Thread: Fiberglass VS. Aluminum Bass Boats

Love the aluminum boat I have now. Only need a 50 to push it, don't care about going 90mph. Get's me where I need to be. Plus if I had to I could probably tow it with a rickshaw, instead of some 3/4 ton super duty sob!
Another thing, it's usually less expensive than a similar size glass boat, and after you get tired of the thing it's resale value will be close.

Other thing I like is, I don't freak out when I get close to a dock with it. (hated it when I used to scratch my glass boats)

I will say the ride is better in glass.

You need to evaluate your needs and your resourses.

But I doubt if i'll ever go back to glass. It would have to be used and a deal I can't refuse!

They both have their pro's and cons. If you can't handle scratches don't get glass. I always stuck my glass boats right in the middle of it! No use having a boat if you can't get near the fish. Cost is the best selling point of aluminum. I prefer glass because they don't get blown all around in the wind, typically more deck to fish from and they ride much better. Once again, different strokes for different folks.

I have the Lowe 190 Stinger. For the money, I dont think you can find a better aluminum boat. Very trouble free, easy to maintain, and with the 90 on the back, all the speed you need. Extremely stable in rough water and a pleasure to fish out of. I got mine from Cabelas. I also cant say enough about the service I have received from them. Rob Link, the boat mgr at the KCK store, even steered me to low financing. All welded, NO WOOD, excellent value. Just my 02 cents worth. Hope this helps you. Jack

just got a 190 pt tracker 90 hp merc omax from bass pro in columbia
very stable ride on loz water and lots of room
glad i got it

I love my Shoal Runner Aluminum Jet Boat......can run rivers and big lakes with plenty of room. Alittle more expensive but built rock hard.

Check it out: Model Predator

Make my living in the boat business but brand or other stuff isn't important here. Edge to glass for noise level, ride, stability while fishing and less susceptible to wind while fishing. Aluminum for lighter weight overall although not as distinctive as it used to be. Aluminum for smaller horsepower but now some glass boats designed specifically for small as 50 hp. Aluminum if you get your feelings hurt easily by fishing heavy cover although in my case I find it easier to control a glass boat in heavy cover in the wind. As someone mentioned there's a good case for both, just research wisely and don't let old wive's tales influence your thoughts. There are pros and cons for both.

What I "do" want to hear about is your experience with asking your Lowe or Tracker dealer for an Evinrude engine. Can you say "deer in the headlights"?

I spent 4 hrs. the other night applying wax to my glass boat. Whole lot of surface area there. Don't have to do that with an aluminum boat for sure.

I never waxed any of my aluminum boats before I did mine several weeks ago- and I'm glad I did! It makes the clean-up of the scum line very easy after pulling it out of the water. Turning a few more heads also helps the image some, too. :D

I've fished out of a lot of fiberglass boats, but I still prefer aluminum bass boats due to the way I crappie fish- I move around a lot and want a big front deck to stand on. The crappie layouts have more open area which would come in handy for another person or two, but I usually fish one ortwo people per boat and the bass layout works for me. I still watch the scrapes on the boat, even with an aluminum boat, but not as much as most fiberglass people do with their rigs. The appearance of aluminum and glass bass boats aren't that dramatic anymore- many people don't know what the boat is at first glance.