Which Aluminum Boat?

[Boat4Life]

For fishing rivers, bayous, and the occasional big lake, which tin boat would be best for this?

[Jim Hamm]

I voted 'jon boat w/tiller'. Kinda hard to beat that kind of a basic setup for all around use.

[optaylor823]

I have been looking for a similar boat. I will mainly be fishing rivers. I beleive if you ar wanting to run shallow you need a boat with a center console and try to keep the boat well balanced. You may want to consider moving gas tanks and batteries toward the front. I have looked at alot of boats and for my use I have it narrowed down to a Grizzly or Weldbilt. The best thing I did is to take a look at on of the other post on this site that list the aluminum boat manufacters and just start looking. I hope you lost of luck in finding what you want.

[RBA Steve]

I voted Stick Steer, but it's not necessarily what I would recomend. It all depends on the fisherman and the water.

[Subman]

Mine.

And it's not on your list(and they don't make it anymore )

[Musky Tom]

I voted Tracker since that's what I have (16ft Pro Angler/75 hp Merc) Real big water (Great Lakes, Simcoe, St. Clair etc) I would think twice , and then again before putting it on there...but I've had it out on the St. Lawrence River (1000 Islands), Bay of Quinte, plus smaller lakes/rivers.
Tom

[Josh256v]

RBA Steve, that must be the longest bridge i've ever seen in you avatar...i have a glass boat, but i like the Xpress boats myself.

[HeavyMetalBassinKing]

I may own a Bass Tracker PT 185, but the War Eagle Tamahawk is a prettt good aluminum rig...it is 18' 10" with a 85 inch beam,,,and best of all it has an cool mist air conditioning system....

Sounds pretty cool...

[Alan S]

Xpress. period.

[MIKER2702]

musky tom i fished the bay of quinte this summer hope to
go back next any tips alot of grass but alot of bass.

[Grant]

I'm a fan of the simple jon boat with tiller. Thats what I have, and like it alot.

[Boat4Life]

Grant, I've caught a lot of fish from a simple aluminum boat. I actually like simple....less to break. I'm about to buy me another small boat because I miss fishing some of the places on the river because I can't get to them in my big boat. Also tired of paying high fuel bills for fishing. Tired of driving to the big lakes. Did I mention I'm tired? Getting ready for retirement in the next few years.....SIMPLE is good!

[mongo]

1997 Tracker PT175 25hp
With some luck she is sold
Picked up a bigger more stable glass boat

[Long Arm Release]

just got another Tracker Panfish (2000) with a 40 Merc. Had a 91 with a 25 Johnny, but even though they are small, really like the addition of the rod boxes.

[weedhopper]

My rig isn't even an option. Custom build Snyder Jet Boat with a 135 Rude Jet. Skinny water and smallies are my passion.


Modified by weedhopper at 7:59 PM 2/4/2006

[kevino]

I own a Triton 170Mag. It performs well.

But I wouldn't recommend it because the paint falls off.

You'll be without it 3-4 months out of every year waiting for it to be repainted under warranty.

At least that's been my experience.

[nosaj2]

Love my Xpress. Performance is great. Paint isn't super shinny like a triton, but it stays on. You have a little more room on the front deck of a triton. I think the Xpress has a better hull design. But both are good boats. If I where a new guy looking to buy a new aluminum boat. I'd look at the triton and the Xpress. Fish both and drive both before you buy.

[volzfan59]

I voted G3. I have a 2006 G3 1756 CCT (center console, tunnel hull) with a Yamaha 70. It also has the sponsons/ pods on the back to aid in shallow water operation. I love to chase 'smallies in the east TN rivers and this boat seems to work pretty well for me. I sometimes wish that I had bought the 1860 CCT with a 90 jet though.

[JStew]

I vote G3 too. Mine's the Eagle 175 w/ 90 yammy. It's got the front deck space of the Triton - but doesn't shed it's paint and is 200 lbs. lighter in hull weight. It's also rated for a 90 when most of the competition is rated for a 75. You also have great resale if you should want to move up to something else. If you want to fish creeks - it will fish super shallow, or take it to the river and run in the upper 40's.

[tcesni]

The Triton 17.5 ft. is rated for 125 hp ! And of course it loses weight as it ages from the paint falling off Fortunately, mine still has its paint intact.