aluminum boats

S

Scott Gentry

Active member
ok i know i know im sacrelijeous and will shortly be banned for mere mentioning of liking aluminum boats. But here is my dilema i need a new aluminum boat for next duck season financing makes me not pull the trigger on a new boat right now. timing makes a fiberglass hand crafted boat impossible for me too build and im stuck looking at aluminum. My ? is what manufacturer makes the most wide open floor plan in a mod v jon in the 14 - 16 ft range somthing that will match well with a 25 horse Thanks in advance
 
[font=Verdana,Arial,Helvetica]I think Charlie is right track is the cheapest,
But what kind of water/conditions are needing it for? they use some purty light Alum.

Sorry guys but one of my business is Alum...................... (ok stop it that hurts.......lol)

I know the alum boat market purity good, and I thought about designing a flat bottom high bred with a baja nose for what I need a boat for.

here take a look I do know my alum. rbcomponents.com
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Agreed- There is one other option. Buy a second hand alluminum jon, and cut the Benches out. Welding alluminum is no big deal, takes about 1 hr to do the whole process. depending on the boat you may need a reinforcement stringer, depending on the width between the stringers. Take a look at these pics of my freinds boat of the mods. He cut out both seats I opted to keep the rear. gregsboat.jpg. framefront.jpg.
 
Scott

You may want to consider a custom boat manufacturer. There are a number of them scattered throughout the country that specialize in aluminum. The prices are closer to a production boat than you would think. Also the best part is they build it exactly to your specs. Let me know what part of the county you are in and I can possibly give you some names.
 
greg im im washington and would love too chat with a custom boat maker. i have a email into duckwater boats and will see what pans out there. i dont hunt radical big water just need good weight carrying capabilities and I hate going slow.Ive also considered hacking up a good used jon boat and that seems like a viable soution ive just never had a new boat and would like too start tottaly fresh thanks
 
Last time I was out west I was in Portland OR, and there was a free or at least inexpensive fisherman's magazine that listed about 15 custom boat manufacturers in the portland/seattle area. You should be able to find lots of custom options in your area easily.
 
Look on craigslist for one of the late 70s through 80s alumaweld skiffs. Most are center console but you could remove it for a tiller. They are wide, fairly cheap and a solid failry solid boat. Like most flat bottoms they have fairly short sides though.
 
Scott,

a duck boat is a duck boat no matter what it's constructed of; wood, aluminum, fiberglass or plastic.
 
Scott, the thing with boats that I have found is there is one for everybody. That being said that's why there are so many different models, and boats for sale. I being one who didn't like this on this boat but like this about another, chose to cut, chop, rebuild a alumacraft. Not particularly because of the name but because of it's doublewide width,and the fact I bought the boat second hand for a ridiculously low price of 400.00 with a 25 electric start merc, and a galvanized trailer. I had to do some carb work but nothing big. I guess its my way of tailoring to my needs with alum. instead of wood. The most appealing boat I found new was the beaver tail. Heres the link http://www.fisherbeavertail.com/boatsintro.
 
his Alumaweld sled with Yamaha JET is up for sale right now.....

Perfect boat for what you're looking for.....

Contact me if you want Greg's cell.....

Steve
 
I do not know what type of used boats you have in your area. You could find and old fiberglass boat in the length you want. A lot of these boats have open flat deck on the inside. You could modify the hull by cutting off the top deck and side rails to make an open hull. You can then customize it by adding wood gunwale rails and framing for top decking that fits your needs. I have seen articles were someone as customized a hull this way with grass rails, decoy storage and flip boards for concealment. This would minimize some building steps to get something useful.
 
Scott

The majority of the custom builders I am familiar with are in Texas, Arkansas or Lousiana. From my recent shopping it appears that the customs are around 20-25% more than a similar production boat . But if you are planning on keeping the boat for a while, it's worth the difference to get exactly what you want. Also the customs tend to be better constructed - more and better welds, more attention to detail. If you are going to use the 25 hp, be sure to get a boat that is of the size and weigth to perform properly with it. Too big or heavy and it will be under powered. An underpowered boat is a disaster waiting to happen. Any custom mfg worth his salt will know what size to match with a 25.

A friend of mine had an aluminum duck boat custom built in Washington a couple of years ago. The builder did a top notch job. I'll find out the builders contact number and let you know. Take care.
 
Hi there,
If you are considering a custom boat, look at www.specmar.com
Specialty marine is in Scappoose.
You buy the design, contact the cutter, who cuts the design on his laser table, send parts to your welder, and you have a boat. Many open boats to choose up to 20FT, including landing craft if you have an ATV or livestock.

A lot more $$ and work than tracker or lund, G3 etc., but can be built heavy for river use. Jon boats are fine for lakes/bays, but i wouldn't go up the creek in one.

you are lucky to be in the NW - custom AL boats/builders are uncommon in the east.

good luck
 
id appreciate the name of the custom builder in your friend used also pics of his boat would be cool.yea steve a nice new jet sled would kick butt but the baby on the way says a new hull for my setup might be best bet for me.another reason i keep thinking custom is too go longitudinally braced so i can mud moter it some day when the unborn kid tells me he aint goin too colledge he just wants us too go hunting with our new mud moter lol
 
Charlie is right. Absolutly, positivly a Grizzly. Welds are warented for life,floor and sides are both 100/1000 thickness. Plenty og room even in the 14 footer. If I didn't build my own boats, I'd still be hunting out of one. A war eagle or that other magazine cover are just too expensive and no better in the water.
 
2003 Alumaweld Super Vee LT $19,500
16’ center console
2003 Yamaha 90/65 Jet with less than 60 hours
2001 Yamaha 9.9 kicker with EZ-steer
Polished Hull with Sharkhide
Diamond Plate Step Deck
Diamond Plate Kicker Mounting Pad
Extra-Wide Carpeted Shelves
Under Shelf Lighting
Handrail Gunnel
Hot Water Sink
Custom Seating over 21 Gallon Fuel Tank
Captains Chair on 4-legged Base
Lowrance LMS335 Color Sounder With GPS
Ritchie Angler Compass
Scotty 1106 Electric Downriggers (2)
TRM Adjustable Downrigger Mounts
TRM Leader Dispenser TRM Cupholders (3)
Folbe Rodholders (4) two on TRM adjustable mounts
Large Fish Box and Anchor Storage Compartments in Step Deck

Plus Custom Mudbuddy Quick Flip Duckblind and two extra 4-legged Seat Bases

This boat has everything you need to be ready to fish or go duckhunting. It has been EXTREMELY well taken care of and has always been stored under cover or in the garage. The boat is located in Wenatchee, WA. If you are interested in looking at this boat please call Gregg at 509-670-7416
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Call around to different Marinas and boat dealers in your area. I got a stripped down 1756 G3 that I bought a couple years ago for $1800. It was a new boat, but an old model year that they had stashed away in one of their back buildings. Brand new it would've been alot more. It's got .100 sides and bottom, is all welded, and has worked well for me. If you can find a dealer that is no longer selling a certain brand of boat, and is trying to get rid of what they've got in stock, it will cut down on cost as well.
 
thanks for all the responces i think ive narrowed it down too iether a tracker grizzly or someones used jon that jet sled looks awesome just not in my cards i would be interested in hearing about the custom builder that was used here in wa i dont fish so to say just bowfishing and duck hunting is all i need out of a boat thanks for the help
 
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