Suggestions

So I have spent the last 6 months of my Iraq tour reading all about aluminum and glass bass boats I have gone through so many forums and I am still not sure what to buy. I am getting married and the wife wants us to buy a bass boat I am stationed in Delaware. If you had to fish lakes/ponds that ranging between
1ft - 10ft deep all less then 600 acres and with at least 8 of them being in a
10-15 minute drive and only needs to support two people what would you buy? I fished out of my dads glass tri hull fish/ski growing up and loved it but with todays economy, tow weight, maintance and this being my first bass boat aluminum seems like the way to go. I am looking at 16-18ft long incase the wife gets bored or frustated she will have room to lay out in the sun or just be comfortable probably have to add a bimini too. Appreciate everyones suggestions thanks http://www.bassboatcentral.com/boardstuff2/beers.gif

Having room to lay out might be the thing that makes you go to a glass boat. Everything else sounds like you would be well served by an aluminum boat, but glass boats are usually quite a bit wider, giving you more room on the back deck.

Thank you for your service.. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif
If you are fishing smaller lakes aluminum boat would the way to go but get one that still had some horse power. My first one had 45hp and that was fine for me...My boat was a 17ft bass tracker...Now I have a fiberglass boat with 150 hp and it's a lot wider but I'm also fishing bigger lakes now..Also get what fits into your budget....I boat a used fiber glass and love it and payed cash so NO payment...

Thank you for your service, David. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

Sounds like you already know the answer to your question. An aluminum boat seems to fit the scenarios you described best. Today's aluminum boats can have all the bells and whistles of the fiberglass boats if you want them to - at a much lower price.

Good luck with whatever you decide!

I'm a glass boat guy, and my Dad is a Lund guy, so we jokingly go back and forth on that all the time. But the water you describe....I think an aluminum boat would work great. You just don't need "much" boat for the type of water you describe, and I think size for size, you can get more aluminum boat than glass. My Dad just got a 16' Pro-V a few years old for like $8,000. He got alot more boat than he could have gotten glass, and he fishes the same kind of water you do.

But like was said, typically glass boats are wider and maybe "ergonomic" and would make for easier catching of rays for the wife. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

And you might looks at a fish/ski type of boat, which you can get in glass or aluminum. They'll have the seating and room better suited for lounging and relaxing.

Hey brother, get home soon!! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/USA1.gif

What do you do? Branch?

I'm a helicopter mechanic/crew chief in the CG. I've got friends in the CG who are deployed to Iraq right now and you've got all my respect. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/bows.gif

I've fished some of those Delaware ponds you're talking about and a 16ft alum will do just fine. You can even hit some of the eastern shore rivers with a boat that size.

i think the tin boat is for you..look at a xpress or g3

Just something to consider, I know I'm guilty. Think about the big picture!! Will you ever go to a bigger body of water where speed and distance may play a factor? My 2 cents.

IM sent

I started with a 170 Lowe bass stryker w/practically all you could get on it then I added more, in 1996. It was a great way to start and I bought a 2004 TR186 last year for my retirement. That Lowe was and still is great.