Everyone will have their opinion one way or the other for the most part. Best you can do is test drive both materials. Years ago (about 15) I worked for an outfitter with both aluminum boats and clackacrafts in their fleet. I've spent many hours rowing both. The only odd thing about a glass boat is you can sometimes feel a little floor flex as you go through small waves. Not a structural issue, just a different feeling as the rower if not used to it (and maybe Clackacraft has changed this since I last rowed one of their boats). For performance, I think hull design and dimensions is more important than material. I personally own an aluminum boat, but I would gladly use a Clackacraft if one fell in my lap. Both will last you more years than you can use them if taken care of. With that being said . . . go out and test drive and by the best that you can afford with regards to right size for you and features you want.

 

Good luck on the boat search, man! Just be sure and hold out for one that fits your needs. As for the aluminum vs glass debate, it's really just a personal preference. Do you like metal, or do you like glass boats. You can do research and get way more accurate info on this debate then from guys on here. I have a metal boat, simply because thats my preference. I have been in both glass and aluminum boats and both have pros and cons. It also matters how easily you are able to repair glass or aluminum boats. Like my signature says, i have an 18 x 60 willies, which is considered one of, if not the best metal db out there depending on opinions, and my buddy has an 18 x 60 clackamax, which again, is one of the best glass boats. Both will take abuse, both will run amazingly shallow ripples and tick off rocks, both are interchangeable to fishing situations, both row like a dream, both look bad to the bone, both have mucho room amd storage, both weight about the same (his glass boat is 87 lbs heavier.) So pick your poison. I like the aluminum look, thats why i own an aluminum boat. This probably didnt help answer ANY of your questions, and I'm sorry if i made the decision that much harder.

You all can now begin the GLASS vs. BEER CAN ROYAL RUMBLE!!!! :argue:

 

Ideally, I wish I had one of each. The Aluminum for winter and to use with a kicker when I need to. The Fiberglass one to use in low water conditions..

 

I love my Clackamax.

 

I love mine too. We can float any of the tribs and ran the Big C for fall chinook. I didn't care for the noisiness of the metal boats (kind of a clang versus a thud sound when bouncing off the rocks) and felt like the aluminum was colder in the winter.

 

Not against glass boats, but my aluminum DB is coming 30 years old next year and I still love it. Just wish it would turn into one of those 18X60 Willie boats sometimes... Go bigger than 16 or I think you would regret it...

 

Completely agree! My next DB will be an 18 x 60. I have a 16 x 54 and although it was a great DB for my first, I'm ready for something bigger.

 

I have a 1990 clack so they hold up very well too. Like someone posted - if you take care of them.

 

glass is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. much quieter at all times but harder to clean out. sometimes heavier. sticks less to the rocks unless your aluminum is coated.

buy a used one of either and beat it up as they are for hard use and not looks.

 

As others have said, metal versus glass is a preference. The one thing I will say and most will attest to, go a little larger. I purchased my 16 x 54 RB Drift boat and wish I had a 17 x 54 at a minimum and ideally a 17 x60, especially when fishing three people. One foot and 6" doesn't seem like much until you get two fat guys and me in the boat and the front seaters are drinking to stay warm...

 

Both make decent boats. Do you prefer hearing the thud of a hammer hitting wood or the bell like clang of hitting metal? The fun part is sitting near the river and listening to the church bells as the metal boats bounce off rocks. My drifter was wood - can't beat wood for a boat.

 

Forget fiberglass/aluminum dboats.. get ahead of the crowd.. look at BBW (Boulder Boat Works). half the weight/ quiet/ near indestructible.. I have fished out them numerous times in UT..Green R. smart guides who row 200+days years have switched to BBW last 8 years.. no brainer..