Started By
Message

Recs for aluminum boat

Posted on 4/29/20 at 12:39 pm
Posted by tigerlife00
Member since Jul 2014
210 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 12:39 pm
Looking to buy a used 17’ aluminum boat. I see xpress, G3, bass tracker, aluma weld...is there any real quality difference in brands? Is there any brand I should avoid? Any advice is appreciated
Posted by stewie
Member since Jan 2006
3948 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 12:43 pm to


Flex seal baw!
Posted by Wtodd
Tampa, FL
Member since Oct 2013
67482 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 12:59 pm to
Lowe
Posted by Marlo Stanfield
Member since Aug 2008
2061 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 1:02 pm to
Besides some custom cajun beasts like a Scully's, Hanko's, or the like, I would think Sea Ark is the best of the bunch.
This post was edited on 4/29/20 at 1:04 pm
Posted by Homey the Clown
Member since Feb 2009
5710 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 1:19 pm to
You looking for a jon boat type or more like a bass boat type?
Posted by Boat Motor Bandit
Member since Jun 2016
1891 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 1:33 pm to
Go look at EDGE, Havoc, and Ambush and youll forget about the ones you listed.
Posted by Homey the Clown
Member since Feb 2009
5710 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 1:44 pm to
Havac says they use 100 gauge aluminum for the hull. That can't be correct, right?

If so, what is the difference between .100 thick aluminum (my hull) and 100 gauge aluminum? I cant find a conversion chart online that shows the two.
This post was edited on 4/29/20 at 1:48 pm
Posted by Boat Motor Bandit
Member since Jun 2016
1891 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 1:56 pm to
Homey its not just the gauge. Its also the metallurgy of it. Hardness, flex, all that goes into the types of aluminum the big dogs use. not just gauge. five boat companies may build using 100 (.100) gauge. But all five maybe using different aluminum. 405 or a 435 456 26-1. All different Alloys of metal make up in Aluminums.
Posted by Homey the Clown
Member since Feb 2009
5710 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:00 pm to
But that doesn't answer my question. 100 gauge aluminum would be about 0.001 of an inch. Havac claims to have 80 and 100 gauge aluminum hulls. My Weld-Craft doesn't give a gauge, just says its 0.1 inch thick. I'm just trying to get an understanding on the thickness. I'm aware there are different grades.
Posted by tigerlife00
Member since Jul 2014
210 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:04 pm to
Is that a yea or a nay for the Lowe?
Posted by tke_swamprat
Houma, LA
Member since Aug 2004
9742 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:06 pm to
I had a G3 years ago. Recently picked up an Alweld. Alweld seems a little better built but I think they are roughly the same.
Posted by Gtmodawg
PNW
Member since Dec 2019
4580 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:09 pm to
quote:

Lowe


I second that. I have a riveted 1860 Modified Vee that was built in 1980. Thing has been ABUSED...it began life as a work boat in a marina, used to push docks around, push BIG houseboats around, plywood platforms built on the gunwales and ladders used on it to perform dock maintenance....and then it retired to a leisurely life of duck hunting and fishing...where once again it was seriously abused...from running it in timber to bouncing off oyster bars, cypress trees, rocks, duck blinds etc and it is as watertight as the day it was built. Ive got a 60 HP big foot tiller on a jack plate on it and it will run in about 8 inches of water if it is already planned out and will plane out in 16 inches and in the length of the hull...loaded with a blind, decoys, dogs, Vienna sausaged etc. The thing is bullet proof.....I bet all of the welded boats being built today won't be as watertight as this riveted hull if they are subjected to the abuse this one has been subjected to. To get a truly quality flat bottom al boat today it will have to be welded but they are heavy, expensive and there isn't anyway they'll still be watertight in 40 years if they are used the way mine has been used.
Posted by Gtmodawg
PNW
Member since Dec 2019
4580 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:11 pm to
quote:

Sea Ark is the best of the bunch.


They are tanks. They will stand up to just about anything....but they are heavy and EXPENSIVE! I almost pulled the trigger on a Sea Ark inboard Jet Jon last year then common sense took hold when I realized my old Lowe riveted boat would go just about anywhere the Sea Ark would and it wouldn't cost me $50K to do it....they are fine boats though.
Posted by Gtmodawg
PNW
Member since Dec 2019
4580 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:18 pm to
Y'all live in Jon Boat heaven but depending on what you are looking for and money take a look at Backwoods Landing....in North Alabama. Supposed the largest Weldbilt dealer in the US….they usually have some great prices on hulls and package boats. Their website has some good info on hulls even if you don't think a trip to North Alabama is necessary.

AK McCullum in North Carolina also has some good prices but more to the point LOADS of information about hulls with generic pricing.

I like some G3 hulls but they only sale package units with Yamahas...nothing wrong with the Yammie but I usually have access to an appropriate motor that needs a hull when I am looking.....
Posted by Cypressknee
Member since Jul 2017
1194 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:20 pm to
Xpress has the best resale value imo out the ones you listed. If say you dont keep it forever...

What style hull are you looking for? Tiller or remote steer?
Posted by tigerlife00
Member since Jul 2014
210 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:28 pm to
Looking for a 17/54 or 56. 50-90HP, steering wheel, bass boat style.
Posted by tke_swamprat
Houma, LA
Member since Aug 2004
9742 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 2:29 pm to
I saw some on LA sportsman a few weeks ago when I was looking.
Posted by High Tide 07
Member since Aug 2019
417 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:00 pm to
Lowe makes a very nice boat. Titan and Ranger also make a good one. I’ve had the same 17ft Bass Tracker since 2001.
Posted by whackinandstackin
Baton Rouge. LA
Member since May 2013
270 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 3:33 pm to
I bought a War Eagle 2170 Blackhawk last year and I've been very pleased with it.
Posted by LibertyTiger
Liberty Mississippi
Member since Mar 2010
89 posts
Posted on 4/29/20 at 4:13 pm to
War Eagle boats are solid. I have a 2016 19’ Predator rigged for crappie fishing. My next aluminum boat will be a Sea Ark tho....
first pageprev pagePage 1 of 3Next pagelast page

Back to top
logoFollow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to get the latest updates on LSU Football and Recruiting.

FacebookTwitterInstagram