Best Welded Aluminum Boats: Superior Craftsmanship And Durability

Aluminum boats are incredibly popular among anglers, and there are many options to choose from. When it comes to welded aluminum boats, some of the top brands include Xpress, Lowe, Tracker, G3, Lund, and Crestliner. These boats offer a range of features, from wet decks and large storage compartments to all-inclusive boat-motor-trailer packages.

When considering the best welded aluminum boat, factors such as hull design, structural support, and substrate are important. Additionally, the intended use of the boat, such as shallow water or offshore fishing, will influence the ideal choice. For shallow water boats, a jet drive and a strong hull are crucial, while for offshore fishing, cabin space and fishing options become more important.

With a variety of options available, from small Jon boats to larger bass boats, and with dealers located across the country, finding the best welded aluminum boat to suit your specific needs is an exciting endeavor.

Best Deep V Aluminum Fishing Boats

Aluminium fishing boats have a lot of advantages over their fibreglass competitors, especially when it comes to smaller models. They are lighter, require smaller power plants, are easier to tow, handle, and maintain, and tend to be cheaper. However, fibreglass boats can mould more complex hulls and have better seakeeping characteristics.

Anglers who go out on big lakes and bays where the conditions can be rough will want to do so on the best deep V aluminium fishing boats they can find. A deep V hull can cut through waves with less pounding and spray. However, very few small aluminium fishing boats have hulls that meet the technical specifications of a true deep-V design. Most professionals would say that among all the different types of fishing boats, the deep-V designation begins when a hull has 20 to 21 degrees or more of transom deadrise (the angle of the V in the hull at the back of the boat). Many aluminium boat builders advertise hulls with half that amount of deadrise as "deep-V" boats, but they are more properly called "semi-V".

Crestliner bills its Discovery, Pro Tiller, Hawk, and Fish Hawk boats as deep-V models. These range in transom deadrise from 17 degrees down to six degrees. The rest of the boats in this lineup feature awesome cover from the elements thanks to protective windshields, and on most of the Hawk models, very tall wraparound windshields shield the cockpit from wind and spray. Construction is all-welded, and long options lists allow for significant customization.

Lund's flagship Baron and high-end Pro-V lines stand out as top-of-the-heap offerings and are among the best deep-V aluminium fishing boats on the water. The 2275 Baron, for example, is a huge boat for the genre with 22’9” length and an 8’6” beam. It can hit speeds in the 60-mph range, carry up to a dozen passengers, and has a double-plated bow with a thickness of 0.225”.

Built in Clarkston, Washington, Duckworth makes some of the biggest ocean-going aluminium fishing boats. The largest boasts a 34’1” length. Offshore and Pacific Pro models have full cabins, elbow room for plenty of anglers, and a wide range of fishing options.

Another brand built at the Clarkston, Washington, location is Weldcraft, which offers Cuddy King and Ocean King models of similar dimensions. Their larger boats can handle up to a whopping 900 horsepower, carry 19 degrees of transom deadrise, and are highly customizable with long lists of optional features.

Best Aluminum Fishing Boats for the Money

Aluminum fishing boats are a popular choice, especially for anglers, as they are tougher, lighter, and more affordable than their fiberglass cousins. Here is a list of the best aluminum fishing boats for the money, focusing on those that deliver maximum bang for your buck without compromising on quality, safety, and essential angling features:

G3 Gator Tough Series

G3 boats are not cheap, but they offer excellent value for money. Their Gator Tough Jon boat series features beefy 0.10" thick aluminum hulls, camo paint job options, and Kodiak-coated steel trailers. G3 boats deliver exceptional construction quality and features, making them a stand-out choice.

Lowe Boats

Lowe is one of the biggest aluminum boat brands in the market, offering a wide range of modified-V, Deep-V, Fish and Ski boats, and utility boats. They have a large network of dealers and benefit from economies of scale, allowing them to offer competitive prices. Lowe boats are known for their quality and affordability, making them a popular choice among anglers.

Tracker Boats

Tracker claims to be America's best-selling aluminum fishing boat brand, and for a good reason. They offer complete boat, motor, and trailer packages with a full suite of standard features at clearly listed MSRPs. While some users have reported issues with newer models, Tracker boats provide excellent value, especially for those on a tight budget.

Crestliner Deep-V Models

Crestliner's Discovery, Pro Tiller, Hawk, and Fish Hawk boats are marketed as deep-V models, providing better handling in rough conditions. These boats offer excellent protection from the elements with their protective windshields, and the long options list allows for significant customization to suit your needs.

Lund Baron and Pro-V Lines

Lund is known for its bass boats, but their aluminum deep-V lineup includes the flagship Baron and high-end Pro-V lines, which are top-of-the-line offerings. These boats offer speed, capacity, and safety, with a double-plated bow for added strength. Lund boats are sold in all-inclusive packages with clear, no-hassle pricing, ensuring you get a great boat without any last-minute surprises.

Best Offshore Aluminum Fishing Boats

Aluminum fishing boats have a lot of advantages over fiberglass boats, especially when it comes to smaller models. They are lighter, require smaller power plants, are easier to tow, handle, and maintain, and tend to be more affordable.

When it comes to offshore fishing boats, however, fiberglass becomes more popular, and most boats of this type are larger in size. You won't find many aluminum boats designed for offshore fishing, but there are some exceptions, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where the rocky geography favors aluminum.

Duckworth

Duckworth manufactures some of the largest ocean-going aluminum fishing boats on the market. Their biggest boat has a length of 34 feet and 1 inch, and their Offshore and Pacific Pro models offer full cabins and ample space for several anglers.

Weldcraft

Weldcraft, based in Clarkston, Washington, offers the Cuddy King and Ocean King models, which are similar in dimensions to Duckworth's boats. Their larger boats can accommodate up to 900 horsepower and have 19 degrees of transom deadrise. They also offer a long list of optional features for customization.

Raider

Raider Boats, another Pacific Northwest manufacturer, produces awesome aluminum offshore fishing boats.

Bridgeview Marine

Bridgeview Marine is known for its centre console boat design, commonly used by fishing guides. While they are not cheap, their boats are built to last and offer excellent performance for offshore fishing.

Silver Streak and Lifetimer

Silver Streak and Lifetimer are mentioned by aluminum boat builders as producing better boats than Kingfisher, with thicker aluminum and a superior alloy. These boats offer increased durability and are worth considering for offshore fishing.

Thunder Jet Pilot

The Thunder Jet Pilot is designed for rugged coastal water excursions and provides an incredible offshore fishing experience without sacrificing style or comfort. It features a full cabin and premium comfort for passengers.

When choosing an offshore aluminum fishing boat, it's important to consider factors such as durability, performance, customization options, and your specific fishing needs. These boats offer a unique combination of strength, agility, and comfort, making them well-suited for adventurous anglers exploring the open waters.

Best Small Aluminum Fishing Boats

Aluminum fishing boats have a lot of advantages over fiberglass boats, especially when it comes to smaller models. They are lighter, require smaller power plants, are easier to tow, handle, and maintain, and tend to cost less. If you're looking for a boat that's not much over 20 feet in length, an aluminum rig is likely to be a top choice. Here are some of the best small aluminum fishing boats on the market:

Lowe L1032 Jon

Lowe is one of the biggest aluminum boat brands, with a range of offerings that includes Jon boats as small as 10 feet in length. This model is perfect for kicking around on a pond or small lake, accommodating three people and a five-horsepower engine.

Smoker Craft Angler Series

Smoker Craft offers larger boats, but their Angler series includes simple 14- and 16-foot models with a surprising level of available accessories. Even the smallest model can be outfitted with a bow-mount electric trolling motor, a factory-installed GPS/fishfinder, a seat slider, and more.

Starcraft SL Series

Starcraft's small aluminum boat offerings go down to a 12-foot vessel in the SL series. The SF, SF DLX, Alaskan, Freedom, and Patriot models also come in small, simple, and affordable options that require minimal maintenance and are easy to trailer, launch, and retrieve.

Lund 1400 Fury

The Lund 1400 Fury is a small aluminum fishing boat with basic amenities like a live well, rod boxes, a raised front deck, and two swivel seats. You can purchase a new boat-motor-trailer package with a 15-hp tiller-steer Mercury outboard for under $15,000, making it a great option for those on a budget.

Tracker Grizzly 2072 CC

The Tracker Grizzly 2072 CC is a massive Jon boat that comes in at 21'5" long and 8'3" wide. It offers a large footprint, with 115 to 150 hp and a trailer, all at a relatively low price point. It includes essential fishing features like two live wells, a Versatrack gunwale accessory mounting system, and a rotomolded center console with vertical rod holders.

Best Aluminum Bass Fishing Boats

Aluminum bass boats are extremely popular among anglers. They are compact, sturdy, and well-equipped for fishing. Here are some of the best aluminum bass fishing boats on the market:

Crestliner MX21

This tournament-level aluminum bass boat is a powerful machine. It can be rigged with up to 250 horsepower and has huge casting decks, a 45-gallon livewell, large tackle storage compartments, and twin rod boxes that can hold a total of 10 rods. The hull is made of 0.125-inch gauge aluminum, and the boat has a fiberglass console that can accommodate 12-inch flush-mounted electronics. The Crestliner MX21 is priced slightly under $53,000.

Lowe Skorpion 17

Lowe is a well-known manufacturer of bass boats, and the Skorpion 17 is an excellent choice for those seeking affordability and value. With a modified V hull and an outboard motor ranging from 20 to 60 horsepower, it offers an aerated livewell, a foot-pedal-controlled trolling motor, and four comfortable seats. Priced at under $20,000, it provides a fun and cost-effective fishing experience.

Lund 2075 Pro V Bass XS

The Lund 2075 Pro V Bass XS is a serious contender in the world of bass boats. This tournament fishing boat can seat four people, making it perfect for families or those seeking more space. It features two large casting decks, bow and center rod storage, and a 28-gallon aerated livewell. The boat can be rigged with a potent 250 horsepower engine. Prices for the Lund 2075 Pro V Bass XS start at slightly over $60,000.

Ranger RT198P

The Ranger RT198P is an affordable bass boat that offers both performance and value. Priced at around $39,000, it provides the reliability and reputation of the Ranger brand. The boat offers 150 horsepower, flush-mounted electronics, and a range of fishing equipment. It has clever storage spaces and well-thought-out extras, such as a retractable rod strap, a cooler, and center rod storage in the spacious front casting deck. The sleek appearance, color-matched trailer, and suite of extras make the Ranger RT198P a head-turner.

Tracker Pro Team 195 TXW Tournament Edition

Tracker is a leading builder of aluminum boats, and their Pro Team 195 TXW Tournament Edition is a premium model. Priced in the upper $30,000 range, it is equipped with a 150 horsepower outboard motor and can reach speeds in the 50s. It comes ready to fish with features like a Minn Kota 70-pound-thrust electric trolling motor, a Lowrance HOOK2 Reveal 5-inch fishfinder, and a single-axle trailer included in the package.

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