I own a 1825 Lund Pro Guide now but I’m curious. I understand that a glass boat will be a smoother and drier ride than an aluminum boat of similar dimensions and layout. But can someone explain to me why? They are usually heavier. Is this the main reason? Or that they can do different things with hull design than they can do with aluminum?
Glass is a bit dryer and a bit nicer ride.
I sold my 17.5 ft Alumacraft tiller and bought a 17.5 ft Skeeter tiller years ago. Both boats were close in weight.
It is dryer. You’ll only get hit with 20 gallons of water instead of 35 gallons. You still need a rain suit.
Yes glass has a better ride.
If I were to choose again, I’d get the boat that has the best dry storage and interior layout. Probably lean towards aluminum because its easier to maintain.
fiberglass can be made to any shape you want. Metal has limitations.
But can someone explain to me why? They are usually heavier. Is this the main reason? Or that they can do different things with hull design than they can do with aluminum?
Why? For both of the reasons you list.
I can only speak to Aluminum, I recently upgraded my 175 Alumacraft Dominator sport to a new 205 Competitor 205 and the difference and ride quality is night and day. I know its still not a glass ride, but I have been in some pretty wicked stuff in the new 205 and I can honestly say I am pleasantly impressed with the ride of a 21′ class aluminum boat. I am positive that a 20-21′ glass boat would be even better, but at 20K plus price difference for me the cost wouldnt equal the difference in ride. That is just my humble opinion. Thanks
Regarding weight. Cheap aluminum boats are lighter because they have thinner gauge hulls when compared to a quality brand or custom aluminum boat.
I agree above about the ride and limitations on hull design.
I just upgraded from Aluminum to Glass – a 1700 Lund ProSPort to an 1850 Reata. The big difference is hull design and it’s been mentioned – glass can be shaped differently and the hull differences on the bow are extreme.
The glass hulls cut through waves better and they also push water out and away better. Part of this is weight but this is mainly design. It’s super apparent when you are between larger swells. When the bow of the glass boat comes down, it pushes water out and away. Aluminum won’t do it as effectively. We see it all the time of you are floating and a wake boat comes by….you stay dry in the glass boat. In the aluminum boat the bow won’t shed all the water and you get wet up front.
I will never own an aluminum boat again.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Red Eye wrote:</div>
But can someone explain to me why? They are usually heavier. Is this the main reason? Or that they can do different things with hull design than they can do with aluminum?Why? For both of the reasons you list.
Saying something is dryer and smoother because they are dryer and smoother doesn’t really give a explanation.
Thanks for the replies that actually give reasons as to “why?”
Not just the shape of a glass boat but also the material. I think glass will absorb some of the jarring compared to aluminum.
With that being said, If I owned a Lund 1825 Pro Guide, I wouldn’t sell it for a same sized glass tiller.
What koldfront said. The 1825 Pro Guide is a sweet boat. Someday when I am good enough to write a Best Sheepshead Set Up (w/Proof) post (I’m almost there), I’ll invest in one. Till then, I’ll get by with my little ole 1675 Pro guide.
Not only is fiberglass heavier while on the water, its obviously heavier on a trailer too so you’ll use more horse power towing it around.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Huntindave wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Red Eye wrote:</div>
But can someone explain to me why? They are usually heavier. Is this the main reason? Or that they can do different things with hull design than they can do with aluminum?Why? For both of the reasons you list.
Saying something is dryer and smoother because they are dryer and smoother doesn’t really give a explanation.
Thanks for the replies that actually give reasons as to “why?”
Huh? I said NOTHING about drier and smoother. YOUR reasons you list are: (A) heavier (B) they can do different things with hull design than they can do with aluminum. That pretty much sums it up, nothing more to explain.
I’m confused on what glass can do for hull design that aluminum can’t.
I bought my current boat (first boat I’ve owned) which is a Nitro bass boat. I love it. It’s not new but it’s in great shape and it rides and runs great. Heavy enough to not get pushed around by the wind and is plenty dry. Love it.
However, at the same time I bought the boat I got into river fishing and catfishing. I would love to be able to take my boat out on the Minnesota River and feel confident that a log or rock wouldn’t destroy my hull but with my glass boat I just don’t have that. Its the only reason I have in getting an aluminum hull (which I might still do with my next boat). Just my opinion and something to think about.
I have owned both and currently run a Tuffy fiberglass boat.
I think the “slapping effect” or what I call it when a boat comes down on waves is greatly minimized with fiberglass. Driving is still the biggest factor in boat ride, but there’s no doubt glass is smoother feeling in rough water. The most noticable difference for me has nothing to do with dry versus wet, rather how the boat tracks. Some of the aluminum boats with full windshields that ride fairly “tall” in the water can get blown around like a kite making trolling and overall boat control more challenging.
With all that said, my next boat might still be aluminum. I fish Pool 4 primarily and choose to not fight 15-20mph winds and waves often even if the boat can handle it. $$$ goes a lot further in aluminum boats than it does glass. When/If my family ever expands, I’ll be giving a 195 Tournament Pro and similar aluminum boats a hard look over other 19′ glass boats solely due to cost.
I’m confused on what glass can do for hull design that aluminum can’t.
Aluminum CAN be shaped into the same nice complex curves that one might see in a glass hull. Just look at the multi curved surfaces on the aluminum Ford pickups. It takes a lot of very expensive and large dies to form those lovely aluminum panels on the pick up truck.
However, it can’t be done at a price which is cost effective when dealing with the relatively low volume for boat sales. Because of this (excessive production costs), most aluminum boats are built with fewer compound curves than found on a glass hull. The glass hull can be more complex and made to be more hydrodynamic, at a lower production cost than the same exact hull shape out of aluminum.
Biggest damper to bending aluminum to some of the shapes they shoot fiberglass is, you have to rivet/weld it eventually and also build in breaks, for strength. An Aluminum boat “tin canning” would be returned immediately, a glass boat “flexing” is par for the course. I had an aluminum boat, with a full top & with sides, a very dry ride 
I bought my current boat (first boat I’ve owned) which is a Nitro bass boat. I love it. It’s not new but it’s in great shape and it rides and runs great. Heavy enough to not get pushed around by the wind and is plenty dry. Love it.
However, at the same time I bought the boat I got into river fishing and catfishing. I would love to be able to take my boat out on the Minnesota River and feel confident that a log or rock wouldn’t destroy my hull but with my glass boat I just don’t have that. Its the only reason I have in getting an aluminum hull (which I might still do with my next boat). Just my opinion and something to think about.
You’re not going to hurt that boat on the river. In either boat I’ve had I’ve never hit something big and done damage. Keep your eyes up and slow down bit but there is nothing to worry about. And, you’ll hurt an aluminum boat a lot worse if you hit a dead head.
Best way to stay dry is to stay on the coach.
I bought my current boat (first boat I’ve owned) which is a Nitro bass boat. I love it. It’s not new but it’s in great shape and it rides and runs great. Heavy enough to not get pushed around by the wind and is plenty dry. Love it.
However, at the same time I bought the boat I got into river fishing and catfishing. I would love to be able to take my boat out on the Minnesota River and feel confident that a log or rock wouldn’t destroy my hull but with my glass boat I just don’t have that. Its the only reason I have in getting an aluminum hull (which I might still do with my next boat). Just my opinion and something to think about.
I’ve heard this kind of thing said many times, but I don’t get it. If you were running 35 mph with a glass boat or an aluminum boat and hit the same log, you’re telling me that the aluminum boat isn’t going to sustain as much damage as the fiberglass boat? Help me understand. That makes no sense to me.
Overall, I find aluminum to scratch and dent easier, nothing was as easy to take care of than my white fiberglass hulls. But if I skid on rocks, river beds, etc… then it’s aluminum for me.
the heavier the boat, the better it takes waves. however the heavier the boat, the more effort it is for your truck to pull and stop your rig. tin boats look and feel right for me so that is where my opinion is at.
Sorry Huntindave I misunderstood your first response.
As for the Pro Guide, she aint going anywhere, love it. I was just curious if there were any other main reasons then what I had originally thought.
Thanks for all the responses.
. $$$ goes a lot further in aluminum boats than it does glass. When/If my family ever expands, I’ll be giving a 195 Tournament Pro and similar aluminum boats a hard look over other 19′ glass boats solely due to cost.
Up front it may cost more but down the road fiberglass boats hold value really well. 15 year old glass boats are still in high demand. I’ve never heard anyone say boy I’m glad I upgraded to an aluminum boat from a fiberglass boat.
My glass boat is worth more than what I paid for it 4 years ago. My friend bought a 620 in 03 and sold it in 07 for what he paid for it. He would get more for it now then when he sold it.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mahtofire14 wrote:</div>
I bought my current boat (first boat I’ve owned) which is a Nitro bass boat. I love it. It’s not new but it’s in great shape and it rides and runs great. Heavy enough to not get pushed around by the wind and is plenty dry. Love it.However, at the same time I bought the boat I got into river fishing and catfishing. I would love to be able to take my boat out on the Minnesota River and feel confident that a log or rock wouldn’t destroy my hull but with my glass boat I just don’t have that. Its the only reason I have in getting an aluminum hull (which I might still do with my next boat). Just my opinion and something to think about.
I’ve heard this kind of thing said many times, but I don’t get it. If you were running 35 mph with a glass boat or an aluminum boat and hit the same log, you’re telling me that the aluminum boat isn’t going to sustain as much damage as the fiberglass boat? Help me understand. That makes no sense to me.
Wouldn’t aluminum have a much better chance of denting and the glass puncturing?
How often do you guys hit logs and rocks? I’ve been boating for 36 years and have yet to hit anything with the boat. I have hit a few things with a prop and a skeg, but never the boat. In my experience with both aluminum and glass boats. I have owned an old tri-hull glass boat, a 1999 proV 1775, 2005 2025 proV, a 2006 621 ranger, a 2009 stratos 385, and a 2014 621. For me there is no comparison between the ride of the lunds and rangers. In fact I would say the 18.5′ stratos was a smoother drier ride than the 2025 Lund. If you prefer aluminum buy aluminum. If you prefer glass buy glass. If you are trying to decide go for a ride in both and make your decision on that. Better to research and not regret your purchase later.
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishinfreaks wrote:</div>
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mahtofire14 wrote:</div>
I bought my current boat (first boat I’ve owned) which is a Nitro bass boat. I love it. It’s not new but it’s in great shape and it rides and runs great. Heavy enough to not get pushed around by the wind and is plenty dry. Love it.However, at the same time I bought the boat I got into river fishing and catfishing. I would love to be able to take my boat out on the Minnesota River and feel confident that a log or rock wouldn’t destroy my hull but with my glass boat I just don’t have that. Its the only reason I have in getting an aluminum hull (which I might still do with my next boat). Just my opinion and something to think about.
I’ve heard this kind of thing said many times, but I don’t get it. If you were running 35 mph with a glass boat or an aluminum boat and hit the same log, you’re telling me that the aluminum boat isn’t going to sustain as much damage as the fiberglass boat? Help me understand. That makes no sense to me.
Wouldn’t aluminum have a much better chance of denting and the glass puncturing?
Not to my understanding. The aluminum isn’t so thick that it won’t puncture. And I agree with the last poster. I’ve never hit anything in my 24 years of boating. And I carry insurance for the occasion that I do hit something. I buy for the ride.
I also pull up on rocky shores with my fiberglass boat (rocky, not boulders). That’s why I bought a keel shield. Never had an issue with damaging the hull.
How often do you guys hit logs and rocks?
On the mn river constantly. Everywhere else never. Mahtofire I would say you need 2 boats.
I have been in an older ranger glass bass boat on the mn and my buddy thumped logs at speed and I could never find any damage.
I own a 1825 Lund Pro Guide now but I’m curious. I understand that a glass boat will be a smoother and drier ride than an aluminum boat of similar dimensions and layout. But can someone explain to me why? They are usually heavier. Is this the main reason? Or that they can do different things with hull design than they can do with aluminum?
Glass being heavier than Tin is non old wives tale. Technology has eliminated any difference in weight. I will give you an example of a direct comparison of similar model boats.
A ranger 620 is listed as 2400 lbs on the Ranger Website, The Lund 2075 pro V is listed as 2150 pounds. So Ranger is 250 heavier right? Wrong.
The Ranger includes standard features that are all additions to the Lund weight. Bow Mount trolling motor (80lb Terrova 60″) and batteries (3-29 class) easily balance off any weight difference between the two boats. But start adding the Sonars, Battery charger and the scale tips (Pun intended) to the TIN side as being slightly heavier, maybe by over 100 lbs heavier.
The ride quality is solely a result of a hull bottom that is designed to cut waves and turn the water/Spray Downward. Not to be overlooked those same contoured surfaces greatly reduce drift when compared too Tin. Cant tell you how many times I have been on a drift without a sock out, look over to see a comparable sized tin boat WITH a bag out drifting by me like I was standing still. Boat control while fishing is often overlooked but is another factor that should not be overlooked when making a decision between the two.
All you have to do is go out on the lake in a chop, sit back and watch a glass boat take on the waves and a tin. Spray from a glass boat is usually about 5-6” behind the driver and directed down at the water surface. You will see Tin spray directed upward and is often equal or just slightly behind the console to the windshield. Lower powered tin spray is almost always ahead of the console.
I have owned both, I was so impressed with my first glass I have not gone back. Wont even get into the waterproof storage in every compartment in the boat, so awesome.
PS if we are talking tillers, get a rain jacket almost all are wet. 
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>mojogunter wrote:</div>
How often do you guys hit logs and rocks?On the mn river constantly. Everywhere else never. Mahtofire I would say you need 2 boats.
I have been in an older ranger glass <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>bass boat on the mn and my buddy thumped logs at speed and I could never find any damage.
Yup, I also just seem to hit $hit on the river as well. Consider myself pretty vigilant with good eyesight as well, things just go clunk more often.
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