Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

[bonz_d]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Really eh? so I guess the mirrocraft is out of the question and everyone is on lund and alumacraft. Im heading to the toronto boat show tommorow, hopefully they have the hulls on display there to help me with my decision.

Sounds to me as though you are still considering New which is great if it's within your budget. I personally believe you'd be better served by looking for a used late 80s to early 90s Lund Rebel or Alumacraft Lunker SS. As in my opinion those were and are the best in that class and is a much better boat than the WS or V's. They are a bit heavier, ride nicer and will really take a pounding.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I live in Northern Ontario (Timmins to be exact). I would consider a 90's rebel or so, but I wouldnt be able to carry that with just a partner. There are some spots where I fish where I literally have to go through creeks about 4-5 inches deep and usually have to get out and push. Also with me being a student I would have to consider winter storage as well. with just a barebones aluminum I can just flip it upside down in my yard when the snow comes and leave my motor in the basement. Im just looking for a 14 footer that's basic and light, but deep and wide for the back lakes and rivers that I fish and plan to fish for the next 30-40 years. Once I graduate I will be in the market for a bigger boat with steering console, bigger motor all that stuff, but for now I have about a 2000-3000$ budget and I just want to get the best quality hull I can get for that since I already have a motor and trailer.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Another into the mix then. Have you considered a modified v jon? They are usually wider than a normal rowboat type hull.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

With all you have said, I think I would be leaning towards the Alumacraft. Won't be hard to add a livewell to the boat ... a cooler with an aerator works well. Should do what you need her to do.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

Are those any good for bigger water though? the biggest lakes I fish at the moment are roughly 1000 hectares, but most of the time Im on smaller lakes or rivers. I've considered Jon boats but sometimes on those couple of bigger lakes I go out when the wind picks up in certain directions I get caught in 2 foot or bigger waves which was one of the main reasons I want to upgrade to a deeper/wider boats along with it starting to leak.

 

[bonz_d]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

A good example of the addage that there is no such thing as a perfect boat.

Now go to the boat show and dream.

 

[JEBar]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

for a boat to keep for many, many years, its hard to beat a Lund

Jim

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

I am going to go against the grain here....... fix the leaks on the one you have with gluvit. A fresh coat of paint after the leaks are fixed and you will me FAR ahead in saving some money for the future boat.

Take a look in the restoration section and see what people have done with aluminum boats. Easy to fix, paint and low maintenance. The small increase in size will not make enough difference (in my opinion) to offset the expense.

 

[tayzak15]

Re: Which Boat should I choose? (14ft aluminum)

It wasn't only that though it was the beam, and depth of the boat. Sometime on the bigger lakes I was fishing I would be taking on water which is no fun. I went to the boat show today compared all the models and Im virtually sold on the Alumacraft V14 with the vinyl floor option. I liked the lunds a lot too but what sold me was the open floor concept you get with the alumacraft when you add the vinyl floor you get the split read and middle seats.