Best Aluminum Fishing Boats: Value For Money?

Aluminum fishing boats are a great choice for those looking for a vessel that is tougher, lighter, and more affordable. They are easier to tow, handle, and maintain than their fiberglass counterparts, and they tend to cost less. When it comes to finding the best aluminum fishing boat for your money, there are several factors to consider, including price, performance, features, and brand reputation. Here are some of the top options to consider:

Deep-V aluminium boats: best for rough waters

Deep-V aluminium boats are ideal for anglers who want to venture out onto big lakes and bays where the waters can get rough. The V-shape of the hull allows the boat to cut through waves with less pounding and spray.

Most professionals would say that a hull must have 20 to 21 degrees or more of transom deadrise (the angle of the V in the hull at the back of the boat) to be considered a true deep-V design. However, many aluminium boat builders market hulls with half that amount of deadrise as "deep-V" boats. So, don't be fooled by the marketing hype.

Crestliner

Crestliner bills its Discovery, Pro Tiller, Hawk, and Fish Hawk boats as deep-V models, with transom deadrise ranging from 17 degrees to six degrees. The Hawk models feature tall wraparound windshields that shield the cockpit from wind and spray, and the construction is all-welded, allowing for significant customization.

Lund

Lund's flagship Baron and high-end Pro-V lines are among the best deep-V aluminium fishing boats on the water. The 2275 Baron, for example, is a large boat in its genre, with a length of 22'9" and a beam of 8'6". It can reach speeds of up to 60 mph and carry up to a dozen passengers.

Lowe

Lowe offers a range of Deep-V fishing boats, including the Fishing Machine Walk-Through and the Fishing Machine Side Console. The Walk-Through model combines tournament-level performance and fishability with an elevated comfort level, while the Side Console model features an open cockpit design and a high-performance hull for a smooth, dry ride.

Duckworth and Weldcraft

Built in Clarkston, Washington, Duckworth and Weldcraft offer some of the biggest ocean-going aluminium fishing boats. Duckworth's largest model boasts a length of 34'1", while Weldcraft's larger boats can handle up to 900 horsepower and feature long lists of optional features.

Mod V boats: popular in southern areas

Mod V boats are popular in the southern areas of the US, and for good reason. These modified-V hull boats are designed for top performance and shallow water fishability, with big decks, advanced livewells and a fast, smooth hull design. They are ideal for bass and crappie fishing, with large casting decks and ample storage for rods and tackle.

Lowe Boats is a well-known brand in the Mod V space, with its Stinger 8 Series and 5 Series boats designed for tournament-grade performance. The Stinger 195C and 175C, for example, offer spaciousness and speed, with all the features anglers need to succeed. The Skorpion model is another rugged, all-welded Mod V boat that comes in at a very friendly price point.

Crestliner also offers a range of Mod V boats, including the 1650 Pro Tiller, which is great for navigating any body of water and finding the perfect catch. The 1850 Pro Tiller gives anglers over 18 feet of space to reel in their haul. The Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk is a capable 17' multispecies fishing boat with tons of storage and multiple livewells, and the option to add a ski pylon for watersports.

For those looking for a more premium option, the Lund Renegade is a serious fishing boat, ideal for shallow-water bass and crappie fishing. The 1775 model is full of fishing-rich features and measures 17 feet 9 inches in length, with an 11.5-inch draft, making it perfect for coves and backwaters. The 1875 and 1975 models offer similar features with more space, and the side console is perfectly designed for mounting fishing locators and switches.

Bass fishing boats

Aluminum fishing boats have several advantages over fiberglass boats, especially when it comes to small models. They are lighter, easier to tow and handle, require smaller powerplants, are easier to maintain, and tend to be cheaper.

When it comes to bass fishing boats, there are several options to consider. Here are some of the best aluminum bass fishing boats available:

Ranger

While Ranger is better known for its fiberglass boats, the brand also offers a full lineup of aluminum bass boats. Their aluminum models carry less power than their fiberglass counterparts, but they can still be rigged with various angling features such as live-imaging fish finders, bow-mount trolling motors, and onboard battery chargers. Ranger's aluminum bass boats include six different models, ensuring that anglers can find the perfect fit for their needs.

Vexus AVX

The AVX lineup from Vexus boats offers a unique design even in a crowded marketplace. The all-welded aluminum hulls feature computer-modeled lifting strakes, integrated spray rails, and pad designs. Additionally, the "glass-infused aluminum hybrid" construction means that parts like the steering console, cockpit panels, and livewell system are molded fiberglass, eliminating many plastic pieces commonly found in other aluminum bass rigs.

Xpress

Xpress boats are designed with a pad hull and thick aluminum to provide maximum performance and accommodate high horsepower. Xpress aluminum bass boats can match the speed of fiberglass bass boats, with some models reaching top speeds of over 70 miles per hour.

Tracker

Tracker is America's best-selling and number one aluminum fishing boat brand. Their Mod V Bass Boats feature a variable angle deadrise that is sharper at the bow to cut through chop and flatter at the transom for improved planing and stability. The Mod V hull design provides a smooth and quick ride, and the boats come as a complete package with a custom-fit trailer, outboard motor, trolling motor, fishfinder, and an aerated livewell.

Nitro

Nitro performance fishing boats combine top-quality construction with exhilarating performance and tournament-proven features. Their boats are designed to be pure fishing machines, whether for weekend outings or tournament competition. Nitro boats are a popular choice for professional anglers, including four-time Bass Master Classic Champion Kevin VanDam.

Best value aluminium fishing boats

Aluminium fishing boats are a great choice, offering advantages over fibreglass boats, especially for smaller models. They are lighter, require smaller powerplants, are easier to tow, handle and maintain, and tend to be cheaper.

Lowe Stinger 175C

The Stinger 175C is an affordable aluminium fishing boat, starting at $16,495 with a 25 HP outboard. It can be powered up to 75 HP and still come in under $20,000. It has a centre cockpit that seats three and raised bow and aft pedestal fishing seats. It also features integrated tackle storage and a 23-gallon livewell.

Lund 1675 Adventure

The Lund 1675 Adventure comes in just under $20,000 with a 60 HP Mercury FourStroke outboard and a trailer. It has a four-step boarding ladder, a 12-V power port, cell phone and MP3 player holder, drink holders, a flip-open centre windshield, and twin flip-up aft jump seats. For fishing, it has a 23-gallon livewell, a raised bow casting platform, and a 10’ locking rodbox.

G3 Outfitter V167 T

The G3 Outfitter V167 T comes in at just under $18,000 with a 50 HP Yamaha F50 outboard and a Trail Guard trailer. It offers the ride of a deep-V hull and tall sides around a deep cockpit. It features a livewell, locking rodboxes, two fishing chairs, and large storage compartments built into the foredeck. It also offers the choice between console and tiller controls.

Crestliner 1860 Retriever

The Crestliner 1860 Retriever is a versatile option, serving as both a fishing and hunting boat. It is 18’ long and 7’1” wide, available in centre console and side console versions, and can be finished in Mossy Oak or Shadowgrass camo. It features a 16-gallon livewell, rod and gun boxes, and a raised bowdeck with storage compartments. It also has Crestliner’s Suremount gunwale track system, allowing for custom accessory mounting. All this for $17,945.

Alumacraft 175 Prowler

The Alumacraft 175 Prowler has a base price of $15,799 with a 50 HP Mercury FourStroke outboard and a trailer with LED lights and chrome wheels. It has a modified-V hull and is equipped with a 20-gallon livewell, four seats, a fibreglass console, and No Feedback steering. It stands out with its use of .102” thick aluminium for both the hull bottom and sides, while competitors often use thinner aluminium for the hull sides.

Best small aluminium fishing boats

Aluminium fishing boats are ideal for those looking for a vessel that is tougher, lighter, and more affordable. They are easier to tow, handle, and maintain, and tend to cost less than their fibreglass cousins.

Lowe

Lowe is one of the biggest aluminium boat brands and has a range of modified-V, Deep-V, Fish and Ski boats, and utility boats. They have dozens of dealers and their models are competitively priced. Lowe also builds Jon boats that range all the way down to 10 feet in length. For kicking around on a pond or small lake, this is ideal.

Smoker Craft

Smoker Craft has larger offerings, but the Angler series includes straightforward 14' and 16' models that come with a shocking level of available accessories. Even the smallest can be outfitted with a bow-mount electric trolling motor, a factory-installed GPS/fishfinder, a seat slider, and more.

Starcraft

Starcraft's small aluminium boat offerings range all the way down to a diminutive 12-footer in the SL series. SF, SF DLX, Alaskan, Freedom, and Patriot models also come in with small, simple, easy-to-afford offerings. These are no-frills boats that require very little maintenance and are easy to trailer, launch, and retrieve.

Lund

Lund has been building boats since 1948 and is known for its quality craftsmanship. Their aluminium fishing boats are somewhat pricey but are considered "top of the line" by many bass boaters. Their boats are wider than competitors and handle waves perfectly.

Crestliner

Crestliner is a brand noted for its all-welded construction. Their 1860 Retriever model is available in both centre console and side console versions and can be finished off in a Mossy Oak or Shadowgrass camo finish. It also has a 16-gallon livewell, rod/gun boxes, and a raised bowdeck with storage compartments built-in.

Frequently asked questions