing rivots and screws, etc. I probably wouldn't buy a used one until I took it out for a few hours and saw how badly water got into it, if at all. Some leaks are hard to find.
- If you've got a 50 hp motor on one, you're ok. More is better, but mine had a 50 and ran about 33mpg. I fished Fork, lake of the Ozarks, and many other big bodies of water around the country with no problems. But, again, I was smart about wind.

Glass:
- CANNOT beat the way they fish bigger water. Wind hardly touches them. And they don't tilt so much when a big man goes from one side to another.
- Everything goes up cost wise. Initial purchase, expect your truck to lose about 5-8 mph when pulling it. Running them is like throwing money out the window, but most of us know that about them. Now, if you get a 4 stroke, WAY cheaper.
- The storage, livewells, and deck size is awesome.
- They simply look way better............and yes that matters. Kinda like chosing a car because you think it looks awesome. Boats are no different.
- You can fish any big lake. You can run 50-70 mph and actually be to that area 30 miles away in no time flat, something you just don't do with an aluminum boat.
The hulls will last you forever if you take care of them. Motors WON'T (but that's any boat).
- You need to have a garage that will hold them. With the trailer, the boat and the motor you need a BIG garage.
- Resale value is better for those that care about that. I keep mine till they're dead, so don't much care. But many folks like to get a different one every few years. If you do that, you'll like glass boats better and good brands better.

Hope this helps. That's my overpriced two cents.