Carpet Bagger 
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1834
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2001/04/18 15:09:30
- Location: Greenville, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/09 21:57:13
(permalink)
yep i usually do stick to my guns....usually works out pretty good for me as well...
Even I can be wrong though...afterall Im human...
CB I never thought I'd say this, but I love my Sport-Craft!
|
fish guts
New Angler
- Total Posts : 19
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2003/02/25 15:32:15
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/09 22:06:39
(permalink)
I have had a 18 ft deep v fiberglass I liked it for lake erie . It was old and heavy but very realible.
I now have a 16ft lowe (sea Nympth) aluminum with a 50 and 9.9 kicker I can fish anywhere in small lakes pymy woodcock etc.. I fish lake erie regular but use my head and don,t take chances with the weather. 3ft and over waves are no fun fishing even in a 24 ft boat. The only way to fish comfortable in these is ed john or the victory.
The aluminum boat floats higher than fiberglass with less weight ,saves fuel fishing and trailering much easier to trailer and load and unload. Some launches in this area are not suited for heavy boats that need more water to float off.
|
npsinboro
Novice Angler
- Total Posts : 76
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2001/03/19 17:35:54
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/09 22:18:29
(permalink)
|
little perch
New Angler
- Total Posts : 1
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2009/07/08 00:38:02
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/09 22:35:04
(permalink)
Lake erie is a strange beast, once it is to rough to fish with a 16 footer than it isn't long before any boat can get out. I definitely recommend an aluminum boat over fiberglass. I did have a Dodge Ram with a Hemi and it will pull either just fine. If you plan on mostly fishing with the boat anything 18 foot or bigger is really plenty. One thing to really consider about the weight factor is you will need a lot less engine with an 18 foot alum. boat and the smaller the boat, the smaller the motor needed, it is generally accepted fact that it will be much cheaper and definitely more reliable. Two of my sons have bigger boats with large engines, yes they are fast but something is always breaking on them too. Trim motor, carberators, engine rebuilds. It has been a nightmare for them. Me I use a really good 16 footer and 40 hp motor and all I do is fish, fish, fish. My motor is a 1982 and it gets me out deep and handles great in close too. It just keeps on running. Good luck no matter what you decide. Perch fishing is very good right now.
|
Lovgren69
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 245
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2003/01/02 17:05:37
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/09 23:46:09
(permalink)
I would not advise to buying an underpowered boat, whether it be aluminum or fiberglass. An underpowered boat will obviously be: slower to get on plane, use more fuel since the engine will have to work harder to achive the same speeds, provide less control and bow lift in rough conditions, and negatively affect resale value of boat.
Yes, aluminum boats are lighter than fiberglass boats, but the difference is not as much as you would expect. Consider the following comparison between (2) very similar style 19ft Deep-V boats.
(1) Glass-Ranger 619VS
Approx weight: 2270
Max H.P. 225 hp
(2) Aluminum -Lund 1900 Pro-V
Approx weight: 1885 lbs
Max H.P. 225hp
So the glass boat is roughly 400lbs heavier. That is hardly a huge difference when it comes to trailering, esp. if you are towing with a full size pick-up. Just some food for thought...
|
jon_e_si
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1103
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/05/04 07:47:42
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/10 05:26:23
(permalink)
|
BIGSLICK
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1867
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/05/15 10:03:58
- Location: Girard
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/10 09:54:04
(permalink)
That looks like a VP Duoprop outdrive...Throw a new 350 crate turn key in her, throw new seals in the outdrive and clean her up....Handyman goldmine...Need a trailer....
post edited by BIGSLICK - 2009/07/10 09:55:17
|
eyesandgillz
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 4011
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2003/06/18 11:30:03
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/10 11:34:44
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: Lovgren69
I would not advise to buying an underpowered boat, whether it be aluminum or fiberglass. An underpowered boat will obviously be: slower to get on plane, use more fuel since the engine will have to work harder to achive the same speeds, provide less control and bow lift in rough conditions, and negatively affect resale value of boat.
Yes, aluminum boats are lighter than fiberglass boats, but the difference is not as much as you would expect. Consider the following comparison between (2) very similar style 19ft Deep-V boats.
(1) Glass-Ranger 619VS
Approx weight: 2270
Max H.P. 225 hp
(2) Aluminum -Lund 1900 Pro-V
Approx weight: 1885 lbs
Max H.P. 225hp
So the glass boat is roughly 400lbs heavier. That is hardly a huge difference when it comes to trailering, esp. if you are towing with a full size pick-up. Just some food for thought...
Lovgren69, we are talking about "real" offshore trolling boats, not the pros multispecies boats! :-) Throw up a comparison of a 22' starcraft CC compared to a similar grady white, whaler, sportcraft, etc. If you compare similar sized hardtops in alum. vs. glass, I think the disparity will probably be even greater. Again, a quality built glass boat will be heavier than a cheaply built glass boat, too.
|
bulldog1
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 5203
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/06/05 12:23:00
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/10 12:20:04
(permalink)
"RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum"Lake Erie boat being the key words, I'd go glas. If you want multi purpose you may consider aluminum, but if it is solely an Erie boat you should consider fiberglas first.
|
woodnickle
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 8504
- Reward points: 0
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/10 19:22:57
(permalink)
|
worm_waster
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 528
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2003/08/23 10:29:10
- Location: Home: Fairview/Away:Sinnemahoning
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/10 19:45:39
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: bulldog1
"RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum"Lake Erie boat being the key words, I'd go glas. If you want multi purpose you may consider aluminum, but if it is solely an Erie boat you should consider fiberglas first.
+2 Ive owned both and there is no comparison. I can troll into the waves til they come over the windshield. With the exception of a welded aluminum boat that weighs as much as glass, no aluminum boat, even the sacred Lund comes close. Anywhere else in PA, I'll take an aluminum boat as they are much more durable. They are also lighter, giving them better speed on reduced HP lakes.w_w
If it has fins and gills, I'm there.
|
Brad1
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 338
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2005/07/11 20:18:25
- Location: Monroeville, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/11 07:05:08
(permalink)
Hull design and shape probably plays a bigger factor than hull material.
Generally speaking, the more deadrise the better. I wouldn't go with less than 20 degrees at the transom.
Beam matters. Too wide a beam (coupled with a low degree of deadrise) makes for a rough ride.
Take a look at the offshore racing boats. You'll see what I mean about the above two points.
Bow flair helps keeping the spray off of you.
And weight does help cutting through the waves.
All that being said, your going to find those attributes much more readily on a fiberglass boat as opposed to an aluminum boat.
|
ICE NUT
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1255
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2002/01/11 21:02:12
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/11 10:07:57
(permalink)
Im still dry and alive at 60 all i can say is Love My LUND!!! keep your glass. been there done that oh yea keep your dodge too.
|
Dream Catcher
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1567
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/09/17 15:21:50
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/11 12:05:52
(permalink)
I'd hate to admit but I agree with CB . If you want to fish 80% of Erie weather go for a glass with a hardtop. The wind has been relentless upthere so if you're serious about being on the water go this route. In the meantime find a couple friends on the boards to take you out in different set ups so you may experience the fury of lake erie wind gods first hand. Goodluck -DC
|
Raab
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 417
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2005/06/19 21:03:27
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/11 12:34:44
(permalink)
IMHO,anything over 2-3 ft waves is no fun in any boat....
can't steer, can't stand without losing your balance = no fun...
|
Dream Catcher
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1567
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/09/17 15:21:50
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/11 12:41:11
(permalink)
2-4's good walleye chop 5+ blowday I'll be at camp or trying in close 40-FOW
|
Texcobb99
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 451
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/07/25 13:44:32
- Location: Beaver County, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/12 13:53:24
(permalink)
I have probably one of, or maybe the most sound aluminum boats made. It's a Lund Tyee. If I was ONLY fishing Erie I would trade my Tyee in for glass, no questions asked. Glass will keep you fishing longer, safer and keep you dryer.
I bought the boat to fish in Erie as well as other PA lakes. It even becomes a tubing\knee board boat on some weekends. It is NOT an ideal Erie boat. It is a safe, acceptable Erie boat. It can handle 2-4's just fine but 5 ft waves are too difficult to fish, IMO. What is worse is coming back to shore in 5ft waves. I have done this several times and the boat is totally safe, but it is not fun. When you are 7+ miles offshore and you top speed is 10 MPH due to wave height it leads to a stressful hour or more ride back to shore.
If I were interested in an only Erie boat right now I would buy CB's or steal Shut up's.
If I would have asked what everyone wanted, they would have responded that they wanted a better horse....Henry Ford
|
ShutUpNFish
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 3834
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/03/16 10:31:34
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/12 16:18:31
(permalink)
For big water, there is no comparison between glass and aluminum. Just look at what is PRIMARILY used in the ocean or on the Great Lakes. Better ride, more durable and should last forever as long as you take care of it. A one piece fiberglass hull will NOT flex near as much as a riveted aluminum one without some kind of reprocussions in the long run. Oh yeah, I am currently pulling a 22' Trophy with my 1/2 ton Silverado....tows like a dream. Good Advice IS, find a place to store your vessel for the summer...in the long run...its way cheaper! PS - I don't see any Lunds when I go out on the Chesapeake, Gulf of Mexico or the Atlantic...hmmmmm wonder why? With that said...Lund is still one of the top 10 made ALUMINUM boats on the market. Hmmmm....if THAT interested Tex, It may be for sale very soon!! 
post edited by ShutUpNFish - 2009/07/12 16:27:57
|
Brad1
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 338
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2005/07/11 20:18:25
- Location: Monroeville, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/13 11:31:13
(permalink)
ORIGINAL: Texcobb99
I have probably one of, or maybe the most sound aluminum boats made. It's a Lund Tyee. If I was ONLY fishing Erie I would trade my Tyee in for glass, no questions asked. Glass will keep you fishing longer, safer and keep you dryer.
I bought the boat to fish in Erie as well as other PA lakes. It even becomes a tubing\knee board boat on some weekends. It is NOT an ideal Erie boat. It is a safe, acceptable Erie boat. It can handle 2-4's just fine but 5 ft waves are too difficult to fish, IMO. What is worse is coming back to shore in 5ft waves. I have done this several times and the boat is totally safe, but it is not fun. When you are 7+ miles offshore and you top speed is 10 MPH due to wave height it leads to a stressful hour or more ride back to shore.
If I were interested in an only Erie boat right now I would buy CB's or steal Shut up's.
Lund makes a fine boat (I'd buy one), but I have to say the most sound aluminum boats made are probably the welded plate aluminum hulls. Pacific (or black lab, the East coast distributor) for instance. But to your point, a boat is a compromise. What makes a great Erie boat, your not going to be trailering to all the small inland lakes. I actually have two boats for that reason. My Grady White, which I use solely on Erie and a 16 ft Starcraft for the smaller waters. Problem is, I don't have time to use either of them. 
|
Texcobb99
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 451
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/07/25 13:44:32
- Location: Beaver County, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/13 11:54:41
(permalink)
Paul, What part of steal didn't you understand.... 
If I would have asked what everyone wanted, they would have responded that they wanted a better horse....Henry Ford
|
Big Fathead
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 915
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/04/04 21:41:12
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/13 13:56:13
(permalink)
I have to add my input on this one! Been out the last 10 days and trolled boards everyday with no trouble in my 28 footer with twins. Now I do use about 40 to 70 gallons of fuel a day. I would only recommend a glass boat due to the ride. If you but a 22-24 mfooter with a small v-8 you can intend on using 15-25 gallons a day in fuel. If you buy a v-6 22 foot boat that doesn't weigh alot probably 13-20 gallons a day, and an aluminum boat 22-24 footer with a v-6 13 to 20 gallons a day walleye fishing out deep. The glass boats look nicer and handle the water much better than the tin cans. Your truck will pull my 28 foot hardtop so that is not an issue. Buy what best fits you. As said earlier there is NO PERFECT BOAT. If you have a family and are using the boat for fishing and pleasure that changes the type of boat you would buy.
FOR LAKE ERIE I WOULD ONLY BUY A HARDTOP AND AT LEAST 24 FOOT LONG. If you buy a glass boat be careful of rot (this is the biggest problem with them). Get someone that knows what to look for or pay for a survey of the boat.
Hopefully will see you on the lake.
|
mikelravy
Avid Angler
- Total Posts : 163
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2007/05/08 15:37:47
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/13 14:14:34
(permalink)
No matter what boat you have there will be a lot of days you don't want to go out onto Erie with it. With that in mind I opted for an easily towable aluminum boat. I have to pick my days on Erie but I can easily trailer it inland by myself and go fishing. It also does nicely for bassing in Erie when I want. A compromise, sure, but one I can live with.
|
DaFuNK
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1992
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2009/06/23 09:23:25
- Location: Erie, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/14 10:07:28
(permalink)
|
Big Fathead
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 915
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/04/04 21:41:12
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/14 23:33:21
(permalink)
Expert Angler  Posts: 524 Joined: 6/19/2005 Status: offline  IMHO,anything over 2-3 ft waves is no fun in any boat.... can't steer, can't stand without losing your balance = no fun... RAAB Give me a call next 4-5 footer day we'll go trolling on a big boat without much trouble, pretty comfy also! Pull boards in 4 footers!
|
Carpet Bagger
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1834
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2001/04/18 15:09:30
- Location: Greenville, PA
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/15 09:46:38
(permalink)
...My 272 Sportcraft will EAT 3ft waves and spit them out...22mph out trim tabs dug in and drinking coffee...Its awesome....That 55 degree bow is doing all the work...
I'll take 2-3's out of the southwest every single day...Walleyes love the chop...
If you want to fish elsewhere I can see your point to an aluminum boat. However, Lake Erie is probaly the greatest fresh water fishery in the United States...Why go anywhere else? Walleyes, Perch, Steelhead, Smallmouth, Northern pike and Blue Gills in the bay...There is nowhere else like it...You find me a place you can catch 120 perch over 11" and then pile in another 24 walleyes over 20" in one day almost everyday and ill pick up and leave...
You just need a boat capable enough to handle the stuff this lake can throw at you....Once you find that you are golden...
CB I never thought I'd say this, but I love my Sport-Craft!
|
Big Fathead
Expert Angler
- Total Posts : 915
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2006/04/04 21:41:12
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/15 14:34:03
(permalink)
|
BIGSLICK
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1867
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2008/05/15 10:03:58
- Location: Girard
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/19 00:08:11
(permalink)
Would not have matter'd today....Glass or Aluminum....Would of got your arse kicked....
|
ICE NUT
Pro Angler
- Total Posts : 1255
- Reward points: 0
- Joined: 2002/01/11 21:02:12
- Status: offline
RE: Lake Erie Boat --- Fiberglass vs. Aluminum
2009/07/19 11:40:03
(permalink)
Big fiberglass or alum doesnt seen to matter when its like this does it. i decided i better not take my alum boat out and just trailered over to Mosquito for a day of small tasty walleye fishing.
|