Which boat is better?

[jpet]

I'm looking at new fishing boats, and would appreciate any information/shared experience you have. This is basically what I would like--I want a console--not a tiller, as much stability and space to move about as possible, and enough horsepower to pull occasional tubers. After talking to many dealers I have a few questions I hope you can answer from a non salesperson point of view.<br /><br /> 1. Which is better, and why? A riveted or welded aluminum hull? <br /> 2. I'm looking at 16'-17' boats. Are there any clear cut favorites when it comes to brands? (eg., Lund, Alumacraft, Crestliner??) Or are there better brands I haven't heard of in the upper midwest?<br /> 3) What size motor would I need for the size boat I'm looking at (16'-17')?<br /> 4) Is a bunk trailer better for the boat than a roller trailer? I've heard a roller trailer can damage aluminum hull boats??<br /><br />Thanks for any info you can share.<br />Confused in Minnesota <br />JP<br />

 

[Major Woods]

Re: Which boat is better?

Having owned several aluminum boats I will try to answer your questions.<br />1) Welded is better, the two pieces of metal are connected for 100% of the joint seam, the weld area is stronger than the base material. Riveted hulls can leak over time as the flexing of the hull seperates the plates between the rivets. <br />2) Brands choices are to subjective to pick "a best one" the listed brand in your post are all good.<br />3) The boat you intend to get will have a max hp rating, get as close to that rating as your budget will allow. It's better to have more power than you need than not enough.<br />4) A bunk trailer will support the hull better than a roller. I have stuck with bunks for my boats but have installed bunk slicks for ease of launching.

 

[KCook]

Re: Which boat is better?

Don't think you would need a big motor to pull a single tuber. Not as demanding as skiing.<br /><br />Riveted hulls have given good value for a very long time. There is now a trend toward welded hulls. The welded ones are a little more stylish, less chance of water seeping in, and better handling at high speeds. But for a trailer boat for general utility rivets are fine. I never had any problems at all with the rivets on my Tracker. Just not as slick as the newer welded designs.<br /><br />All the various brands offer models at different levels of trim and equipment. As long as the boats you are comparing are at the same level, don't expect much difference. With aluminum boats it is easy to see the quality (or lack of) for yourself. Not nearly as easy to hide bad workmanship as on a fiberglass boat. Worry as much about your dealer as the boat brand.<br /><br />Too early to worry about which motor. Settle on the boat first.<br /><br />The 16' models are Ok as 2 man fishing boats. Before you buy one for a family boat you might want to study this thread - <br />What would you do? <br /><br />Get demo rides,<br />Kelly Cook

 

[Jkurtz29]

Re: Which boat is better?

Just go out and buy a Ranger. Put a 200 HP behind it and forget it.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Which boat is better?

Checkout the Triumph. They are made of Plastic and are very tough..<br /><br /> http://www.triumphboats.com/Boats/Boats_Detail.asp?bid=154

 

[manitoba1]

Re: Which boat is better?

JP:<br />There are alot of excellent brands of boats these days. I own a 1987 alumacraft classic 16 which is a good boat and has rivets. Some of the rivets leak but very slowly. The newer Alumacrafts have a double plate hull which is a nice feature to improve the ride. You can't go wrong with a lud or crestliner either. <br /><br />Go for the maximum rated horsepower for any boat you buy and get a fuel injected 4 stroke. I used to have a 55hp 2 stroke and replaced it with 70hp EFI Suzuki 4 stroke. The new motor uses far less gas than the old motor and is so much quieter. It has excellent throttle response. My engine uses 1/3 of the gas that my friends new 50hp 2 stroke mariner which is on a starcraft boat far ligher than mine.<br /><br />I just replaced my roller trailer with an EZ loader bunk due to the stress crack which developed on the boat from bouncing on the rollers for 15 years. Get the bunk!

 

[lakeman1999]

Re: Which boat is better?

I would prefer a good quality riveted hull. Welded seams are more apt to deveope cracks, and breaks at the edge of the weld. A high quality riveted hull "WILL NOT" leak, and if by chance, because of rough handling and use a leak developes around a rivet, it will be a very small leak (not dangerous) and is very easy to fix.

 

[denniz]

Re: Which boat is better?

Crestliners a very well built boat.very strong