View Full Version : Serious imput on welds vs. rivets needed
If it was your parents money you where borrowing to buy this boat would you go weld or rivets...Thanks, a lot of good info here usually just hard to get the facts on this bit of info. However, I need to get a boat soon and need the direction on which is better for pounding the big waves in search of the holy walleye of the great lakes...BT
Orange Whip
04-09-2003, 03:34 PM
Having quite a few boats in my time I would first decide who's layout I like best for the type of fishing I do. For example, If I liked Crestliner,Ranger or Triton's layout for the type of fishing I do then I would go with one of them. If I liked the way the Alumacraft or Lund were set up then I would go with one of them.
Point is they are both good. I wouldn't hesitate going either way.
That's just my opinion.
Best of luck and most important do your research before you buy.
rebelrn
04-09-2003, 04:24 PM
BT get serious, we all know where your allegiance lies. I like the rivets, and you have a problem with that. I say thats ok. You feel you can tell what people should buy. This is a free country. Both are ok, some brands are better than others....not because rivets are better than welds or vice versa. It is mostly dependant on the manufacturer. You should know, you are the marketing person.
What are you talking about. I really need the info, I am talking overall performance. Not which is stronger, sometimes not being as strong is good. I need some experience and insight, not playground rough housing...BT
If you look at big water like the ocean bays, and the off shore boats - you find very few aluminum boats.
Of course, there is another issue with aluminum and salt water, that is called corrosion.
Having said that - the bulk of the bay and off shore boats (basically made to take the pounding of big water are all Fiberglass boats.
I realize that you ask - rivets or welded. Perhaps you should ask an additional question. Do I want metal or fiberglass.
There are lots of advantages and disadvantages to each type of boat.
Check out a lot of brands, take test rides in some very rough water as well as smooth water conditions, check the layout of the boat - to see if it meets your requuirements, check you wallet, to insure that you can pay for the boat -- eventually -- then buy it and greatly enjoy it.
take care
REW
Rich G.
04-09-2003, 04:57 PM
I've had 2 Crestliners in the past 15 years. The first one I had for 13 years and had no problems with the welds and I sure did'nt baby it.I liked it so much that when I down sized, I bought another crestliner. Great boat! Make sure that you get a bunk trailer and not a roller trailer. Rollers put to much stress in one area.I have a 1750 Fishhawk with a double bunk trailer. And I'm serious!
SDBear
04-09-2003, 05:23 PM
Manufacturers of welds or rivets do not create their products to fail. I agree with an earlier post, go with the layout that suits you best. If it gets too rough out on the GL's, you will not be out there anyway.
Scott
Miss Adventure II
04-09-2003, 06:10 PM
I have had both and have not had any problems with either. Like the other post said choose your layout design and go with that. I have a Lund 2100 Barron GS. I picked it over a Crestliner (same set-up, both are reverse chine designs) because of of the finishing touches inside. I had the dealer down to $1000.00 difference between the two 20 footers. Have not regretted the choice. My boat only runs on the detroit River and Great Lakes for walleyes and salmon. I wanted Alum. for the trailering. I keep it in the garage. I have ran this boat on many 20 to 25 mile one way trips on Lake Erie. Had it since late 96 and the hull is as dry as the day I got it. The biggest differences with be in the thickness of the Alum plates. The thinner they are the more flexing and more prone to leakage.
Hope this winded message helps.
Miss Adventure II
T-Mac
04-09-2003, 09:42 PM
BT.. ..some of us are old, but we can remember back a f e w days just fine. :)
Is this another "Advertising Campaign"? ...LOL
If it was my parent's money...no problem, any brand of boat will work. But, if I had to earn the money myself, I would spend it on a Lund.
On the mid to Northern Pacific coast (Northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia), aluminum is an extremely popular and commonly used hull material for saltwater boats (all of which are welded boats by the way). But on the East coast (even in the North), that's not the case. Glass is the material of choice on the East coast. Why aluminum is desirable for saltwater use in one region, but not another, is something I'm not sure of (but I will be looking into very soon).
When I was at Sanibel Florida two months ago, I was surprised at the number of aluminum boats being used down there. I even saw a Lund Alaskan anchored in the surf. But I figure most of the aluminum boats I saw were trailered from other regions.
Personally, I think the welded vs. riveted debate comes down to materials and workmanship. A well built riveted hull is probably better than a poorly built welded hull and visa versa. The aluminum boats I've owned have all been riveted. They have all been excellent. Would I buy welded? Certainly. Because it's my opinion that quality is what matters most.