Aluminum vs fiberglass hull

[waynepaul]

So I have heard fiberglass turns better but what are options of people that have driven both. If having a new boat built which way would you go? Boat will be run 90% of the time on Platte river in Ne
Pros
Cons

 

[AirHog]

Fiberglass is easier to fix. Aluminum is stronger and better for rocks.... but it will bend.

T6061 alloy hills can be welded so they are “fixable” if that is a word?

Had both.... Aluminum hull runs great ... better than my Old Laser glass hull.... which also ran great.

New hull is an Alumatech.... many good running aluminum hulls there. Polly is a must for rocks

Good Luck

AirHog

 

[Mossy Cypress]

Glass is easier to fix but will rot if left out in the elements. Glass had some give which made for a little smoother ride, aluminum i felt every ripple. I eventually got rid of the glass boat and chose aluminum with poly for the durability and longevity. I got tired of fiberglass cracking and having to rebuild tore up spots. More money for aluminum but cant buy peace of mind so to me it's worth the price. To each there own, JMO.

 

[NorthWestFloridaBoy]

When they make a mold for a fiberglass boat the designer can easily manipulate the shape of the bottom and chines. That's the main reason you hear a glass boat turns and handles better. Ive had a glass boat but my next one will be aluminum deckover if I had my wish. Up where you're at I'd put poly on the bottom no matter what you get. You'll probably be better off with a boat that has harder chine geometry than one of the round sided slider type hulls. You can cruise and carve the river bends like a regular boat more so than an airboat with round sides, you'll be sliding sideways around the curves and steering with the throttle like your on ice in a drift car.