Fishermen: Recommend a good brand of aluminum boat

[Ripsnort]

I want to narrow a list down to about 3 brands so I can do some shopping in the upcoming boatshow in December.  Basically looking for a 16-18 footer with outboard and center or side counsel drive. Previously  I've only owned larger "traditional" boats (18' Winner and 19' All American) and haven't a clue about good aluminum boats.

Also, recommend a good outboard motor, my experience has only been with Evinrude and Volvo (which has been relatively reliable to me in the past)

[Curval]

A quote from another thread discussing jet-skis and boats:

Wlfgng...I rent jetskis..I don't own them. Boat and jet-skis are "holes in the water" into which you pour money. It costs me $100 to rent a ski for an hour...expensive...maybe...bu t when I'm done I hand it back to the rental place and never have to give it another thought.

Some friends of mine bought a boat. They claim that the word actually is an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand.

- Curval

[gofaster]

Is Grady White still in the business or are they fibreglass-only now?

Grimmage made some fantastic wooden hulls, but alas there wasn't a market for that skill anymore.

Best canoe I ever used was made by Grumman (yeah, the same that made F6F Hellcats).  It was nearly bulletproof until a flood carried it away.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Curval
A quote from another thread discussing jet-skis and boats:

Wlfgng...I rent jetskis..I don't own them. Boat and jet-skis are "holes in the water" into which you pour money. It costs me $100 to rent a ski for an hour...expensive...maybe...bu t when I'm done I hand it back to the rental place and never have to give it another thought.

Some friends of mine bought a boat. They claim that the word actually is an acronym for Break Out Another Thousand.

- Curval

I'm fully aware of the financial responsibility that comes with boat ownership, all too aware I;m afraid.

[Munkii]

Honestly, I would go with a fiberglass boat.  My grandfather and myself have used an aluminum boat since I was about 8 years old.  The aluminum is too light, and is blown around too easily.  The fiberglass is alot better, as long as you can tow it.  He curses himself every time we go fishing for not buying a fiberglass boat.  IMHO of course, but I would go with fiberglass.

[Martlet]

I wouldn't buy an aluminum boat.

Get an 18' Maritime with a center console.  It's well worth the money.

[Rude]

Check out Tracker Rip...btw...buy used. Let someone else suck up the depreciation, which is substantial in boats.

[Ripsnort]

Originally posted by Rude
Check out Tracker Rip...btw...buy used. Let someone else suck up the depreciation, which is substantial in boats.

Actually, I price em, then hit the boat shows.  Then about a week after the boat shows, when the  dealers start getting invoices for new boats, thats when I start wheeling and dealing  My last boat cost $22,000 new, but I got it for $16,500

Dealership salesmen hate my type, I pay cash, I'm not in a hurry to buy.

[LePaul]

Originally posted by Ripsnort


Dealership salesmen hate my type, I pay cash, I'm not in a hurry to buy.

Kid at the local xbox shop finally threw you out for all these months of promising  

[BB Gun]

Grew up in almost 20 years worth of Dad's Starcraft boats....  Dunno what they're like, now.

18' center console outboard
21' center console outboard
22' cuddy cabin cruiser OMC Sterndrive
26' cabin cruiser OMC Sterndrive

all 8' beam and trailerable, all sturdy and dependable.  They all took years of abuse on Long Island Sound.  Hell, dad even dropped the 22' on the ramp one weekend, and nothing came of it.  Other than a lot of gawking by onlookers and storytelling by family members.  

Lots of GREAT memories.

22' was the 1980's version of this boat:

http://www.starcraftmarine.com/aluminum/isl22103.htm


BB

[Roscoroo]

LUND    made in Oregon , great shop, great employee's , quality workmanship .
i went to the factory about 6 years ago .

Keep them in mind Rip they may have what you want.

[Steve]

Ya Lund's are nice.  If you have the $$$, why not look into a Honda 4 stroke?  Man they are very quiet and reliable.

[Martlet]

Originally posted by Steve
Ya Lund's are nice.  If you have the $$$, why not look into a Honda 4 stroke?  Man they are very quiet and reliable.

Honda 4 strokes are very nice.  I loved mine.  If your area has recreational emissions laws, they comply with those, also.    I assume since you are looking for an aluminum boat, though, you aren't going to fork out the cash for a honda.

[rabbidrabbit]

Tough to beat Starcraft for quality.  I restored my fathers 19ft cabin cruiser which had seen nearly 40 years of hard ocean service.  It had no cracks or corrosion on it anywhere.  As far as the alluminum vs fiberglass debate I think it's safe to say that alluminum is lighter and more durable during collision and over the long term.  That's why they hold value better.  Depending on the conditions you operate the boat you might find more weight an advantage in light/mod chop or strong winds at the cost of mileage and power requirements.  For example, my 19 cabin cruiser topped at 45 with a 115 hp outboard while my uncle had the same top end with his 265 hp I/O bowrider.  The weight does come in handy squishing 1-2 ft chop and resisting wind but costs more to engine.

[Harppa]

http://www.busterboat.com/en/

Harppa