ALUMINUM vs FIBERGLASS in AK

[Capt George]

:help: Need some advice on this. Have owned both and used both extensively in the N/E & Mexico.

What is the big advantage in the N/W &/or Alaska? See many more aluminum hulls on the west side??

Will be living in Coffman Cove POW:yay: . I will be leaveing the boat dry-docked for 7 months of the year. Any benefit to Alum in that regard.

Any information will be helpful. Thanks!

Capt George:cheers:

[drhall99]

In my opinion, fiberglass is as good as aluminum as long as it's a Clackacraft or Lavro (Clackacraft being my favorite of the two). I've looked at many brands of glass boats and these are the only two that stand the test of time. There are LOTS of 20 year old Clackacrafts and Lavros. The other brands are only pretenders. Yes, I know that those are strong words but I've spent a considerable amount of time researching this subject and I stand by my words.

Advantages of fiberglass -
-superior at sliding through shallow water - glass boats don't stick to rocks and the bottom flexes (which is a good thing) to allow them to go where aluminum boats get stuck.

-easy to do basic repairs to. You can buy a fiberglass repair kit at k-mart to repair minor problems without having to hire a welder. This being said, you will likely not need to do this.

-No need to coat the bottom with Glovit or Coat-it. Simply flip the boat every three or four years and fill any of the minor gouges with a little gel coat and smooth with your thumb. (it's the bottom, no need to be perfect)

-will flex instead of dent. Some people will say that you could break the boat when you it but I seriously doubt that there are many people out there who have ever put a hole into a Clackacraft or Lavro.


Advantages of Aluminum -
More manufacturer choices - there are five or six manufacturers that make great boats including listed by rank of quality - Willie, Riverwolf, Alumaweld, Fishcraft and a few others. Riverwolf and Willie are worth serious consideration if you buy aluminum. They both make great boats and Riverwolf is the current innovation leader. There are a ton of Willie believers for a reason and I've looked over the Riverwolf plant and they are rock solid. I left North River off the list simply because I like to poke sticks at the guys that own them. They remind me of the guys that owned Trans-Ams, wore the gold chains and pants that were WAY too tight. You know the type :smirk: .

Easier to get repair work done - Most fishing towns in Alaska will have someone that can weld aluminum.

Better configuration choices. Willie will build it the way you want it. Purely custom with tons of options. Riverwolf too. North River only builds drift boats one way with no options to speak of. I can't speak for the other brands due to lack of personal knowledge.

Me - I own an 1989 16' X 54" Willie that I absolutely love (owned it for four years). I have no intention of ever replacing it with a newer boat because it is everything I want in a driftboat already. I was in the process of buying a new boat when a friend put this boat up for sale but I had spent a LOT of time researching the different manufacturers out there.

If something disasterous happened to my boat, I would look at replacing it with one of three brands - Willie, Clackacraft or Riverwolf.
These three manufacturers share the number one slot and are equals in quality and toughness.

[Chrome Bumper]

Aluminum is easier to repair and modify. Fiberglass often has trouble with saturated foam(trouble if it freezes) and rotted stingers and transom. The rot can be avoided if 100% wood free construction is used. Aluminum tends to be lighter. Fiberglass provides better insulation if you are getting a cabin model. Aluminum is scratch resistant(beachs easier) and fails more often by bending instead of fracturing(good if you are not near shore).

Weight is the biggest advantage of Aluminum.

[Capt George]

Thanks for the input.

Know anything about Duroboat? seen a few down Baja way...looks good
16 ft maximum on size though.....

got plenty of time to decide...leave for Coffman in late April/early May

[reeldick]

I think a lot depends on what you are going to do with the boat. Looks as though you may be chartering. The boats I've been on in Alaska tend to be fiberglass if they are docked when not in use. (Halibut charters out of Homer). When the boat is launched daily they tend to use more aluminum boats. (Halibut charters out of Deep Creek where they launch by tractor from the beach). River power boats are almost all aluminum.

[drhall99]

Just a quick response to couple of chromebumers comments. Clackacraft does not use any foam fillers and their 16' boat is almost exactly the same weight as a 16' aluminum Willie.

On the Duroboats - they look VERY durable but their configuration is fixed and not a very flexible fishing platform (I like to be able to remove the rowers seat when I'm trolling tidewater and lakes.)
I have talked to the sales rep several times and they seem solid.

[drhall99]

OK, I'm a little thick headed and apparently one track minded. I was thinking that you were looking for a drift boat. Sorry. My bad.

[Chrome Bumper]

Shallow rocky water favors aluminum/jet. Open water waves favor fiberglass/prop. I love my little FG livinston cat hull. Nice stable open water ride.

[big foot]

Pm sent to the Capt. welcome back

[Capt George]

man. it's good to be back!

I've been on quite a ride, most of it pretty heavy.......

thanks for all the info great site, greater people!!! cap'n g