I would like some info about whatever IU need to know about a bigger boat that the 10" Jon Boat I currently own. Im looking for something entry level such as:

http://images02.olx.com/ui/1/27/48/12591948_1.jpg

or even:

http://media.trackermarinegroup.com/tracker/images/TPC175T0509_BMT_09_700.jpg

Just something basic,simple and something that has storage,a livewell,and some sort of deck to stand up and fish if so desired.Id also like to get a larger boat to explore all those parts of the lake im scared to go into with my 10' due to the wake the larger boats put off.

A larger boat for me is in order because my 10' only holds 2 people. When I go camping with family and friends,id like to take more than one person at a time out on the boat

Ive heard that on most "real" boats,for every hour you use it,it requires 5 hours of maintenance. Is this true?

Im also debating aluminum vs. Fiberglass. Which is better and why? My thoughts are that Aluminum is more durable and doesnt require as much care in the looks department. Are there other things that vary greatly?

Im wanting to make this purchase next year,but id like to gain as much knowledge as possible prior to the purchase. Im not looking for anything brand new, older is fine.

Another question is:

Im leaning towards an aluminum(unless someone convinces me that fiberglass is better)

Lets say I find an aluminum like the ones pictured above for $XXXX which is within my budget,but I also find a big name fiberglass boat  about 10 years older for lets say $1500-$2000 less,how do I weigh out which one is better? Is it a matter of preference?

I've never heard 1 hour of boat time = 5 hours of maintenance. Gosh dang, after an 8 hour tournament I'd have 40 hours of maintenance racked up. I think I'd run out of things to maintain!!  ;D

Aluminum bass boats are great if you just wanna upsize a little. They generally are smaller and have smaller motors than alot of glass boats. They get better gas mileage, their small size lets you navigate up a little further in those creeks, and they can take quite a beating. Of course you'll generally sacrifice speed, storage, and to a certain degree: stability.

I had a 91 Tracker 17' and while it was a good boat to get me out and about, I'm glad to be moving up to a a bigger glass boat.  8-)

What kind of price range are you lookin at?

My limit would probably be $7500,Figured in that price range I will probably have a good variety to choose from.-Although I could probably get financed for more by my bank,Im not wanting to go with a "skys the limit" attitude. Just something larger with some of the basic features mentioned above. If I could find something in the $2500-$3500 range is be a happy fisherman. The Tracker Crappie series seems like a good investment for what im looking for.

With $7500 the sky is the limit on a used aluminum boat. The hard part is going to be finding the one that you will be happy with.

Yeah alot of good, running, nice aluminum boats can be found under $5000. I'm in the $8k-$10k range at the moment. There's ALOT of good deals to be had in mid-late 90s glass boats right now. I'm just searchin for the one thats meant for me.  8-)

Worthy of a mention: you can buy a NEW bass tracker 16 ft. boat, motor, and trailer for $7999 right now.

Why not look into something like this:

http://www.g3boats.com/GatorToughJons/?m=1756CC#model

You haven't told us what type of water you fish. An aluminum flat bottom will be just fine for smaller waters but they beat you to death in waves of any size.

Given more detail and I'm sure you will get plenty of information. Going with used is a good idea since you can get a feel for what you want when you decide on a new boat.

got my first boat last year.... a 1997 17' aluminum Bass tracker....and unless the water is dead calm your always working the trolling motor...gets pushed around very easy....I'm glad to be on the water but its hard work and i cant wait to be able to upgrade to a heavier glass boat.

All depends on what you want out of the boat, waters you fish, etc.

I am looking to upgrade to a tracker 175 txw in the spring. I currently have a customized 1446 jon. I need something light, small enough to easily fit in my driveway, I want the lower maintenance of the aluminum hull.

I am giving up horsepower, being light is great for towing and maneuvering, as someone else mentioned it means I will be working the TM a lot (which i have gotten used to with my 1446).

No matter which way you go, you will have trade offs.

OH ill tell you,I know all about working the TM. my little 10' gets bullied(pushed around) by the wind ALOT!!

As for the water ill be fishing, Right now I go to a lake with an 8hp limit on it,suppose ill keep my 10' boat for that.

The other water I can fish near by is a 250 surface acre lake thats divided into an area where theres no wake and an area where the big boys(outboards) can go. No jet ski's or other PWC or Jet Boats are allowed on this lake. Waterskiers and tubers are fine though. Guess Id want a boat that could handle just about any body of water I choose to put it on. I may tow it along it on Vacation and decide to launch at a lake unknown to me in another state. I suppose for that kind of versatility,an aluminum would be best..No?

LOL I actually do all that with my 1446 jon. 8 hp OB on it. It wont win any races but it gets me where I need to do, shallower than most others, and I take it on Lake Wylie which is not a small lake by NC standards.

Not idea in Wylie when it is rough but it gets the job done.

I would say a fiberglass boat would be better! It will be a lot more stable in rough waters! Probably faster at getting you to your spots. Plus they look so COOL!!!!!!!!!!!!    8-)

Watch craigslists for boats, I have seen many great deals go through there. Especially with the economy, people are just getting rid of their boats at great prices and if you have the money to buy one than go for it.

Contact my brother (Randy) in Sierra Vista at 520 508-5008, tell him Keith said he might be able to get you a deal on a boat. They have them at auction in Pheonix and some go dirt cheap, he will probably only charge you a reasonable handling fee and save you a bunch on a boat. Five years ago he got my 1999 Javelin R20DC with a 225 Evinrude Ficht with only 125 hours, very nice, clean boat for $5,000 as a bank repo. That was a $12,000 - $15,000 boat at the time.

Contact my brother (Randy) in Sierra Vista at 520 508-5008, tell him Keith said he might be able to get you a deal on a boat. They have them at auction in Pheonix and some go dirt cheap, he will probably only charge you a reasonable handling fee and save you a bunch on a boat. Five years ago he got my 1999 Javelin R20DC with a 225 Evinrude Ficht with only 125 hours, very nice, clean boat for $5,000 as a bank repo. That was a $12,000 - $15,000 boat at the time.

Man, does he deal in FL!?! I am about to look for a bigger boat!

He deals in used cars, but one of the big auctions he goes to does boats also. I just mentioned him to Airborn angler because I noticed he lives very close to him. Sierra Vista is in Cochise County Az.

Airborn Angler,

A few things you need to think about when buying a bigger boat.

The bigger the boat, the bigger the tow vehicle. Also the bigger the motor, the more it's going to cost to feed it. In your case, that's going to add a lot to the cost of a trip since AZ in not exactly full of lakes.

Make sure none the lakes you plan to fish are not federal or have a two stroke ban, no two stroke motors allowed there, so you have to get a four stroke.

Your formula for maintenance is kinda out in left field, most people probably don't spend five hours a year on maintaining their boats.

Small aluminum boats with pedistal seats also suck. I'm basing that on my 15' Fisher, that I would make you one hellava deal on if you were close to GA. There's no such thing as sitting up straight with two people, any movement and you are leaning to one side or the other. I've never been in a 17' tin can but would have to assume they are a little more stable than a 15'.

I'm not an Aluminum boat fan, the only thing I think I would like about one they let you fish on a much smaller budget. They are cheaper to buy, cheaper to operate, lighter and cheaper to tow, and take a much smaller vehicle to two them. I hate the ride and lack of storage most have.

Hey WAY2SLOW,

Its a small world. I also live in Sierra Vista. Its a pretty small town(50,000 OR SO POPULATION),who knows maybe I know your brother,Ive been here since 1980 and have met all sorts of people. Ill get a hold of your brother,as of right now I cant say im ready to pull the trigger on anything. I can at least contact him to see if he can be on the look out for me. I appreciate the info ....ALOT!!!

I've been beating the boat the thing for some time now. Im on my second season with my 10ft JB, and its ok for me and my daughter, but toss 2 guys in there its a lil cramped n tippy.  

Ive had the the pleasure to fish with a fellow BR member quite a few times on his Tracker PT17 and its great.  Im hoping to grab something used next year, I fish alone alot but a bigger boat will allow me to bring a partner, and most of all my family.  My daughter loves to go with me, but gets a little restless in the 10ftr, I think she'll be better off if she can move a little more.   I think the tin boats are great. But I will say you gotta see this for the money.

http://www.stratosboats.com/modelIntro.cfm?mid=5561

He has been there since the late 70's.  He retired from the Army at Fort Huachuca (Heli pilot and maintenance chief), his wife just recently retired from a civil service job there.  I was in the AF and stationed at DM in Tucson in 80 - 82 as an instructor for the Ground Launched Cruise Missiles and used to make the trip to Fort Huachuca to spend a few weeks in the woods on training exercises every six weeks.   Needles to say, I am somewhat familiar with your neck of the woods.