Battle of the Aluminum What Would You Choose

[King_Fish]

I never really understood the “less upkeep” statement on aluminum boats compared to glass. If its a plain jane boat then yea but just about all the nicer 18ft and up aluminum boats are painted on the bottom as well. So aluminum or glass if you arent willing to wipe the whole boat down and keep it waxed its gonna look just as crappy. If you fish nasty rocks or beach alot that can warrant it but a big rock can punch a hole in aluminum all the same. When i think of upkeep i think of maintanence on the motor and trailer hubs etc and that is the same regardless.

Very true! Wash mine after every trip, which includes the bottom... anal, yes, but I cannot stand it looking dirty.

[Grizzly]

I wiped my boat down with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser once.

[Jfish]

I never really understood the “less upkeep” statement on aluminum boats compared to glass. If its a plain jane boat then yea but just about all the nicer 18ft and up aluminum boats are painted on the bottom as well. So aluminum or glass if you arent willing to wipe the whole boat down and keep it waxed its gonna look just as crappy. If you fish nasty rocks or beach alot that can warrant it but a big rock can punch a hole in aluminum all the same. When i think of upkeep i think of maintanence on the motor and trailer hubs etc and that is the same regardless.

Pretty much agree. I think most boat owners fall broadly into two groups, those that take of their boats and those that don't. I am amazed at the number of boats on Craigslist that look like they have been parked uncovered for years and being sold as "clean and maintained".

[ajw18]

I never really understood the “less upkeep” statement on aluminum boats compared to glass. If its a plain jane boat then yea but just about all the nicer 18ft and up aluminum boats are painted on the bottom as well. So aluminum or glass if you arent willing to wipe the whole boat down and keep it waxed its gonna look just as crappy. If you fish nasty rocks or beach alot that can warrant it but a big rock can punch a hole in aluminum all the same. When i think of upkeep i think of maintanence on the motor and trailer hubs etc and that is the same regardless.

I get what you're saying but I feel like the painted aluminum is easier to keep looking new than gelcoat, especially if the boat's not kept in a garage. I figure the painted aluminum is very similar to a painted truck. Best I can do now is cover my X19 well and keep it clean. Down the line when I have inside storage I'll probably get back in a glass boat.

[ajw18]

Huh - Xpress has the worst fit and finish of those listed - they live on their name and speed alone. All have small decks. You want a boat. Sea Ark BC 210, Alumacraft XB 200, have huge decks and are big bass boats. Not the wedge shaped of the others.

I don't know much about the SeaArk but I think the Xpress is at least equal to all the others in fishability. The front decks on an X19 or X21 are at least comparable to most boats in their class, tin or fiberglass. The "fit and finish" deal on the Xpress seems to be small touches like aluminum shavings all in the bilge, wet storage bins, wiring, etc. The actual layout and design as well as construction of the Xpress boats is solid imo.

[ajw18]

But they are not pretty...

Doesn't really matter to me but I thought the Rangers and especially the Vexus were the "pretty" boats. I agree that the new Xpress boats look good but I didn't think that was part of their reputation, especially when they had that ripped metal decaling on the side.

[ThickTinned]

[Great Scott]

What hull is pictured ??? LDS

[ThickTinned]

Gator Trax 21' Strike Series. Nearing completion.

[Great Scott]

Thanks. LDS

[Chainslinger1959]

But does it fish flat?

yes with trolling motor down they are awesome fishing platforms

[bshort]

Hmmmm.

[King_Fish]

Hmmmm.

You can say that again....

[Mechanic Bob]

With my "Camo" color boat, you cannot tell whether it is clean or dirty.
Ain't going to have the boat "Owns" me.
Mechanically, I will put my boat up against anyone, but keeping it "spit shine", no. That is where the boat owns you!

[Great Scott]

Bob, glad to see you made it back from your vacation. LDS

[opaleski]

Xpress

Had two--Great Boats!!

[bshort]

With my "Camo" color boat, you cannot tell whether it is clean or dirty.
Ain't going to have the boat "Owns" me.
Mechanically, I will put my boat up against anyone, but keeping it "spit shine", no. That is where the boat owns you!

Keeping a boat clean means it owns you?

[PolarKraft195]

With my "Camo" color boat, you cannot tell whether it is clean or dirty.
Ain't going to have the boat "Owns" me.
Mechanically, I will put my boat up against anyone, but keeping it "spit shine", no. That is where the boat owns you!

my boat must REALLY own my ass!

[bshort]

my boat must REALLY own my ass!

Skip a wash on it to assert your authority over it. Show it who's boss!

[n2ratfishin]

It takes me a couple mins to wipe my RT188 down. I've never wiped the bottom, and I DO prefer my non painted boot. My last boat was a real dark grey with a black boot. Keeping that darn thing clean was a chore. After a week on the Stick Marsh road I need to give mine a good bath. The road was wet and sloppy everyday we were there. We knew we were going to drive home in the rain. I washed the caked stuff off the truck undercarriage and my boat trailer and drug it home. I am not sure why someone wants the painted boot? I guess it looks good until you get in the places that I bought an aluminum boat to get into. Then the paint gets scuffed and scratched. I don't have carpet, LOVE not having carpet to mess with!!! The Xpress can come with SeaDek. That may be the perfect solution? I've hopped in my boat muddy as all get out after taking my wife on the banks with her metal detector. NO WAY would I do that with my sparkle sleds. We just washed it all out the drain when we got home with a little electric pressure washer. My tires were 100.00 vs 500.00 on the Cougar. I don't mind changing them out every few years at that price. I DO wish Ranger put something bigger than a 13" wheel, but I've made the 2000 mile pull to southern Florida twice now with out an issue...knock on wood!

The years we drive to Florida with a sparkle sled my buddy will take one cover for the interstate, and another cover to put on driving down the sloppy "improved roads." That means covering and uncovering the boat at least twice a day. My boat is just flat out easier.