Is a used aluminum boat really an economical choice anymore?

[bassfisher444]

A few years ago an aluminum boat was the way to go if you are on a budget since they were considerably cheaper than a fiberglass. Now I am seeing 3-5 year old 18-19' aluminum boats going for anywhere from 25K to 35K or even more. Does it really make since to get one anymore when you can find plenty of nice used fiberglass boats in that price range?

[Mcjenson]

I don’t think so. Might as well go fiberglass or new aluminum if you are into them imo.

[FloridaFlyer]

There is a 2017 Bass Cat Sabre with a 150 for 32K and a brand new 2023 Ranger 198P aluminum with a 150 for 36K on the for sale boards here. I am sure some examples can illustrate your point but I think there is still some pretty good differences in some situations.

You are at about roughly the same money for a new aluminum Ranger as a 6 or 7 year old glass boat in the above example... and the glass boat is smaller.

[Highcentered]

The new aluminum bass boats are pretty nice now. Considering a lot of new aluminum boats with a 150hp are north or 40k you just have to take it for what it is. A new Xpress H18 with a 115hp is around 35k now with modest rigging and that's about as basic of a boat as it gets. It's all in how you look at it. The used market for aluminum bass boats seems to still be pretty hot. Anything in good shape and perfect running will sell for a premium price. If you find one you like for sale you need to jump on it YESTERDAY.

[rangerbrent]

They are being rigged with nice electronics and accessories like power poles that help to get price up there also

[bassfisher444]

They are being rigged with nice electronics and accessories like power poles that help to get price up there also

I am talking about the used ones.

[Mcjenson]

There is a 2017 Bass Cat Sabre with a 150 for 32K and a brand new 2023 Ranger 198P aluminum with a 150 for 36K on the for sale boards here. I am sure some examples can illustrate your point but I think there is still some pretty good differences in some situations.

You are at about roughly the same money for a new aluminum Ranger as a 6 or 7 year old glass boat in the above example... and the glass boat is smaller.

Pros and con's to both. I'm guessing the ride difference is significant enough that I'd lean towards the sabre out of those two

[Highcentered]

Pros and con's to both. I'm guessing the ride difference is significant enough that I'd lean towards the sabre out of those two

But the front deck on the Sabre is TINY! That said, I've gotten to a point in life where I care more about how the boat feels with the trolling motor down and you have to make some tough choices when the boat budget is made to keep the boat from being a financial burden.

[davidsa]

the motor, options and trailer are now very signficant portions of total boat cost- well over 50%. the hull material cost is fading. I think the case for Alum is the abuse it can take fishing in tough areas.

[Woody b]

........................................I think the case for Alum is the abuse it can take fishing in tough areas.

Yep I wouldn't want a glass boat for where and how I fish.

[Highcentered]

Yep I wouldn't want a glass boat for where and how I fish.

And if you get a scratch on aluminum you're probably way less likely to have a coronary. I like how Xpress sprays the top cap in bedliner.

[brnzbaklvr]

the motor, options and trailer are now very signficant portions of total boat cost- well over 50%. the hull material cost is fading. I think the case for Alum is the abuse it can take fishing in tough areas.

Maybe HD welded Aluminum hulls like a weldcraft but I have been doing some research on Lunds, Alumacraft etc etc V bottoms and it seems like wood in the transom and rivet issues are a huge problem with even boats as new as 2010

[davidsa]

That said, I've gotten to a point in life where I care more about how the boat feels with the trolling motor down

This, I am a TM down fishing guy.

I just concluded that over the last 10 years, over 90% of my time on the water was TM down, motor off. I don't spend much time running the big motor.

[dean c]

I’d say it’s more about where and how you fish. Aluminum can take a lot of abuse.

[mactlman]

new 20 foot vexus is more than my new 519c which is basically 20 foot

[fly by night]

I have both, best of both worlds!

[Sam378]

I have always had fiberglass, although I would love to come across a good aluminum boat I can use as a beater boat on those up river days, problem is I feel if you knock a hole in a fiberglass boat it can be fixed like it was never there, a hole in metal boat will be there forever

[Slicefixer]

I’d say it’s more about where and how you fish. Aluminum can take a lot of abuse.

/\this 100%/\

[wildkat7]

I have both, best of both worlds!

I had this as well up until last month. Sold my 18ft aluminum due to lack of use. In the near future, I'll have both again.

[bayouXpress]

I have always had fiberglass, although I would love to come across a good aluminum boat I can use as a beater boat on those up river days, problem is I feel if you knock a hole in a fiberglass boat it can be fixed like it was never there, a hole in metal boat will be there forever

have you ever heard of welding?