Aluminum Bay boats

General Boats and Motors
1

Hoping to get a new/newer boat this year. I have been looking at G3,Xpress,ranger etc bay boats. Never had a metal boat before. Anyone have any pros/cons vs fiberglass. i know less weight means less hp so = less cost. I do lots of lake fishing, play in ythe salt from time to time and may hit the big water on a super nice day… Any thoughts please chime in

Jeff

2

aluminum is lighter, but also more noise
what size are looking for?

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3

If you take the boat anywhere there are rocks, I would go with the aluminum! Gelcoat is expensive to fix!

4

Jeff - I have been looking to replace my 1810 NauticStar since last November. Here is where I landed after researching and attending the boat shows:

  • Based my needs to fit a boat in my garage I am limited to a 16’ boat but I also require a folding tongue
  • SeaArk offers the most boat for the money at 16’…its the only aluminum boat I have found with a 5’ wide bottom.
  • SeaArk has better welding standards…I saw this by comparing at the boat shows. The ribs and floor had more joints than others.
  • Tiller is the way to go. I grew up with tiller and they have improved significantly!!! Very easy steering and control. This also give more room in the boat.
  • SeaArk is made to order so you only get taxed on the value of the boat and motor not the added options.
  • A close second is Lowe aluminum boats

Hope this helps with things to consider.

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

5
quote:
Originally posted by Easy

If you take the boat anywhere there are rocks, I would go with the aluminum! Gelcoat is expensive to fix!

X2

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

6

I will be looking at the 18-20 ft range 115 hp…

7

Saw a nice sea ark last night on craigs list. 9’ wide 27’ long 250 verado! Homa La. Nice looking boat.

8

Jeff, I have a 2014 G3 Bay 18 DLX, with a Yamaha 115. Have been very happy with the performance, and it fits in my garage with the trailer tongue removed. I also fish mostly lakes, but venture in salt a couple of times per year. I like aluminum because it’s pretty tough for most any situation. I’d be happy to try to answer any questions you may have about G3, the Yamaha 115, or related topics. Ron

2014 G3 Bay 18 DLX
115 Yamaha

9

I was actuaally looking at the 18 ft G3, same setup. found a “good” buy on left over new 2014 with a 115. How is the ride? Do you get much spray in wind? How skinny of water can you get into with it.

10

Fiberglass is going to ride much better and track much better on the trolling motor in wind.

11

I have an 1860 Duracraft Bay Boat with a 115 Optimax and love it. It rides great and will run about 43 on the GPS. Well built for how I fish and shrimp and have no worries about beaching it or pulling up on a Shell bank. It can go shallow and a 12 volt trolling motor is plenty to push it as it is very light. Easy to Trailer as well and can be pulled with just about anything.

12

jUMPNCOBIA
do yourself a favor and look at the ALWELD boats
they have a 5 year warranty on the hull welds, seaark does not.
seaark offers a lifetime “puncture” warranty, but a 1 year on the welds. welds are what break on an aluminum boat.
Alweld is built as good or better, priced lower with a better warranty. ( use to sell seaark)
they offer a 1660 and a 1666

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13
quote:
Originally posted by chris V

jUMPNCOBIA

they offer a 1660 and a 1666

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Link?

Mark Ingle
NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

14

Xpress H20B (boat is 20’ 3" long…with trailer it’s 25’)

https://xpressboats.com/hyperlift-bay/

Will float in 10" of water
Handles rough water well
Dry ride
Gets on plane quick
Good storage
Wide beam (very stable)
Yamaha 115 SHO, loaded with full tank of gas (30gal), gear and three people, will push it 39-40mph (gps)

No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.

15
quote:
Originally posted by jsadler

I was actuaally looking at the 18 ft G3, same setup. found a “good” buy on left over new 2014 with a 115. How is the ride? Do you get much spray in wind? How skinny of water can you get into with it.

The ride is good, much better in choppy water than my old G3 jonboat. Not too much spray. I’ve floated loaded in a foot of water. I’d suggest the 115 hp over the 90 hp. It’s a lot of boat for a 90. And as I posted earlier,it’ll fit in the garage. I’d also suggest a 24 v., 70# or more thrust trolling motor. It makes a BIG difference in the wind or incoming/outgoing tide. Also, if you are considering the G3 Bay, be sure to look at the Bay DLX; the plain Bay is just a jon boat and doesn’t have the modified V hull the DLX has.

2014 G3 Bay 18 DLX
115 Yamaha

16

Pretty much all boats mentioned here are 100 gauge aluminum or more and all welded which is a really good thing, that is all of them are durable/good quality. The biggest difference between those mentioned above in my opinion is layout and hull configuration which goes back to usage and buyer preference. Another item that was mentioned by ChrisV is hull warranty, a very important consideration in my opinion. I do find it interesting that your subject line says “bay boat” and most of the hulls mentioned above are modified V and personally I would not consider those to be a “bay” style. If you are looking for a true aluminum “bay” boat you may want to check with Brooks Oswald local manufacture of Cast and Blast. Within the last few months he has begun production on a true aluminum bay boat. First boat was purchased by a local that previously owned a Black Jack. I spoke first hand with the owner of this new hull design and he is very impressed. Obviously since it is aluminum it is significantly different than his fiberglass Blackjack was so he was not drawing direct comparisons between these two; but, instead he was offering up how impressed he was with the features, benefits, and overall quality of the Cast and Blast Bay. I believe this boat is a 22-foot but could not swear to it. I have no earthly idea as to cost nor your budget, but might be worth your time to check out.

17

https://xpressboats.com/performance/

No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.

18
quote:
Originally posted by JumpNCobia
quote:
Originally posted by chris V

jUMPNCOBIA

they offer a 1660 and a 1666
www.teamcharlestonmarine.com
www.joinrfa.org
IF I RESPOND IN ALL CAPS, ITS NOT ON PURPOSE, AND I AM NOT YELLING

Link? Mark Ingle NauticStar 1810 Merc 90

I DONT KNOW ABOUT A LINK, BUT WE HAVE A SALES ORDER SHEET, AND THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO BE ORDERED

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19

I’m definitely gonna have to test ride a few this year before I buy anything. I live on a lake so that’s the bulk of the usage, 80% other 20% salt water

20

Gotcha, I Had not seen that bay series first hand from Xpress. I have seen the skiff, matter of fact Rogue Motion has a used skiff on their lot right now. The skiff is not a very sexy boat. Lines are not attractive at all to me and the finish work has lots of flaws from a poorly installed rub rail to some very bubbly looking welds.