Question:
Aluminum boat VS. Fiberglass boat...Which is better for fishing ?
My friends and I are thinking of buying a small used fishing boat.
which would you guys recommend. what is the avarage weight limit on
most of 'em. There will be 3 of us total most fothe time..
Answer:
-It all depends on the water you will be fishing. If you are fishing a
big lake, you will want a heftier boat than if you are fishing small
ponds or backwaters. A small boat that is okay for backwater fishing
might be dangerous out in a big lake. Get the widest, since three
people will be fishing. This will add to stability. Large flat
bottoms have more room than a V hull.
Be aware of the freeboard. Freeboard is the distance from the water
line when fully loaded to the top of the lowest point of the edge.
Imagine that you are a giant, and could step on the boat. How far down
would you have to push to sink the boat. That is your margin of error
as to when you will start taking on water either from waves, or
reaching over the edge to land a fish.
I prefer an aluminum over a fiberglass hull. They are lighter, will
float in shallower water, are easier to get off a sandbar or mudflat,
they are easier to transport, you can launch easily just about
anywhere, they are easy to fix even in the field, the same electric
trolling motor will pull a lighter aluminum boat better than a
comparable fiberglass hull, if you have a problem, three of you can
horse the thing onto the trailer or off the sandbar, and I guess that
is enough. Buy with safety in mind. Remember that the load rating
includes people, motor, gas tank, tackle boxes, ice chests, batteries
and additional equipment. You will have more peace of mind in a larger
boat.
- you can pull it up on any shore and don't worry about
acatching.
it is lighter and you can get by with a smaller motor. I have had both.
I nowhave a 16 Ft Lowe from Lebonon MO it is a 1078 and I go everywhere
I want to witha Mer electric start 18 HO
I just pull up on shore and don't worry ablut putting a whole in the
bottom.
I have always felt that the LUND from Mn is the cadilac ( I can spell
Buick easier) of boats. Just got back from a fishing trip on Lake
Michigan on a 1992 19 ft Lund with 1992 115 Mariner 4 banger, when
trolling it runs on two clyinders, and when you put the pedal down it hits n
all four. I made an offer on the boat before I returned home, but was turned
down.
-An aluminum boat will normally be lighter than a fiberglass boat.
Therefore it will be less expensive to operate in several respects:
1. It will be lighter to tow, i.e. less gas and easier on your
transmission. You can also use a lighter tow vehicle, which makes a
difference when you buy a new car van or truck.
2. It will be easier to operate in the water, meaning you won't burn as
much gas and you can consider a broader range of power options.
If you're going to load it with three guys most of the time, you need at
least a sixteen footer. Eighteen would be better, but you get into storage
and other considerations with an eighteen footer. You also need a bigger
engine. In either case, with three guys aboard, you should power it with
the maximum for which the boat is rated. Look for a h.p. rating plate on
the back of the boat.
Aluminum is also easier to maintain than fiberglass, and it is easier to
repair if you have a "whoops", and you will.
You also need to consider what kind of water you're going to use it on.
You can get light weight as well as heavy weight aluminum boats. I like a
heavier one on big water. It takes waves better, and it holds better in
the wind. It will still have a light enough draft to let you go in
shallow.
You're better off paying a little more for a good aluminum boat than
getting the cheapest one you can. You'll still be using the good one ten
years from now. Lund and Alumacraft are a couple of good names to
consider, but there are plenty of others, too. Go to one of the winter
boat shows and check out the new ones. Then hit your local dealers that
handle the brands you like for a used one. If they don't have one in
stock, leave them your name for when one comes in. A good dealer will call
around and try to locate one for you at another nearby dealer.
Hey, and don't pass up a good deal on a fiberglass one, if you like it.
Doin' it on the cheap isn't all that counts in owning a boat.
