aluminum fishing boat

[rfuerst911sc]

Been thinking about getting a fishing boat to spend some time with my son and grandson. I've been all over the map from Boston Whalers to center consoles to bass boats I can't make up my mind. There is a Lund 16 foot aluminum available locally with a 25 hp tiller steer outboard for a decent price. I've owned many fiberglass boats from 12 to 23 foot but never aluminum. So what do you guys think of the Lund ? We would be only useing on rivers and local lakes.

[BeyGon]

I had a 14' Valco that I took to Costa Rica for fishing in the Estuaries, it was great, light, very little maintenance. I would have another one, 14-16' again, I loved that boat. Left it out, chained to a tree on the sand for two years, used it every week, just washed it off and ran it.

[Eric Coffey]

Lund makes a decent boat. Lots of them where I used to live (both in AK and WA). However, you might want to wait for something with a console (center or side) set-up. A steering wheel and throttle lever are leagues better than messing with a tiller outboard IMO.

[craigster59]

Baja Runners are nice, know a few who have them and love 'em.

[CMDR Perry]

Lund's are very well made. I have owned fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats and Lund is one of the best. We have owned our 17 foot Lund Prosport Fish n Ski for 11 trouble free years since we bought it new. DP Lindman

[MRM]

Lund is a premium brand. Aluminum is a fraction of the weight of fiberglass so it's much easier to trailer and a 25 hp motor on an aluminum will go as fast as a 60 hp on a fiberglass. I learned to ski behind a 16 foot aluminum fishing boat with a 50 hp engine and it was almost as fast as my current 18 foot Chris Craft with a 5 liter V8. Because it is lighter it won't handle waves as well as a heavy fiberglass boat but you can run it aground and not worry much about the bottom. Should be fine for lakes and rivers, not ocean boating in any way shape or form.

[rfuerst911sc]

The Lund is a riveted hull and this one is quite old. Some say stay away from riveted hull instead look for welded. I assume the problem with rivets is they can leak as they age ? I'm sure there must be a way to repair them so they don't leak ?

[mattdavis11]

I'm partial to the 14 foot Ouachita flat bottom. Mine's a 1969 model. There are no issues with launching because it's so light. It might weigh 200lbs empty. The 18hp XD Mercury (1985, rope start, tiller) is simple to remove/install when you want to go where most can't. The motor probably weighs 110 lbs.

Trimmed out (manual), with a 14 degree pitch propeller, it was clocked at 32mph on smooth water. However, it's purpose now is propelled by ores, or a battery and trolling motor. The poor mercury is collecting dust, but I'd bet it still has everything she once had given a few carb seals.

It's a great river/bay/estuary boat.

Rivets are easy to replace, use silicon when replacing.

[Roosterrusek]

One thing about boats...flat bottom vs v hull...flat is great on the rivers, but lakes will get beat up. I have a Carolina Skiff and it's great, but rougher whenever there is any chop whatsoever on the lake.

[mattdavis11]

No one has mentioned Mowdy. For a fiberglass boat in a V hull or skiff, it's certainly one to consider.

[CMDR Perry]

Rivets or welded it really depends on how the boat was used or abused. Both can and will leak. Just like a P car buy the best one you can afford condition wise for your budget. DP

[RWebb]

Aluminum is hot in summer heat; cold in winter -- I still have mental burn marks from using one in Louisiana.

You could put something on areas you touch.

[BeyGon]

I never had a problem like that in Costa Rica, maybe it just doesn't get that hot there.