|
| I am looking at different boats, trying to determine whether I should focus on new aluminum or used glass boats.
***In my experience, now on my 4th boat, having owned 2 aluminum and 2 glass boats, go for the glass.
I am limiting my target expense to around 17K +/- 1K. The glass boats I am interested in exceed this target by a few bucks so I figure I might be able to pick up a quality used boat 1 or 2 seasons old that is closer to the target.
Looking at the following aluminum:
Alumacraft Magnum 175
Alumacraft Tournament Pro 17
Crestliner 1750
***Not to ruffle anyone's feathers, but I've been in all of the above listed boats and am not impressed with the ride of any of them.
For glass:
Tuffy Deep Esox 1700 or 1760 (think 1700 is borderline too small)
Skeeter ZX1775SC
Warrior Eagle V1790SC
Warrior Falcon V177SC
Triton 189 (think this boat is borderline too big)
A lot of things have driven me to these boats including cost, quality, reputation, big live well, and most will fit in my garage.
The big unknown for me having only owned one 16.5' boat and having only ridden in aluminum hull boats under 18' is what is the ride difference in bigger water? If the weights are similar between alum. and glass is the ride noticeably different?
***YES, the ride is considerably different. The reason for the difference is that you can only bend aluminum so many ways. Fiberglass can be molded into any shape desired, making for a dryer, smoother, more efficient hull. Also, don't overlook the boats in the 18 1/2 - 19' class, they aren't too big.
Actually, I don't think that (within reason) you can have a boat that's too big. I'm currently running a 19' boat and thinking about upgrading. I run "small water" a good portion of the time and am seriously thinking about a 20 or 21 foot rig. When the weather gets rough, the waves get ugly and the muskies are snapping, you never have enough boat.
Another way of asking my question...Is the ride quality of glass worth the sacrifice of not getting a new boat?
***Yes, the ride is THAT much better, providing you get a boat with a well designed hull. Many times, you can get a prostaffer's boat, used only one or two seasons for considerably less than new. Look into boats of this type.
I plan to be on the water 30 days per season with 60% trolling suspended fish in big water, 40% casting or working smaller water.
What do you guys think??? Are there other boats I should look at?
If you weren't trolling, I'd suggest that you look at ProCraft boats. I have the SuperPro 190 bassboat and while it's not set up well for trolling, it's an awesome big (or small) water boat. It has a huge 45 gallon livewell and is a fantastic casting platform for muskies. My dealer had a brand new SuperPro 190 dual console boat with a Merc 150 on it for only $19,000! That was pretty much rigged and ready to go, trolling motor, batteries, on-board charger, yadayadayada. It's gone now, but I'm sure that there's other deals like that out there.
My advice to you is don't get hung up on one or two boats. Spend some time this winter researching different brands and looking for good deals. Winter is a great time to buy a boat. Also, unless you fish a lot of muskie tournaments, don't worry about a big livewell either. While the well on my boat is big enough to put a decent muskie into, I haven't yet, with over 200 muskies caught out of it.
Just some thoughts,
Steve @ G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods. http://www.herefishyfishy.com
----------------
| |
|
