Why did you choose Fiberglass or Aluminum for your boat? 2024
tcbass reply :
If you have a Fiberglass or Aluminum boat, why did you choose that material for your boat over the other?
Jig Man reply :
I have had both. I prefer the glass if I am in big water. It has a better ride and fishes better in the wind. Skinny water in the upper parts of lakes I prefer the aluminum as it is lighter and handles easier.
Tennessee Boy reply :
I've always been an aluminium guy.
Advantages
Weights less so uses less gas in the boat and in the tow vehicle.
Boat cost less
Tow vehicle can be smaller/cheaper.
I can fish around stuff that might scratch a fiberglass boat.
Trailering in general is easier with the lighter boat.
Disadvantages
Can be a rough ride on rough water.
Wind will blow you around more than in a heavy fiberglass boat.
If you want to go really fast (I don't) you will need to go fiberglass.
tcbass reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 3:41 AM, Tennessee Boy said:I've always been an aluminium guy.
Advantages
Weights less so uses less gas in the boat and in the tow vehicle.
Boat cost less
Tow vehicle can be smaller/cheaper.
I can fish around stuff that might scratch a fiberglass boat.
Trailering in general is easier with the lighter boat.
Disadvantages
Can be a rough ride on rough water.
Wind will blow you around more than in a heavy fiberglass boat.
If you want to go really fast (I don't) you will need to go fiberglass.
Interesting.
How fast do you consider fast?
Dwight Hottle reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 3:46 AM, tcbass said:
Interesting.
How fast do you consider fast?
Right my 20 foot alm boat runs 60-61 MPH.
Tennessee Boy reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 3:46 AM, tcbass said:
Interesting.
How fast do you consider fast?
I have a Ranger RT188 (18 ft) with a 90HP outboard. My boat will do 41MPH according to the GPS. The boat is rated for 115HP and people claim to get in the low 50s MPH with the 115HP. Larger aluminium boats can handle 150 HP so I would guess they can reach around 60 MPH. If you want to top 60MPH you will definitely want to go fiberglass.
J Francho reply :
I realize my boats are the exception, but it shows that you can't make generalizations about either material. My aluminum (Xpress) boat was actually heavier than my glass boat (Bullet), even though the glass boat was almost 4' longer. I actually preferred the aluminum in rougher water. I bought both because I could. I liked them both.
A-Jay reply :
Fiberglass vs Aluminum is always a preference - both have Pro's & Cons.
For me the Pro's of the Aluminum Hull is selected out weighed the Con's.
BTW the weight difference between the two, depending on model & brand, is not as much as it used to be.
For instance the newest Fiberglass Ranger Z518 when compared to the Lund 1875 Pro-V Bass for dry hull weight; The Z518 is "75lb" more - 1550 vs 1475. (boats are same length)
That's not enough to magically make the Ranger boat 'handle better in the wind & rough water' - it's just not.
A-Jay
J Francho reply :
Also, the speed thing, my Xpress with a 115 ran to around 55mph with partner and tournament load. I've been in a friend's 19' Xpress with a 200 ran well over 65. I've had my Bullet up to 84. Neither boat was particularly fun to drive at those speeds.
WCWV reply :
I've owned both and for me, I like my aluminum. But in my home state we really don't have any big water. But I did take my 190 out on Douglas lake in TN with my son and with 18" chop and three full grown men, we had no problems scooting along at 45 mph.
As many have already said, it a personal preference.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 3:53 AM, Tennessee Boy said:people claim to get in the low 50s MPH with the 115HP.
I have an RT188 with the Merc 115. I regularly hit 45-50 by accident. It's a 60mph boat in smooth water.
On 6/19/2018 at 4:03 AM, J Francho said:I bought both
There you go @tcbass ! Your perfect answer!
I picked aluminum for three reasons:
1. Brand new boater. I fish lakes that have coves absolutely chock full of tree trunks sticking up in 20ft of water. I feel less likely to punch a hole in the bottom of an aluminum boat (or drag it on the ramp, or any of the other million things I'm stupid-new enough to do.
2. I didn't have to buy a new truck. It tows beautifully behind our Grand Cherokee.
3. I could afford a one year old boat with 10hrs on it. For the same money the fiberglass boat would have been much older.
Love that Ranger aluminum! If it just didn't blow around so much it would be perfect...
Quarry Man reply :
I like aluminum because it is less expensive, less work to maintain, and i don't have to worry about beating it up al little bit. If i fished big lakes with big waves or needed to go fast i choose glass. even if i had all the mo ey in the world but could only choose one, id gp aluminum.
Russ E reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 9:50 AM, BigAngus752 said:Love that Ranger aluminum! If it just didn't blow around so much it would be perfect...
that is why I bought fiberglass.
it is nearly always windy here in Kansas. my 2 previous boats were aluminum and I got tired of fighting the wind.
I have a Ranger Z175. I compared it with the rt 188 and with the same options the cost was real close.
The Rt 188 is a nice boat, but I wanted something that was a little less susceptible to wind.
I think the durability argument is overrated.
if you hit something while on plane with either, bad things will happen.
I am constantly fishing in trees.
I blew a hole in my first aluminum boat with a tree stump.
I ran my fiberglass boat over a stump and did not even scratch it.
if I fished around a lot of shallow rock, I probably would have stuck with aluminum.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 10:11 AM, Weedwhacker said:Kansas
Oh man! You win the windy competition!
Further North reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 3:41 AM, Tennessee Boy said:I've always been an aluminium guy.
Advantages
Weights less so uses less gas in the boat and in the tow vehicle.
Boat cost less
Tow vehicle can be smaller/cheaper.
I can fish around stuff that might scratch a fiberglass boat.
Trailering in general is easier with the lighter boat.
Pretty much how I'd have written it.
On 6/19/2018 at 3:41 AM, Tennessee Boy said:Disadvantages
Can be a rough ride on rough water.
Wind will blow you around more than in a heavy fiberglass boat.
If you want to go really fast (I don't) you will need to go fiberglass.
Deeper hull aluminum (Lund Pro-V Bass, Crestliner Bass Hawk, and my old Crestliner CMV) ride well, don't get blown around much and go as fast as I need to go. My boat with a 150 Yamaha will see 60, and I'll bet the newer ones rated for 200 HP will beat that. I don't even need/want to go that fast, I simply don't need it onthe lakes I fish and it'd just be a way to spend money on gas.
My biggest reason for picking my boat didn't have anything to do with what the hull is made from (because I don't think it makes any real difference at the end of the day). I bought my boat because the layout and size are exactly what I want.
jbmaine reply :
I choose aluminum because
Lighter to tow.
More comfortable ( for us ) to be in all day.
The wind does blow it around more, but we have a TM with spot lock so moot point.
PECo reply :
After two aluminum boats, I went with fiberglass for the softer ride and superior storage.
Further North reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 11:42 AM, PECo said:After two aluminum boats, I went with fiberglass for the softer ride and superior storage.
"softer ride" compared to what? I can think of any number of tin boats that ride like a baby's bottom on a pillow in a cotton ball factory...
We need to be careful to compare apples to apples here...lets compare $$$ to $$$, weight to weight, length to length, beam to beam...hull structure to hull structure...
Otherwise we're just flingin' stuff around...
...and I have no idea how "superior storage" has anything to do with what the boat is made from...help me out there, please? I really want to understand.
Catt reply :
How smooth or rough a boat rides has nothing to do with hull material
I think it's first driver and then a combination of all three in the proper proportion; length, width, & horse power.
I have a friend who has a Champion Mean 16, it's only 16' in length but it's has a 90" beam & coupled with a 115 HP Merc you feel completely safe in any water.
I own both & have owned both for many years, I fish out of my Alweld more because our marshes have limited hp rating.
I think it's more personal preference ????
DINK WHISPERER reply :
Glass because they're so sparkly, duh!
PECo reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 12:06 PM, Further North said:help me out there, please? I really want to understand.
No, you don’t. You want to defend your own preferences and choices when there’s no need to do so. They’re right for you and that’s terrific.
On 6/20/2018 at 6:41 PM, DINK WHISPERER said:Glass because they're so sparkly, duh!
Yeap!
On 6/20/2018 at 5:40 PM, Catt said:How smooth or rough a boat rides has nothing to do with hull material.
Hull material doesn’t have nothing to do with how rough or smooth a hull rides. Of course, it doesn’t have everything to do with it, either.
In general, a thicker, heavier, more aggressively designed (e.g., all compound curves) fiberglass hull will cut though chop better than a thinner, lighter, less aggressive (e.g. all flat planes) aluminum hull.
On 6/20/2018 at 5:40 PM, Catt said:I think it's more personal preference ????
THIS. And choice. I wish we had more choices in aluminum bass boat designs. Vexus is a start, but I’d like to see even more aggressive aluminum hull designs that cut through chop better than those currently available.
J Francho reply :
^^ You've made a lot of assumptions and generalizations in that post. You got preference right, and preference is often driven necessity. A deep-v made from aluminum will be a smoother ride than fiberglass pad hull boat. I don't care what they weigh. I've already stated an example that contradicts your statements. My 21' 10" Bullet XDC weights less than my old 18' Xpress H18. By a few hundred pounds. Despite the added length, deeper vee toward the bow, the Xpress handled big water better. When I had both, and wanted to fish Erie or Ontario, I took the Xpress. Now, rewind back to my little 15' Sea Nymph deep-v tiller with a 50 hp on the back. That boat could handle waters that I wouldn't dare launch either of my bass boats in. A quick note about storage. The storage in my Xpress was a little better laid out, though rear storage in the Bullet was unbelievable and cavernous. If you look at storage options in some of the higher end tins, you might see that it's comparable, if not sometimes better. Depends on what your going to do with the boat. But, you can't simply say you like fiberglass because its a better ride. Yeah, Ranger 522 will ride better than a Tracker 170. That's true. It's a not a fair comparison.
Troy85 reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 4:09 AM, J Francho said:Also, the speed thing, my Xpress with a 115 ran to around 55mph with partner and tournament load. I've been in a friend's 19' Xpress with a 200 ran well over 65. I've had my Bullet up to 84. Neither boat was particularly fun to drive at those speeds.
55? I wish I could get over 50. I've got the Xpress h18 with 115 and I can only hit about 47-48 alone and 45-46 with a partner in the boat. Do you remember what prop you were running? If this is getting to off topic, PM me.
J Francho reply :
I can't remember exactly the prop, but it was a 3-blade, SS, maybe 24P.
PECo reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 9:39 PM, J Francho said:
^^ You've made a lot of assumptions and generalizations in that post. You got preference right, and preference is often driven necessity.
You’re right. I was talking about bass boats, specifically, not about big water boats.
Regarding storage in bass boats, go to your local Ranger dealer and look at the storage in the fiberglass and aluminum bass boats. There’s a big difference between the two.
J Francho reply :
Plug the numbers in for your boat into the prop slip calculator at the Go Fast site. Then play around with the pitch and see what changes.
Troy85 reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 9:46 PM, J Francho said:I can't remember exactly the prop, but it was a 3-blade, SS, maybe 24P.
Wow. I'm running a SS 19P 3 blade, PowerTech PRT3(Which is powertechs highest rake prop), with a 6" jackplate and I can only turn 56-57k WOT with a partner. I can't imagine turning a 24P.
J Francho reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 9:46 PM, PECo said:You’re right. I was talking about bass boats, specifically, not about big water boats.
Regarding storage in bass boats, go to your local Ranger dealer and look at the storage in the fiberglass and aluminum boats. There’s a big difference between the two.
Even Ranger has a different hull for their big water 522 bass boat. It's really more of a deep-v. Also, do an apples to apples comparison. Don't pick a boat out of Ranger's budget line up, look at a premium aluminum, and compare that to the Comanche.
On 6/20/2018 at 9:50 PM, Troy1985s said:Wow. I'm running a SS 19P 3 blade, PowerTech PRT3(Which is powertechs highest rake prop), with a 6" jackplate and I can only turn 56-57k WOT with a partner. I can't imagine turning a 24P.
It could have been a 22P. I'm not sure. I've run a 30P on my Bullet. It took forever to plane. A 27P four blade Trophy Plus was what I settled on. Fast planing, but top speed of *only* a little over 70.
WRB reply :
For me aluminum boat with small motor was better suited for small lakes with no launching ramp or maybe a dirt road or whenever I wanted to make contact with the shoreline like pulling the boat up on it.
My fiberglass bass boats are designed specifically for speed and storage. Speed is relative to the hull design, hp and weight. Fast boat plane on a small pad surface and design is unlimited with a molded fiberglass hull, limited with a welded aliminum hull.
Today there are some fast aluminum bass boats that were not time available several years ago, so the dividing line is less clear.
70+ mph is a fast bass boat and most tournament fiberglass bass boats 19' to 21' with 200+hp can run fast, very few aluminum boat ps can.
Tom
PS, my 18'6" Skeeter w/200+hp ran over 80 mph, 3 blade SST 27P @ 7000 rpm, that is fast but not the fastest bass boat on the lake.
Further North reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 9:27 PM, PECo said:No, you don’t. You want to defend your own preferences and choices when there’s no need to do so. They’re right for you and that’s terrific.
Mmmmm...wrong. I'm on record all over the place that people should get what pleases them.
...and we still don't know how hull material creates "superior storage".
On 6/20/2018 at 9:39 PM, J Francho said:^^ You've made a lot of assumptions and generalizations in that post. You got preference right, and preference is often driven necessity. A deep-v made from aluminum will be a smoother ride than fiberglass pad hull boat. I don't care what they weigh. I've already stated an example that contradicts your statements. My 21' 10" Bullet XDC weights less than my old 18' Xpress H18. By a few hundred pounds. Despite the added length, deeper vee toward the bow, the Xpress handled big water better. When I had both, and wanted to fish Erie or Ontario, I took the Xpress. Now, rewind back to my little 15' Sea Nymph deep-v tiller with a 50 hp on the back. That boat could handle waters that I wouldn't dare launch either of my bass boats in. A quick note about storage. The storage in my Xpress was a little better laid out, though rear storage in the Bullet was unbelievable and cavernous. If you look at storage options in some of the higher end tins, you might see that it's comparable, if not sometimes better. Depends on what your going to do with the boat. But, you can't simply say you like fiberglass because its a better ride. Yeah, Ranger 522 will ride better than a Tracker 170. That's true. It's a not a fair comparison.
Nailed it, IMO.
On 6/20/2018 at 9:46 PM, PECo said:Regarding storage in bass boats, go to your local Ranger dealer and look at the storage in the fiberglass and aluminum bass boats. There’s a big difference between the two.
Thanks, that's a start...now let's talk about price points: Are they comparable?
Size wise, are they roughly the same?
Like @J Francho said, we can't compare a Tracker to a Ranger, not that I think you're doing that...but it can look that way if we don't ask questions to figure out where we're at here.
Catt reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 9:27 PM, PECo said:In general, a thicker, heavier, more aggressively designed (e.g., all compound curves) fiberglass hull will cut though chop better than a thinner, lighter, less aggressive (e.g. all flat planes) aluminum hull.
On 6/20/2018 at 5:40 PM, Catt said:I think it's more personal preference ????
THIS. And choice. I wish we had more choices in aluminum bass boat designs. Vexus is a start, but I’d like to see even more aggressive aluminum hull designs that cut through chop better than those currently available.
Guess you've never ran an Xpress Hyper-Lift ????
That's what @J Francho is talking about
PECo reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 10:40 PM, Catt said:Guess you've never ran an Xpress Hyper-Lift ????
I’d love to, but we don’t have any Xpress dealers up here in the northeast. My previous boat was a deep-vee Xpress DVX 175 demo that ended up in New York, though. It was built like a tank.
I know that your Hyper-Lift planes and goes fast, but how does it handle heavy chop at 30 to 45 mph?
On 6/20/2018 at 10:26 PM, Further North said:
...and we still don't know how hull material creates "superior storage".
I never said it “creates” anything. Like I said, go to your Ranger dealer and compare the storage between its fiberglass and aluminum boats. That’s what’s in the marketplace.
I’m hoping that Vexus has managed to get the storage part of an aluminum bass boat right, but haven’t seen one, yet.
J Francho reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 11:10 PM, PECo said:I know that your Hyper-Lift planes and goes fast, but how does it handle heavy chop at 30 to 45 mph?
Erie, 18-24" white caps. The really looooong waves, too. Just fine planing around 32. Hot foot is an absolute necessity, as is the ability to drive. It's not a "stab 'em and steer" deal.
Further North reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 11:10 PM, PECo said:...go to your Ranger dealer and compare the storage between its fiberglass and aluminum boats. That’s what’s in the marketplace.
Ive done that. A comparably sized and priced and outfitted Ranger has no real storage advantage over a Lund Pro-V Bass or Crestliner Bass Hawk.
The reason I'm trying to understand what you're getting at...and I'm not doing a good job...is because one of the reasons I bought the boat I have is storage.
A buddy has a glass boat that is almost identical is size and price to mine. It's one of the quality brands and I love the boat and it woks great...no qualifiers.
My boat has more storage. Not a lot, not even enough to quibble over, but a little...so that's why I'm trying to get a handle on what you're getting at.
On 6/20/2018 at 11:10 PM, PECo said:I’m hoping that Vexus has managed to get the storage part of an aluminum bass boat right, but haven’t seen one, yet.
I'm with you on the Vexus. Watching with great interest.
PECo reply :
I took a look at the Lund Pro-V Bass 1875 online. You win regarding the storage on it. You have to admit, though, that’s hardly typical of an aluminum bass boat. But times are a changing, thankfully.
Further North reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 1:07 AM, PECo said:I took a look at the Lund Pro-V Bass 1875 online. You win regarding the storage on it. You have to admit, though, that’s hardly typical of an aluminum bass boat. But times are a changing, thankfully.
I wasn't trying to win, I was trying to see if there was something I needed to learn.
You're right about things changing, but I'm not sure they're changing as much as people think...My CMV is 13 years old and is very close to the Pro-V Bass in layout and storage, and how it rides.
It's not a typical aluminum bass boat, but I think that there have been boats like it (Xpress comes to mind) around for a while and a lot of folks get distracted by the less expensive, smaller tin boats out there and tend to write off the entire segment based on incomplete info.
That's why I feel the apples to apples comparison is important.
J Francho reply :
Did someone say storage?
http://gatortraxboats.com/fleet/strike-series/
TOXIC reply :
There's a big difference between tin boats that are modeled after bassboats, tin rigs that are either flat bottom or small modified "V" hulls (normally up to but not more than 90hp) and tin rigs designed for big rough water with 300's, kicker motors, etc. That's where the apples to apples gets tough. I will tell you this, I went out on Lake Michigan with a PWT touring pro in a Ranger 621 on a "rough" day (I would estimate 3 - 3 1/2 footers) and that guy just about beat me to death!! I had actual blisters on my back from rubbing up and down on the seats in that "Big Water" rig. My point being....a good driver can make pretty much any hull perform smooth and a bad driver can beat you up on a battleship!!
I got a 21 foot glass hull because I run big water and the big Deep V tin (or Glass) isn't practical for the type of fishing I do.
Catt reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 1:53 AM, TOXIC said:There's a big difference between tin boats that are modeled after bassboats, tin rigs that are either flat bottom or small modified "V" hulls (normally up to but not more than 90hp)
Xpress's Hyperlift hull is a full pad hull just like any fiberglass!
Horse power ratings
18' 150 hp
19' 200 hp
20' 200 hp
21' 250 hp
Ranger, Nitro, War Eagle, Alweld, G3, & all others a nothing more than big John Boats.
Boomstick reply :
On 6/20/2018 at 9:46 PM, PECo said:Regarding storage in bass boats, go to your local Ranger dealer and look at the storage in the fiberglass and aluminum bass boats. There’s a big difference between the two.
I've been shopping aluminum boats and I will say Ranger does offer more storage than most other aluminum boats, but the 17 foot Lund Renegade offers better storage than the RT188. Certainly good enough for me, but on fiberglass boats some of the storage compartments are basically the entire deck.
Xpress does offer a very similar amount of storage to most fiberglass boats though.
I am shopping aluminum because the lakes I will fish regularly are between 480 and 920 acres and aluminum is very good in shallow water as well. I might hit some larger lakes occasionally, but that's the exception and not the norm.
sully420 reply :
I went with aluminum because its more forgiving for an new boat owner line me and i went with a modified V hull because i can fish any water and feel safe and have a great ride. There's alot of things i like about bass boats and fiberglass bass boats in general. Ant a nitro z 18 will be my next boat, but im glad i started with an v hull aluminum boat.
Or @A-Jay's boat that thing is awesome. I might go that route.
TOXIC reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 10:18 AM, Catt said:
Xpress's Hyperlift hull is a full pad hull just like any fiberglass!
Horse power ratings
18' 150 hp
19' 200 hp
20' 200 hp
21' 250 hp
Ranger, Nitro, War Eagle, Alweld, G3, & all others a nothing more than big John Boats.
Agreed, the Express, Falcon and a few others have taken the Bass boat mold and made them tin. That's what I was referring to.
PECo reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 10:28 PM, TOXIC said:the Express, Falcon and a few others have taken the Bass boat mold and made them tin.
Not quite, at least not yet.
I don’t spend most of my time running balls out or even just on plane. I think the more aggressive hull designs that are available on glass boats work better at slower speeds than the flat plane designs you see on tin boats.
I was hoping Vexus would break that mold, but don’t think it has, based on the photos I’ve seen. It’ll be nice when you’ll be able to get a tin boat with a hull like Nitro’s NVT, which is all sharp angles and parabolic curves. That thing slices through chop.
Further North reply :
On 6/21/2018 at 10:31 AM, Boomstick said:I am shopping aluminum because the lakes I will fish regularly are between 480 and 920 acres and aluminum is very good in shallow water as well. I might hit some larger lakes occasionally, but that's the exception and not the norm.
I run my CMV on lakes as small as a couple hundred and as big as 1,074,560 (I did that for fun, I mean Lake of the Woods in Canada.)
It handles them all just fine as long as I don't make stupid choices about what weather to go out in.
Would I run it in the main basin of one of the Great Lakes? Not a chance...but I wouldn't do that in any other bass boat style hull either...it's beyond what I'm comfortable with...and that's what they make Deep V boats for.
RenegadeBassin reply :
On 6/19/2018 at 9:50 AM, BigAngus752 said:I have an RT188 with the Merc 115. I regularly hit 45-50 by accident. It's a 60mph boat in smooth water.
60 mph??? I've never heard of an RT188 with a 115 getting over 50. Not discrediting you, just curious what kind of setup you're running!
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/22/2018 at 3:05 AM, RenegadeBassin said:60 mph??? I've never heard of an RT188 with a 115 getting over 50. Not discrediting you, just curious what kind of setup you're running!
I have no experience with boats and I was very surprised at the speed of this thing too. I had fishing gear and my wife in the boat and got into a little race with my brother-in-law's ski boat on a perfectly smooth reservoir and I hit 55mph according to our equipment...and shocked my brother-in-law. He confirmed our speed too (his said 54). Maybe the previous owner put a 115 cover on a 150! LOL! I've hit 50+ twice in it (including that one) and had a tiny bit of throttle left but honestly I don't care to go that fast. All our lakes are small so I'm where I want to get to within a couple minutes anyway but it's best cruising speed on smooth water seems to be about 42-44 if I fiddle with the trim. I've had numerous other fisherman comment two things, "I didn't know Ranger made an aluminum boat" and "Wow that pops right up on plane".
gimruis reply :
I have an aluminum bass boat. Its a 2015 Ranger RT178. I will say that it does not to very well in a good chop or rough waves because it is a modified V-hull. Most of the time I am not out there in those conditions though, and I don't plan to be. I make about 4-5 trips a season to a large lake (Mille Lacs) and I am limited to fishing a certain portion of the lake simply because I can't get up and haul ass 18 miles across the lake at 70 mph. But for 90% of the fishing I do throughout the season on small and mid size lakes, my boat does what I need it to. The reason I bought aluminum over fiberglass was primarily because of the weight and the storage length. At the time, I didn't have a very large towing vehicle and my garage is limited in size. I'd love to have a 20 foot fiberglass boat with a 200 hp outboard but the cost and size prohibit it at this point. Aluminum boats have made some very good advancements in performance the past decade. Traditionally, fiberglass boats were for high performance but I think there are some really nice aluminum boats out there that can compete with glass ones now. Most professional bass anglers are still using a fiberglass boat, however.
Boomstick reply :
On 6/22/2018 at 6:05 AM, BigAngus752 said:Maybe the previous owner put a 115 cover on a 150! LOL! I've hit 50+ twice in it (including that one) and had a tiny bit of throttle left but honestly I don't care to go that fast. All our lakes are small so I'm where I want to get to within a couple minutes anyway but it's best cruising speed on smooth water seems to be about 42-44 if I fiddle with the trim. I've had numerous other fisherman comment two things, "I didn't know Ranger made an aluminum boat" and "Wow that pops right up on plane".
Is it the Evinrude motor by chance? I hear those have more power than rated. However, I've seen it tested with a Mercury 115hp and the top speed is consistently around 43 or 44mph
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 2:22 AM, Boomstick said:Is it the Evinrude motor by chance? I hear those have more power than rated. However, I've seen it tested with a Mercury 115hp and the top speed is consistently around 43 or 44mph
Nope, it's a Mercury. But I must tell you this...I could have something set up wrong or not working properly. I'm a total boat newbie. It has told me over 50mph twice but I changed nothing from what the guy before me had set up so if he screwed it up then it's still screwed up. Or maybe I just got an especially good RT188. I know it has an expensive custom prop on it. Honestly, I'm so happy when I get in and out of the water without damaging something or drowning I call it good. Really, really love being out on the water with it though. The "new boater" stress is getting less and less and being out in it is getting more relaxing.
iabass8 reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 4:06 AM, BigAngus752 said:Nope, it's a Mercury. But I must tell you this...I could have something set up wrong or not working properly. I'm a total boat newbie. It has told me over 50mph twice but I changed nothing from what the guy before me had set up so if he screwed it up then it's still screwed up. Or maybe I just got an especially good RT188. I know it has an expensive custom prop on it. Honestly, I'm so happy when I get in and out of the water without damaging something or drowning I call it good. Really, really love being out on the water with it though. The "new boater" stress is getting less and less and being out in it is getting more relaxing.
Are you looking at your speed on the boat speedometer or from a unit? The boat speedometer is never accurate and should never, ever be given any second thought. It's the most unreliable gauge on a boat and is almost never accurate. Always use GPS.
The RT188 /w 115 is a 50MPH boat...tops. There's been reports of people removing the trim tabs to get 52-54 but there is a less than zero chance a rt188 /w a 115 is hitting 60mph on an accurate GPS unless you're going over a cliff. You show me a video of you hitting 60MPH on a GPS in a rt188 /w a 115 i'll paypal you 40$.
I have 17' 188 /w a 115.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 4:58 AM, iabass8 said:Are you looking at your speed on the boat speedometer or from a unit? The boat speedometer is never accurate and should never, ever be given any second thought. It's the most unreliable gauge on a boat and is almost never accurate. Always use GPS.
The RT188 /w 115 is a 50MPH boat...tops. There's been reports of people removing the trim tabs to get 52-54 but there is a less than zero chance a rt188 /w a 115 is hitting 60mph on an accurate GPS unless you're going over a cliff. You show me a video of you hitting 60MPH on a GPS in a rt188 /w a 115 i'll paypal you 40$.
I have 17' 188 /w a 115.
You're right and as I've said I could certainly be wrong due to my lack of experience. Challenging me to prove it is pointless when I've tried to explain that I know very little about it and could be making a mistake. And I am the guy that could drive it off a cliff...
Boomstick reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 4:06 AM, BigAngus752 said:Nope, it's a Mercury. But I must tell you this...I could have something set up wrong or not working properly. I'm a total boat newbie. It has told me over 50mph twice but I changed nothing from what the guy before me had set up so if he screwed it up then it's still screwed up. Or maybe I just got an especially good RT188. I know it has an expensive custom prop on it. Honestly, I'm so happy when I get in and out of the water without damaging something or drowning I call it good. Really, really love being out on the water with it though. The "new boater" stress is getting less and less and being out in it is getting more relaxing.
The boat speedometer could be a little off, or perhaps the prior owner modded it. I have a friend who, years ago his step father thought it would be a good idea to modify his boat motor and made an otherwise 40mph boat into a 70mph boat. So that might be posssible.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 7:51 AM, Boomstick said:The boat speedometer could be a litte off, or perhaps the prior owner modded it. I have a friend who, years ago his step father thought it would be a good idea to modify his boat motor and made an otherwise 40mph boat into a 70mph boat. So that might be posssible.
Man I hope not! I want a plain Jane that's easy to handle and fix! I really like this boat, though. I'm a total addict now.
Boomstick reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 7:53 AM, BigAngus752 said:Man I hope not! I want a plain Jane that's easy to handle and fix! I really like this boat, though. I'm a total addict now.
I can't wait until I can get mine. I was planning on likely getting one next year... but then I got diagnosed with colon cancer so it'll be at least another year.
BigAngus752 reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 7:55 AM, Boomstick said:I can't wait until I can get mine. I was planning on likely getting one next year... but then I got diagnosed with colon cancer so it'll be at least another year.
We will say a prayer for you my friend! You will be on the water pulling lunkers before you know it!
Boomstick reply :
On 6/23/2018 at 12:00 PM, BigAngus752 said:We will say a prayer for you my friend! You will be on the water pulling lunkers before you know it!
Thanks. For what it's worth, surgery was successful and the chemo I have to go through is not a very bad one and has a high success rate with a low recurrence rate -- the first treatment wasn't too terrible actually. I got this.
tcbass reply :
On 6/24/2018 at 3:53 AM, Boomstick said:Thanks. For what it's worth, surgery was successful and the chemo I have to go through is not a very bad one and has a high success rate with a low recurrence rate -- the first treatment wasn't too terrible actually. I got this.
Good luck man, prayers. Life is so precious and can change in an instant.
AC870 reply :
I’m on the lower end of Guntersville. Wide open water and wind a lot of afternoons.
I got back in the boat business 4 years ago, I had an Xpress H50. I loved that little boat but there were 2 setbacks. No storage to speak of and it was only 16 feet long.
I sold it (which I still regret a little because I really did like the boat) and got a Triton TR19. This is a dual console boat. Difference in ride and storage is significant. But it’s not apples to apples comparison since 16 vs 19 feet.
I still look at larger aluminum boats and sometimes plot to get another one.
The wife is like “No, way. You’re nuts. You’re not trading our fiberglass boat for an aluminum boat.”
We fish under bridges some and I never worried about the aluminum like I do the glass under there.
Yumeya reply :
I couldn't afford the fiberglass boat I wanted 
So I ended up with Aluminum, but I do love how light it is and how good it is on gas and easy to tow.
boostr reply :
Glass, it is wider and more stable than any tin boat i was looking at in that length. Considering my 6 yr old at the time being onboard made the decision easier... plus all the electronics that came with it helped.
Wurming67 reply :
My question to you guys is if you have the money for a brand new aluminum boat with warranty etc etc or get a used glass boat what would you do?
Goldstar225 reply :
On 7/3/2018 at 9:43 AM, Wurming67 said:My question to you guys is if you have the money for a brand new aluminum boat with warranty etc etc or get a used glass boat what would you do?
That was the position I was in, kinda. My primary target was a new tin (my retirement gift to myself). Researched all the brands available with 50 miles. Toward the end I considered used glass boats that were in the same price range and checked some out. In the end I went with a new Tracker PT190. Part of the decision was the variety of places I fish, some of which are not glass friendly. The other was the warranty that came with the boat and motor. I have no regrets and love my boat.
A-Jay reply :
On 7/3/2018 at 9:43 AM, Wurming67 said:My question to you guys is if you have the money for a brand new aluminum boat with warranty etc etc or get a used glass boat what would you do?
Brand New Aluminum Boat with Warranty
Oh yea - and a New Truck with Warranty as well - in case you're in the market and about to ask.
A-Jay
TOXIC reply :
On 7/3/2018 at 11:07 AM, A-Jay said:
Brand New Aluminum Boat with Warranty
Oh yea - and a New Truck with Warranty as well - in case you're in the market and about to ask.
A-Jay
And my guess is that your setup is equal to or greater than the cost of a lot of glass boats!! 
A-Jay reply :
On 7/3/2018 at 6:30 PM, TOXIC said:And my guess is that your setup is equal to or greater than the cost of a lot of glass boats!!
Perhaps ~
Quality is never an accident. It’s always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution. It represents the wise choice of many alternatives.
The bitterness of poor quality is remembered long after the sweetness of a low price has faded from memory.
A-Jay
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