Metal rigs exceeding glass rigs $$$

[JayPea2006]

Commodities, metal, as well as all other raw goods are sky rocketing. What will aluminum boat manufacturer;s have to do to justify spending the kind of money that will buy a good glass rig? It isn't to that point ... yet, but it's coming soon if raw goods don't settle down.

Better motor packages, higher performance, better electronics, etc.? What will raise the bar for your money?

[Hawgwild]

I'd still stay with metal boats...I just feel more confortable putting a metal boat in the areas I fish (stumps) than being there in a glass boat...

Just feel they area more economical in the long run and upkeep is a little easier also..

Scottie

[OutdoorFrontiers]

Scottie,

I'll have to have a difference of opinion with you there!  I've been fishing glass boats in amongst stumps, rocks and laydowns for years, and all of my boats have looked good when sold.  If you're at fishing speeds, or running on idle, stumps won't do any damage to a glass hull.  Heck, I bump stumps all the time and there's no problems.

As far as economical?  I'll put a glass boat up against aluminum any day as well.  My 20'3" Fast Cat hull, with an 8'6" beam weighs 25 pounds LESS than a 16 1/2 foot AlumaCraft!  And, fiberglass can be molded into a far more efficient hull design than aluminum can be bent.  This efficiency results in a smoother, dryer ride, as well as either faster or more fuel efficient when rpms are kept away from the redline!

Upkeep is similar.  They both have to be washed periodically, waxed a time or two a year as well.  Well, that is if you want them to look good.  But, I've noticed that glass boats don't seem to take on water stains as readily as aluminum boats do, and as long as you wipe them down when you take them from the water, it's a wash (pun intended)....

Steve