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#1
10-26-2009, 09:11 AM
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Aluminum Hull Construction Questions
After 12 months of shopping for a boat, I still have not made a decision. Giving up drag racing to spend some time on the water is a big life changing decision, so I have fought my impulsiveness all year...and glad I did. I keep learning more and more and have had the chance to look at a LOT of boats. I can't miss out this year and I have saved...so the time is getting closer.
After shopping aluminum boats up and down, my short list is led by a glass boat...Stratos 386XF. I'm still not 100% because I do like the aluminum boats. My dad keeps pounding in my head "Son I've owned boats my whole life and all my aluminum boats eventually leaked. Fiberglass lasts longer, rides better, rides dryer, handles salt, etc, etc." I can't argue with him because I agree!!  Old man aside, I'm still attracted to aluminum boats. So before I pull the trigger on the Stratos, I have some questions about the hull construction on alum. 1. Lund has the double plated bow, Alumacraft has various thicknesses of double plated hulls on their boats (.100 and .080 depending on model), G3 has a very robust double .100 all the way back. I see people comparing boats like Starcraft and Polar Kraft (both of which I like) to the double plated hull boats. I see Crestliner is a top choice for ruggedness as well. How can a boat's structural integrity be compared to another boat with double the metal underneath you? I realize there are structural skeletons between the hull and the floor that make all the difference, but the double hull brands aren't lacking in that area. I'm not worried about bashing rocks or beaching my boat or putting it through the pain some of you guys do in tournaments. I'm going to be puttering around central Indiana lakes, Kentucky, Tenn with one trip every year to Lake Michigan and one to Minnesota. 2. Why are most aluminum boats rivited and not welded like the Crestliner? Someone has to think there is a structural integrity advantage or it wouldn't be like that. Sorry for the long post. I'm so anxious to get back fishing...something I have missed out on for 12 years. 
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#3
10-26-2009, 10:44 AM
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Drag
I got an opportunity to get up close and personal with some G3 boats last friday and came away impressed. I am looking to buy a new boat this spring as well and they just move up my list along with Alumacraft, Lund et al. The layout, fit, finish, vinyl floor (I'm a worm guy), and just the little thought out things make me think this might be a good choice. Most of the guys on this post live and die by Lund/Merc and will let you know why. They are fine boats, but the local dealer here in Madison are real proud of thier Lunds and do not deal, if they can get away with it good for them. For me, I have to maximize my purchasing $$$$'s. G3 has made my list.
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#4
10-26-2009, 11:30 AM
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A good Lund dealer close to Madison who will deal is Jerry's Sport Service in Beloit. He also now carries Yarcraft as well for fiberglass. You can get several boats with snap in carpet or vinyl.
If you have waited a year, the spring fishing show is a great place to dicker on prices and options. What's waiting a few more months to get your rig. Since you still have some confusion / issues with decisions - make a list of the things that are important to you / must have's, like and dislikes (pro's & con's) of the models you are serious about. Don't forget about things like service, rigging, etc in your choice. You also can get quite a bit more bang for the buck going used / repo'd, etc if you can narrow down your search by models. PS - Alumacraft owner here, so nothing to gain by telling you about Lund, etc. If it helps we had it narrowed down to Lund's pro-v w/ walkthrough, Alumacraft's Tournament Sport or Crestliner's Tournament models prior to our purchase. We also knew our price point, options and garage limitations prior to purchase. Don't forget what you trailer on as well. Trailers are not all the same.
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#5
10-26-2009, 11:42 AM
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#6
10-26-2009, 11:52 AM
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Lund and Ranger are like a Harley. Are they worth the extra money??? Are they that much better??? Why are Lund and Ranger the boat that all the others are compare to??? Buy one and you will understand why.
Chuck
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#7
10-26-2009, 12:02 PM
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 I don't really want to make this another comparison of Brand X vs Brand Y. I just want to talk about hull construction. How can a .100 single layer hull compare to a .100x2 hull?
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#8
10-26-2009, 03:31 PM
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#9
10-26-2009, 07:29 PM
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I've had many aluminum boats, and I've had many glass boats. I currently have, and will stick with glass boats.
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#10
10-26-2009, 02:11 PM
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More manpower and hands-on time is involved in a riveted hull, but means higher cost. The advantage of a riveted hull is that it can take flexing better than welds. (Like an airplane wing) However, some riveted boats are built better than others and some have more hull design advancements. On the other hand, an aluminum weld does not flex well.(will crack along the weld). However, some welded aluminums (.. a good example is what we call "heavy guage" out west, here)...are designed so as not to flex . No flex = no crack. Here again some are built better than others. Most important thing is: Not so much the weld or rivet...but the application, and if or not, whoever built the boat has a good internal structure and provides good workmanship for the application. Plus...the best design in the world will be destroyed by sloppy workmanship. ...And tell your Dad that glass boats can leak, too. I sold both... I know. Last edited by T Mac; 10-26-2009 at 02:15 PM.
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