Sorry if this topic has already been covered, I couldn’t find a thread like this. If there is one just post the link to it. My question is what do you think the best aluminum boat on the market is right now for inshore fishing and shrimping? Something around 18’ with a 90hsp, center console, is sort of what i’m looking for.
WAR EAGLE
I second that. I have a War Eagle and absolutely love it. It is a great all around boat.
x3 on the War Eagle , had a Duracraft once but hands down for me is the W/E.
Keep the Stars and Bars flying.
205 Scout SportsFish
150 Yamaha 4 stroke
15 ft War Eagle
40 Yamaha 4 stroke
Salty-
I own a WarEagle 1648. Fantastic boat, but if doing it again, I’d look real hard at the XPress boats.
If your payload is going to be less than 1000#'s 60" bottom width. If your payload is going to be over 1000#'s 72" bottom width. No less than 100ga. metal on 60" bottoms, no less than 125ga. metal on 72" bottoms, all welded, no less than 20" transom. I’ve run trim tabs on some of my jons over the years and they make a BIG difference in holding the bow down in rough water, so the light hull doesn’t bounce when running light, also makes the boat take off extremely flat (almost feels as if the stern comes comes up before the bow).
If it is a:
60" Bottom width:
War Eagle for the ride.
Sea Ark for toughness and durability.
72" Bottom width:
Sea Ark for toughness, durability and ride.War Eagle
War Eagle is a fine boat, but I love my G3 1860CC. Baddest (**() jon boat in the lowcountry!!!
triton.have a 1750 DS.best alum boat i’ve ever been in.owned war eagle,alumacraft,duracraft. It has small trim tabs welded on.make a big difference in bow lift and bounce.with a 60 e-tec about 45mph.very stable.
if you want bells and whistles, war eagle is hard to beat, but seaark builds one of the most durable “commercial” grade boats on the market.
they even have a lifetime hull puncture warranty
there 18’ and up boats have a .125 hull thickness
SeaArk. Rides like a fiberglass boat, stable
Mike
14’ Polarkraft 25 rude
17’ Hydrasports basser, project pictures coming
Wellcraft 250 Sportsman, complete transom replacement, pictures coming soon
I can’t believe G3 hasn’t made the conversation.
Lowe is a great boat, since Triton does not build aluminum anymore, Lowe took over some of the models. It also carries a life time warranty on the structure and welds. Duracraft also builds a solid boat, been around them for years, plus the Ward family just bought Duracraft back (war eagle).
Hey scboatservice. Do you remember talking to someone about two weeks ago about the fiberglass bass boat for trade? Well I ended up selling it the other day so you will most likely be hearing from me this summer if things go well.
Sure thing, glad you were able to get rid of it so soon! Look forward to hearing from you!
One more question for you guys while we’re on this topic. How do you keep from burning yourself on the aluminum in the middle of summer? I remember that stuff getting so hot you couldn’t touch it with bare skin in July without getting third degree burns.
2nd Sea Ark. I have a 1652.
kms
Carolina Skiffs are made of the best kind of alum.
i have fished and hunted in alot of sea arks and have seen alot of my friends have to have welds fixed on them numerous times. my opions sea ark are poorly made. alumacraft makes a very solid boat. i have alumacraft 1860 tunnel with a 60 merc and run about 4 inches of water. xpress is also a solid boat. duracraft if you can find one is also an awesome boat. everyone ive seen even if it was 40 years old still looked brand new. alweld is also a rock solid boat. and gatortrax boats are great too. if you dont mind spending the money.
18’ Alumacraft Tunnel w/60 Merc
16’ Camo Tracker w/25 Merc
One more question for you guys while we’re on this topic. How do you keep from burning yourself on the aluminum in the middle of summer? I remember that stuff getting so hot you couldn’t touch it with bare skin in July without getting third degree burns.
i painted mine with white 2 part epoxy. stays nice and cool in july and august. i walk mine barefooted all summer and my wife lays out on it to. also look into a product called hydroturf. its a closed cell foam that is easy to clean and in a veriety of colors. it comes with 3m backing. so its just peel and stick. good luck.
18’ Alumacraft Tunnel w/60 Merc
16’ Camo Tracker w/25 Merc