Bass boat advice

[breaker19sK]

Recently I've become addicted to fishing. Particularly the largemouth bass variety. And so has my teenage son. I have an older fiberglass bayliner ski that we've been fishing from recently but I'm thinking of taking the bass boat leap. I'm really fond of the 17 or 18 ft aluminum hull trackers. What are the pros and cons of aluminum versus fiberglass?

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[SilverFox]

Pros
A lot easier to load and unload by yourself. If you bump into something like the dock or a tree while fishing it's really no big deal. Cheaper. Floats shallower usually. Easier to pull down the road. Fits in more garages.

Con's
Slower. Harder to fish in the wind. Less likely to make long runs. Less storage usually. Rougher ride. Wood floors and decks.

There are a ton of both good and bad. If it helps, I've had both. If I wasn't planning on fishing bigger lakes I'd have an aluminum. I have given a lot of thought to selling my glass boat and downsizing to another aluminum in the 18-19 foot range. The tracker boats are priced well and they have a lot of happy owners. I've never had one but would in a minute. I looked at one of the 190 models not long ago.

 

[Spurhunter]

Generally speaking:
Aluminum boats are cheaper, lighter, burn less fuel, and can be towed with a smaller vehicle.
Fiberglass boats are faster, handle rough water better, and don't blow around in the wind as much.

 

[breaker19sK]

Thanks guys, I had only considered the lighter and less prone to mortal damage from stumps etc. I also pull with an older nissan pathfinder so weight is a consideration. At 3500 # capacity I can see a 21 ft glass boat engine trailer and gear eating that up quick. One more question, I've noticed a lot of the 18ft aluminum boats with 40 or 50 lb thrust bow mounts. Is that too little motor?

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[SilverFox]

I had a 24volt 75 on mine. If you're in the river, you'll need it.

 

[breaker19sK]

I had a 24volt 75 on mine. If you're in the river, you'll need it.

Ok, I appreciate the guidance guys.

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[JimFromTN]

I currently own both. They both have their pro's. The major con that I have for aluminum boats is that they don't handle big water well at all. I have a friend with a 19 ft alumacraft and there are days in the spring that we don't get out of the bay we launched in if the main channel has many white caps on it.

 

[RUGER]

I love my 1985 tracker guide v 16.
If I bought a new boat tomorrow it would be a new one just like it.


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[WTM]

my wife bought me a 2014 proteam 175 in 2015. it was a clearance item, around June, in 2015. got about 1k or so off dealer price around 14,900 if i remember. i got the basic package with a lowrance elite 4" depth finder and a 12v 55 minkota, 60hp 4 stroke mercury. probably the smoothest riding aluminum ive had and by myself i can run between 38 and 40 mph. wind can be a problem around 10mph or so. ive had no problems with the 55 trolling motor on KY lake. there were some bad reviews on trackers hull problems but i havent had any problems but i dont take stupid chances either. i can fish all day long in 18" of water. that diamond coat finish is slicker than owl poop and one word of advise, DO NOT UNHOOK IT UNTIL IT IS OVER WATER , or you will be chasing it down the ramp.

one upgrade that i wish i had gotten is a terrova with gps. that spotlock feature would come in very handy.

a couple guys at work bought the new G3 and xpress boats. with a 90hp on the G3 he said he can run 41 mph wide open which is not much more than my 60 hp but i get a lot more mileage per tank than he does. both of those looks to be better built than the trackers but they were like $23k for either, but i believe he upgraded to the 24v ulterra and better deph finders.

if you are around new johnsonville side of KY lake you can go out with me and drive mine if you like.

 

[Spurhunter]

One more question, I've noticed a lot of the 18ft aluminum boats with 40 or 50 lb thrust bow mounts. Is that too little motor?

I have a 17.5 foot Triton Magnum with a 115. I run a MinnKota 12 volt 55 pound thrust and it is all I need. However, I don't fish rivers with lots of current. I would definitely NOT go below 50 pounds of thrust on a 17-18 foot aluminum, and 75+ pounds wouldn't hurt if you fish in some current.

 

[WTM]

One more question, I've noticed a lot of the 18ft aluminum boats with 40 or 50 lb thrust bow mounts. Is that too little motor?

I have a 17.5 foot Triton Magnum with a 115. I run a MinnKota 12 volt 55 pound thrust and it is all I need. However, I don't fish rivers with lots of current. I would definitely NOT go below 50 pounds of thrust on a 17-18 foot aluminum, and 75+ pounds wouldn't hurt if you fish in some current.

geez a 115 on a 17.5 ft. i bet you run 55 mph or better?

 

[breaker19sK]

my wife bought me a 2014 proteam 175 in 2015. it was a clearance item, around June, in 2015. got about 1k or so off dealer price around 14,900 if i remember. i got the basic package with a lowrance elite 4" depth finder and a 12v 55 minkota, 60hp 4 stroke mercury. probably the smoothest riding aluminum ive had and by myself i can run between 38 and 40 mph. wind can be a problem around 10mph or so. ive had no problems with the 55 trolling motor on KY lake. there were some bad reviews on trackers hull problems but i havent had any problems but i dont take stupid chances either. i can fish all day long in 18" of water. that diamond coat finish is slicker than owl poop and one word of advise, DO NOT UNHOOK IT UNTIL IT IS OVER WATER , or you will be chasing it down the ramp.

one upgrade that i wish i had gotten is a terrova with gps. that spotlock feature would come in very handy.

a couple guys at work bought the new G3 and xpress boats. with a 90hp on the G3 he said he can run 41 mph wide open which is not much more than my 60 hp but i get a lot more mileage per tank than he does. both of those looks to be better built than the trackers but they were like $23k for either, but i believe he upgraded to the 24v ulterra and better deph finders.

if you are around new johnsonville side of KY lake you can go out with me and drive mine if you like.

WTM, I really appreciate that. It seems like the guys who own the aluminum boats are fond of them. I made a deal with my old lady that if she signs off on the boat, then I'll do the kitchen remodel she's been after...well, someone else will do the kitchen remodel and I'll help pay for it.

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[breaker19sK]

The stability of the boat is another question I have. I'm sure a boats stability is subjective, but I have little to compare too other than a 12 ft Jon boat (which was fine if I didn't breath too heavy) and my 16 ft open bow ski. I have no qualms about the stability of the ski boat. But I also realize I may be comparing apples to oranges. At 6'2 250 pounds and at least two joints that remind me every day to contribute more to my 401k, I'm not the most nimble fellow. What's the groups opinion on stability?

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[Spurhunter]

geez a 115 on a 17.5 ft. i bet you run 55 mph or better?

My best run with 2 people loaded for fishing was 55.1 mph in cool water. It will run 53-54 most anytime. I've got a 6" jackplate and I tested quite a few props. It's rated for a 125. Wish I had those 10 extra horses. [emoji1]

 

[RUGER]

The stability of the boat is another question I have. I'm sure a boats stability is subjective, but I have little to compare too other than a 12 ft Jon boat (which was fine if I didn't breath too heavy) and my 16 ft open bow ski. I have no qualms about the stability of the ski boat. But I also realize I may be comparing apples to oranges. At 6'2 250 pounds and at least two joints that remind me every day to contribute more to my 401k, I'm not the most nimble fellow. What's the groups opinion on stability?

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I was worried about the rocking of a v bottom and a friend that owned one just like mine assured me it was fine.
I walk around the outside edges of mine all the time.
Very stable.
Cbu has been it and at 200+ and 250 it took the weight fine.

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[breaker19sK]

The stability of the boat is another question I have. I'm sure a boats stability is subjective, but I have little to compare too other than a 12 ft Jon boat (which was fine if I didn't breath too heavy) and my 16 ft open bow ski. I have no qualms about the stability of the ski boat. But I also realize I may be comparing apples to oranges. At 6'2 250 pounds and at least two joints that remind me every day to contribute more to my 401k, I'm not the most nimble fellow. What's the groups opinion on stability?

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I was worried about the rocking of a v bottom and a friend that owned one just like mine assured me it was fine.
I walk around the outside edges of mine all the time.
Very stable.
Cbu has been it and at 200+ and 250 it took the weight fine.

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I appreciate the heads up. I'm leaning heavily (no pun intended) toward the tracker/aluminum. Seems to be quite a few used trackers floating around for relatively good prices.

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[WTM]

im 6' and 250lbs(not fat lol) and i have no problems. i have a jacked up spine and neck injuries and needed a smooth riding boat and sometimes i get dizzy from sinus and inner ear. so far no complaints.

yeah you should be able to find a good priced used tracker, bought new their resale value is less than a G3 or Xpress.

 

[SilverFox]

I had a Lowe 17HP model aluminum with a 90 Optimax and a Triton 17 with a 50 or 60? Don't remember right now. I was 6'4 around 270 or 280 then and didn't have a problem. I had the Lowe after I screwed my back up and my balance was crap. Still didn't have a problem. I will say the 75lb trolling motor would throw you out the boat if you had it turned up fast and didn't have it pointed straight when you pushed the go button. I fished the French Broad and heavy current from time to time and it was great there. On the lake you would never need that much power. I'd at least get a 55 for the lake... when they start busting on the point and you're in the back of the cove you want to get there in a hurry.

 

[jard]

I've owned both and have no complaints. Both have pros and cons that have been listed here. I'm a big dude at 6'6" 300 lbs and my issue with aluminum is that it rocks heavily in water when you stand on one side and it drives me nuts to have stuff slide around the boat back and forth. Fiberglass is heavy and will sit much more stable in the water and doesnt rock near as much when you walk around.

However, aluminum is much cheaper to repair and usually sits much shallower in the water. If you fish more rivers and shallow water, I like aluminum. More open water or bigger lakes, I go fiberglass.

 

[Headhunter]

I would go with most any aluminum but a tracker. IMO, they are very unstable and the overall quality does not compare to a triton, ranger, g3, etc.

2 things I want in a boat are for the motor to be all the boat will hold and all the trolling motor you can put on one which usually is limited only by batteries. You can for sure not have enough trolling motor but you will never have to much.

 

[breaker19sK]

You guys have some awesome input and I really appreciate the responses....now if you guys could could just make me a better fisherman

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[ZachMarkus]

A guy I know just bought a 2017 19ft bass tracker tournament edition with a 150 mercury 4 stroke motor on it and asked me to take it out with him for the first time and all I can say is wow. It handled rough water just as well as most fiberglass boats I've been in. It also had a ton of storage and fished very comfortably. I would highly recommend that boat to anyone looking to buy a new one.


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[KENBOB10]

I've got a twenty foot G3 with a 200 HPDI on it. They don't make this boat anymore, but they do make a 18 foot that is compairable. Ruger has fished in mine, he can vouch for the G3s.

 

[RUGER]

I've got a twenty foot G3 with a 200 HPDI on it. They don't make this boat anymore, but they do make a 18 foot that is compairable. Ruger has fished in mine, he can vouch for the G3s.

That ain't a boat.
That is a water rocket! :shock: :super:

 

[Mudbone]

One more question, I've noticed a lot of the 18ft aluminum boats with 40 or 50 lb thrust bow mounts. Is that too little motor?

I have a 17.5 foot Triton Magnum with a 115. I run a MinnKota 12 volt 55 pound thrust and it is all I need. However, I don't fish rivers with lots of current. I would definitely NOT go below 50 pounds of thrust on a 17-18 foot aluminum, and 75+ pounds wouldn't hurt if you fish in some current.

geez a 115 on a 17.5 ft. i bet you run 55 mph or better?

Hahaaa!! Y'all would crack up if you seen my old boat. I had a 16' hydra sport well, 15'8, with an inline merc 150 hung on it: that sob would fly!!! I could flip it end over if I tried. Sold it to big j a few years back. It was dangerous fast!!

To the op, I had a 18' tournament pro tracker with a 90 on it. It was outfitted like a bass boat. It was fine in rough water but would blow around worse than a glass boat. Would run around 52 or so. Great boat and I miss it.

 

[breaker19sK]

I'm seriously tempted to save up for a larger down payment and go 19 ft like zachmarkus was talking about...until my old lady says no anyway ....don't crush my dreams boys

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[JimFromTN]

My friend's 19 ft alumacraft has a 150hp on it and is rated for a 200hp. I have read were these boats will go 85 to 90 mph with the 200 hp. First time we took it out, my friend left his tackle box on the front deck. This was a large tackle box. He gunned it and both our heads snapped back. Within a few seconds that tackle box lifted up and flew over his head and exploded on the water behind us. Luckily, most of his tackle was in smaller boxes that were floating and we were able to recover. Those aluminum boats with the large engines are dangerously fast.

 

[WTM]

A guy I know just bought a 2017 19ft bass tracker tournament edition with a 150 mercury 4 stroke motor on it and asked me to take it out with him for the first time and all I can say is wow. It handled rough water just as well as most fiberglass boats I've been in. It also had a ton of storage and fished very comfortably. I would highly recommend that boat to anyone looking to buy a new one.


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yep that boat is in an entirely different class than the other trackers. my wife tried to talk me into that boat but i didnt feel i needed it. i wish i had now. on south KY lake the 175 is fine but on north KY lake the 190 would be a bit better.

 

[Mike Belt]

My 17.5 Tracker has a 75 hp motor and gets me there fast enough. I guess I just don't have the driving desire for top speeds and as it is, I generally beat the fish to the spot I'm fishing or they've already moved out. :roll:

 

[user 14220]

Dont just limit yourself to a "bass boat" design. Take a look at the numerous semi v's on the market as well. They ride very smooth and can fish rough water. Yamaha has their line and many companies build them as well as Tracker, Ranger, Aumacraft, etc.
We bought a semi V when we moved here and wife and I couldnt be happier. We like the idea of being in the boat when we fish instead of being on it.

I went with the largest HP motor the hull was rated for. We have the speed when we need it and the ability to cruise at 30 mph at 3-3,500 rpms when not in a hurry to maximize fuel consumption and be easier on the motor.