Bass Boat (Welded vs. Fiberglass)

userkofa · 03-19-09, 07:27 PM

Ok, I've been a shore fisherman since the age of 7....recently I've been seeing a noticing a lot of these little Nitro boats on the water zinging across like nobody's business - they have a nice appeal to them. At the same time however, the welded versions seem to be cheaper. In general I'm talking about Nitro fiberglass and welded Trackers....

I would like to know the advantages of one over the other. Now, I have done some research and understand a big difference is repairing dings/holes in the hull.....but what do the boat owners themselves say about their pride and joy?

zooker · 03-19-09, 07:40 PM

i would avoid the glass nitro's like the plauge-explained below-..

the tin boats are not half bad..storage is decent i know i recently looked at trackers.. the problem is i fish a frikkin mud hole. the trackers are bare aluminum and the mud gets on it you can't get it off. and the size of the boat i am looking at it felt cramped in the bow,as did the xpress boat..

as for the new nitro's i would not own one if ya gave it to me..try this take a flash light i used a 3 cell maglight, turn it on place it in the rear storage compartment and shut the hatch.. you can see the light shinning thru the hull..yep just THAT thin..NO THANKS....

i am leanig big time toward a g3 as my next ride but this is strickly my opinion.. if you want glass i would try a stratos 176tx -get the biggest moter-

zooker

rangerryan · 03-19-09, 07:43 PM

if you saw what i saw last weekend you wouldnt even consider a Nitro. the water temp was about 45 degrees when the guy was standing on the back seat of his boat with the water at his knees.

MIbasser · 03-19-09, 08:25 PM

Looked at the nitro and went with a Triton. Couldn't be happier. One thing that really turned me off is service. If you buy from a BPS I heard it can be a pain in the rear to deal with them.

My .02

Nitro 640 · 03-19-09, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zooker

i would avoid the glass nitro's like the plauge-explained below-..
as for the new nitro's i would not own one if ya gave it to me..try this take a flash light i used a 3 cell maglight, turn it on place it in the rear storage compartment and shut the hatch.. you can see the light shinning thru the hull..yep just THAT thin..NO THANKS....

zooker

Well I have a Nitro 640. Yes it's the smallest one of the glass boats.
I like it. Yes I like it. I can fit all my rods in the compartment. Does lack some space due to being only 16 foot long. As about the flashlight thing I will try it and let you know but dont think so. Well not for my 2000.

Also biggest motor you can get. 60hp on mine but wish it was the max which is a 90 for the model.

rangerryan · 03-19-09, 09:11 PM

be careful nitro. i know for a fact that they can be sunk.

Nitro 640 · 03-19-09, 09:11 PM

Forgot to say the advantage over tin for a glass in a wider boat, deck to fish off. Also all glass guys know the fish like the paint job! LOL calls them in. LOL

Nitro 640 · 03-19-09, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerryan

be careful nitro. i know for a fact that they can be sunk.

I can sink any boat. Just give me it for a day. Not saying there the best but not as bad as people say. They are a starter boat or midgrade but not
a POS.

1FASTLASER · 03-20-09, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerryan

be careful nitro. i know for a fact that they can be sunk.

Nothing for nothing so can a ranger or a stratos or a bullet or even an allison.

ally260 · 03-21-09, 09:44 AM

Only problem I've seen in tha tin boats is a bump or ding in tha wrong place on tha bottom all your "set up" goes ta squat. All of sudden your pushin' water and no lift on tha boat. JMO.........T

userkofa · 03-21-09, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitro 640

Forgot to say the advantage over tin for a glass in a wider boat, deck to fish off. Also all glass guys know the fish like the paint job! LOL calls them in. LOL

Ya thats one thing I do like is the wider deck for fishing...they are visually very appealing

userkofa · 03-21-09, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitro 640

I can sink any boat. Just give me it for a day. Not saying there the best but not as bad as people say. They are a starter boat or midgrade but not
a POS.

I am by no means a pro, but would like a boat that will last me way beyond the loan payoff date.....

userkofa · 03-21-09, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nitro 640

Well I have a Nitro 640. Yes it's the smallest one of the glass boats.
I like it. Yes I like it. I can fit all my rods in the compartment. Does lack some space due to being only 16 foot long. As about the flashlight thing I will try it and let you know but dont think so. Well not for my 2000.

Also biggest motor you can get. 60hp on mine but wish it was the max which is a 90 for the model.

What speeds are you hitting with a 60hp motor.................

rangerryan · 03-22-09, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1FASTLASER

Nothing for nothing so can a ranger or a stratos or a bullet or even an allison.

cant sink a ranger it is impossible you can cut the nose off of one and drive it to the boat ramp. but the hulls of some boats are so thin that you can see light through them.

Flippy · 03-22-09, 05:33 PM

it depends on what kind of waters u plan to fish if mostly rocky id go welded if mostly clear id go fiberglass i have a 16 ft fiber with a 70 only pushing 35 mph

Nitro 640 · 03-23-09, 02:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by userkofa

What speeds are you hitting with a 60hp motor.................

I was hitting 35mph on gps the first time I took it out. Put a 4 blade prop on now but haven't gps it. Thinking the same but better hole shot.

Nitro 640 · 03-23-09, 02:10 AM

userkofa,
Have you looked on your local craigslist? You can get alot of boat for your money.
Lot of people are selling them to make up for loss or lack of income.

Captmikestarrett · 03-24-09, 09:34 PM

I have both.. The double welded Lowes roughneck is 16.5 feet short and has a 50/35 Honda jet converted. It can jump trees and run aground on a missed turn. 9 years old and has never leaked.

I had a Gambler 21 feet glass boat that was totally bullet proof and did that for 12 years of brutal trips.

I have a Mako now that will most likely bust apart before it is paid off. Bought from BPS and since I am a guide they give me prefered service over a standard customer.

So it really comes down to application and the best bang for the buck.

I wanted a Pathfinder at 65K and went for a Mako at 34K

My selection was as follows:
Pathfinder 65K
Ranger Bay 59K
Triton SW 49K
Mako 34K

The Mako is nice but I am sure my daily runs will kill it for sure.

River with rocks go tin
lake bay or tidal river go glass.

Capt Mike

lowrider · 03-24-09, 09:52 PM

i fish small lakes and rivers. no rocks, in my part of the world but i do get in skinny places and have to deal with stickups and alot of cypress knees, especially in old river oxbows. my 18 ft g3 tin boat does great. it's narrow enough to get between the trees but the deck layout is big enough for 2 people to work off of.

zooker · 03-25-09, 04:52 PM

umm captain just so you'll know yamaha bought out the lowe boat company and they are now g3...

one thing i know for a FACT g3 boats are 100% hand welded..my self and 1fastlaser spoke of this fact recently..ask anyone who welds for a living.. there is a big differance between hand welding and robotic welding..

zooker

doc · 03-25-09, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowrider

i fish small lakes and rivers. no rocks, in my part of the world but i do get in skinny places and have to deal with stickups and alot of cypress knees, especially in old river oxbows. my 18 ft g3 tin boat does great. it's narrow enough to get between the trees but the deck layout is big enough for 2 people to work off of.

will also float tourney loaded 2 people 7 inches of water

mazz · 04-05-09, 06:45 PM

I have a G3 Eagle 165 with a Yamaha 40 on it. I love the boat, very good for fishing. Last time out I got it going just under 35mph with with myself and an other guy, it moves right along.

nofearengineer · 04-10-09, 09:23 AM

You might try looking for a used Tracker Avalanche like I just got. It's all aluminum, but looks like fiberglass. They're recently discontinued, but there are some good used deals out there.

bingham · 04-11-09, 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rangerryan

cant sink a ranger it is impossible you can cut the nose off of one and drive it to the boat ramp. but the hulls of some boats are so thin that you can see light through them.

i like to hear that! wouldnt mind changin my name to rangercodey rolls off the tongue nice

03-19-09, 07:27 PM	#1
userkofa BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: DC Posts: 5	Bass Boat (Welded vs. Fiberglass) Ok, I've been a shore fisherman since the age of 7....recently I've been seeing a noticing a lot of these little Nitro boats on the water zinging across like nobody's business - they have a nice appeal to them. At the same time however, the welded versions seem to be cheaper. In general I'm talking about Nitro fiberglass and welded Trackers.... I would like to know the advantages of one over the other. Now, I have done some research and understand a big difference is repairing dings/holes in the hull.....but what do the boat owners themselves say about their pride and joy?

03-19-09, 07:40 PM	#2
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	i would avoid the glass nitro's like the plauge-explained below-.. the tin boats are not half bad..storage is decent i know i recently looked at trackers.. the problem is i fish a frikkin mud hole. the trackers are bare aluminum and the mud gets on it you can't get it off. and the size of the boat i am looking at it felt cramped in the bow,as did the xpress boat.. as for the new nitro's i would not own one if ya gave it to me..try this take a flash light i used a 3 cell maglight, turn it on place it in the rear storage compartment and shut the hatch.. you can see the light shinning thru the hull..yep just THAT thin..NO THANKS.... i am leanig big time toward a g3 as my next ride but this is strickly my opinion.. if you want glass i would try a stratos 176tx -get the biggest moter- zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

03-22-09, 05:33 PM	#15
Flippy BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Lancaster, South Carolina Posts: 96	it depends on what kind of waters u plan to fish if mostly rocky id go welded if mostly clear id go fiberglass i have a 16 ft fiber with a 70 only pushing 35 mph __________________ The B.S. Stops When Tha Trollin Motor Drops

03-24-09, 09:34 PM	#18
Captmikestarrett BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2006 Location: Accokeek MD Posts: 3,315	I have both.. The double welded Lowes roughneck is 16.5 feet short and has a 50/35 Honda jet converted. It can jump trees and run aground on a missed turn. 9 years old and has never leaked. I had a Gambler 21 feet glass boat that was totally bullet proof and did that for 12 years of brutal trips. I have a Mako now that will most likely bust apart before it is paid off. Bought from BPS and since I am a guide they give me prefered service over a standard customer. So it really comes down to application and the best bang for the buck. I wanted a Pathfinder at 65K and went for a Mako at 34K My selection was as follows: Pathfinder 65K Ranger Bay 59K Triton SW 49K Mako 34K The Mako is nice but I am sure my daily runs will kill it for sure. River with rocks go tin lake bay or tidal river go glass. Capt Mike __________________ Capt Mike Starrett light tackle guide Potomac River http://www.indianheadcharters.com

03-25-09, 04:52 PM	#20
zooker BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: denton nc Posts: 13,441	umm captain just so you'll know yamaha bought out the lowe boat company and they are now g3... one thing i know for a FACT g3 boats are 100% hand welded..my self and 1fastlaser spoke of this fact recently..ask anyone who welds for a living.. there is a big differance between hand welding and robotic welding.. zooker __________________ the godfather.. aml in remission since 7-20-09

03-19-09, 07:43 PM	#3
rangerryan BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ponca City, ok Posts: 432	if you saw what i saw last weekend you wouldnt even consider a Nitro. the water temp was about 45 degrees when the guy was standing on the back seat of his boat with the water at his knees.

03-19-09, 08:25 PM	#4
MIbasser BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Okemos, MI Posts: 1,447	Looked at the nitro and went with a Triton. Couldn't be happier. One thing that really turned me off is service. If you buy from a BPS I heard it can be a pain in the rear to deal with them. My .02

03-19-09, 09:11 PM	#6
rangerryan BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Ponca City, ok Posts: 432	be careful nitro. i know for a fact that they can be sunk.

03-19-09, 09:11 PM	#7
Nitro 640 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 253	Forgot to say the advantage over tin for a glass in a wider boat, deck to fish off. Also all glass guys know the fish like the paint job! LOL calls them in. LOL

03-21-09, 09:44 AM	#10
ally260 BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ft. Worth, Tx Posts: 97	Only problem I've seen in tha tin boats is a bump or ding in tha wrong place on tha bottom all your "set up" goes ta squat. All of sudden your pushin' water and no lift on tha boat. JMO.........T

03-23-09, 02:10 AM	#17
Nitro 640 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Caledonia, MI Posts: 253	userkofa, Have you looked on your local craigslist? You can get alot of boat for your money. Lot of people are selling them to make up for loss or lack of income.

03-24-09, 09:52 PM	#19
lowrider BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: South Arkansas Posts: 937	i fish small lakes and rivers. no rocks, in my part of the world but i do get in skinny places and have to deal with stickups and alot of cypress knees, especially in old river oxbows. my 18 ft g3 tin boat does great. it's narrow enough to get between the trees but the deck layout is big enough for 2 people to work off of.

04-05-09, 06:45 PM	#22
mazz BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 6	I have a G3 Eagle 165 with a Yamaha 40 on it. I love the boat, very good for fishing. Last time out I got it going just under 35mph with with myself and an other guy, it moves right along.

04-10-09, 09:23 AM	#23
nofearengineer BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Southwest IN Posts: 5,630	You might try looking for a used Tracker Avalanche like I just got. It's all aluminum, but looks like fiberglass. They're recently discontinued, but there are some good used deals out there.

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