What kind of aluminum boat? welded/rivet??

[mjohnson]

I need some help here. I'm looking to buy a 16-18 foot aluminum deep v style boat. I've looked at Alumacraft(riveted), and Lowe's as well as Trackers. They all say that there boats are the best. I want to buy a quality boat for mostly small inland lakes but an occasional outing on Erie.Any input would shurley be appreciated. Thanks -Mark

[Cpt.Chaos]

I bought an Alumacraft Lunker 165 last year and love it. It is a great boat, lots of features and the price was a steal. I have been out on Lk. St. Clair in 2-3' waves, and it handled quite well. I might take it out on Erie someday, but it is hard to leave the sportcraft at the dock when I go out on the big water.

[wally-eye]

I have a Tracker Pro Guide V16 with a deep V. welded hull. Side console with a 50hp etc etc. Regardless of all the preceived negative comments about Trackers I bought this new in Apr. 04 and use it a lot and have not had one single issue with it. Been 6 miles or so out in Sag. bay and 4 miles off shore in Lk. Mi. and then I use it on all the local lakes.............would not hesitate to buy another....................

I also know the boat will go in more waves than I want to...................wait till spring and I'll gladly give ya a ride if ya want....

[waterfoul]

Go welded. You won't be sorry. EVERY riveted boat will leak eventually.

[RSGS]

No queston about it - welded is the way to go. No comparison...

[spendit]

7 years on first riveted boat - never weeped, lots of wave pounding. New riveted boat - nothing yet. 3 other buddies riveted boats - different manufacturer no leaks - same big water use.

Some years of trackers had the transom's crack - I believe this is fixed now.

[ROBBY MEYERS]

buy a boat with thousands of holes drilled in it??:D

[Captain Tan Can]

My 2000 Crestliner has a welded hull. The only one I know that warranties their hull for 20 years. Most of my use is on Erie, many times in 3 to 4' waves, the only leak I've had was when I forgot to put antifreeze in one of the livewells and the hose cracked under the floor. Pain to fix but I don't forget the antifreeze anymore.:sad:

[jim sasser]

i have a 2006 tracker targa which is all welded had one of the welds pop and they fixed it.but only has a 10 year warranty on the hull.so if i had to do over i would look closer at the warr.part of it and go with a starcraft or crestliner...

[huntingmaniac45]

I have a 16' Starcraft that is riveted, never had a problem with any leaks, and its a 1989. Sits in a well all summer and gets used and pounded alot.

[Matt V]

It's a personal choice, if you buy a good quality boat you shouldn't have to worry about it either way. All riveted boat's will leak???? If that were true they wouldn't be selling many of the 50K Lunds.

[Flash]

My 1980 riveted 16' StarCraft is completely dry. Doesn't appear to have been abused though and I certainly won't.

[RSGS]

The likelihood of a riveted boat leaking is over thousand times greater than a welded boat if you count each rivet as a potential leak. That’s just fact. And it doesn’t have to do with ‘abuse’ or what you may consider abuse. It can be caused by trailering, pulling skier’s or tubing, pounding waves, or any other stress that’s put on riveted seams.

New technology (water tight rivets) decrease the likelihood, but it is still there. If the question is “What has more integrity and is less likely to leak”, it’s a welded boat – hands down. That’s not to say a riveted boat is junk. There are many manufactures putting out a good product. I have owned many riveted boats. Some leaked, some did not. My only aluminum boat now is welded. I probably will never buy another riveted one. That’s my preference.

Here is something else to ponder. It’s also fact that ALL polyester fiberglass boats will eventually absorb water THROUGH the glass. It’s fact. Polyester resin is NOT waterproof. Over time, it will begin to absorb water through the resin. ALL boats over 15 years old, when checked with a meter, will show a higher than normal water content - especially in the transom area. The most ‘waterproof’ resin is epoxy. Water will not permeate it.

Will a riveted boat fail before a welded one? Maybe – maybe not. I always prefer to buy items that are built to a higher standard, using the best construction techniques available, and IMHO for aluminum, that’s a welded boat.

~

[KI Jim]

There are many really good aluminum boats on the water. I own 2 Lunds-a 2002 14' A seies w/a 15 HP Yamaha and a 2003 Tyee 185 w/ a Merc 125. Both of them are excellent boats and I couldn't be more pleased with them. When I was looking at boats, I also was impressed by Alumacraft, G3, Starcraft and Crestliner. All in my opinion are very good boats. I was considerably less impressed by Sylvan, Lowe, Polar & Tracker. Check out the fit & finish and really look at the quality. I'm not saying they are bad boats-because they are not- and there are a lot of guys out there who are very happy with 'em.

I also think that the question of welded vs riveted is really pretty much a non issue. Rivets eventually will leak (although I have yet to experience that)-but are easy to repair if they do. Welds do sometimes crack. On a boat, they are harder to repair. I think that if you look at how boats hold their value, that tells you a lot. Re-sale on Lunds ( a riveted boat) is excellent and I have never heard anyone bash 'em (except they can be a bit $$)-that should tell you something.

Jim

[SabikiRig]

Personal Choice with no right or wrong answer....

I can tell you that I was able to buy a brand new welded Cresliner Sportsman 16 and a EZ-Loader Bunk Trailer for what I would have spent on just the hull of a 16 Lund.

Even had enough money left over for a few tanks of fuel and some tackle.

Flex is a Riveted Hull's best friend. Not so much the case with welded hulls.

Ride in my Riveted 14' Mirrocraft and then take a ride in my 16 Crestliner. You will quickly notice a difference neglecting size and weight......

Welded hulls also utilize thicker alumimum than competitive riveted boats.

[tracker14]

http://www.boats.com/sites/grandpointe/boat?entityid=765630&back=%2Fsites%2Fgrandpointe%2FnewBoats%3Fmid%3D180 4&mid=1804&rev_srh=null%3Fsid%3D63900%26man%3DLowe%26slim%3Dm arinesite%26searchtype%3Dmarinesite%26uom%3D126%26 mid%3D1804%26duom%3D126%26is%3Dtrue%26wuom%3D126%2 6luom%3D126%26ps%3D20%26clk_srcrvs_nav&srh_prev=true&srh_next=true I bought a 2007 LOWE 1448 mod v welded with rivited benches for $1300.00 Everyone else was around $1800 to $1900