Like MB, my opinion only.

I have a 15 foot aluminum boat with a 40hp 2s motor. I chose ali over f/glass as I have a 2wd car and predominantly beach launch. I disconnect and launch the boat manually and retrieve with strops. I can do it solo but obviously easier with 2 people.

The ride is certainly harder than my mates with bigger, heavier boats - but there is really no difference on a lighter wind days. I also deliberately chose ali as mine is a pure fishing vessel and I do no pleasure cruises with the wife.

My boat works best with 2 on board but I’ve been fishing with 3 pob. Planning and utilizing space is of paramount importance. I agree that a cabin on a small boat is pointless as it just consumes the fishing area. Having a small boat makes one think carefully about where to go and how to fish specific areas whereas bigger boats, I find, tend to head for the horizon.

I only launch on favorable weather days and have learnt what tides/winds suit what areas best, but have been caught out a couple of times and had a slow wet ride home. I now have a set of weather sites that I monitor prior to going out and have become quite confident with weather and trip planning.

The biggest pro (for me) has to be the cost of running – it doesn’t cost a fortune to tow anywhere and a day on the water uses around 15L gas.

Do I wish I had a bigger, more comfortable boat – yes.

Am I happy with the boat I have – yes.

If I was to change, and as I exclusively fish with lures, a vessel with a bit more stability at rest would be my choice - so it would probably be to an ali pontoon style: think Frewza, Senator, Stabi.

I would strongly advise you to get out on the water in a few different size and shaped boats – deciding on a few comments and pictures won’t give you the answer for what’s right for YOU.

My first test run was on a 10 foot inflatable with a pull start 15hp motor and my second test run was on a 13 foot fiberglass with a 30hp motor. In between I’d been out fishing on a 15 foot homemade wooden boat with a dodgy 40hp motor and manual tilt, a 5.5 meter Fyran with a 90hp motor and a 20+foot launch. I also went on a 10foot dinghy at the Hamilton Boat Show.

I decided I needed an ali boat least 15 foot length for the cockpit space, it would fit into my garage, it was lighter as I have a seriously steep driveway that I needed to reverse the boat up, a decent height of the gunnels for water clearance, and very importantly a good motor with electric start, trim and tilt.