Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

[jackpine]

Hello Again,<br /><br />I am looking to buy a 14ft boat for fishing a small lake and will be trolling 90% of the time. I am looking used and notice both aluminum and fiberglass for sale. Is one better than the other? Are there pros and cons to both? I am just going to be putting a 4hp, 2 stroke, 2 cylinder Johnson on it so I believe weight will be an issue. Any info would be greatly appreciated.<br /><br />Jackpine

 

[DJ]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

Fiberglass will weigh as much as three times as much as aluminum.<br /><br />That weight will sap the power out of your 4.

 

[Navigator]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

Jackpine,<br />Besides the weight, aluminum has the advantage of being tougher when it comes to rocks. You hit a rock with aluminum, chances are it will absorb the impact and simply dent (which you can easily hammer out). Fiberglass on the other hand, is not as pliable and could possibly be cracked or punctured. <br /><br />On the flip side, fiberglass boats usually do better in chop because of their weight. But unfortunately, if you're going to put a 4hp engine, you'll never get a fiberglass boat to even plane.<br /><br />For the type of boating you described, I'd go with a nice aluminum boat (usually referred to as "tinny's" around here). You wont be sorry. <br /><br />Nav

 

[snohomishbaddawg]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

With a small boat and a small motor I think you will be much happier with the aluminum. The extra weight of the glass boat with such a small outboard will be difficult for that motor to handle. Youu can also get a couple of oar locks and do alittle rowing if you like (or need to)alot easier with the aluminum.

 

[Link]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

snohomishbaddawg<br />Pretty much said everything I was going to. Plus as others have mentioned it will be light enough for one person to carry and easier to maintain with aluminum.

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

Because of the weight of the aluminum is less than the glass, you will be able to fish shallower water which is a real plus, also with the motor you have a glass boat would just go at a fast walk, the aluminum would at least trot not to mention they will take more abuse than glass and less working on them

 

[John Carpenter]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

No question here...in that size boat with a 4 hp. motor, aluminum would be the clear choice I would think. They will take an awful lot of abuse and are easy to customize.

 

[BinLurkin]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

Yup, what they said. I'd get one that was welded though, you don't want one that is riveted, it will leak sooner or later. Usually sooner.

 

[phatmanmike]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

i have a 1969 14foot RIVETED jon boat, that has never leaked through the rivets

I'd get one that was welded though, you don't want one that is riveted, it will leak sooner or later. Usually sooner

i have had it for years now. bought it for 50 bucks including the wooden floors and carpet and have invested a total of 400 in the last 4 years. currently has 14hp evinrude and hauls butt. first motor was a 5 hp nissan. i love aluminum boats. no soggy floors or bilges full of water here<br /><br /> <br /><br />m ikey

 

[youngboater]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

I have owned 3 aluminum boats: Grumman, Alumacraft, and my current and favorite Lund. Go with aluminum for fishing with a 4 Horsepower. Aluminum is very durable and you really don't have to baby the boat. Aluminum is my #1 choice.

 

[cobra 3.0]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

The only advantage of a fiberglass boat in the size you are looking at is the price. Otherwise, aluminum wins hands down.

 

[Bass Runner]

Re: Aluminum VS Fiberglass Question?

I have a 1959 Texas Maid 16' that dosn't leak a drop unless you forget to put the plug in, I bought it for less that $500 with the trailer. I haven't found any glass boats that old or even a lot newer that wouldn't have to be rebuilt. I would go with aluminum.