Characteristics of A Well Maintained Aluminum Fishing Boat?

[fordy]

I've started looking for a used , well maintained aluminum fishing boat ! There are numerous models of the older Lonestar riveted models but I have been told to stay away from rivits . So , it seems most are 12 to 16 feet long , 15 to 35Hp , 4 cycle engines , the older models having 2 cycles . I want a model with a steering wheel rather than arm steering . I , am Not a boat person , so please educate me about what I should look FOR , both good and bad . , thanks , fordy

[JoePa]

I have a old '91 Tracker - 17 ft. deep V - it was built with rivets - I have no leaks and have no complains about the boat -- I know a lot of the boat makers have turned to welded boats but I heard that some models were experiencing cracks in the welds - so I would say that if you looking for an old boat most will have been built with rivets - even so if some rivets do leak you can always seal them up again -

[fordy]

Originally Posted by JoePa

I have a old '91 Tracker - 17 ft. deep V - it was built with rivets - I have no leaks and have no complains about the boat -- I know a lot of the boat makers have turned to welded boats but I heard that some models were experiencing cracks in the welds - so I would say that if you looking for an old boat most will have been built with rivets - even so if some rivets do leak you can always seal them up again -

............Thanks JPa , I won't reject rivits out of hand ! , thanks, fordy

[Brighton]

You don't need a steering wheel, that is just silly! I was taught in a Jon boat with a trolling type motor, it is easy peasy after about 10 minutes. Plus are you going to be on "big" water or just small local lakes, I fish small lakes and like the option of being able to raise and lower the trolling motor to get over snags, or whatnot!

[Nimrod]

What is best for you depends on what you are going to use it for, what kind of water you will be on, how many people you expect it to hold, and what kind of shape you are in.

I bought a 1981 Crestliner Nordic 16 foot with a 35 hp Johnson on it, new. It has a livewell, rod storage, and a steering console. It does most everything I want it to do so I have never considered upgrading. I use it for fishing or just to take the boat out for a ride. It has been on really small lakes up to Lake Superior(when it's calm) and rivers like the Mississippi. It is too heavy to carry down to the water so I need a boat ramp I can back the truck down to launch. It will hold 5 people and the dog or 2 people, camping gear, and the dog. You need to be in reasonable shape to haul it up on shore or push it off. It is much eaiser to run with the steering console, especially now that I've gotten older. I did have the livewell installed on the side of the boat opposite the steering console so I can fill the livewell and balance the boat when I an sitting at the console.

The hull is welded aluminum. My 25 year hull warranty has expired but it doesn't leak. The new ones have a lifetime hull warranty but I bet that's just for the original owner. Crestliners and Lund are made in New York Mills MN, about 30 miles away so I bought local. The Lund also have an excellent reputation and they have a riveted hull design.

The outboard is a 35 hp 2 stroke. It weighs less, has more torque, and uses less gas than the new 4 stroke motors. I have often gone camping in Voyager's National Park where the campsites are accessible only by boat. Gas pumps are few and far between so I take my two 6 gallon tanks full and another 5 gallons in a gas can. I have stayed up to 2 weeks on that amount of gas although I didn't do a lot of trolling. Outboards don't get a lot of use compared to other motors so I wouldn't be afraid to buy a well maintained used one.

The trailer is a roller trailer. It guides the boat on straight when you load it. Bunker trailers not so much.

It has been through at least 4 trucks. It pulls behind a Ford F150 (and now the Bronco) almost like it's not there.

I decided I was too old to camp in a tent, if I didn't have to, so I bought an old Mirrocraft riveted lightweight 14 foot boat. It is light enough that 2 of us can pick it up and carry it to the lake. I made a frame for the popup camping trailer that goes from the trailer frame in back to the trailer frame in front and keeps the boat off the roof while trailering. I can camp in comfort in the trailer and still have a boat to fish the small lakes I prefer.

When I bought the 14 footer some of the rivets were sealed with silicone caulk. They still leaked. I had to drill some of them out and re-rivet to make a waterproof boat. Some rivets I was able to re-set.

Initially I had a 15 hp Evinrude for it that a neighbor gave me. That was a seriously scary combination. It went about 50 miles an hour but you had to feed in the power slowly. The bow would come up over your head it you just bottomed the throttle. I sold the 15 and bought a '67 Evinrude 4hp Light Twin. It works really well for the small lakes I like to fish.

Hope this gives you some info to cogitate on.

[big rockpile]

Ok I have two Boats one 12 foot Riveted and one 18 foot Welded.

The Riveted one never a problem. The Welded one going over rough Roads did break Welds.

Have Tiller Steer on the 12 foot Steering Wheel on the 18 Foot can't say either is better.

Me I'm not really happy with either. I want one stable enough to feel comfortable standing up on the front for Gigging. One small enough to take on smaller waters and I can handle by myself loading and unloading easy.

I can make a smaller Boat work, in Lake Coves and our river close to the house. Thinking either 14 or 16 Footer, leaning more to a 14/40.

My wife likes the 18/60 because it is comfortable in middle of the Lake and she can get up walk around with out worry.

Another thing is I have found around here, take set on the bank in easy chair Rods in Holders can catch plenty of fish most of the time. Not as much fun being able to move around.

big rockpile

[big rockpile]

Here is my 18 footer on the water



And my 12 footer



Some of the waters I fish






big rockpile

[big rockpile]

Ok don't know why it made 3 copies of my 12 footer and don't know how to take two off.

But I will try again as far as showing waters I fish.







Oh another plus on my Bigger Boat is using it to hunt during cold weather as far as being stable and loading Deer and or Hogs in it but smaller Boat will do.

big rockpile

[fordy]

...............BRP , Thanks for the pics...........I'm thinking either a 16 or 18 footer will be my best choice ! I spent the afternoon perusing C's List and there are hundreds of used boats for sale . My thinking is the farther we get into winter the lower the prices will go . So , it seems the best time to purchase is in Oct or Nov , once into Dec. then folks are all caught up in Christmas . After Jan-15 , spring is just around the corner and prices for used boats will firm back up .
..............How much yearly maintenance do you have on the motors , 2 cycles would seem to require less maintenance that the newer 4 cycle engines . , fordy

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Nimrod

What is best for you depends on what you are going to use it for, what kind of water you will be on, how many people you expect it to hold, and what kind of shape you are in.

I bought a 1981 Crestliner Nordic 16 foot with a 35 hp Johnson on it, new. It has a livewell, rod storage, and a steering console. It does most everything I want it to do so I have never considered upgrading. I use it for fishing or just to take the boat out for a ride. It has been on really small lakes up to Lake Superior(when it's calm) and rivers like the Mississippi. It is too heavy to carry down to the water so I need a boat ramp I can back the truck down to launch. It will hold 5 people and the dog or 2 people, camping gear, and the dog. You need to be in reasonable shape to haul it up on shore or push it off. It is much eaiser to run with the steering console, especially now that I've gotten older. I did have the livewell installed on the side of the boat opposite the steering console so I can fill the livewell and balance the boat when I an sitting at the console.

The hull is welded aluminum. My 25 year hull warranty has expired but it doesn't leak. The new ones have a lifetime hull warranty but I bet that's just for the original owner. Crestliners and Lund are made in New York Mills MN, about 30 miles away so I bought local. The Lund also have an excellent reputation and they have a riveted hull design.

The outboard is a 35 hp 2 stroke. It weighs less, has more torque, and uses less gas than the new 4 stroke motors. I have often gone camping in Voyager's National Park where the campsites are accessible only by boat. Gas pumps are few and far between so I take my two 6 gallon tanks full and another 5 gallons in a gas can. I have stayed up to 2 weeks on that amount of gas although I didn't do a lot of trolling. Outboards don't get a lot of use compared to other motors so I wouldn't be afraid to buy a well maintained used one.

The trailer is a roller trailer. It guides the boat on straight when you load it. Bunker trailers not so much.

It has been through at least 4 trucks. It pulls behind a Ford F150 (and now the Bronco) almost like it's not there.

I decided I was too old to camp in a tent, if I didn't have to, so I bought an old Mirrocraft riveted lightweight 14 foot boat. It is light enough that 2 of us can pick it up and carry it to the lake. I made a frame for the popup camping trailer that goes from the trailer frame in back to the trailer frame in front and keeps the boat off the roof while trailering. I can camp in comfort in the trailer and still have a boat to fish the small lakes I prefer.

When I bought the 14 footer some of the rivets were sealed with silicone caulk. They still leaked. I had to drill some of them out and re-rivet to make a waterproof boat. Some rivets I was able to re-set.

Initially I had a 15 hp Evinrude for it that a neighbor gave me. That was a seriously scary combination. It went about 50 miles an hour but you had to feed in the power slowly. The bow would come up over your head it you just bottomed the throttle. I sold the 15 and bought a '67 Evinrude 4hp Light Twin. It works really well for the small lakes I like to fish.

Hope this gives you some info to cogitate on.

.............Thanks Nimrod , you've given me a lot of valuable information . I appreciate your help . , fordy

[Cali Bassman]

Fordy
What do you want to fish for, and what kind of water do you want to fish in?
Lakes or ponds or rivers?
I've owned several boats over the years, by far the absolute best for fishing has been my bassboats..I prefer glass but if your want alumminum I've fished out of several, my first boat was a 12 ft Valco with tiller steering.
Here's my take, they are tippy, you will have to stay seated to fish and they are noisy when you drop something.
An alumminum bassboat like a tracker or a Lund is carpeted so its quieter, they are wider so it's more stable, allowing you to walk around and be more comfortable, there are storage compartments for your stuff, just all around better...
However, if your looking to pond fish, they won't work, you need a launch ramp..
And speaking of launching and trailers, the previous poster was mistaken. Bunks are better than rollers, but there has to be 4 bunks not 2, they are drive on, just drive up on the bunks and your done.... Go watch a bass tournament pull out some afternoon to see what I'm talking about.
There just some of my thoughts, from a guy who only fished 50 or 60 times a year

[fordy]

Originally Posted by Cali Bassman

Fordy
What do you want to fish for, and what kind of water do you want to fish in?
Lakes or ponds or rivers?
I've owned several boats over the years, by far the absolute best for fishing has been my bassboats..I prefer glass but if your want alumminum I've fished out of several, my first boat was a 12 ft Valco with tiller steering.
Here's my take, they are tippy, you will have to stay seated to fish and they are noisy when you drop something.
An alumminum bassboat like a tracker or a Lund is carpeted so its quieter, they are wider so it's more stable, allowing you to walk around and be more comfortable, there are storage compartments for your stuff, just all around better...
However, if your looking to pond fish, they won't work, you need a launch ramp..
And speaking of launching and trailers, the previous poster was mistaken. Bunks are better than rollers, but there has to be 4 bunks not 2, they are drive on, just drive up on the bunks and your done.... Go watch a bass tournament pull out some afternoon to see what I'm talking about.
There just some of my thoughts, from a guy who only fished 50 or 60 times a year

...........Mostly man made lake fishing ! No ponds and the rivers where I live only flow , when it rains or when the large cities pump their processed sewage discharge into the rivers and let it flow back into the lakes used as sources of fresh water .
...........My interests are in bass , catfish and crappy . , fordy

[Cali Bassman]

If you want to fish them Texas lakes like Fork or Conrow get your self a bassboat

[Cali Bassman]

As far as what to look for:
1. Transom, (back of the boat, where the motor is attached) Visually check for cracks, grab the motor towards the bottom, and give a little pull, transom should not flex.
2. Motor, go for a test ride, does it start reliably, does it ---- water out ( it should). If its an older 2-stroke a little smoke is ok. Take the cover off and check for fuel or oil leaks.
3. The hull, crawl underneath and look for gouges that might cause a leak. Open the battery compartment and look at the bottom of the hull, is there water in there? A little is ok...
4. The trailer, are the bunks rotten, does it have bearing buddy's, are they greased? Do the lights work? ( the lights might not work unless the trailer is hitched up)

[Nimrod]

Cali,
To each his own. I like the roller trailer because the boat always come on straight, even in a stiff cross wind. Some launches I use are so shallow that you can't run the motor to drive the boat onto the trailer like you said. I don't have tilt on the motor.

Fordy,
Every fall I put Stabil in the gas tank, fill it up so moisture doesn't condense in the tank over winter, and run the motor to get Stabil into the carb and then with the gas line disconnected to empty the carb. To those of you who want to give me grief because you believe that the motor doesn't get lubricated when you run it until empty, I've done it for 33 years and the motor still runs great. I have only rebuilt the carb once.

Other fall chores include changing the lower unit lube, putting fogging oil in the cylinders, and repacking the trailer bearings. If you don't do these, and any water got in over the summer, these places will rust and cost big bucks to fix. The battery gets pulled, fully charged, and stored in a semi warm place.

In the spring I usually have to clean the trailer lights plug and socket. Sometimes I have to clean the contacts of a particular bulb to get it to work. If I am feeling particularly rich I may siphon the gas from the boat tank into the truck's tank and put in fresh. The battery needs charging too. The engine and steering have grease zerts that need a shot.

When you go shopping for a boat, ask what the owner has done for maintenance and repairs. Don't buy it unless they will put it in the water and run it around for a while. There shouldn't be any water in the bilge when they are done. The engine should run strong.

If the boat has carpeted wooden floors, they can rot. Check everywhere for soft spots. This is less likely to happen if it's been stored inside. If you do have to re-set some rivets the floor will have to be removed.

The prop should not have any dings or be missing parts of the blades. If it is unbalanced it will wreck the seals and bearings for the shaft. My motor doesn't have any shear pins. There is a rubber hub between the prop blades and the splined center part that is supposed to give way if the prop hits a solid object. This can wear out and slip. Put the motor in gear with it shut off and try to turn the prop blades. The hub shouldn't slip.

The gas line gets hard with age and the primer bulb quits working. Do they include a good one? New are about $50. Metal gas tanks are about $50 used. Be sure you get a good one.

Check the trailer bearings after it's been run on the road for a while. They should be warm but not hot. Repacking is fairly cheap but the price of the grease seals has gone up. If the bearings are FUBARed it's easier to buy a whole new hub and bearing assembly at Fleet Farm or Northern Tool for $50 than try to drive out the races and seat new ones. Another bargaining point.

Cosmetics are important too. If the owner has kept up the cosmetics then he has probably taken care of the maintenance too.

Enjoy your boating.

[K-9]

Based on your intended use (Lakes only) stay away from small boats they range from uncomfortable to down right dangerous on lakes particularly if there are recreational boaters out and about creating a lot of wake and not paying attention to what they are doing. If I buy another boat, it will be an 18 foot long modified john boat at least 72" wide but preferably 84" wide. I currently have a 15 foot grizzly that is 42 inches wide. It is fine for a recreational fishing boat for 2 people, if there are not a lot of big boats running around but if the water is rough from weather or other boats it isn't stable enough. Plus, I waterfowl hunt, trotline a little, and trap and the boat just doesn't have enough room for the associated gear. There is no disadvantage to a bigger boat on a lake, the smaller boats gain their advantage on rivers, creeks, and ponds. The biggest advantage of the bigger boats is added safety and since you state you are not a boat person, you will probably enjoy the extra stability the larger boat provides. Unless you are trying to tow the boat with a really small vehicle, there is not enough difference in the weight of the larger boat to make much of a difference unless you really load it down with gear and even then a 1/2 ton pick up will handle it fine.

[gila_dog]

I have a 16 ft Bass Tracker, mid 90's vintage. It has a 40 HP motor. This is a heavy duty boat. It is riveted. I really love it because it's about 6 ft wide so you can stand up, walk around, even dive into the water standing on the edge of the gunwales. You cannot tip it over. It's a good fit for 2 people, and it will really get up and go even at my altitude of 5000 ft. I put a little foldup aluminum ladder on the transom so we can climb back into the boat easily. Aluminum boats are much better than fiberglass if you are going to be around rocks and will be running the boat up onto a beach for camping.

Pay attention to the others who have said to avoid small boats on big lakes. Install a bilge pump and always make sure it works when you go out. Once you have the boat back on the trailer and before you pull it out of the water, disconnect the gas line from the motor and let it run out of gas. You sure don't want old gas laying around in your carburetor.

For fishing a really handy gadget is a Blakemore Brush Gripper. I keep one tied to the front end of my boat. When I'm near brush or a tree I want to stay close to I just clip onto it. No need to tie and untie knots.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Blakemore-...hrome/25528805

[Ozarks Tom]

One choice you'll have to make is hull type. Either Jon or V hull. For your area I'd go with the V hull. I boated the lakes in your area for nearly 30 years, and believe me, Whitney, Ray Hubbard, Cedar Creek, and especially Texoma can get plenty rough in a hurry. Plus, the V hull is more comfortable ride for passenger in the front by a long shot.

My last was a Lund 17', with a 65hp. Even being an old boat when I bought it I never had a leak. I did have to replace the floor because of rotted wood, but I bought it knowing I'd have that expense. I've patched aluminum boats in the past with JB Weld with no problems.

As far as trailers, either type will work but make sure the trailer and boat were originally matched, or see it come out of the water. I bought a boat with a "different" trailer one time, and the ribs on the boat bottom would push off the bunks leaving it sitting unlevel. Had to move the bunks, put the boat on to check it, move the bunks again, for final fit. A real pain to do at the boat ramp.

[fordy]

http://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/boa/4601134884.html

............This boat is in my price range and superficially , looks to be in fairly good shape ! What do ya'll think ?

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/boa/4595918908.html

............I like this one even more but it is $2,000 more ! , fordy

[MichaelZ]

If you are looking for a fishing boat for small lakes, look for $500 (or less) on the for-sale sign. Then repair as needed. And rivets can be easily and cheaply tightened or replaced. My boat is a Wards Sea King (haha) that my Dad gave me - still does the job. Such boats, complete with trailer and motor can be found dirt cheap along the roadside. 14 ft long will work for most small and medium size lakes. See an example close to me at http://duluth.craigslist.org/boa/4602914998.html