Everything You Need to Know About the Best Aluminum Bass Boats – An Extensive Guide

I am a bass boater by profession and tend to be very picky about my watercraft. After spending years fishing bass with fiberglass boats, I decided to switch to an Aluminum bass boat this year. Asides from the fact that I’ve been fishing in rocky waters lately, several reasons made me switch. Here are a few reasons why switching to the best aluminum bass boats is a better option:

6 Reasons to Switch to Aluminum Boats

Aluminum boats are sturdy as any boat out there but perform a little extra than fiberglass boats, thanks to their shallow draft and tough body. Even the most severe hits to the best aluminum bass boats that form dents can be easily hammered out. Hence it is very durable and can handle little scraps and collisions here and there, so don’t lose your heart each time your boat takes a hit.

 

Aluminum boats have a big advantage in the floating department; where a regular boat would need decent depth to float, aluminum boats can float in just a few inches.

1. Aluminum bass boats and saltwater

Considering the best aluminum bass boats, they perform the same in salt waters as fiberglass boats. However, extra maintenance may be required if you regularly take your boat to saltwater. 

 

Saltwater is highly corrosive and can corrode any metal, including aluminum. Where other metals corrode quickly when exposed to saltwater, with aluminum, it can take a while before your boat starts to crumble.

 

Aluminum reacts with saltwater and forms a layer of aluminum oxide over the aluminum, saving it from further corrosion. Unfortunately, the layer of aluminum also eventually fades away, so with aluminum boats, it’s not “how” but “when” it starts rusting.

2. Choosing the best Aluminum bass boat

As with any boat, there are some factors you should look out for before buying the watercraft. It is recommended to rent a few best aluminum bass boats before cashing in on a particular model. 

 

Furthermore, it is advisable to buy the one that provides a more powerful outboard motor that can take tight corners with ease. Another feature to watch out for is a Livewell. There is nothing worse than catching a big-mouth bass fish and not having enough space to take it home in your Livewell. Finally, instability is out of the question with aluminum bass boats as they are very sturdy.

 

Just look out for the factors mentioned above, and we are sure you’ll find your best boat.

3. Aluminum bass boat and fuel efficiency

Aluminum is a light metal. It enables it to be the same size as fiberglass and at the same time weigh less than half of it. This statement holds when talking about boats. The best aluminum bass boats are approximately 45% lighter than their fiberglass counterparts. 

 

This makes them more fuel-efficient as the outboard or the trolling motor doesn’t need to push as hard to carry it through the water as it would do in boats made of fiberglass. The fuel economy doesn’t end there. Since the boat weighs half of the fiberglass variants, they may save you some fuel when transporting them to the jetty.

4. Storing Aluminum bass boats

Aluminum bass boats are easy to store too. Unlike boats made of fiberglass, the best aluminum bass boats don’t require a shade to store as they are practically immune to the sun’s harmful rays. 

 

Exposing fiberglass bass boats to direct sunlight is not a good idea. It degrades the boat’s core structure, lowering its longevity. To keep your boat’s outer surface shining, putting a tarp on when not in use is recommended to prevent the metal from reacting with air.

5. Cleaning Aluminum bass boats

Cleaning the best aluminum bass boats doesn’t involve any rocket science. It is as simple as picking up some soap, a sponge, and a hose. The cleaning process involves scrubbing off the remnants of your last fishing session. This makes maintaining the boat very easy and cheap as you won’t be paying for any professional help.

6. Aluminum bass boats vs. Fiberglass bass boats

Factors that may affect your choice are as follows:

 

• Cost: Even though the recent technological advancements have contributed to an increase in aluminum boat price, they remain less expensive than their fiberglass counterparts. They may also save you some money in the fuel department as they are more fuel-efficient.

 

• Durability: As with most metals, aluminum holds up very well against minor hits. After a few collisions, the hull may acquire a few dents here and there, which can be hammered out to perfection. Larger holes may require welding but are less expensive to repair than fiberglass watercraft.

 

• Longevity: Aluminum bass boats provide excellent longevity as compared to fiberglass. Aluminum is more durable and takes a lifetime to corrode than fiberglass boats which may degrade sooner than you expect.

 

• Easy Maintenance: Aluminum boats are easier and cheaper to maintain and rarely require professional help. In comparison, a fiberglass boat requires a professional for cleaning and repair. It is overall heavier on your budget compared to Aluminum boats.

 

• Resale: Since the Aluminum boat requires little maintenance, it remains in a better shape than fiberglass boats and provides excellent resale value in the long run.

 

Fiberglass boat has their pros too.

 

• Customizable: Fiberglass boats are highly customizable compared to boats made of aluminum. Since they are made from industrial material, hence they can be molded to any shape or size.

 

• More comfortable: Fiberglass boats provide greater comfort to their passengers than Aluminum boats. Who wants to fish on a hot metal surface in blazing summers, right?

 

• Greater Aesthetics: A fiberglass boat can be painted with all sorts of vibrant colors so you can really nail the aesthetics of your boat. Fiberglass boats don’t lose their glow as seen in aluminum boats, thus providing more aesthetic value.

 

• Longevity: As aluminum fails to stand against saltwater for a prolonged period, It is advisable for individuals who fish more at sea than freshwater to cash in on a good fiberglass boat.

 

• Weather: Aluminum is an excellent conductor of heat that makes aluminum boats a worse option to buy for those who live in extreme environments. At the same time, fishing in hot or cold weather, standing on the freezing cold or blazing hot metal surface would be an absolute nightmare.

 

Both boats have their pros and cons; hence we have arranged them all in a tabular format so you can make the final decision; Aluminum or fiberglass.

 

Pros:

Aluminum Bass Boat	Fiberglass Bass Boat
Low Price	Customizable; comes in all shapes and sizes
Easier to Maintain	Greater Aesthetics
Fuel Efficient	More comfortable
Great for shallow and rocky waters	Great for sea and salt waters
More Durable	Immunity against corrosion

 

Cons:

Aluminum Bass Boat	Fiberglass Bass Boat
Noisy against turbulent waters	Expensive to buy
Heats up on hot days	Expensive to maintain
Freezing cold on cold days	Gulps more fuel
Less stable in seawater	Poor resale value

 

The Final Word

There is no definitive answer as to which one is the ultimate champion; both have their uses in the fishing industry. Both watercraft excel in some departments and underperform in others. In the end, it all comes down to personal preference and the type of water you find yourself floating on. Aside from a few factors, both are more or less the same thing; pick your poison!