Boat Type? - Newbie to Forum

[DavidN]

Hello

I am new to this forum and have a question/need an opinion.

I am in Virginia. In this area we have a fair amount of nice freshwater lakes and of course the James River. I currently have a 14 ft tri-hull fiberglass boat with a 55 HP Chrysler. With a little bit of work I could make this into a very nice fishing boat. However, I have also been considering selling it and purchasing a 14 ft jon boat and customizing it.

In your opinion which is a better all around hull for lake and river fishing, the fiberglass or the aluminum? Or can the fiberglass hull still make a good all around hull for this type of fishing?

Thank you in advance for your opinions.

David

 

[fishingman220]

Re: Boat Type? - Newbie to Forum

I have a boat for sale right now that i have used for fishing the james and chesden. It has been the best small boat for this area. it is a 16ft aluminum, so there isnt any waxing and it doesnt stain from the river water anywhere near as bad as fiberglass.

EDIT: no buying, selling or emails in the open forum. use the PM system
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=231537

 

[5150abf]

Re: Boat Type? - Newbie to Forum

I personally would go with aluminum because it is easier to repair, lighter weight so you use less gas towing it, aluminum will never rot and just that there is less maintanence.

If your rivers are like mine less draft is a big positive for the aluminum too

Building your own is fun too, everything just like you want it, if your budget will let you I would go with aluminum, with the economy like it is you may find your self a deal.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Boat Type? - Newbie to Forum

if you hull is in decent condition, customize it into what you want. if you buy an aluminum boat, and customize, when buying remember the weight you are going to be adding, in the customizing, this is included, as the MAX WT. Capacity. if you buy a boat that is rated for 900lbs. you add 300 in stuff, you only have 600 for motor,fuel, gear, and people. every LB you add to the hull counts.