Alumicraft or Lund

[koolerb]

I'm looking at mid line Alumacraft's and Lund's. They both look like solid boats. But after looking at a models on each side of the fence I'm leaning toward the Lund. Better paint jobs, better fit and finish on the interior, they paint the inside of the hull, and they have some cool features I have not seen anywhere else. What do you Alumacraft owners think? I have'nt made my mind up yet.

 

[Pony]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

what kind of price difference are you looking at?

 

[jt57]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

When I was looking at a new boat ,I looked at both Lund and Alumacraft real hard.Did lots of comparing,there were things i like about the lund ,that alumacraft didnt have.There were things that Alumacraft had Lund didnt.So for me it was really a toss up,and what made the difference was the dealer.The Alumacraft dealer gave me a fair trade in on my old boat,the lund dealer didnt even want to mess with a trade in.The alumacraft dealer was fair and service after the sell has been great,last I heard the lund dealer was going out of business.I think I would of been happy with either boat,but for me the dealer make the difference.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

I had an Alumacraft Magnum175CS w/Optimax 115 ($18,000), up against a Lund Explorer 1700SS w/Etec 75 ($21000). Never got to serious negotiating on either price, both of those were the first prices each dealer threw out. Even with the HP difference I came away wanting the Lund. But, the Lund dealer did a great job selling the Explorer, he spent about twenty minutes with me out at the boat going over all of the Lund advantages. The Alumacraft dealer just kind of pointed me in the general direction of the boat and said to come on back inside if I had any questions.

 

[Pony]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

sometimes the better dealership is the best way to go........incase anything were to happen down the road you'll want the service you feel more confident in. Its a bonus if you like the boat better too.<br /><br />P.S. If you get the lund, keep us informed on that e-tec......supposed to be great engines.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Both brands are very good boats. Look beyond the features and cosmetic qualities. Think of performance for which boat would be more suited for you, as to how you would use it most of the time. I looked at Lund and Crestliner but chose Alumacraft for several reasons, but these are only my preferences for the type of use and waters I boat on.<br /><br />I fish a lot and mostly not on large open waters. The boat I decided on was a Alumacraft 16 ft. Lunker SS and had a 4 cyl. Classic 50 tiller steer Mercury and rated for 75 hp. with the optional console. The boat was later renamed Backtroller. The 20" deep transom was straight across on top and the Lund wasn't. I had more room to easily mount 3 motors on it, the primary motor, a 2 cyl. 4 hp. kicker motor and a electric. Also the boat had a round (soft) chine. This I like, for a smother ride and better cornering and the kicker motor could be and was a short shaft which I preferred. The Alumacraft had a lower profile which is a advantage for me with less kiting in the wind and I was down lower to the water and I preferred the lighter weight and less draft to the hp. rating. There are other reasons but these are the main ones and the cost difference meant nothing to me.<br /><br />The comparable Lund boat has it's reasons for it's design with higher sides and hard (square) chine but it didn't fit my style of use as well.<br /><br />Take your time shopping and remember that boats are compromises. The quality is always there but one brand may be more suited for your use than the other.<br /><br />And after some years I decided my smaller 14 ft. boat that I always have was still the best for me. So it can take time, at least for me, to know what's best.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

I'm going to check them both out side by side at one of the local boat shows this winter. If one or the other has a good show deal going, I may buy. If not, we currently have a 13 year old Tracker Deep V 17ft we'll use for another season. There are three reasons I'm thinking about upgrading to a new boat; we want something with a dryer ride in rough water, wider beam, and it would just be nice to have something a little newer.

 

[marcengillb]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Dont let a butthole salesman effect your decision,you wont be dealing with him for years but you will be dealing with your boat.

 

[jt57]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Dont let a butthole salesman effect your decision

I have to disagree with this,if a butt hole saleman is indicitive of how the dealer,and the service dept works.It could make a difference,in any furture problems that arise.I sure dont want to deal with a salesman or a dealer that wont stand behind their product.

 

[DJ]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Both are good boats. My choice would be based on:<br /><br />1. The dealer.<br /><br />2. The dealer.<br /><br />3. Features and benefits that best suited my needs.

 

[koolerb]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Well, the dealer that I would like to buy from only sells one brand of Aluminum boat, Lowe. I'm sure is a good boat, I'm just not sold on the welded hulls. The two dealers close to my house that still sell riveted boats sell Alumacraft and Lund. The owner of the Lund dealership is a great salesman; he represents the product extremely well. But, on the maintenance/repair side of his business, I don't like his repair manager, at all. Big strike against them in my book. On the other side of the coin, the Alumacraft dealer isn't a great boat salesman, but they have helped me out with repair advice in the past and I like them allot. Having a good relationship with what ever dealer I buy the boat from is important to me. Not sure which way I'm going to go on this one yet.

 

[DJ]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Ummm, Both Alumicraft and Lund have many parts of thir hulls welded. Welding vs. Riveting has been a long debate, on this and other websites, coffee shops, etc. <br /><br />

On the other side of the coin, the Alumacraft dealer isn't a great boat salesman, but they have helped me out with repair advice in the past and I like them allot. Having a good relationship with what ever dealer I buy the boat from is important to me. Not sure which way I'm going to go on this one yet.

With that statement, I don't know how you can be debating. The salesman, while a good salesman, is NOT going to fix your boat, or your engine, if he even remembers who you are, one week later.<br /><br />By the way, one of the nicest boats I ever owned was a Lowe.

 

[teamstromer]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

i bought an 04 alumacraft navigator 175 cs with the 04 merc 90 and trailer at a boat show. the boat is great and so was the price, everything included, lowrance depth finder and 55 lb bow mounted min kota with auto pilot. boat show price stated at 18000 tehn to 15000 we negotiated to 13500. dealer was willing to deal.<br /><br />this was a lot cheaper than any similar lund. i especially like the splash rails on this brand of boat. gives great dry ride in heavy water.<br /><br />buy the alumacraft!!!!!!

 

[koolerb]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Wow, good deal. I was looking at a 05 Magnum175CS, which I think is the same thing as the Navigator, but the gunnels are higher on the Magnum. For 06 it looks like the Magnum became the Dominator. Anyway, with the 115 Optimax my local dealer wanted $18K. How do you like the 90hp Merc, enough power? I'm glad to hear you're getting a dry ride; that’s the main reason I want to upgrade from our 17ft Tracker. A little bit of wind, little bit of chop and we get soaked.

 

[fish42]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

I bought a 165 navigator alumacraft with a 60 hp 4-stroke tiller on last summer it's a 2001 boat and 2002 efi motor love the boat very dry ride. Rivets or welded hull the hulls with rivets can flex more. Welded hulls I heard can crack with stress. I know first hand rivets are very easy to fix I had 2 boats that leaked not any more dry now. Take your time Lund is also a very good boat

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

I have a 2004 Navigator 165CS with a 75 HP Merc 2 stroke and love the boat and have had zero problems with it. I spend many weeks each summer fishing with another couple that have a 2002 Lund Explorer which is for all practicle purposes an identical boat. Both boats are sturdy, dry, and with comparable features. The Lund has one advantage and that's resale. Whether it's deserved or perceived is up to the beholder. I would argue fit and finish being better on the Lund as I've not seen that. In my view you can't go wrong with either boat.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

I agree that Lund has great resale. And it made it a PITA when we were buying one. But brought it home and it is worth every penny and then some.

 

[georgiaboy]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

I can tell you this. I have a 1987 Alumicraft and a 1982 Bass Tracker sitting side by side in my drive way and the Tracker is twice the better built boat.

 

[River - Runner]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

That sounds really bad. What's wrong with the Alumacraft. Are they both bass boats?

I'm familiar with your '80's Bass Tracker, my neighbor has one and it's a very well built aluminum bass boat.

 

[georgiaboy]

Re: Alumicraft or Lund

Both are bass boats. In my case I can stand there and see them both. The al. is of a heavier gauge on the tracker. Also the pieces are fitted better. There seems to be more thought in the design. Maybe Alumicraft is better now I do not know. I do know some manufacturers go through periods where the quality is not up to par. Just my opinion.