Thread: Aluminum vs Fiberglass for Crappie

It's definitely one of those "what feels right to you" scenarios. I have a 18ft xpress that I love for pretty much all freshwater fishing, and fishing the shallows inland chasing specs and reds. It has a 90hp Yamaha that will get you there plenty fast, and it's pretty heavy for an aluminum boat. That being said there are a list of drawbacks, For one the storage isn't the best, but I think that's a thing with most fishing boats. It will float pretty shallow, and is fairly safe to bump into things. The livewell isn't particularly large, or the best design for keeping baitfish alive. Space is also pretty limited with a large center console. I bought rod racks to keep 11 rods and a net vertical while riding.
I don't go very fast in areas I don't know, but they make river boats aluminum for a reason, thick gauge and they can handle the rocks. You don't have to worry too much about it being too pretty to bump into things. The decks can get kinda hot on bright sunny days, but just wear shoes.

CS is an ok boat, Chatlee sells plenty of them, along with all the other CS dealers. I have heard tales that if you own a CS you own a boat that's probably logged with water. Not sure if this is still the case, but there are plenty of threads with people who drilled a hole and water comes running out. To some that is not a deal breaker, but for some it is. They are well known, and plenty of people love them, some wouldn't have anything else.

I'd go over to Chatlee and see if they have what you are looking for and test drive the CS. See if it feels right, if it doesn't just keep searching. Good luck with your search, sometimes you find the perfect setup, and sometimes you find the one you are just the happiest with.

Originally Posted by mattbowen61990

It's definitely one of those "what feels right to you" scenarios. I have a 18ft xpress that I love for pretty much all freshwater fishing, and fishing the shallows inland chasing specs and reds. It has a 90hp Yamaha that will get you there plenty fast, and it's pretty heavy for an aluminum boat. That being said there are a list of drawbacks, For one the storage isn't the best, but I think that's a thing with most fishing boats. It will float pretty shallow, and is fairly safe to bump into things. The livewell isn't particularly large, or the best design for keeping baitfish alive. Space is also pretty limited with a large center console. I bought rod racks to keep 11 rods and a net vertical while riding.
I don't go very fast in areas I don't know, but they make river boats aluminum for a reason, thick gauge and they can handle the rocks. You don't have to worry too much about it being too pretty to bump into things. The decks can get kinda hot on bright sunny days, but just wear shoes.

CS is an ok boat, Chatlee sells plenty of them, along with all the other CS dealers. I have heard tales that if you own a CS you own a boat that's probably logged with water. Not sure if this is still the case, but there are plenty of threads with people who drilled a hole and water comes running out. To some that is not a deal breaker, but for some it is. They are well known, and plenty of people love them, some wouldn't have anything else.

I'd go over to Chatlee and see if they have what you are looking for and test drive the CS. See if it feels right, if it doesn't just keep searching. Good luck with your search, sometimes you find the perfect setup, and sometimes you find the one you are just the happiest with.

Thanks for the well thought out response. I have a lot to think about and a lot to look at. I really want something that feels right.


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I just bought a Vexus AV189. They make a crappie model too. It's my first aluminum boat and so far I am impressed and happy with it. Vexus is the old original Ranger group minus Forrest L Wood (RIP) and they are located in Flippin Arkansas too. I have a 115 4 stroke Mercury and a Minnekota 80# Fortex trolling motor which moves it around with ease. The live well is quite large with lots of storage and large open decks. The ride has been good even with the never-ending winds and extra boat traffic due to Covid-19. Give them a look. I think you'll be impressed. TriCounty Marine near Lake Rhodhiss sells them up here. Mike Carr is the guy you will want to speak to in you're interested. Good luck! P.S. The price is also more attractive than most fiberglass boats.

I have am RP 190, it was the original before they changed to RB, I have it set up for any kind of crappie fishing you could think of, long lining, spider rigging, crankbait trolling and single pole jigging, have the riptide terrova for the salt when I go for specs and reds and the ultrex for crappie. It is a great boat, plenty fast enough. The only thing I have against it is I wish it had a front livewell, I usually just throw them in a bucket and transfer them to the livewell when I go to move. It runs great and has plenty of room, with the cooler out of it. It gets tight up front with that in it butt otherwise it will do anything I ask of it. If I can help just pm me and we can discuss any concerns you have about this boat.

I have a CS that I bought at Chatlee in 2006 and love it. Have fished both fresh and salt. I have two friends that have bass boats and I don't like them. That is just me, If I had to get another fishing boat it would be a CS unless Chatlee was the only dealer. If they were I would have to find another brand boat

My 2 cents

Good luck and don't be in a hurry.. Take your time and get what you want. Crappie only see the bottom of the boat until it is too late.

I went from aluminum crest liner to a brand new Carolina skiff 20 footer with 140 hp on it. I did not like the skiff at all. Heavy, gas burner, kill your back with just a little wave action. I sold it after about a year and went back to an aluminum Lund. It has a 60 hp on it and goes almost as fast, half the gas, can’t tell you are pulling it with the truck and rides through the biggest waves. Some love cs and some do not. I do not.

Many thanks to all that wrote in and gave their opinions. I am going to take my time, do some test drives and look at a lot of different boats. You all are right in telling me to take my time and after thinking about everything I want in my boat I am going to take my time. It is pleasure boating season now anyway so I have a few months.


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I have an aluminum RangerRT178. Awesome ride in choppy water, very stable, 60 hp merc 4 stroke in my opinion is under powered. Ok now for the good stuff, live well works very well but I think it has too many features that I never use. nice storage compartments and rod box. My 14' 3 piece rods are hard to get in it, very low maintenance. Bad stuff, under powered, latches on all compartments come loose, rod box opening a little small, it bounces terribly when boats go by or small waves from wind, blows around like a Styrofoam cup on windy days. I park my boat in places a glass boat can't, rocks, gravel, concrete etc. It tows good because its lighter than glass, good fuel economy. I think with glass you can put transducers inside boat so no interference with motor on side scan. Personal preference