Opinion on Aluminum (Tracker) vs Fiberglass in Wind

[whazup]

Of necessity (finances) I may have to go the aluminum route if I am ever going to own a bass boat. My major concern is handling in the wind. Is there a significant difference? Appreciate any input.

[split172]

I have not owned a "tracker" aluminum but have been in and owned another brand. My experience is it comes down to weight of boat and hull design.

Light weight boats (Aluminum) and flat bottoms are easier to move. Therefore wind will move you around easier than a heavier (Glass) boat.

I am sure the trackers will do what you want them to do... Get what you can afford and have fun with it. Maybe look into getting an older model glass boat. Look around awhile and you will find what you are looking for.

[Dan Pollard]

Here is the problem. Aluminum Boat because it is lighter will be affected by the wind a lot. It will be harder to maintain position with the trolling motor in the wind. If you do a lot of Delta fishing where there is a lot of wind, them rollers will some times scare the you know what out of you. The advantages are obvious, because there is less weight with a aluminum Boat, you will save gas money, and can purchase a boat for a lot less. You have to start some place, so get what you can afford, becareful where you use it Safety first. But most important enjoy yourself get out on the water. and go fishing. The fish do not know the difference.

[ASD]

it all comes down to how much you have to spend. I would rather have a $5,000 glass boat then a $5,000 tin boat but if you lony have $1500 bucks then I would buy a tin boat as a $1,500 glass boat would be "scrap"

[yjjustforme]

yeah there gonna be blown around a bit more than a glass boat but they still get the job done. if your concerned with the wind you can just rig up a 24v trolling motor with a higher lb thrust and do just fine. i have a tracker and it takes me anywhere a glass boat will. this is the boat i run with and it does everything i want and need out of it. i like to sturg and striper fish alot also and i cant do that with a full on bass boat so i needed something that i could do both with and i couldnt be happier.

[Kevin]

Good responses made by each guy previously. Yeah, you will blow around more than if you had a fiberglass boat but it's not bad enough where you will be at a disadvantage. You'll just be on the trolling motor a little more. My friend has an aluminum Tracker and I have a Ranger Z-20 and I love fishing out of that little tin machine. Don't overthink it and get the Tracker.

[jcruz]

I have a Triton 18-ft Aluminum boat with a 150 Yamaha. Its a great boat to tow, easy to store and runs all day on a tank of gas. The only downside is the high winds and running chop. But when the winds are blowing 20+ mph everybody -- even the big glass boats are running to find some relief. I agree, get a 24v volt 70+ lb thrust trolling motor and you will be in good shape.

[Marty]

My boat is an Aluminum boat, Tournament 18 by Tracker (not a Bass Tracker) deep-V and is 18 and half feet with one wide beam bigger than most glass boats. You are going to be blown around even with a 24 vote trolling motor. Add tide to that and it is hard to stay in one place when both come at you. If I had to do it over again I would go with a 36 vote trolling motor. At the same time if I head straight into the wide I can stay still in place with a 12 vote trolling motor but turn one way or the other forget about it, I have to turn on the big motor. But that is with winds over 15 - 20 MPH and you don’t get that many throughout the year (less than 25% of the time).

In those time you lean to deal with it by noticing what direction of the wind is coming from and fishing slough running the opposite direction and after while you learn those locations automatic. Then there are the time you have the wind at you back and the tide running into you and your standing still. Yes there are time I get piss off because I can’t stay on location in winds of 15 - 20 MPH but you learn to deal with it – by tying off or dropping anchor – I even thinking about a power pole one of this days.

But what is nice, I can get to places that a glass boat can’t or will not go. I run about 50 MPH and don’t use the amount of gas as a big glass boat. If I had to do it over again I would still go with an Aluminum boat but I will not lie to you – it is time now that I want one of those big sucking gas glass boats running about 70 MPH.

[Jonnysig]

I kidd you not that I was out in my aluminum bass tracker today in this crazy A$$ wind. Was it hard to stay put with 50mph gusts hell yea. But all my friends with big boats have the same problem. Keep your feet spread for balance and you will be ok. I was an idiot today and didnt listen to the weather and I was fishing fine this morning, nice weather, no problems then all hell broke loose. I havent been out on the water in that kind of wind ever. I stuck it out for a long while tho. I have a 16'5 tracker so i was worried. But I did ok. When the wind was blowing 25mph I could still fish pretty comfortably. When it gusted up to 50mph...it was over. I had to call it quits. I came out of the river arm and saw the main body and my jaw dropped. Needless to say i was the only one on the water and it was just me and my dog. Ive never ran a boat in wind like that so i told milo to hunker down and off we went. started slow and got wet, sped up and it got better, sped up some more and I couldnt believe it. I was fine. Not sure if its because I only go 35mph or what but it def wasnt as bad as when im going 50mph in the big boats. i was seriously shocked how well my tracker did in the main body heading back to the ramp. So just to let you know they are fine in the wind. But of course if I had the green I would have a big fiberglass boat instead, no question. Maybe one day...

[VangBass1]

Just my 3 cents.... First off, what kind of car/truck/suv and engine size (v6,v8) are you going to be using to tow the boat? Personally, I have a bass tracker. I bought the boat with consideration to my v6 Tacoma. Now, if you have the power to pull a fiberglass boat then you should consider it. I have buddies that use their v6 to pull 16-18ft fiberglass with not much issues. Again, put in consideration what your able to pull. Also, many people started fishing from small boats and work their way up in sizes. I would think everyone here would like a new z521 but you can't use it unless you're able to tow it. Sorry to go off topic! When you have tracker or any other smaller boat, you tend to always check the weather before you go the next day. If the winds are blowing 30-40 mph, i wouldnt be out there anyhow with a small boat.... Hope this helps....

[whazup]

Really appreciate all the help. Lots to think about. I currently have a 17.5 Crestliner runabout.(similar to the one pictured. Thanks yjjustforme) When I bought it I intended to use it for stripers, trout and bass. Have since evolved to strictly bass. Have dreamed of owning a glass bass boat, but with retirement, funds are a little tighter, so here I am. Vangbass1, I drive a GMC 3/4 ton diesel so towing power is not the problem. Again thanks.

[jiggin4bass]

Xpress boats make some nice aluminum bass boats

[Derrick]

I have owned a bass tracker for 11 years - pro team 180/60hp. This is my 6th bass boat the first 5 were fiberglass. I have made changes to it like bigger 24v trolling motor, new gas tank that is centered in the boat group 31 batteries- electronics and such. I paid $5500 for it in 2001. It has been the best boat I have every owned. Mantinace is cheap, gas is cheap- I rarely use more than 3-4 gallons of gas. I know I catch more fish than when I had the bigger boats with 150+hp because I dont run around anymore. As far as the wind I installed a comfort troll recessed trolling motor pan when they first came out standing flat working the trolling motor pedal I dont feel bothered by the wind at all.
Derrick

[TeamBeefmaster]

my first boat was a tracker pro 17 with a 60hp as well. i paid $3k for it, boy did i get my $$$$$$ worth. Yes, wind is an issue. However, u learn to deal with it with the use of a strong trollin motor (24VDC) and possibly a wind sock. I took that boat out in naaaaasty stuff on Lake Champlain, with 3 guys each at 200lb. No problems. Yes, we got soaked, but we never had any safety issues.

The biggest issue I would caution you with is my hull was from the early 90s- it was riveted. It leaked. I could never moor or tie up my boat without running the risk of it flooding. I bought and installed an automatic bilge pump, and just left it on whenever i fished. Throughout the day it would turn on and piss as needed.

if you can save a few bucks going aluminum, use that money to buy a good electronics system. you wont be disappointed.

[mrbassin0614]

it will blow around more but just like yjjustforme said you could put a 24v on there thats what i have on fine and shes gets the job done its a 75lb

[mrbassin0614]

And you save a lot more gas!!!!

[Rod Martin]

I had a 20 glass boat and am now down to a pondtoon boat. Get blown around more than a tracker BUT I have started throwing a beach towel out on about 5' of rope to slow the affects of wind. Glass boats by weight have more in the water and are harder to push around. By putting more in the water, a wind sock, add a whale tail to your motor, anything in the water creates drag that prevents the wind from having as much affect on your boat. it is done back east and up north a lot more than out in western waters