This checks a few boxes for me.  Easily towed w my existing truck.  Fits in garage, good on fuel.. not that costly. 

 

a 15foot fully loaded bass boat. 
 

I hope to look at one in Japan (for kicks). 

I had a brief look at them (and some other similar tiny glass boats) when I was buying mine.  At the end of the day though, an aluminum is going to be a better choice for most.  They are lighter to tow and manage, usually cheaper, and have more options with better support after the fact.  The tiny glass boats are cool, but a decked aluminum will do all of the same things.

Start up a local dealership!

Tom

I'd sell just one.  hahha...  wife would be so ticked.

 

I’ve fished from small glass boats as well as aluminum.  If I were choosing one it would be the aluminum.

Glass boats with wider transom area are more stable platforms to fish from standing. The fact the boat is heavier per foot length and the bottom surface design also comes into play to add stability. Choices, weight of glass vs lighter weight plus durability of aluminum.

Tom

@WRB-2.0- except in this case I think the southers are lighter or equivalent compared to an equivalent decked aluminum boat.  Using the souther 450 and comparing to my own decked aluminum crestliner which is an all aluminum boat (no wood).  The Souther is 280 kg hull weight (616 lb).  My storm is 610 lb so basically identical.  I have a 75" beam, the souther has a 74.8" beam.  I'm exactly 16' long, the souther is 14.92 so let's call it 15' which visually looks like it has come from the rear deck with a same cockpit/front deck.  I top out at 50 hp, the souther at 60.  So dimension, weight, spec are practically identical.

 

The difference then will come down to material characteristics of glass vs aluminum and price.  The glass boat certainly looks cooler.  And I like the interior layout of it a little better than mine.  But they are not available in the US and I believe are $30k+ boat only whereas my aluminum boat only was $9k.  I would also be a little more leary of putting a glass boat in some of the places I've put my aluminum (shallow, rocks, trees).  

Do the Japanese have to contend with wake boats and pontoon boats blasting around the lake?

 

Maybe they do, but maybe it's not as bad as here because their culture has a higher degree of respect for others. There are a lot of lakes here (Lanier and Hartwell come to mind) that have no go zones for me on my kayak because I'm terrified to be out there in that traffic. I imagine it might be the same with boats like this.

 

Cool concept, but I'd be worried out there on our lakes.

Back in the 70’s most bass boats were under 17’5” and more narrow hulls, the bomber style boats with 65 ton85 hp OB’s. We fished big lakes with white caps and had to use common sense to make back to the marinas. 
Boats are bigger and faster today overall. Safety is an afterthought for recreational operators. Kayaks are hard to see on the water and you need to remind yourself that you are invisible to big fast wake boats and stay out of their way! I would add a strobe light pole if kayaking today!

The Souther would be safe if the operator uses common sense, same with Jon boaters.

Tom

I was looking at those around 20 years ago, but they were probably 12’ long. The front deck looked like a generic fiberglass bass boat, but ended in a bench seat and tiller outboards less than 40 hp. Looked pretty sweet but really a 1 person boat.

15 hours ago, Kayak Koz said:

Do the Japanese have to contend with wake boats and pontoon boats blasting around the lake?

 

Maybe they do, but maybe it's not as bad as here because their culture has a higher degree of respect for others. There are a lot of lakes here (Lanier and Hartwell come to mind) that have no go zones for me on my kayak because I'm terrified to be out there in that traffic. I imagine it might be the same with boats like this.

 

Cool concept, but I'd be worried out there on our lakes.

Hartwell has no go zones for me and I'm on a 19 foot fish and ski. lol I still however think Keowee gets rougher.

2 hours ago, IYAOYAS said:

Hartwell has no go zones for me and I'm on a 19 foot fish and ski. lol I still however think Keowee gets rougher.

I've been fishing Keowee a lot lately and thankfully I haven't had any problems. Then again, it's October and not June.

@detroit1- they have a 13' version like you describe.  Basically a short rear bench that has two hatches, tiller motor, and a front deck like a bassboat.  Neat little thing and if you fish alone all the time not a bad little option.  Only 400lb or so.

Thanks cbf, i wasn't sure of the length, or even if they were still making them.