Aluminum vs Fiberglass

**bassmasterffej** · 08-21-2017, 07:21 AM

I have an aluminum Xpress X21 powered by a G2 250 HO...I had a Ranger 520c also powered by a G2 250 HO...Both would run low to mid 70s depending upon load and conditions but the X21 is substantially lighter (nearly 300 lbs)...Is it just because of the design of the hull? Is glass more conducive for reaching higher speeds than aluminum? Can there anything be done to my X21 aluminum hull to make it faster?

**Da Bull** · 08-21-2017, 08:45 AM

Most all aluminum fishing boats have a depression just before the transom on the bottom caused from sliding over stumps. Heavy motor, thin skin. It creates a speed robbing a hook. Fiberglass boats don`t have this problem. Check you boat bottom.

DB

**XstreamVking** · 08-21-2017, 08:46 AM

Those xpress boats are one of the fastest aluminum boats you can get. Very good hulls, and light. Glass however, can be molded in more complex forms and will generally be faster than alum.

**bassmasterffej** · 08-21-2017, 09:23 AM

Crazy you say that...There is a good sized dent in mine about 2-3' from the transom...Caused from hitting a rock or stump by the previous owner...There is a small hook as I've checked it with a straight edge...What do you recommend to remedy this?

Do you think a flat thru hull transducer (P319) mounted on the bottom of the aluminum would cause much speed loss?

**Da Bull** · 08-22-2017, 05:56 AM

A metal shop could fashion some sort of brace inside the hull but then the same thing will happen somewhere else and you can`t put braces everywhere. You would end up with a very heavy boat. This is what the fiberglass boat builders say will keep them in business building boats.

Anything creating drag will cause a speed loss.

DB