Aluminum or Glass

http://www.wareagleboats.com/dealer-locator

There is a Hewescraft dealer in International Falls and Lake Assault are made in Superior Wisconsin.

Boat prices will keep going up, I’m curious as to when the financing end of it will.

15,20,25,30yr??
What number is going to be that tipping point that banks finally say ,yeah, too much risk going on here.

New boats will simply not be for the common worker anymore. I’m fine with that. Everyone thinks they deserve new new new nowadays. Used ones catch fish just as good as any new one, and that’s all that matters.

Dutchboy wrote:

There is a Hewescraft dealer in International Falls and Lake Assault are made in Superior Wisconsin.

Ah yes. Lake Assult. I was trying to think of that one yesterday. If they were still in Ramsey I’d probably own one.

crappie55369 wrote:

May 29, 2017 at 7:35 am#1696459
im curious Grouse, where would a guy get a look at these quality east/west coast tin boats that you speak of? Is it feasible to get one in the state of MN without having to drive to timbucktoo?

I don’t know offhand of any dealers in MN. Take a look at their websites. I’ve never seen any of the mentioned brands at sports shows, but maybe there are dealers.

If you’ve ever been out to Oregon, Washington, Alaska, etc, then there are plenty of dealers with lots full of the quality brands.

Biggill is right. Think battleship, not Carribean cruise ship if you’re going to look at these brands. Don’t expect gunwale-to-gunwale shag carpeting, Corinthian leather seats, French door refrigerators, in-rail Margurita makers, and all the other bling-bling that we midwest guys love in boats. It’s all fish scale welds, non-skid, diamond plate, and duradeck. The appeal is in the durability.

Grouse

nhamm wrote:

Boat prices will keep going up, I’m curious as to when the financing end of it will.

15,20,25,30yr??
What number is going to be that tipping point that banks finally say ,yeah, too much risk going on here.

New boats will simply not be for the common worker anymore. I’m fine with that. Everyone thinks they deserve new new new nowadays. Used ones catch fish just as good as any new one, and that’s all that matters.

after having owned a new boat for the last 2 years I can tell ya that I will be going used for my next one and it will likely be a smaller, less feature rich boat. I bought new due to my financing options at the time not because I wanted all the bells and whistles but used is just fine and, along with new truck prices, I too am astonished and disappointed at the rising cost of a new boat

A guy works hard for their money. If they want to own a new boat in their lifetime I have no problem with that. I did it. Bought a new Ranger back in 1998. I’ve had several boats since then, some used and my Skeeter was a demo. (so basically new) I will never tell someone how to spend their money, raise their kids or what dog to buy. It’s everybody’s personal choice. I will say used boats can be had at a very good price, you just need to take your time looking. Most guys don’t put 40 hours a year on their boats. Like Crappie said the main reason people buy new is the financing options make it so easy vs buying used.

I bought my boat new 14 years ago when I was at my peak of my earning. At the time, I assumed it would be my life time boat. When I retired last year, I had an itch for a new to me boat but just put some face lift money into this boat and it should last me the rest of my boating life. I need to replace my electronics/sonar and I’m stroking out at the cost of fish finders these days. When I was young, we used to buy our boats for the cost of a finder/gps combo these days.

I think many of the boats in Alaska are hand built by their owners. I love some of those mid cabin boats with a front loading ramp for hauling 4’x8′ sheets and 4 wheelers.

http://www.specmar.com/aluminum-boat-plans/aluminum-landing-craft-workboats

There is a gap between the way people talk about fiberglass performance online and the way it handles in real life.

I have been in a couple top of the line Rangers. While I don’t deny it handled better I found the benefits to be largely overstated. I still got wet and I have never been more sore the next day. For me and the type of fishing I do a similar size aluminum is more than I would ever need. Plus I find the sparkle to be an eye sore and I like the layouts better in the aluminum brands.

I wemt from aluminum to glass and I’ll never go back.
Ride is much smoother !!!

Jonesy wrote:

There is a gap between the way people talk about fiberglass performance online and the way it handles in real life.

I have been in a couple top of the line Rangers. While I don’t deny it handled better I found the benefits to be largely overstated. I still got wet and I have never been more sore the next day. For me and the type of fishing I do a similar size aluminum is more than I would ever need. Plus I find the sparkle to be an eye sore and I like the layouts better in the aluminum brands.

Ya well that was a ranger

Bass_attack wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Black98TransAm wrote:</div>
There is a gap between the way people talk about fiberglass performance online and the way it handles in real life.

I have been in a couple top of the line Rangers. While I don’t deny it handled better I found the benefits to be largely overstated. I still got wet and I have never been more sore the next day. For me and the type of fishing I do a similar size aluminum is more than I would ever need. Plus I find the sparkle to be an eye sore and I like the layouts better in the aluminum brands.

Ya well that was a ranger

Lol yes it was. I’d love to get a ride in a skeeter sometime as they would be the first glass boat I would consider I have been in a newer triton but it was not in anything rough.