First post! Looking for aluminum boat info as I research a purchase

[adamcu280]

Hi folks. Long time lurker/first time poster. I've been reading this site for years now and it's finally time to engage.

A bit about me: life-long boater with many thousands of days at sea on boats ranging from 9' Mintos and 14' soft-hull Zodiacs and Whitehall rowboats to multi hundred foot research vessels. If all goes well I'll have a 25T USCG capt. license by the end of the year and hopefully a SVOP shortly after that.

I've been casually shopping for my own used boat in the 18' range for a couple of years now. Most of my search has been focused on Boston Whalers (specifically classic Outrage or newer Montauks) as those are what I've had the most experience with but I'm definitely curious about aluminum boats as well. My family had a classic 17' Montauk and a 12'(14'?) Silver Streak CC and while I do appreciate the ruggedness of aluminum vs. glass/gelcoat, I'm not so sure I love the bouncy poundy nature of the aluminum ride. That's why I'm not looking at the classic 17' Montauks either.

In any event, I have very little knowledge of the popular aluminum brands and hull types. Hewes, Alumacraft, Alumaweld, Kingfisher, Duckworth, Wooldridge, etc. all look the same to me. Silver Streak and Lifetimer seem to be well-respected and local but geez, the prices on all of them are way more than similar glass boats. Even Whalers with their "Whaler Tax"are often 1/3 the price of a similar size/age used aluminum boat.

I much prefer CC layouts but it seems those are harder/impossible to come by in aluminum unless custom or Silver Streak, Lifetimer, or Marlon. Seems like most of the other brands are windshield/dual seater style. FWIW this'll be a fair weather saltwater fly fishing boat/commuter around Puget Sound/San Juans/Gulf Islands/Lower mainland/So. Van Isle.

Based on my experience, #1 for small boat offshore seaworthiness would be a RHIB but I don't need that level of burl for what I plan to do.

What I know, understand the limitations of, and am looking for:

The style of boat I'm curious about:

Seems like there's a huge amount of experience in this forum that might be able to tell me more about the latter style of boats and differences between various brands that make them. My budget is in the ~$30k range so a nice new custom build is sadly out of the question.

 

[kaelc]

I had a 18 foot hewescraft searunner similar to the one in the photo. Great for running up on the beach or getting stranded at low tide. The cover makes it great for 12 months a year in all weather. The walk through front windshield is great for airflow and getting to the bow. More room on a center console but if you are anchored for halibut or out fishing on a day like today, full stand up canvas is tough to beat.

Big difference in free board, beam and dead rise between different models within brands and between them. Silverstreak has aluminum floors and some features others lack and is forum favorite of many. Lifetimer too, my buddies have a couple and local post sale service repairs are nice.

My friends have owned BW ventures and dauntless. I think the Dauntless had a better ride then my hewescraft but two 300$ suspension seats made up for the pounding.

30k is reasonable for a 20+ year old boat of any brand with old power. People are asking too much often, but if they repowered and replaced canvas, recently added a kicker these are all big ticket items and worth paying a premium for. If it comes with a 20 plus year old engine used in the salt or even a 10 year old fresh water engine budget for a repower.

Good luck w your search.

 

[Aquaholic]

30K US?

 

[scott craven]

18' Bridgeview CC would give you the best of both worlds. May top out your budget though ....

 

[Paperslayer]

Having been a life-long fiberglass boat(s) owner, I struggled with going the aluminum route, but I moved to the interior (I still spend a huge amount of time on the chuck every year) where we tend to do lots of lake trips. I came to LOVE the aluminum for having so much less worry about beaching the boat, and its durability. Keeping a fiberglass boat clean was just so much work. The room and storage in aluminum boats is sublime.

I live not far from where Kingfisher boats are made, and have come to know people that work there, so for me I was leaning towards a very well made Canadian boat. Once the US crap started happening, I was even more glad to have a Canadian boat with Yamaha power.

 

[trophywife]

Hi folks. Long time lurker/first time poster. I've been reading this site for years now and it's finally time to engage.

A bit about me: life-long boater with many thousands of days at sea on boats ranging from 9' Mintos and 14' soft-hull Zodiacs and Whitehall rowboats to multi hundred foot research vessels. If all goes well I'll have a 25T USCG capt. license by the end of the year and hopefully a SVOP shortly after that.

I've been casually shopping for my own used boat in the 18' range for a couple of years now. Most of my search has been focused on Boston Whalers (specifically classic Outrage or newer Montauks) as those are what I've had the most experience with but I'm definitely curious about aluminum boats as well. My family had a classic 17' Montauk and a 12'(14'?) Silver Streak CC and while I do appreciate the ruggedness of aluminum vs. glass/gelcoat, I'm not so sure I love the bouncy poundy nature of the aluminum ride. That's why I'm not looking at the classic 17' Montauks either.

In any event, I have very little knowledge of the popular aluminum brands and hull types. Hewes, Alumacraft, Alumaweld, Kingfisher, Duckworth, Wooldridge, etc. all look the same to me. Silver Streak and Lifetimer seem to be well-respected and local but geez, the prices on all of them are way more than similar glass boats. Even Whalers with their "Whaler Tax"are often 1/3 the price of a similar size/age used aluminum boat.

I much prefer CC layouts but it seems those are harder/impossible to come by in aluminum unless custom or Silver Streak, Lifetimer, or Marlon. Seems like most of the other brands are windshield/dual seater style. FWIW this'll be a fair weather saltwater fly fishing boat/commuter around Puget Sound/San Juans/Gulf Islands/Lower mainland/So. Van Isle.

Based on my experience, #1 for small boat offshore seaworthiness would be a RHIB but I don't need that level of burl for what I plan to do.

What I know, understand the limitations of, and am looking for:

The style of boat I'm curious about:

Seems like there's a huge amount of experience in this forum that might be able to tell me more about the latter style of boats and differences between various brands that make them. My budget is in the ~$30k range so a nice new custom build is sadly out of the question.

i have a friend selling her Hewes. Check the for sale section here. good value at 70k cad.

 

[adamcu280]

I had a 18 foot hewescraft searunner similar to the one in the photo. Great for running up on the beach or getting stranded at low tide. The cover makes it great for 12 months a year in all weather. The walk through front windshield is great for airflow and getting to the bow. More room on a center console but if you are anchored for halibut or out fishing on a day like today, full stand up canvas is tough to beat.

Big difference in free board, beam and dead rise between different models within brands and between them. Silverstreak has aluminum floors and some features others lack and is forum favorite of many. Lifetimer too, my buddies have a couple and local post sale service repairs are nice.

My friends have owned BW ventures and dauntless. I think the Dauntless had a better ride then my hewescraft but two 300$ suspension seats made up for the pounding.

30k is reasonable for a 20+ year old boat of any brand with old power. People are asking too much often, but if they repowered and replaced canvas, recently added a kicker these are all big ticket items and worth paying a premium for. If it comes with a 20 plus year old engine used in the salt or even a 10 year old fresh water engine budget for a repower.

Good luck w your search.

Thanks for the info. I'm trying to dive into the various specs of the various models of the various brands; I see a spreadsheet in my future to keep track of all the numbers. I'm used to standing while operating. If the canvas isn't up can you stand and drive one of these aluminum style?

30K US?

Yep. Maybe more, preferably less, but given what I've seen out there I'm probably going to be in for more. Especially if I need to repower. Finding a decent modern four stroke is not easy. A lot of folks are asking for near new pricing on their used motors.

18' Bridgeview CC would give you the best of both worlds. May top out your budget though ....

Most definitely a beautiful boat, and most definitely over my budget

Having been a life-long fiberglass boat(s) owner, I struggled with going the aluminum route, but I moved to the interior (I still spend a huge amount of time on the chuck every year) where we tend to do lots of lake trips. I came to LOVE the aluminum for having so much less worry about beaching the boat, and its durability. Keeping a fiberglass boat clean was just so much work. The room and storage in aluminum boats is sublime.

I live not far from where Kingfisher boats are made, and have come to know people that work there, so for me I was leaning towards a very well made Canadian boat. Once the US crap started happening, I was even more glad to have a Canadian boat with Yamaha power.

These are all factors that I'm considering.

i have a friend selling her Hewes. Check the for sale section here. good value at 70k cad.

Gorgeous boat. Out of my budget though. Maybe someday.

I'm not a fan of Etecs but this would be cool.

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Or this... straight up repower. The Suzuki 442 program might come into play here.

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[lemmy]

There's 2 Eaglecrafts on Marketplace that are in your budget and are well built , all aluminum ,solid boats. The one with the t-top windshield would be my choice. Having had both types of CC ,(Open or t-top windshield) It's nice to get out of the wind, spray, rain! A Bridgeview would be my first choice , but they're going to cost more and are almost impossible to find.
Good luck and keep us posted! Lol.

 

[macro]

Eagle craft are a commercial builder and tough boats. Good suggestion!

 

[kaelc]

Yup, you can put the canvas forward or pull it completely off on the aluminums

 

[kaelc]

There was a Boston whaler 18 or so for sale near merville with a newer Yamaha for sale for about 30k probably sold, but I thought it was a great deal. It was on FB and out on the highway near pacific playground

 

[adamcu280]

Yup, you can put the canvas forward or pull it completely off on the aluminums

Sorry if I wasn't clear but I was more wondering if the ergonomics of the cockpit allowed for driving standing up. Some of the boats I've operated in the past required the captain to operate while seated; if the operator stood up the wheel would be by your knees and the seat jammed against your legs. I guess I need to actually see one of this class of boats to see how the ergonomics line up but I can't stand not being able to stand.

 

[kaelc]

Sorry if I wasn't clear but I was more wondering if the ergonomics of the cockpit allowed for driving standing up. Some of the boats I've operated in the past required the captain to operate while seated; if the operator stood up the wheel would be by your knees and the seat jammed against your legs. I guess I need to actually see one of this class of boats to see how the ergonomics line up but I can't stand not being able to stand.

I don’t think so in most cases. Depends on how tall you are and if the canvas has clear windows. Most are designed to be seated, if I remember correctly. My 06 had a 5’8” canvas but I raised it to 6” so I could stand but the canvas would impair my view.

 

[Aquaholic]

Sorry if I wasn't clear but I was more wondering if the ergonomics of the cockpit allowed for driving standing up. Some of the boats I've operated in the past required the captain to operate while seated; if the operator stood up the wheel would be by your knees and the seat jammed against your legs. I guess I need to actually see one of this class of boats to see how the ergonomics line up but I can't stand not being able to stand.

BOAT is a latin word that means “compromise”.

 

[adamcu280]

BOAT is a latin word that means “compromise”.

Ha! Then it must be Greek for Break Out Another Thousand?

I don’t think so in most cases. Depends on how tall you are and if the canvas has clear windows. Most are designed to be seated, if I remember correctly. My 06 had a 5’8” canvas but I raised it to 6” so I could stand but the canvas would impair my view.

If the canvas was stowed could you stand and drive comfortably? As this would be a fair weather boat I'd probably be running w/o canvas most of the time. I don't like arches and T-Tops either as they tend to snag fly lines and break fly rods.

Tiller ops tend to have a lot of room on the dance floor but there are compromises with that layout too. So far the best all-around design for my needs is a CC, but I'm still curious about the classic PNW/BC aluminum designs. Like this one... It ticks a lot of the right boxes on paper.
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/bod/d/clackamas-2016-kingfisher-1825-falcon-xl/7887895416.html

I ran one of these 1970s vintage Revenge 19s for a decade and you could operate standing up (preferable) or sitting down. Standing was much easier on the body but I was always worried I'd catch the windshield frame with my teeth as we pounded up/down Haro Strait.

My main ride these days is a 14' Whitehall Tyee Spirit built in Victoria in 1990.