Alumacraft 195 Tournament Pro

[scott5019]

Just wondering if any Alumacraft owners could help me. I recently purchased a 1999 Tournament Pro (still new in the showroom) and I was wondering if you have been satisfied with your Alumacraft. The deal that I received from the dealer was considerably less than anything that I had seen. Have you been happy with the quality of the boat? The layout is very similar to the Lund Pro V (my first choice) and with only a couple of times on the water, the boat seems to work well. And if you have had problems, what should I be looking for. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Scott

[Box]

We have 97 TP 175 with Merc 150 efi. We really like our boat a lot, and this is our third Alumacraft in 20 years. We now own two Alumacrafts.

The boat is solid, and rides well. I won't compare it to glass, because it is wetter in rough water, no doubt...

We have had no real problems, and use it in all types of lakes and rivers, from small local lakes to Mississippi and St. Croix rivers, to Mille Lacs and Whitefish Chain and LOTW.

They have made many improvements between out model year and yours. One thing I don't like is that huge front livewell. It always seems to get water in in even when the valve is closed. Our front stroage is very dry, but the angles at which you have to get into them is kinda of a hassle. Also, many of our locks on the floor hatches have "slid" so that a key can't gget into them anymore... which is fine, because we never lock anything anyway.. hehe :) The radio we have sucks, and the antenae has broken becasue it was so brittle.

As far as any real problems, the only thing we had was a gear shift cable break due to the bend coming out of the motor was so tight. Maybe make sure the dealer didnt cable-tie it so tight that there is no room for any play. I think that was out problem. Only other thing is our livewell lights have burned out after 4 years, and I havent replaced them.

If you are worried about it not being a Lund, don't worry at all. Resale is very good (at least ours was), and quality is up there with Lund and Crestliner, etc, etc...

Now if it was me... hehe... I'd get the Lund 1900 or 2025 SE Limited simply for the rod storage in the floor and the big captain chair! No kidding. I love my Alumacraft, but if they dont put rod storage in floor like a glass boat or the new Lund Limiteds, I won't get another... but thats not a quality issue, but one of features.

Good fishing, and email me with any specific Alumcraft questions. Our boat gets used a lots between my, my brother or my Dad. Sorry I'm long winded. Finishing up my work night, and am chatty! ha! :)

Box in MN

[Skis]

I just purchased my second Alumacraft. I purchased a 2001 Magnum 175. My father-in-law is on his third Alumacraft. He has a 1997 TP 175. I have been very happy with my Alumacrafts. The only problem I know of that my father-in-law had with his TP was the line pumping water for the livewell was not attached well and caused the back end of his boat to take water. Was a quick fix, but it frustrated him for a while. His other problem has been his 115 Merc, but that's another story. My Merc 125 runs like a clock.

Only thing I like about my boat versus the TP is the rod storage compartments. I am not a fan of the side storage. You need to have the seat perfectly aligned to get at your rod & reels.

Enjoy your boat! I know I do.

[scott5019]

Thanks for the replies. I haven't had much of a chance to use the boat yet, but I should be able to use it more for the rest of the year. I fish the Saginaw Bay and the Saginaw river mostly, but I also fish smaller inland lakes to. That's why I didn't really want to pass this boat up. It's very easy to load/unload by myself (that's when the kids arent with me) but it is big enough to take some rough water. Thanks again for the help. Good luck fishing.

Scott

[Perchboy]

I have a TP195 with a 200 Merc. EFI. I have been happy with the boat. I bought it one year old from a guy that beat it up real good fishing tournaments. The factory made it like new again and has been great the last two years. The only problem I keep having is the pumps in the back of the boat keep breaking and leaking water into the boat. I think it's probably because the bends in the lines are so tight that they don't have and room to "give" when on big water. I have run it pretty hard on mostly Leech and Mille Lacs and so far so good.