What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

[ifishinwater]

What do you think is the best small aluminum boat, 18 ft. & under?
Give the year of the boat...hp that you would put on the boat....do you own one...& brief why you think it is the best.

This could be intresting to see if one boat stands out over another.

A after comment as was requested
As to hull design.... Lets go with V hull

I used to show art at "They War Eagle Craft Fair" for over 27 years maybe one might find a War Eagle boat in that area. Beaver Lake is near by where Sam Walton & his wife live on that lake or did. Nice lady bought some of my art from me. My first meeting she bought a oil lamp from me & ask me what kind of oil do I use ...told her & I go it at Walmart ( she was with friends of mine & did not know who she was, they all joked about it at dinner that night)
Well this is of the subject There's a good one I post under my old handle XXXXXX ...the one that got away when I was about 10 years of age...lets motor on with your selections >>>>>

 

[jbjennings]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

I like the war eagle boats made in the late 90's and early 2000's. 14ft 36" bottom with a johnson 25hp tiller model on it. I don't have one but it is very similar to a duracraft which I do own and was designed by the same engineer. I know several guys that have them and have driven one. The war eagle has a nice transom design and has no wood in the transom which I really like. It turns very nicely and is a good strong boat. Next would be an alumaweld which I think is a very strong boat but I personally don't like the way they handle. Not bad, but not nearly as good on turns as a war eagle or duracraft. I like my duracraft but the transom corners are notorious for developing stress cracks and I have had to get mine rewelded. The war eagle eliminated this problem.
If I find a 14'36" one used I'm going to try and buy it. You guys up north may not be familiar with these since they are john-boat style. I also don't think the war eagle is made anymore, but I'm not for sure. You can see the transom design in this pic. The other is a 15'48" bottom that is nice but a little too big for my needs.
JBJ

 

[CATransplant]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

Wow! That's really an impossible question to answer. Which style of aluminum boat are you talking about? Jon boat? Semi-V?

How will you be using it? Is 18' your preferred length? There's a huge difference between an 18' aluminum boat and a 12' one.

But, if you can narrow it down to the hull type you're interested in, there'll be lots of suggestions.

 

[Splat]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

1995 16ft Grumman. With a 25hp Mercury elec start. Then add all the goodies, like a 55lb minn kota terrova trolling motor, forward live well, LED task lighting in both red and white colors, dual batteries, on board charger. I like mine very much. It does great on Lake Erie, and even better on smaller inland lakes.

I will however be upgrading to a 2007 Alumacraft 175 Dominator next year. Neighbor is getting rid of his at the end of the year, I can't wait.

I really need to update and get some new pics. This was from the night I brought it home, I've done quite a bit of work to it since then.

Bill

 

[Kymasabe]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

My choice would be a Grumman or DuraNautic. Nice welds, ribless floor, very strong boat.

 

[dave11]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

Alumaweld

 

[mdunn]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

I have a 17.5" Smokercraft and I think it's a fine boat but if I was shopping today I'd be looking at these. http://www.northriverboats.com/

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

I know little about the aluminums but almost every aluminum I've seen on the waters up here in Ontario at the lake I'm on are Princecraft. Might be worth a look. I may be wrong, but I imagine if most guys run them, they're a good quality boat.

http://www.princecraft.com/index.aspx

 

[BMOLCHANY]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

The one that I am in that goes like no tommorrow with only a 9 hp motor and that will hold 18 plus young ladies at my side.

 

[sturdavj]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

From the land of aluminum FISHING boats; my thoughts & not necessary in this order

Big river sleds
1. Aluminumweld
2. Duckworth

Lake boats
1. Klamath
2. Lund

White water Drift boats
1. Rogue River
2. Kollfer Boats

 

[txmntman]

Re: What do you think is the best small aluminum boat

Most folks think "best" is what brand they have. I'll just say this, and let you use the info as you see fit.
In Feb, I bought a 1967 Starcraft 14ft aluminum boat. I rebuilt the boat from the aluminum out.....new paint in and out, new flotation, new floor, built dual consoles and front and rear casting deck. It has a 1973 50hp engine. I have not done any fishing in it yet, but have used it mainly to pull my 13 yr old son around the lake on a tube. The boat will do about 26mph with my son and I in it, and only 20 mph pulling him on the tube. The drag of the tube with him on it makes a big difference. I also get about 5mpg.
If I were going to do it again, I would probably look for a 16-18 footer rather than the 14ft, but, it has worked out fine.