Aluminum vs. Fiberglass
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it depends
on what you want from your boat.
did you do a noreast search under aluminum?
i respectfully suggest you do that, and follow up with specific questions or concerns you may have.
when are we going to get a tin boat forum?
on what you want from your boat.
did you do a noreast search under aluminum?
i respectfully suggest you do that, and follow up with specific questions or concerns you may have.
when are we going to get a tin boat forum?
I have to say I searched aluminum and fiberglass and didn't find any help, so....my question remains, for fishing around the greenwich-stamford and across to the island part of the sound, fiberglass or aluminum?
Thanks.
Thanks.
i would go with the good
looking boat
looking boat
Tough one.
I noticed in the other discussion that you are looking at a very small boat. Do yourself a favor;
If you plan to fish in the open waters of the Sound, buy the largest, most seaworthy boat you can afford with your budget. Stay away from 16 footers unless you positively have to go with a smaller boat. Ask anyone who owns a 19 footer and they'll tell you there is little to no difference in the upkeep, trailering, or fuel consumption of any boat that is within two or three feet in length. In other words, owning and operating a 19 foot boat is almost the same as a 16 footer or a 21 footer.
With this in mind, wouldn't you want the luxury and safety of a larger heavier hull?
If you told me that you planned to stay inside the harbors or strictly work the flats, I'd say stay with the small aluminum. But when you state that you plan to cross the Sound, go buy a bigger boat. You'll be thankful you did the very first time you have to speed home because of the unexpected T-storm. You'll also be able to fish in the Sound more often (you won't have to turn around as much because your boat can't handle it).
As far as fuel consumption, a 21 foot cuddy with a 150hp can travel about 100 miles on 60 gallons of fuel. A 19 footer with a 130 hp can do the same with about 50 gallons. As you can see, fuel costs with a larger boat isn't much different.
I noticed in the other discussion that you are looking at a very small boat. Do yourself a favor;
If you plan to fish in the open waters of the Sound, buy the largest, most seaworthy boat you can afford with your budget. Stay away from 16 footers unless you positively have to go with a smaller boat. Ask anyone who owns a 19 footer and they'll tell you there is little to no difference in the upkeep, trailering, or fuel consumption of any boat that is within two or three feet in length. In other words, owning and operating a 19 foot boat is almost the same as a 16 footer or a 21 footer.
With this in mind, wouldn't you want the luxury and safety of a larger heavier hull?
If you told me that you planned to stay inside the harbors or strictly work the flats, I'd say stay with the small aluminum. But when you state that you plan to cross the Sound, go buy a bigger boat. You'll be thankful you did the very first time you have to speed home because of the unexpected T-storm. You'll also be able to fish in the Sound more often (you won't have to turn around as much because your boat can't handle it).
As far as fuel consumption, a 21 foot cuddy with a 150hp can travel about 100 miles on 60 gallons of fuel. A 19 footer with a 130 hp can do the same with about 50 gallons. As you can see, fuel costs with a larger boat isn't much different.
Believe me Dr. I am with you, just find me a 20 footer for a few grand, hence my debate to get on the water now, or wait until the account grows.....
you continued counsel is much appreciated, andrew
you continued counsel is much appreciated, andrew
South,
I have to second Doc's opinion, if you plan on heading out more than a few miles, a nice heavy 19-21 would be the thing... I do wish I had a 19-21, but to get a reliable motor with a 19-21 for what I paid ($2500) is near impossible, so I went aluminum... plus as I said, I originally planned on selling my Camping trailer, buying a slideon camper, and towing the boat to Montauk (camper/boat combo) and launching from the beach... (that's the other reason for a lite aluminum).
If you can afford it, go for the bigger boat, you probably will want it in a year or two anyway after you get tossed around in the aluminum a bit... but then if your planning on buying a house... etc... and aluminum is all you can afford or want to commit to right now, that's understandable too. I wanted to point out the positives on the lower cost solution...
If you go for a fiberglass... and find one for a lower price... You main worry is the transom, after you find a reliable motor. My neighbor put a $12,000 ouboard on an older boat and blew out the transom. He now has an outboard in his garage, no boat.
...and just to put things into perspective for you, an equivalant Yamaha 40 to mine, new, is around $4500-$5000.
As far as checking the rivets, just see if there's a lot of sealer on the bottom of the boat, or a lot of them replaced with screws. Check for galvanic corrosion (*********** or crust) dents, dings... and check the wood on the transon of the aluminum too.
I always check the weather before I head out, and only use it if forcast calls for 1-2 foot maximum (there's always 3 footers out there too in that case) Today, because of the wind, I would never consider heading out. The day I took the trip to Middle grounds, the trip back to Kings Park (10 miles) took 25 minutes at 25mph. The day before I went from Crane Neck to KP (about 6-7 miles) and it was rough, lots of 3 footers, took about 45 minutes and I looked like a giant salt lick by the time I got to the dock.
Just trying to tell you what to expect.
Richie
I have to second Doc's opinion, if you plan on heading out more than a few miles, a nice heavy 19-21 would be the thing... I do wish I had a 19-21, but to get a reliable motor with a 19-21 for what I paid ($2500) is near impossible, so I went aluminum... plus as I said, I originally planned on selling my Camping trailer, buying a slideon camper, and towing the boat to Montauk (camper/boat combo) and launching from the beach... (that's the other reason for a lite aluminum).
If you can afford it, go for the bigger boat, you probably will want it in a year or two anyway after you get tossed around in the aluminum a bit... but then if your planning on buying a house... etc... and aluminum is all you can afford or want to commit to right now, that's understandable too. I wanted to point out the positives on the lower cost solution...
If you go for a fiberglass... and find one for a lower price... You main worry is the transom, after you find a reliable motor. My neighbor put a $12,000 ouboard on an older boat and blew out the transom. He now has an outboard in his garage, no boat.
...and just to put things into perspective for you, an equivalant Yamaha 40 to mine, new, is around $4500-$5000.
As far as checking the rivets, just see if there's a lot of sealer on the bottom of the boat, or a lot of them replaced with screws. Check for galvanic corrosion (*********** or crust) dents, dings... and check the wood on the transon of the aluminum too.
I always check the weather before I head out, and only use it if forcast calls for 1-2 foot maximum (there's always 3 footers out there too in that case) Today, because of the wind, I would never consider heading out. The day I took the trip to Middle grounds, the trip back to Kings Park (10 miles) took 25 minutes at 25mph. The day before I went from Crane Neck to KP (about 6-7 miles) and it was rough, lots of 3 footers, took about 45 minutes and I looked like a giant salt lick by the time I got to the dock.
Just trying to tell you what to expect.
Richie
Dr. and Reel, please do not misunderstand me, it is just whether I want to get off the beach NOW or wait until the funds improve, as I said in the other column re the boat, 99% of the time I will be between the Conn. shore and Captains Islands. Now I not only have to thank you for your knowledge but your concern, and I am happy to - thank you, andrew
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