used aluminum boat question

[TerryMSU]

Hello:

I am in the process of looking for a used boat. I have a strong preference for aluminum. I am tendint towards wanting a welded aluminum boat. Are there any disadvantages I should be aware of? Also, I am specifically looking at used Tracker boats with a console. Anything I should know of with reference to Tracker boats. By the way, this will almost certainly be a flat-bottom boat if that has any importance. The boat will get a lot of use in shallow rocky river bottoms.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[Kyshorthair]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Welds can crack but you should be better off buying a welded boat than a riveted boat. If you can test it in the water you should be able to tell though. I'm a big fan of aluminum boats too and use mine for river and lake fishing. Good luck with your search. Lots of them out there.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Look for at least .100" hull material .
There is a manufacturer or 2 out there that use .120" material , but , I can't recall which at the moment .

There are a lot of other manufacturers out there , who offer similar type products as Tracker , you may want to check them out .
Starcraft , G3 , Lund , etc.. , all offer similiar products .
Your best strategy right now is to find a good used boat , or , a 2006/2007 model on a dealers floor , taking up space that the new 2008 models should be sitting in .
With the economy going the way it is , bargains will be out there .

 

[dave11]

Re: used aluminum boat question

I have a small welded boat. It has .160" sheet for the bottom and sides. For MY use, it is great. I have heard nothing bad about Tracker boats. This boat just fit my requirements. Decide what is important to you and the applications in which you are going to use the boat. Within those constraints, choose your boat. Keep in mind that any boat you choose will be a compromise.

Whatever you do, do it quickly. I know you live in cold country, but boating season, for you, is approaching. Get a boat and enjoy!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: used aluminum boat question

tracker had a problem several years ago, with welds cracking. inspect the boat well.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Tashasdaddy:

That is exactly the answer I was looking for. There have been at least three 14 to 16ft welded trackers at $2900 in the last few weeks. If I remember, they were about 1989 vintage. These were the shiny ones, not the olive drab ones. The pictures looked great, but the boats were gone before I could get to see them. Can anyone give me any details on the cracked welds?

By the way, I sold the old boat, so now I need to get REALLY serious about finding that replacement.

Thanks,
Terry

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Bump (see above question)

Thanks
Terry

 

[CRETE4U]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Don't pass up a good buy on a riveted boat. I have a 1970 MonArk 16 that is still going strong.

 

[5150abf]

Re: used aluminum boat question

I agree with crete4u, there is nothing wrong with a riveted boat, I personnally would go with a welded one but I am a welder.
Yes welds will eventually crack but you can see a cracked weld you can't see a lose rivet and if it does crack it will probly be from a corner, in 21 years I have never seen a weld crack start in the middle, always at the end of the weld or a corner stress point.
And,unless you let them go for a long long time(years) a crack rarely runs very far and is easily fixxed.
In the end either is fine and the welded boat will probly be a little stronger and a little lighter than a riveted one.
Lots of people make welded john boats, maybe stay away from Tracker, it all depends on how long you want to look.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: used aluminum boat question

One of the boats that I was looking at is a Seanymph TX175. The front ring that you attach the winch to has a substantial crack on it. It this a bad fix to get done, or is it a relatively simple welding job?

TerryMSU

 

[kennyboater]

Re: used aluminum boat question

One of the boats that I was looking at is a Seanymph TX175. The front ring that you attach the winch to has a substantial crack on it. It this a bad fix to get done, or is it a relatively simple welding job?

TerryMSU

im not sure about fixing that terry, but i had a 15ft sea nymph w a 40hp mariner for a few years when i lived in Fl. I took it over to the coast all the time and did flats fishing and even ran a mile off shore in it on a calm day, i loved it and have no complaints

 

[CRETE4U]

Re: used aluminum boat question

No doubt a welded boat is better. I also have a 20' Sea Ark that is welded .125 thick. Built like a tank. No flex. That little riveted MonArk just keeps going though.

 

[jljue]

Re: used aluminum boat question

If possible, get a welded boat instead of a riveted boat. I've had to take dad's 2000 Bass Tracker Panfish 16 to the weld shop a couple of times this past year for leaks, and most of sources of leakage were the rivets. There was one weld that did crack, but there were quite a few rivets that cracked. One repair bill (with the 12" cracked weld and 5 or 6 rivets) was around $200 while the 3-4 rivet repair was about $90.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Kennyboater:

Does this sound like the description? Just posted on Craigslist (less than an hour ago). Anxiously awaiting a phone response. Hoping to look at it tomorrow AM ASAP.

Terry

1991 Sea Nymh - $2100

15 Foot Flat bottom boat, Live well,Fish graph,Electric anchors, 3 seats, 25 horse Evenrude motor, trolling motor,Cover and Trailer. Great shape!!!
Call xxx-xxx-xxxx or xxx-xxx-xxxx Leave message if no answer and we will get back to you.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: used aluminum boat question

If possible, get a welded boat instead of a riveted boat. I've had to take dad's 2000 Bass Tracker Panfish 16 to the weld shop a couple of times this past year for leaks, and most of sources of leakage were the rivets. There was one weld that did crack, but there were quite a few rivets that cracked. One repair bill (with the 12" cracked weld and 5 or 6 rivets) was around $200 while the 3-4 rivet repair was about $90.

Sounds like the age of the boat has a distinct bearing either way (weld or rivet).

The newer boats have come a long way in hull construction. The important difference these days is weight. Welded boats are heavier than riveted, which influences choice of power and trailerability.

 

[gdoss]

Re: used aluminum boat question

I have a 1989 Tracker TX17. I have spent more time trying to fix rivets and cracks than fishing. A great little boat, but leaks are always poping up. Get a welded boat. To hell with rivets.

 

[sschefer]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Perhaps by now you've found a boat. Tis the season and craigs list if full of them.

If you're looking for a river boat then look at Jetcraft, North River and such. These are the boats that will stand the abuse. Riveted boats and rocks are not a great combination from what I've found. It's pretty easy to grind em down and knock em loose. A combination of welded and riveted like the G3's (Yamaha) seems to work pretty well.

Your biggest concern with a river runner is repairability (if there is such a word). The welded boats with thicker hulls are much easier to work on. Insurance companies will total a riveted boat faster than you can blink. But, that also means that there are a lot of repairable totals out there. I can pay to look into these. I just bought one and fixed if for 100.00 and a lot of elbow grease. It's a keeper but I could turn it and make 6,000.00 if I wanted.

 

[SNye45]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Look at Smokercaft boats. My last boat was a 16ft Lodge. Shallow draft and easy to push with minimum Horsepower (I had a 4 stroke 25hp)

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: used aluminum boat question

Thanks to all...

I bouyght one several months ago. 15 ft welded Lowe with a 40HP VRO evenrude on trailer. All were 1990 vintage for $2500. Worked great all summer, but it has been winterized for about 3 weeks now.

TerryMSU

 

[sschefer]

Re: used aluminum boat question

TerryMSU, Winterizing? In my world that means I get to tear my boat apart and re-do all the things I screwed up from the previous years re-do. LOL