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Key:
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 601
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 601 |
I'm looking for a good well built solid Aluminum Boat, no rivets all welded and have kinda narrowed it down two a few boats...but dont know if Im missing another good boat. Ideally I would like it to have sprayed liner or something...no carpet... and fish for cats, bass, crappie. No tournament fishing, 3 people at times, and maybe some duck hunting a little. Primary set up would be for fishing with option to hunt as well. Thinking 18ft. Not sure what you guys have owned and would like to hear pro and cons of any of these boats. These are in no particular order. Im thinking used, but might find affordable financing to buy new....dont know just yet. Oh...and primarily for Alabama lakes...more so on Lay Lake for fishing. I dont think Im gonna go with a tiller. Thanks in advance.
1. Sea Ark
2. G3
3. Lowes Roughneck
4. Xpress
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,670
Leupold Pro Staff
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Leupold Pro Staff
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,670 |
Get a used Sea Ark 1872. I would get the tiller steer if possible. A console is going to eat up the room in an 18' for hunting.
I've got a 2072 Sea Ark and it is built like a tank but the paint sucks if that matters to you.
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,949
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,949 |
Georgia Football..Acts like Bama but has a trophy case like South Carolina.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 225
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 225 |
Sea Ark 18-20ft tiller. Done.
My buddy has one and I fished the Sea Ark invitational on wheeler this spring with him and with 90 registered boats couldnt find a owner that didn't love his boat. Can't find that anywhere.
Lowes is owned by Tracker and G3's are built on the other side of town. Had a brand new Tracker Grizzly that was really cheap and the hull started cupping.
Don't know anything about Xpress other than they seem like any other welded boat.
If I were to do it all over i'd get a custom boat built like a Rhino or Bracewell same price when you add it all up but you get a much higher quality boat.
BTW Sea Ark is king on resale.
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 189
3 point
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3 point
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 189 |
Rhino ,. Will build to your specs.
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16,598
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16,598 |
I loved my Xpress but it was 16 foot. You got the right idea. 18 foot at minimum and I'd want a 115 HP or larger motor. If I were primarily fishing, I'd get the console and steering wheel and skip the tiller.
Someone here in Gville has a big camo Xpress. Like a 20-footer. It's a good looking rig.
“Killing tomorrow’s trophies today.”
On the distance I like to walk to my stands:
“The first 100 yards is also the last 100 yards.”
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Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9,148 Likes: 1
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 9,148 Likes: 1 |
I pretty much exclusively fish lay lake for catfish and stripe. I have a tracker grizzly and I've been very pleased .
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,425
10 point
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10 point
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,425 |
Don't forget the bass trackers. I love mine.
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Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 601
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 601 |
Thanks gents. I appreciate the info !
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 21,279 Likes: 2
Impatient Stinky Britches Wearin’ Off-Roadin’ Guru
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Impatient Stinky Britches Wearin’ Off-Roadin’ Guru
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 21,279 Likes: 2 |
I'm kinda in the same boat (ha). I want an all aluminum hunting/fishing boat. No wood, no carpet, all aluminum everything (other than seats of course). I want one that is set up more like a bass boat, with a console and front/rear decks since I will fish out of it a lot more than I will hunt. Something I can leave out in the weather without having to worry about carpet getting nasty or floors/stringers rotting, so I can free up some space in my garage.
gotta sell the bass boat I've got first before I can start looking for one though.
There are 3 certainties in an uncertain world:
1. All Politicians Are Liars
2. All Gun Laws Are an Infringement
3. Taxation Is Theft
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,180
6 point
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6 point
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,180 |
I have my first aluminum after having multiple fiberglass boats, but the only disadvantage is stability when i am hopping around the deck. On the flip side the lesser of stability is weight and I love how light it is hauling.I am happy with the boat.
When you just don't know what to say " Roll Tide"
Instagram @jimtaylor527
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,223
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 15,223 |
I'm kinda in the same boat (ha). I want an all aluminum hunting/fishing boat. No wood, no carpet, all aluminum everything (other than seats of course). I want one that is set up more like a bass boat, with a console and front/rear decks since I will fish out of it a lot more than I will hunt. Something I can leave out in the weather without having to worry about carpet getting nasty or floors/stringers rotting, so I can free up some space in my garage.
You need an Xpress. I had an X70 and loved it. The newer model of that boat is the H18. The layout has a gap between the console and the front deck. It allowed me to store my tree stands and/or dead deer while hunting. When fishing, you can add a removable deck extension. Gives you more room up front and storage under the extension. Loved that boat and still hate that I sold it. Looking to buy another one soon.
"The misery of being exploited by capitalists is nothing... compared to the misery of not being exploited at all."
Joan Robinson
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,858
14 point
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14 point
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 9,858 |
Lund Alaskan. I've probably owned around 25 aluminum boats in the 18-24 foot range and used them for work. Alaskan was the best one.
No government employees were harmed in the making of this mess.
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Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 55,219
Freak of Nature
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Freak of Nature
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 55,219 |
Love my Lowe 18' cc roughneck that bad boy is wide...
Do not regret growing older, it's a privilege denied to many!
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Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 300
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 300 |
I have to 21' xpress and i love it.
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Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 174
3 point
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3 point
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 174 |
Another option for aluminum is Alweld. I own one now and my last one was Alweld. Don't see any reason to change.
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Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16,598
Old Mossy Horns
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Old Mossy Horns
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 16,598 |
Got to looking at that Tracker 195 TXW online last night. I like the looks of it.
“Killing tomorrow’s trophies today.”
On the distance I like to walk to my stands:
“The first 100 yards is also the last 100 yards.”
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 604
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 604 |
I'll pass on another nod for the SeaArk; I had an 1872 center console with a 115 and it was truly a tank. Fished, duck hunted, bowfished and basically beat the tar out of it without a whimper. It can take a little more effort if you're using the trolling motor trying to hold up on a spot in a good wind, as those high sides can act like a sail, but I consider that minor compared to the many benefits it served. I rolled my own interior with the Cabela's brand non skid and it looked great the entire time.
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Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,670
Leupold Pro Staff
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Leupold Pro Staff
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 8,670 |
I'll pass on another nod for the SeaArk; I had an 1872 center console with a 115 and it was truly a tank. Fished, duck hunted, bowfished and basically beat the tar out of it without a whimper. It can take a little more effort if you're using the trolling motor trying to hold up on a spot in a good wind, as those high sides can act like a sail, but I consider that minor compared to the many benefits it served. I rolled my own interior with the Cabela's brand non skid and it looked great the entire time. GPS trolling motor takes care of that problem.
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Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 604
4 point
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4 point
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 604 |
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