I know a few of you on here run aluminum boats. Just wondering what you all think about how they perform on big water? Been considering an Xpress boat with their hyper lift hull. Either the side console with the coastal package, no carpet all ss hardware, or their bay series with a center console.
I know the deep v like the Lund is better, but I want something that can also run fast in protected waters, and also get shallow.
I have just been having a hard time finding the right 17-18 fiberglass boat that does what I want and not cost $30k. Plus I like the idea of being easy to maintain, and lightweight while still having lots of seating, and huge fishing decks.
I would go with an all weld they have a great product and stand behind it tommy Fulmer sells them in rock hill at marine service on red river rd he is not far off 77 he used to sell express boats and about went under cause they would not stand behind the warranty he will build the boat anyway you want it. Fogman has an express boat I have been out on it before and I did not see any problems with it I liked it the only one I have owned is a dura craft it was a 17 ft jet had it in the stumps and rocks in the river you can’t bust a hole in it I have tried it comes with a 5 year stump buster warranty if you put a hole in it they give you a new boat. The all weld is the boat that Liz has on swamp people
I know a few of you on here run aluminum boats. Just wondering what you all think about how they perform on big water? Been considering an Xpress boat with their hyper lift hull. Either the side console with the coastal package, no carpet all ss hardware, or their bay series with a center console.
I know the deep v like the Lund is better, but I want something that can also run fast in protected waters, and also get shallow.
I have just been having a hard time finding the right 17-18 fiberglass boat that does what I want and not cost $30k. Plus I like the idea of being easy to maintain, and lightweight while still having lots of seating, and huge fishing decks.
“Banana Pants”
Indigo Bay 170
90 Johnson
Wilderness Ride 115
My biggest complaint about their center console bay boat is that access to the rear livewell is very awkward at best. The leaning post protrudes over the livewell and makes it difficult to get in to. A good friend of mine has a 2011 20’ with the F-115 and it is a good riding, fast boat that fishes well. I just don’t like the rear livewell access and to me, that is a deal breaker.
Molon Labe!
Until you have loved a dog, part of your soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France (paraphrased)
RIP my “Puppy Dog” 10/15/2004 - 1/14/2013. Still can’t get him out of my mind. What a special friend he was.
I’ve got a 1650 Triton and it doesn’t like the rough water at all. I only fish the lake and wish I would have got a fiberglass cc instead. I’ve pulled up to the boat ramp and saw the waves coming in and went right back home on several occasions or try to find a sheltered cove to fish
I will never own a glass boat. With that being said unless you find a “deal” your gonna pay for a GOOD aluminum boat. I have had my boat in a foot of water (motor up of course) pulling boards with the trolling motor.
Xpress makes a great boat but I dont care for the look of them. Just my .02 if I could pick a aluminum boat to go with it would be a SeaArk. SeaArk actually just came out with a new model called the bay extreme. Its a center console boat and looks prettt good. Well except for the center console part. I hate a center console.
The low maintenance on the alum boats is a super plus. No worries of gel coats or anuthing like that. Just spray it out ans your done. Every now and then a magic eraser to the white areas…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
Chip, I know it’s a personal thing, but why do you hate a center console? We talked boats when we fished together so I have an idea what you do like but we didn’t talk about CC’s.
Neither of my boats is a CC but I thought if I ever bought another one that would be the route I took because it seems to be a fairly clean layout- symmetrical.
When I fish Hartwell we take my buddy’s CC and I kind of like it but I don’t spend enough time in it to find the things not to like.
The other style I like is walk-around, mostly for the ability to get completely out of the weather.
But I don’t believe there is such a thing as a lightweight walk-around and that’s important for fuel economy on those long runs I make to the dam.
I personally just think they are a waste of space and get in the way…lol… the console/t-top that is. Some of the lakes I travel to you cant even fish some really good areas if the lake is full and you have a t-top because you wont fit under the bridges.
As most everyone knows I like an open layout although mine really isnt as open as I would like, BUT mine isnt crowded by a console that I can’t use to benefit me. Its crowded by a cooler and a baittank which both benefit me while fishing. Worst case scenario if I have to go from one side of the boat to other quickly I can step over a cooler/tank. With a CC your def going to have to go around it.
SeaArk makes a 240 procat that will be my next boat. And prob the last one. They will custom build the layouts. So of course the consoles will move up about 2-3feet for a wide open layout. Comes standard with either a 80 or 100gal livewell. If You like a walkarouNd for taking shelter, These boats can be transformed into a walkthrough with full enclosures. But these these boats cost just as much as glass boat. Lol.
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
I’ve been out several times with Fogman. In my opinion the Express, or atleast his, is a great boat, very stable for fishing. Also been out with him on some VERY WINDY days. It rides pretty good even in rough water and has plenty of room.
It must be a lucky boat too. Caught my personal biggest catfish from Murray out of it, and I’ve never been skunked when fishing with Fog.
Chip, I guess those are all valid points-especially having to walk around the console. On the height issue, luckily, Murray has pretty tall bridges and that’s where my boats are used 95% of the time now.
I wonder how aluminum boats hold up keeping them in the water 24/7?
Obviously, they won’t rust, but I wonder about corrosion and if the pretty paint will stay pretty. Fiberglass definitely gets discolored and grimy at the water level and the top surfaces fade out from sun damage.
Plus, I have an aversion to wax- I think I’m allergic to the stuff.
Look at the war eagle Black Hawk series. A friend of mine just purchased a 21 ft blackhawk w/ 150. Nice boat. War eagle included some custom add-ons that are nice.
I saw the new sea ark the other day looks nice.
My son has 16 ft tiller steer Xpress, nice boat , but I’ d buy a war eagle or sea ark if I had to do it over again.
I’ve had a War Eagle for the last 17 years and it’s been a great boat. The new Blackhawks are great. You get the feel of a center console but with the low maintenance of an aluminum boat. Been 15 miles offshore in it trolling for kings.
You can see by my signature my boat preference. My Xpress does everything I need a boat to do. The only complaint I have is in wishing the storage compartments were a bit more water-tight. The position of the rear livewell and leaning post has never been an issue for me. As far as overall looks, beauty is in the eye of the beholder:smiley:
Is this a beauty pageant or are we in this to catch fish? My Xpress delivers the goods!
I get the reasons for having an open boat, but the center console allows me to stand up and drive comfortably. I like to see when in the marsh, and also when Murray gets nasty it’s nice to let the legs take the shock instead of the spine.
If you haven’t already been there I suggest you take a ride up to Muddy Bay Marine in Newberry. They sell several lines of aluminum boats and have plenty in stock to look over.
I sold my fiberglass 19 foot center console bay boat and bought a 17 foot side console War Eagle. My reasons were similar to yours in that I wanted something that required less maintenance and was less “bulky”. I fish alone most of the time and it’s just a lot easier to handle. I like that the side console allows for more deck space, it can get into real skinny water and I don’t have to worry about bumping stumps or rocks. However, there are trade offs. The lighter weight makes it more susceptible to wind. Sometimes even a light breeze can be a nuisance. Everything on that boat that is not padded will get extremely hot in the sun. I have neoprene padding to cover most of the decking but every now and then I’ll place my hand on an exposed area and am painfully reminded why I shouldn’t do that. As far as handling big water it all depends on the hull. I’ve fished with Fogman on his Express and was impressed with how it handled a snotty day. My hull is a bit flatter and the sides lower so I have to be a little more mindful of the weather. Lastly, on the console issue. Center consoles get in the way but they offer much better visibility when running the boat. Driving the boat from a seated position can be pretty uncomfortable on choppy water. I have padded seats but sometimes I’ll also sit on a an extra PFD for added padding. Another alternative in the console issue is a forward helm position where the center console is up close to the bow. I think G3 offers that option.
Crabjack, those are some interesting points I never considered especially the point of a lightweight boat being blown around by the wind.
My fiberglass 20’ walk-through is an older, heavy boat so it doesn’t have that issue, but my pontoon is quite the kite. I kinda assumed it was because it rides high on top of the water and has a lot of air catchers like the bimini and the furniture. In my quest to find a fuel saving, but faster than the pontoon, boat (to outrun storms and get to the dam in less time) I never considered that a light boat might actually be a negative…
Nothing beats hearing it right from the horse’s mouth. Thanks.
BUT it takes more power from your TM to move a heavier boat in high winds. Earlier this yr we had some nasty winds in a msc tx. Heard a lot of people lost their TM power by noon. The lighter boats didnt. Thats just throws another wrinkle into it…lol…
“All fisherman lie. And if they say otherwise, then they’re lying”
If I were looking at an aluminum boat I would check out the Polar Kraft Outlander. The 19’ has a ton of room. I love me glass with T-top but if I ever changed it would aluminum.
I like the layout of that Outlander. Nice forward mounted CC, and the side storage boxes look nice for storage and to stand on. Love the back layout, should make fishing for striper fun, and still handle some nasty weather.
Great stuff on this post everybody’s opinion is right in my opinion.LOL Billy DuRant has the best boat I personnely ever fished in.23ft carolina skiff cc 130 honda 4stroke.TM lasts all day . Plenty of room comfortably for 5 people if necessary. JMO of course. I have a cc with t top winds are a challenge so are aluminum boats with their light weight. I guess whatever blows your skirt up is a good thing.Go fish.
TOM GITTO
Team Shad Up and Fish member
20ft Sea Hunt cc Red T Top
No messy fiberglass or having to match gelcoat color.
