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Started By
Message
Stupid Boat Question: Aluminum vs. Fiberglass
Posted on 3/7/15 at 3:38 pm
Posted on 3/7/15 at 3:38 pm
Used to work for sportsmans fab in MC for a couple years thru school and helped casey build several boats. Was just out of high school and spending my money on beer and whores.
Just sold my fiberglass boat and possible looking to buy another boat oneday. Besides the obvious metal/fiberglass design. What is the difference between the boats? One weight more than the other, does fiberglass handle chop better? I always see alum hanko, scully, SF boats down south, Just curious whats the major difference is that sways a person one way or another.
Just sold my fiberglass boat and possible looking to buy another boat oneday. Besides the obvious metal/fiberglass design. What is the difference between the boats? One weight more than the other, does fiberglass handle chop better? I always see alum hanko, scully, SF boats down south, Just curious whats the major difference is that sways a person one way or another.
10
Posted on 3/7/15 at 3:40 pm to sonoma8
You pretty much nailed it. Aluminum is lighter. Fiberglass is better in the rough stuff. With the weight savings come better fuel efficiency also.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 3:48 pm to DownSouthDave
So basically your trading light-weight and fuel savings w alum for a better ride in fiberglass. Thats it? Figured it would be a little more than that.... well throws out the possibility of getting and alum boat built then. Thanks
Posted on 3/7/15 at 3:49 pm to sonoma8
Yep. That and aluminum can be bumped on rocks and such without fretting
Posted on 3/7/15 at 3:57 pm to jimbeam
Yea, pretty much indestructable and easily repaired with a welding machine. Just couldnt figure out how they would want $1200+ per foot for an alum boat. I understand labor costs but damn baw.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 4:01 pm to sonoma8
The better question is aluminum or panga.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 4:25 pm to sonoma8
If it's sitting out in the sun, aluminum will last much longer...
Posted on 3/7/15 at 4:41 pm to Hangover Haven
Stumps are a big problem in shallow La lakes.
I've personally been in a couple of Fiberglass boats which we knocked a hole in the bottom.
Depends on where you fish.
I've personally been in a couple of Fiberglass boats which we knocked a hole in the bottom.
Depends on where you fish.
This post was edited on 3/7/15 at 4:43 pm
Posted on 3/7/15 at 5:21 pm to sonoma8
What type of fishing you plan on doing, and what areas? These things will determine what you need.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 5:41 pm to REB BEER
Mainly inshore around Dularge. Maybe to the Rigs outta GI once in a while. I think my answer is gonna be fiberglass the more I look at it. Was just weighing my options because I know alum will last forever and you can beat the hell out of it. Some boats I've seen casey push out recently are 
This post was edited on 3/7/15 at 5:44 pm
Posted on 3/7/15 at 6:02 pm to sonoma8
Fiberglass sits in the water and glides through it. Smooth ride.
Aluminum sits on top of the water. Bumpy ride.
Yeah, what they said.
Aluminum sits on top of the water. Bumpy ride.
Yeah, what they said.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 6:28 pm to ctiger69
Id like some OB opinion on this. Im looking to buy a boat in a year or so and some of my trusted fishing coworkers have given me some things to think about. They all say that although aluminum can scuff on oysters and such with no ptoblem, they are actually more expensive to weld than having fiberglass work. Ive got 3 coworkers willimg to take me out over the next year to see what id like. One is Xpress H22b, a 16' Cape Horn Bay (he claims it is best ridimg inshore out there), and the other is 21' glass bay boat.
This post was edited on 3/7/15 at 6:29 pm
Posted on 3/7/15 at 6:36 pm to AutoYes_Clown
If I get another boat it will be fiberglass. Main reason is because aluminum gets hot and my kids can not stand it.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 6:48 pm to ctiger69
That just sounds silly.
You make it sound like all aluminum boats are john boats and all glass boats just magically bust through the chop and you don't feel anything. You can get beat up in both. You will get beat up on some days with whatever you choose, that's just the way it goes.
There are a lot of aluminum boats that are carpeted, and besides that there are other options. There are several manufacturers that offer a high strength foam padding. You can order it in sheets and cut to fit in your boat so the kids don't burn themselves.
You make it sound like all aluminum boats are john boats and all glass boats just magically bust through the chop and you don't feel anything. You can get beat up in both. You will get beat up on some days with whatever you choose, that's just the way it goes.
There are a lot of aluminum boats that are carpeted, and besides that there are other options. There are several manufacturers that offer a high strength foam padding. You can order it in sheets and cut to fit in your boat so the kids don't burn themselves.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 8:24 pm to DownSouthDave
I hear those aluminum bay boats are loud going through the water.
I think I may visit these guys and ask more
LINK
I am not sure they are lighter either.
I think I may visit these guys and ask more
LINK
I am not sure they are lighter either.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 8:26 pm to sonoma8
quote:what brands you looking at....
$1200+ per foot for an alum boat.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 8:33 pm to I B Freeman
I know Gaudet has a great reputation. I've seen some on the water, they look great, almost like a glass boat. They will definetely be lighter than a fiberglass boat with the same hull design.
As far as noise, there will be a little more than a glass boat. In my experience, it's not something to worry about. With double floors and floatation between them, the sound is pretty muffled. We used to have a lobells custom, the sound may not even be louder, just different.
As far as noise, there will be a little more than a glass boat. In my experience, it's not something to worry about. With double floors and floatation between them, the sound is pretty muffled. We used to have a lobells custom, the sound may not even be louder, just different.
Posted on 3/7/15 at 8:45 pm to DownSouthDave
Whose else is making them now?
Posted on 3/7/15 at 9:01 pm to TBoy
Posted on 3/7/15 at 9:18 pm to sonoma8
Forget Aluminum and Fiberglass, get a Ropelene boat.
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