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Fiberglass vs aluminum

F

firemen122

Member
I sold my boat to small for family. It was 12 ft aluminum with 350 gear dr polymer go anywhere boat. I want appr 14-16 ft boat capable of deepwater and the hill. I want to take my kids fishing and gigging, need to seat 5. Like carmotor and gearbox setup, any hulls to shy away from?Thinking 7 1/2- 8 ft wide for stability. Any suggestions??? Anybody have exp. with 500 caddy direct drives? Can not afford 35,000 new boats thinking used or have hull and cage built then finish.. thanks
 
When you say ,Seats 5 run the hill , deep water direct drive . Sort of dont go togather.They are some say dd cad will do that but . But I havent seen that . Gear box with a cad thats another story ! I like fiberglass I live on the tampa bay . So that kind of boat I use . I got a 16 ft kennedy now it freedom craft and a little lighter . Good boat . hill or deep. But need gear box and some cubes . Just my deal :D
 
fatboy0054 is telling you the truth,my dd caddy will run ground with 5
woud not even think about the hill with 5.by myself yes but depends on
if it looks like a hill or a mountain.i have a 15ft rivermaster and its a
heavy fiberglass,i would rather have a freedomcraft.but to get my caddy
to hit the ground like it does cost me more than a small block with a
gear reduction.if i had a lite alluminum boat i would try the hill with 3 or 4.
but if i had geardrive with 5 in my boat i would have no hesitation.
 
Let me rephrase I will be small block with gear drive, fiberglass or aluminum thats the question.. Give me pros and cons of each or are there.... thanks
 
Man that is like asking FORD or CHEVROLET for a truck. LOL

In my opinion for what it is worth.. Fiberglass you can fix the holes yourself Aluminum you can beat the dents out yourself

I like a free sliding hull which is what my Alumitech is .. however some people can't drive one. I have had a trailmaker, a combee, and a cottonmouth in the recent past I must say the trailmaker was a lot of fuin but the sides were a little low for a carmotor/gearbox setup.

I vote aluminum
 
I could just about build you a brand new boat for that price and still buy the all the parts from the differnt air boat shops.and mostlikely put one of waterthunders motors on it. thats turn key
 
If I were going to build one and had the money I would go with a 14.5x8 apache with one of thunders motors with a gearbox. The boat will float excellent and should go very well with the lightweight motor. I would think you could build it for 15K no problem.
 
Thanks for all the replys everyone. I am looking for a used boat if possible. If I do not find one My winter project should be fun........
 
I don't know as much about boats as most of the people who reply on this forum, but i own a 13 foot Apache with a 350 Lt4 with a 2.88 gear box an a three blade carbon fiber prop it has good sides and a transom back splash on it I run on the lake with it all the time and it will move over a wet lawn. I have a lame cylinder on the motor whick i suspect is a sticky valve and I have no problems with what I want to do with the boat. I have been reading all types of replies you can get all the help you need here with this group. :lol:
 
If you are serious I own a 15ft Apache with a 2 to1 belt drive, it has new rigging with a Sensenich 3 blade, I have a bran new G.M. crate 350 motor for it still in the crate, it comes complete with trailer. It was a buddy of mines boat he just never finished it. I was going to assemble it test it and sell it turn key for $16K if somebody is interested in it before I start on it I I will take $15 for it or I could also add some options or horsepower. So I have a complete Apache 15ft hull with everything turn key CRATE MOTOR, BELT DRIVE, SENSENICH 3 BLADE new polymer and trailer for 15K.
 
Hey thunder you were going to PM some pics of this boat before the motor was in it when you were selling without the motor. Could you still do that. Also if I am correct this would be an eight foot wide hull??? I don't think Ricky made one in 7 ft. Thanks
 
Waterthunder send me a little more info on the hull itself. Walkboards rodboxes polymer stainless seating etc. Tried to look up apache hulls no luck... Thanks..... I am fixing to get quotes from a few places on new hulls and price buying all myself and putting together Thanks for the help...
 
Fireman122,

I doubt you will find any info on the web aout the apache. Ricky Lightsey used to make them and has sold the mold to someone else. They are still being made. I personally think they are a great handling and running boat. If you want to get in touch with the builder let me know and I can give you his number. Goodluck either way. P.S. I did talk with the builder the other day about building me a new boat. Price is a little high for a fiberglass boat. (200.00 per ft for the 8 ft wide hull).
 
Well for whats its worth, I recommend Aluminum all the way. If you buy the right Aluminum Hull it can last you forever.
You don't have to worry about repairing holes, or what terrain you are going to run over. Also down the road your resale value of an aluminum hull will be greater. I also think it is more marketable.
Size would depend on many factors but I would request marine alloy 5086 marine alloy bottom and sides. Do some research on different hull designs to find the one that fits your needs the best. Good Luck,
Faron
 
Fireman,

Not trying to sound like promotion or anything but if you haven't been to
http://www.americanairboats.com just take a short tour over there.

On the front page go down to warrantee & follow to see what marine 5086 really means to Airboats. If what they do including the 45 caliber bullet test does not make you smile don't know what it would take :)

Gben
 
Well for what it is worth I prefer the aluminum hulls. Yes I have looked at the american airboat pretty hard, but I am like everyone else price is a strong factor. I have watched their used boats, but I think they are a little high. Looked at pricing for just hull on web site around 5,000. ouch
 
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