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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | Thinking of getting a different boat sometime. Just wondered what everyone thinks the pros and cons are of a fiberglass compared to aluminum. I've got a 16 foot Jon boat now, I've been fishing muskies out of for the last few years. It's nice because it's light and I can get through some pretty skinny water when I need to, but it's time for something a little bigger too. How about you guys that have owned both?? What do you think?? |
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I fished out of a 16' aluminum bassboat from 02-07. I now have a fiberglass bass boat that is 16'7" and there is no comparison. Glass rides much smoother. The worst thing about aluminum is that they get blown around a lot when its windy. Glass doesn't get blown around near as much. Also the bigger engine allowed me to more than double my speed. |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | I have owned and fished plenty out of both. Both are great.
I like glass better IMO I think it rides smoother, and I like the looks better. Glass is more work though I think taking care of it.
Shop around and test ride both hulls in different brands and models, looking for a boat is fun so take your time and pick the one that suits you best. |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | I know all about getting blown around a lake in aluminum!! I haven't been in too many fiberglass, I've liked them when I was in them though. Schuler, do you feel like you have enough room in the bass stlye boat while fishing for muskie?? I didn't realize you were in Davenport either. Guess I just noticed it. I'm 30 east of Waterloo. Thanks for the replies.
Edited by Lone Stone 8/19/2008 7:42 PM
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Posts: 1462
Location: Davenport, IA | I think a bassboat has plenty of room. I can store all my lures in storage compartments. I put the net down by the console and if I'm at speed its strapped down on the front deck. My rod locker holds 8'6" rods also. My only complaint is that it would be hard for me to add a kicker. But as far as a fishing platform, I think a bassboat is better than a walleye boat for muskies. Most muskie guys are casting so lower sides and large decks are a plus. |
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Posts: 477
Location: Iowa | Thanks again, I really hadn't given bass boats much thought, but might look at them a little too. Yeah the kicker could be a problem, especially since we can troll here in Iowa! My only other concern would be big water with one, but I don't get on anything big very often any way. Thanks again. |
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Posts: 122
Location: Bloomington, IL | I actually got an aluminum boat that's laid out like a bass boat w\ low sides, and then a deep keel up front that helps it cut through the big nasty chop. Along w\ that it has a flat transom so that I can put a kicker on it! I've had it on some pretty rough water from weather and boats, and it handled like a charm! The only gripe I have is the wind factor like the other guys said. But drift socks help that......
So there definitely is a middle ground between the two!! 
http://www.scolba.com/boat.html |
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Posts: 670
Location: Otsego, MN | Big bass boats make sweet muskie boats! I went from a 620 to a 618vs this year and the 618 kind of has more of a bass boat type feel to it than other VS series. I don't blow around as much, and I like being lower to the water. The boat has enough depth though to give me a safe feel in some choppy water. |
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Posts: 431
| My dad has a Tracker TV18 with a merc 90 4 stroke. I can't say I like Tracker quality-though it has improved and there customer service has been very good. While having the hull repaired-at no cost, they replaced the steering cable on a 6 year old boat for no charge-local dealer quote $700. I really like the layout of the boat. Tons of storage, and rides well. It's handled LOTW several times in some wicked weather. My dad got the aluminum boat because he didn't want to worry about beaching the boat or running it up trout streams. I also felt like I was playing with the trees on Lake Fork in a decent wind and wasn't worried about scratching the nice finish. |
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Posts: 622
Location: Seymour, WI | Here is a whole thread about the best aluminum muskie boats. It's got a lot of great info in it.
http://muskie.outdoorsfirst.com/board/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=40...
Grass, |
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Posts: 572
| A lot depends on where you fish and where you want to fish. Perhaps you answered your own question when you mentioned "some pretty skinny waters".
It's kind of like asking what's the ride like getting to where you want to fish, and how comfortable you are after you reach it. Fiber glass will probably give you a smoother/dryer ride to where you want to fish.
You may want to consider resale value of what you purchase.
I recently bought an aluminum fishing boat only because the is a horse power limit on the lake (Fellows Lake in Missouri) I want to fish. So, now I have a fiber glass boat with 115 that takes the waves that I'm comfortable with and a 16 ft aluminum boat that will do some what the same, but at a much slower pace.
Both boats should get me into skinng waters, which is where I want to fish.
Scratches happen. From my experience, I don't see a lot of difference from aluminum and fiber glass. It's more how you treat your boat.
I like fiber glass, but I would go with aluminum where you live.
Good luck....and muskies don't always know whether it it aluminum or fiber glass.
Have fun.
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