Aluminum or Fiberglass, there’s a boat for you

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 23/02/2019 (2389 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Is it time to finally investigate buying your first boat, or time for an upgrade?

There have never been so many new products to choose from, so decisions can be tough. With the Mid Canada Boat Show coming up next weekend at RBC Convention Centre Winnipeg, here’s a few current trends in the recreational boating industry to consider.

First and foremost, after budget considerations, you must figure out what you are going to use your boat for. Will it be strictly for fishing? Are there family considerations?

One of the hottest-selling lines of boat products on the market today is what they call the crossover fish and ski models, which allow the boat owner total flexibility.

You can be out fishing in the morning and then take the family water skiing in the afternoon. Many companies are now making these versatile boats.

If you fish a lot of big water, such as Lake Manitoba, Lake Winnipeg and Lake of the Woods, many boat buyers really like deep-v boats.

According to Stratview Research, aluminum boats are driving a large part of the North American recreational boat market.

“Based on the boat type, deep-v boats are expected to remain the growth engine of the market during the forecast period of 2019 to 2024. Extra-wide-bottom boats make anglers more comfortable, provide smoother riding experiences, as well as excellent stability on bigger waves — (these) are some factors spearheading the demand for deep-v hull boats in the market.”

There could be a variety of reasons aluminum boat sales are back on the rise, despite added tariffs. In our part of the world, gas prices are up there, though a lot better than they have been.

Aluminum boats are lighter and a bit more affordable than Fiberglas, as well as easier to tow. Fuel efficiency overall is better because of the reduced weight. This has been reflected in the number of boat manufacturers who now offer an aluminum product.

Ranger Boats, for years the leader in the Fiberglas bass boat market, is the latest to join in. Lund, for years a leader in the aluminum fishing boat market, added a Fiberglas line a few years ago. Now, Lund has added an aluminum bass boat line that Keewatin Professional angler Jeff Gustafson runs on the BassMaster Elite Trail. Gussy will be at the Mid Canada Boat Show doing seminars this year as he takes a break from tournament fishing.

I do know one thing, though: if you look after your boat, it will last a lifetime. I have had my aluminum deep-v since 2005, and it’s like new. Like any possession, it requires maintenance and a bit of love.

Four years ago, I got a wrap for my boat, something that really picked up the appearance — and it also provides a protective layer from stone chips that come with some backcountry roads. This boat has been my office for 14 years now. I have upgraded the electronics and the troll motors, but the big engine remains the same. Regular maintenance and loving care can go a long way.

Anglers notes: Just last week, I received a copy of the 2015 Recreational Angling Survey compiled by the federal government with the help of the provinces.

Commissioned every five years, this survey is an important measuring stick for governments to understand the effect recreational angling has on the national economy. While we do get anglers from around the world, Canadian resident anglers make up the majority. For non-residents, Ontario and B.C tidal waters were the most popular destinations, making up 72 per cent of all fishing trips taken.

The majority of Canadians who fish are in the 45-64 age group, and the average number of days fished a year is 15.

Canadian non-resident and foreign anglers made more than 2.6 million trips within Canada in 2015.

What was the most popular gamefish? No surprise that walleye was No. 1 nationally at 26 per cent, but the most popular fish to keep were trout.

The economic numbers were impressive, as anglers contributed almost $8 billion to the economy. Of this amount, $5.3 billion was in the form of investments and major purchases of durable goods related to recreational fishing activities.

The remaining $2.5 billion covered direct recreational fishing expenditures during fishing trips — such as package deals, transportation, food, lodging, fishing services and fishing supplies.

In January, the American Sportfishing Association released an updated report on the economic contributions of recreational fishing in the United States. This report was broken down to the state-by-state effect of angling on the economy. The overall numbers are a bit staggering, with almost US$50 billion in retail sales along with a contribution of US$125 billion to the national economy.

Governments tend to undersell or not understand the economic impact created by sportfishing. Last year, a group of stakeholders in Manitoba got together to commission an economic impact study for the south basin of Lake Winnipeg and its tributaries. The result of that survey was startling for those who have not seen the activity on Lake Winnipeg, especially during the winter.

Walleye anglers from Manitoba and beyond typically spend $221 million over two years on everything from bait to beer, and from fuel to fishing rods. That spending adds more than $100 million to Manitoba’s GDP every two years.

That is just the south basin of Lake Winnipeg. With that kind of impact, it’s vitally important that we manage our resources on a sustainable basis for the good of everyone involved.

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