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SUBJECT: aluminum or fiberglass for a 16' bay skiff?????
Submitted by king cholula (66.180.98.180) from TEXAS on
Anyone care to enlighten me with some pro's & con's. Need something used & cheap.
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Salty Techsan (143.166.224.135) from TEXAS says what do you like to do???
do you plan on fishing exclusively in the bay??? or a little lake/river fishing too? If you fish exclusively in the bay, I'd probably go with a fiberglass skiff. You should be able to pick a little 16' Carolina Skiff for a good price, they'll ride a little smoother and will be much quieter if you like to drift... just my $.02 ST -
coachswanson (216.60.25.6) from TEXAS says What's best suited for you?
If you are bargain hunting for a boat, and you look at the pros and con of an aluminum rig for you, a 14-18ft AL. rigged with 25-50Hp will work great. There are normally are good bargains on them, especially in the winter.I have fished the Coastal Bend form POC to the Laguna Madre in an AL. rig for over 12 years. There are many advantages and few weaknesses.
First of all, for the money spent, you can fish with almost anywhere a glass boat can, and often more places. You'll save a bunch of cash on fuel for the boat and on hauling your rig to your launches. You can launch at underdeveloped spots, poorly maintained ramps, and even the surf when conditions are favorable, and small rivers and bayous are no problem. They are easier to clean and maintain, launch and load, and cheaper to insure.
The major limitation is travelling long distances on the water. A 30 minute run in a decent chop will seem long, rough, and wet. So, if your favorite spots are long hauls from your ramp, go with a heavier glass boat. If not, the AL. rig will get you across the deep spots and to your areas just fine to drift or wade. They will drift and pole easily in the skinny and water, and it's damn near impossible to get stuck.
just my .02, Tightlines, Coach
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Jimbo from TEXAS says You might try,,,
Your Majesty, "Hello", I would suggest, in the 16 foot size, to get the "widest" bottom as possible,,, it helps on shallow water draft and stability.With the aluminum, I would suggest a modified vee bow (not a flat bow),,,and in a 20 inch transom model.
With the fiberglass, I would suggest finding a light weight hull,,,and again in a 20 inch transom model. Enjoy with either one! With respect, Jimbo
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Lee (64.158.39.232) from TEXAS says Alum/glass????
I have owned a 16ft aluminum and also a 15ft fiberglass boat. The alum boat was great when I fished in places like xmas bay and other skinny- shallow water areas due to the fact that it only took 6inches of water to float that boat, however when I fished in the open bay and the water be- came choppy it was real tuff on the hull and frame ribbing (riveted vs welded constrc). Now the fiberglass boat 15ft is great as far as the chop inthe bay and that boat weighs 4X times the alum boat but I lost the ability to go very shallow, due to boat/motor wait+people+livewell+ full tank of gas and fish equipment. Also I recommend if you do go with alum or glass, purchase at least 17ft boat and glass well be a smoother ride in choppy conditions. If you go with alum find a heavy welded constructed boat because the chop will beat up an aluminum riveted boat real quick.Good luck LEE -
Sow Trout (209.44.205.199) from TEXAS says Carolina Skiff
Is the best way to go. After wearing out a 16 ft., wide aluminum boat, I replaced it with a Carolina Skiff. It rides much better and feels a lot safer. -
Sow Trout (209.44.205.199) from TEXAS says Carolina Skiff
Is the best way to go. After wearing out a 16 ft., wide aluminum boat, I replaced it with a Carolina Skiff. It rides much better and feels a lot safer. -
Gary Zoch (208.187.72.48) from TEXAS says Good thread, a couple of additional thoughts
Good feedback from folks that have obviously "experienced" the pro's and cons.Here are a couple of additional thoughts:
1.Attempt to get some Vee in any hull you purchase. This is the key factor in relative comfort, dryness and safety in rough water. Years ago I fished extensively in East Matagorda Bay in a buddy's 14' Vee hull aluminum with a 15 hp kicker. It was rough, wet, and loud. However it always got us there, even in some water that we would have rather not crossed.
2. If you are going to drift fish, a fiberglass rig will be quieter and I believe a more productive fishing platform. The quiet aspect can be improved with any rig by using drift-socks in rough water (stabilizes the boat).
3. Always buy the most boat (length, width, horsepower) you can possibly afford - you will not regret the investment. The way I have personally addressed this is by buying older and uglier rigs than I would have liked. Function and reliability should be the number one considerations. There are many 10-20+ year old outboards out there running great (do not skip having a trusted mechanic run a compression test). It's not preaty but, I have been running a '90 21 Std Hull Kenner for 7 years. I would love to get a new V hull but, at 30-40 days a year I belive I have another decade on this hull if I was forced to wait that long. (The reason I bought the 21 Std was a compromise - I wanted a reliable manufacturer, a 21' hull and there were no older model Vee hulls available in my desired fishing platform style which for me includes bass fishing and inshore (trout and reds), using bow mounted trolling motor, drift fishing, and wade fishing.
Good Luck to you in your new rig!
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charlieman23 (167.64.47.33) from TEXAS says skiff
have 17ft Carolina skiff for sale w/60 hp yami cheap miltonsalinas@spymac.com