Fiberglass boats V's Amuminum for fishing???? Pro's and Con's

[trophyhunt]

Tired of relying on others to be out fishing and crabbing when it's hot like it has been.  I have about 5 years till I retire and I told the wife we are getting a boat at that time, I'm not interested in going miles out into the ocean, I prefer to see land!!  My favorite fishing is on a river for kings, my very close next favorite is bottom fishing in Neah Bay, next would be puget sound.  I do get sea sick but I like to fish enough to just friggin do it.  I've fished on my cousins boat which is a 21' striper,  bayliner, fish killing machine.  To get the wife involved I'd need a portapoty or toilet seat that is private, not a bucket on the deck.  The biggest difference I've heard is fiberglass is heavier, less MPH.  Aluminum is lighter, better MPH.  Heard the fiberglass is more steady in rougher seas,    Seems the bayliner trophy boats are way more affordable but people seem to not like them.  You guys have a ton of knowledge and experience on here so I am very curious to see what the majority think.  I figure to spend around 40-60k

[pickardjw]

Fiberglass with a cuddy cabin seems like the way to go, but it would definitely limit your ability to river fish if we're talking skinny water and not the Columbia. Just gotta find the right one with a head. 

An aluminum boat with the same cabin privacy would also be limited in smaller rivers and more expensive as far as I know.

[jamesfromseattle]

Trophies aren't bad boats. I had one for a lot of years, and caught a lot of fish. You could easily get a fully tricked out Trophy with low hours in that price range. I know because I sold one for less than that.

Are you going used or new? I'd be looking used. You can get a lot of boat in that price range if you spend wisely. Or not much boat if you don't.

Every boat is a compromise. Your aren't going to find something that can run skinny water and fish the ocean. But you could find something that would be fine on relatively skinny water and inside the straits (although not ideal for either.) And you could definitely find something that would be fine on the Columbia and the ocean.

If you need things to be comfortable for the wife, I think you're on the right path with a fiberglass cuddy. I'd keep an eye out for a used Grady, Arima, Seaswirl, Trophy, etc. Rather than getting hung up on the brand, I'd focus on finding a good deal with a new-ish engine and a solid trailer.

[trophyhunt]

Good advice, kinda what I’m leaning to. I guess I could just get on a guided boat once in a while for the skinnier rivers.  I’ve seen some pretty good prices on used trophy’s, I guess if it has a Yamaha outboard on it all is good!!

[pickardjw]

Yeah I'd definitely go with an outboard. Always ran Yamaha in the gulf but I'd be comfortable with Merc or Honda as well. The newer Evinrudes (2017+ from what I hear) are apparently up there in quality and reliability as well. My parent's Robalo has been a solid hull to throw another brand in the mix.

[Woodchuck]

Yeah I'd definitely go with an outboard. Always ran Yamaha in the gulf but I'd be comfortable with Merc or Honda as well. The newer Evinrudes (2017+ from what I hear) are apparently up there in quality and reliability as well. My parent's Robalo has been a solid hull to throw another brand in the mix.

My BIL runs a Robalo back east and he is more than happy with it.

[h2ofowlr]

Aluminum is lighter, more configurable and very durable.  Drawback they are really expensive right now.  Fiberglass is a lot more affordable.  Look at outboard options.  If you have the room you might look at a river boat and a boat for the salt.

[Duckslayer89]

We had a 22’ Cdory Angler. It was bad ass. Had a private place for bathroom and the boat was light weight. 70 horse moved it good. Cool thing is you can beach them on a sand bar or something. Take them on a lake. We had it in some wild seas too I doubt you would go in describing what your plans are.

One thing to think about is cost to operate one with fuel. The Cdory doesn’t burn much fuel

[jrebel]

Sounds like you need the Custom Aluminum that is posted in classifieds right now.  You find a better boat for the price and  you could always have a Bimini top made for the back that your wife could hide out in and do her porta potty business in.  Just Saying....


https://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php/topic,279418.0.html

[Encore 280]

21 or 22' Arima, double hull, damn near unsinkable, 8' plus beam, gunwale height is about mid thigh, good rough water boats. I've got a 17' Sea Pacer (open bow) and the only thing I don't like about it is it's a rough riding boat in a chop. I don't think the bigger ones are like that. Go to ArimaOwners.com and poke around. There's a classified section in there too.

[GWP]

Both are good.
You really need to detail what kind of boating/fishing you do to get a good answer. Even then there will be each construction type that will fit the bill.

[birddogdad]

 to me the only real differences are weight and upkeep. you can get "cheap" stuff on both sides there. your price point drives options and quality, you really do get what you pay for. From towing to launching, its easier with a lighter boat but there comes a point in size where it really doesnt matter. There is a strong following up here in the PNW with aluminum ocean boats but you can also find like used fiberglass for some good deals, those aluminums can get pricy fast. when you buy, have the boat inspected/survey done before you buy, can save you years of problems or worse!  your application (kind of fishing)  should weigh in on your decision too but that is another discussion.  if i put in my  ,  if ocean boat an enclosed/alaska cabin would be in my next buy regardless of materials with aux steering outside cabin too...

[pickardjw]

What's the general opinion on Tiderunners? See a lot of them for sale and a buddy just bought one. He's spending his weekends fixing all the busted fiberglass on it instead of fishing right now.

[bigdub257]

I'm on my third tiderunner.  Currently own a 18' cuddy.  Perfect for the sound and easy to trailer and launch solo. They did have some issues on some of the older ones with water getting trapped under the floor boards and causing some rot.  Never had any problems with any of mine. Have several friends that own them also and are very happy with them.

[buckfvr]

Atleast you have 5 years in which to modify/change your plan and ideas.  The older you get the bigger the deal is regarding launch and retrieve, especially if its just you and your wife on a trip. 

You also have to consider your tow rig, trailer brakes etc.  Minimum truck never being a good idea.

Once retired, you can focus your fishing on week days and avoid some (but not all) of the crowds.  Some of the best fishing we ever did was fall fishing mouths of tributaries on the Columbia for silvers.  You do not need a jet pump to do the columbia from the Klick downstream.  Youtube has tons of videos fishing all over the Columbia that gives you ideas for boats that will work well on the big river.

If you really are thinking Neah Bay you're talking much bigger heavier type of boat and sill picking your days and tides.   My  having fished all these spots and more in the past.