Older, quality utility boats around 17ft?

[KC8QVO]

What are some good older (~15-25 years old) model bare bones utility boats? Something like a lund SSV - open, bench seats, shallow v hull - that will take at least a 40hp motor and has a wide beam (80-90")? I have an idea to enclose one with a console helm - may try the idea on the boat we have, but would like something to handle more people and move faster with a load. I'm curious what kinds of hulls are out there that would be worth looking at.

 

[MH Hawker]

try crags list

 

[JimS123]

Lunds and Starcrafts are good. They hold up well. Some other tend to be leakers after 25 years.

 

[64osby]

Fining an older quality boat is part determination, part luck. I looked for many months.

My Mariner is 42 years old, and still original, except for minor comfort changes. I've had it for 4 years.

Finding a hull that is good is about finding an owner that didn't abuse the boat and kept it under cover or in a garage.

Where is home and how far will you travel?

Good luck in your search.

 

[KC8QVO]

We have an older version of a Lund WC, 16ft. I believe it is from the 80's. I would say it has been well used. It has not been extremely well cared for, but I wouldn't say it has been abused - like a lodge run-about boat would be. It is stored upside down on our dock. I guess I am basing my thoughts on the thread topic here on what we have - it is what I would think of in looking for another. If what met my criteria was in the same condition, to me, it would be a good boat. I just don't know much about other options. Our maintenance crew runs Alumacrafts, which I can't figure out. I did some looking in to them and none of their models look close - the Utility series is close, but they are all low-HP hulls. One of the boats I'm thinking of runs a 40hp motor, and is rated for it. Maybe its another company.

 

[KC8QVO]

I found from our maintenance guys they run Alumarine boats, not Alumacraft. Weird thing is I can't find much on them. I looked up their website (www.alumarineboats.net) and they show a brochure from 2008. I think that is a cue that they are no longer in business. Though, when I called their number the phone rang and I got their voicemail. I checked on boat trader and autotrader/boats - they don't have a category for Alumarine as a manufacturer, so that is a bit odd. It seems like no one has heard of them.

The boat the one guy I am thinking of runs is a 16ft with a 40hp yamaha. Thats what I'm talking about. Something like that - has enough HP to run some loads around the lake and zip to fishing spots. A little bigger would be nice, but that hp at that size is probably right where the performance I am looking for lies.

 

[jbcurt00]

Still in business, but a google search indicates they may have moved into larger boat building.

MIC code shows them to still be in business:

http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=ZAU

 

[steelespike]

Over the years I've owned 2 18' Crtestliner bare utilities A 57 and a 77 The 57 was more attractive and seemed to be better built.
The 77 was more roomy and really basic down too earth.The first 20+ years it spent every minute outside and in service from
April to November in very rough service with little care.It cost $995 in 77. It did require a minor transom rebuild in 1983.
Check the gauge of the bottom and sides. I checked out a Lund in 77. very attractive but slightly more money and only a 15" transom.
Both companies are still in business.