You are gonna hear both aluminum owners and fiberglass owners talk about how much better each one is then the other. I'd go with aluminum and by no means does it need to be fancy. You can grab a great aluminum drift boat on Craigslist for $2500. I bought a 1978 Alumaweld drift boat in 2003 for $1900. Came with oars, extra oars, anchor system, anchor, rod holders, front seat compartment, trailer...it worked great...after I purchased my sled and found out I had no room for it anymore at my house...I sold it for $2700...Aluminum holds it's value well if you don't put a hole in it.