Bassin' USA - Bass Fishing Forum Archives

Pro Staff, have any of you compared the new all-welded aluminum boats against the fiberglass models? How do they stack up for ride, storage space, safety, appearance, resale? How about the extended horsepower ratings, I'm looking at a 20 footer that rated for a 200 horsepower, does that sound okay. This boat is huge has a very large casting deck, and a ton of storage area, can they be over loaded? I'll just mention it's a G-3 with 200 Yamaha for comparisons. Thanks for any input, Johnnie

Since I'm a freak for aluminum boats, I've compaired them all. I now own a ALWELD with a 40 hp Tohatsu. If I were to buy a larger aluminum bass boat it's a toss up between a Express and a G-3. The only dislike I have with aluminum bass boats are they are on the narrow side. Since I fish mainly Toledo Bend the extra width would be nice. Maintenace, lighter weight, smaller engines (less gas!), & smaller tow vehicle are just a few advantages. One of my dreams is to be able to design an aluminum bass boat. It would be 17 to 18' long, 96" wide, daul console, with a 115 or 135 hp motor. My # 1 suggestion would be do not buy any thing that is not welded!

Johnnie,

A friend of mine bought an 18' All-welded G3 with a 70hp motor. He was out fishing for stripers in some ruff water (3' waves) and the hull cracked and split open. That's the bad part. The good part is that G3 sent him a new hull at no charge. That incident really turned me off to the bigger aluminum boats.

As for the features of an aluminum, I guess it really depends on what you will want to do with the boat. If you plan on fishing big water, I would stick with fiberglass. Catt951 pointed out a lot of the benefits to owning an aluminum boat. He is certainly right about the truck, gas, etc.

As for resale, these boats just don't hold their value like name brand glass boat. In fact if you are seriously going for aluminum, I would even suggest getting a 2 or 3 year old boat. You'll probably save between $6K-$10K.

The other resale consideration is that the majority of tournament bass angler own and/or buy glass boats, so your customer base is greater if you own a glass boat.

Just some things to consider... that's why you asked, right?


BC

Johnnie,

I own a Skeeter ZX 18 Aluminum with a 150 Yamaha Jet Outboard ( as well as a ZX 195 Glass ). If you dont already know Yamaha owns G3 Boats. My boat was actually the last model year built under the Skeeter brand.

I will tell you that G3 are well built all welded rigs and I have owned 2 over the last 6 years. The storage and layout are the same as the glass boats, although without the width it isnt as large.

My advise is this. If you are running waters were damaging you hull ( rocks, stumps, etc ) is a concern, aluminum is a good choice. If your wallet is better suited for an aluminum, or your tow vehicle is "weight challenged" again aluminun is a good choice.
However, if you fish larger waters most of the time where rough water due to weather or heavy boat traffic is a persistant problem, YOU WILL REGRET BUYING AN ALUMINUM BOAT. The problem with aluminum boats is the hull designs, the just do not take heavy water well. Being much lighter and less stable then fiberglass boats of similar size they are also harder to control while fishing in wind or again rough water. Being a flippin fool I always found it tough to fish docks ( especially those where you must take the boat deep into a marina where it becomes tight ).

Rough water? GLASS
Smaller lakes and rivers? ALUMINUM

No matter what type of aluminum bass hull you buy, ( and my first choice would be G3. ) You will take a beating in rough water unless you buy a deep V type hull found on multi species and walleye boats. Just think back to the last time you got beat up running in heavy water in your glass rig, now multiply that by at least 3 in an aluminum.

Pro Staff, thanks for the input. It's always great to be able to get sound advice from folks that really know, not just hype from a saleperson. I will be fishing the Mississippi river, Table Rock, Norfork and Bull Sholas or smaller lakes 90% of the time so I feel the Alum. boat would do fne. My tow vehicle is a Chevy Blazer S10 so not a lot of towing power. I do pull my Ranger with it though without any problems. Thanks agai, Johnnie

Johnnie, all the advice sounds great, the drawback is that most people view the aluminum from the point of the "old" style boats, with the blocky appearance and such. I have one of the Tracker Avalanche's with a 150 EFI, and, yes it is Aluminum. I constanly get comments like "I didn't know Tracker made fiberglass boats" and "nice boat, but I think I would rather have aluminum". Mine is 18' 2" and has a 96" beam. On Guntersville this spring in heavy water, it was just as stable and no more punishing than a glass boat. It is all welded and has .125 wall thickness througout (hull, topcap), there is not a splinter of wood anywhere in the boat (except for the tackle boxes, of course). I would be willing to take anyone for a ride and let them make their own comparison, I firmly believe they would be surprised. If I am able to make the Pro-Staff tourney, it will be there also. Besides, you live close enough that we could even meet in the middle and do a bit of fishing out of it (hint, hint) and you could experience it first hand.

Thanks everyone, the G3 is mine, at least temporarily. It is wider in the front than my Ranger is in the rear. It's a huge boat, will be breaking it in tomorrow, got it three days ago, but had to show it at an outdoor show all three days. I was made an offer I couldn't refuse on the boat motor and trailer, let's just say a dream deal. Looking forward to trying it out after it's broke in. I'll find out if the hull will split or not, that's my job, field testing.
I know some folks love aluminum some hate it. I've always had glass before and have always been well pleased-Ranger and Champion. Hope I'm as satified with the new model, it's the first 2004 built. Thanks again for the posts. I let you know how it performs, especially if there are some weaknesses, I simply don't know yet, But a few weeks on the big river ought to tell the tale. Johnnie

Johnnie,

Congrats on the new boat and good luck with it. Keep in mind the situation I mentioned that my friend had with G3 may have just been a freak thing. The important part was the high level of customer services that he received from G3. They gave him a new hull with no hassles and made the whole situation as painless as possible for him.

BC