Back

Aluminum versus Fiberglass Bay Boats: What’s the Difference?

Sep. 26 2023 Comparison By L&M Marine LLC

Share

When you’re deciding between buying an aluminum or a fiberglass bay boat it’s important to know the difference between the two. L&M Marine and Day Break Marina offer both types of boats and customer education and satisfaction are our priority. Here are the differences between aluminum and fiberglass bay boats so you can make the best, most informed decision possible.

These are the key factors we’ll compare between the two types of boats: 

  • Cost

  • Maintenance

  • Intended Use

  • Performance

  • Durability

  • Customization

  • Tow Vehicle

  • Availability

Definition of a Bay Boat

You might be wondering, what exactly is a bay boat and how is it different than other types of boats? ‘Bay boat’ refers to the style of the boat, its low gunwale, shallow draft and wide and flat bottom are built for more shallow water and is capable of maneuvering through 1–3-foot seas. Bay boats typically feature a front or rear casting deck, a center console, four live wells and two jump seats. Bay boats are more versatile than offshore boats as they enable you to easily maneuver through both fresh and saltwater. A bay boat can be easily operated by just one person but can be big enough to bring friends and family aboard. 

Is an Aluminum or Fiberglass Bay Boat Better for Me? 

Both aluminum and fiberglass bay boats could last forever. Aluminum bay boats weigh less than fiberglass and both are easily customizable. As far as initial cost goes, aluminum bay boats are generally cheaper. Fiberglass bay boats are more of a commitment since they require more maintenance. Where, how, and when you plan to use your boat plays a vital role in deciding between the two.

Aluminum bay boats have the same characteristics as fiberglass bay boats but the builds are different. Fiberglass bay boats have a V-shaped deadrise hull while most aluminum bay boats have a modified B platform, step hull, or a padded hull which naturally creates a lift and maximizes the ride quality. The evolution of bay boats in the last 20-25 years has made them comparable to fiberglass bay boats. 

Average Cost: Aluminum Bay Boats vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

Aluminum bay boats are cheaper by a long shot and are easier to maintain than fiberglass. For what it would cost you to buy a 20-foot fiberglass boat you could get a 22-foot aluminum boat for the same price. You could potentially spend more on things such as the motor on a fiberglass boat as they’re heavier and require more power to reach the same speed as an aluminum boat of the same size. The initial cost of aluminum bay boats is cheaper, as well as the gas, than fiberglass bay boats due to the weight.

Here's a cost comparison between the two types of boats of the same size at L&M Marine and Day Break Marina: 

On average there’s a $10,000 to 15,000 difference between the cost of fiberglass bay boats and aluminum bay boats.

The cost of materials such as aluminum and fiberglass as well as the customizations and labor costs all affect the overall cost. The construction of fiberglass is much more labor intensive than aluminum and requires more steps and therefore costs more. An aluminum bay boat, such as an Xpress H20 Bay, can be built in just a day to day and a half (without the foam). In comparison, when a fiberglass bay boat’s build first begins, such as a Blazer Bay 220, it can sit in a mold for two weeks before it begins to get cured. 

There’s only one way to build an aluminum boat – cut the pieces and weld them together, while there are a lot of different ways to build a fiberglass boat from vacuum infusion to hand-laying, to using a chopper gun, just to name a few. 

Maintenance Required: Aluminum Bay Boats vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

It’s more of a commitment to own a fiberglass bay boat since they do require more maintenance than aluminum bay boats. Fiberglass bay boats tend to stain and hold a scum line within the gel coat. Maintenance including waxing and buffing is required on fiberglass boats while all the maintenance on aluminum bay boats really needs is a good rinse. Fiberglass is more costly to fix than aluminum, but the tradeoff is that fiberglass can (in most cases) be fixed while with aluminum, depending on the damage, the boat may have to be sent to the manufacturer or it may not be possible to fix. If you scratched your boat, it’s easier to paint aluminum versus fiberglass which will more than likely require a professional but there are more shops readily available to fix fiberglass boats.

How you store your boat also impacts how much maintenance it requires. It’s good practice to cover either boat (and regularly maintain them) to ensure longevity. Although waxing is recommended for both, it’s especially necessary for fiberglass bay boats. It all starts at the beginning with your dealership doing their due diligence, but then it requires some action on your part to truly maintain your boat, whether it’s an aluminum bay boat or a fiberglass bay boat.

Intended Use: How It Impacts Your Decision Between An Aluminum or Fiberglass Bay Boat

Versatile is a great way to describe a bay boat as it’s able to handle both shallow and deeper water. Your intended use is the predominant factor in deciding between aluminum or fiberglass bay boats. The primary use of the boat is a crucial factor in your decision, choose the boat that best suits where you like to go and what you like to do 70% of the time. A local family has purchased both an aluminum bay boat as well as a fiberglass bay boat from us, both for different purposes. If you’re looking for one boat to do everything, fiberglass may be a better option. The dynamic of the waves and the way they break changes the type of boat that you’re going to use. 

Are the areas you like to frequent made up of shallow or deep water? Aluminum bay boats are more well equipped for shallow water and fiberglass bay boats are built to handle deeper water. Do you like to cruise rivers? Then an aluminum bay boat would be the best option. Do you enjoy water activities? Then fiberglass would be the best option. Defining how you use a boat is the first step in the decision-making process between deciding between the two, and then finding the best boat for that is the next step.

Performance Comparison: Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

Weight is a big factor in ride quality and performance, aluminum bay boats are foam-filled to create more buoyancy, have less power than fiberglass but can be faster because they weigh less. Fiberglass bay boats are heavier but are steadier and are better equipped to handle rougher, deeper water versus aluminum. If you compare two boats of the same size, fiberglass bay boats make for a smoother and quieter ride than aluminum bay boats. This is due to the weight and overall build of the hull, which causes fiberglass bay boats to break waves versus bouncing over the top like aluminum bay boats.

Durability Comparison: Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

Aluminum bay boats are the most durable out of the two, if you hit something with an aluminum boat, they are more forgiving than fiberglass. There is the risk that when you damage fiberglass bay boats you could expose the fiberglass, resulting in water intrusion. Both types of boats will potentially last a lifetime if you maintain them. It’s important to take good take care of them, just like you would with a car.  

No aluminum bay boats are self-bailing, meaning if you got caught in the rain or hit a wave, the deck takes longer to drain than fiberglass bay boats. Fiberglass bay boats feature decks that drain overboard on their own, while the decks of aluminum bay boats will drain the water into the builds and then the pump pumps it overboard, which is why it doesn’t drain as fast as fiberglass. A self-bailing hull, which is what’s found in fiberglass bay boats, is something to especially consider as it could turn into a safety issue while you’re out on the water. 

Customization Options: Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

Most fiberglass manufacturers offer more customizations for fiberglass bay boats than aluminum, but both are comparable. There are tons of customization options for both aluminum and fiberglass including these common ones:

  • Power-Poles

  • Trolling motors

  • Depth finders

  • Jack plates

  • Bimini tops 

As far as storage goes, typically fiberglass bay boats offer more storage than aluminum bay boats. 

Tow Vehicle Needed: Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

What kind of vehicle you’ll be using to tow the boat is another critical factor in your decision making and your vehicle needs to have the appropriate towing capacity. Aluminum bay boats are lighter to tow while the same size fiberglass bay boat is going to be heavier. Day Break Marine does offer storage for either kind of bay boat we’d be happy to speak more about in person, online or over the phone. 

Availability of Aluminum vs. Fiberglass Bay Boats

Aluminum bay boats are typically more readily available than fiberglass, especially for large-sized boats since fiberglass bay boats are more time-consuming to build and require more steps.

Summary

To review what we discussed in this article, here’s a summary of the difference between aluminum bay boats and fiberglass bay boats:

Cost: Aluminum bay boats are cheaper than fiberglass bay boats and there’s a $10,000 - $15,000 difference.

Maintenance: It’s more of a commitment to own a fiberglass bay boat since they do require more maintenance than aluminum bay boats and are more costly to fix.

Intended Use: Defining how you use a boat is the first step in the decision-making process between deciding between the two. Aluminum is the better option for maneuvering rivers and shallow water and fiberglass is the better option for water activities and deeper water.

Performance: Aluminum bay boats are lighter and can be faster and are better equipped for shallow, calm water while fiberglass bay boats are heavier and better equipped for rougher water and provide a smoother ride.

Durability: Aluminum bay boats are the most durable out of the two, but fiberglass bay boats all feature self-bailing haul. Both types of boats will potentially last a lifetime if you maintain them.

Tow Vehicle: Aluminum bay boats are lighter to tow than fiberglass bay boats and it’s important to make sure your vehicle has the towing capacity to be able to hand your boat as that may influence your decision.

Customization: Most fiberglass manufacturers offer more customizations for fiberglass bay boats than aluminum, but both are comparable.

Availability: Both are readily available, but aluminum bay bats typically are more so, especially when it comes to larger boats since fiberglass bay boats take longer to build.

With all of that being said hopefully, now you understand the difference between fiberglass and aluminum bay boats.

Check out our current inventory and get a quote for aluminum bay boats and fiberglass bay boats on our website. If you have questions, visit us at either location, L&M Marine in Baldwin County, Alabama or Day Break Marine in Pensacola, Florida. Our team would be happy to answer any questions and to set up a Sea Trial so you can see and experience the difference between an aluminum bay boat and a fiberglass for yourself.