Hey you Alumacraft & Lowe (present/past) owners,

I am research various boats out there and would welcome your input. What do you like and dislike about your boat. Would you recommend an Alumacraft/Lowe? If yes/no, why?

Currently I own a 1962 Alumacraft 14' narrow beam Deep V boat which is very solid. It's time to upgrade to a little bigger boat.

Thank you in advance!

I have a 2004 Alumacraft Navigator 175. I love it.

I have A 17ft Bass Tracker Pro 175 Crappie and love it. The only thing it needs is more cup holders in the back of the boat.

Sabot,
If Ernest was drivin that same Alumacraft about two weeks ago when I saw him, Guy and Sheldon...wellll now that's a purty thang fer sher!

I have a 2004 Alumacraft Magnum 175. It is a good solid boat but is very sluggish due to the hull design. I have a 130 Honda on it and it will gps at 39mph. It planes poorly and I had to add a dolphin fin to help get it up when there are more than 2 people in the boat.
The same size Lund with a 115hp motor will run over 40mph and planes with no problem.
I'd say the dealer you purchase your boat from would make the difference between the two makes.
Say yourself alot of headaches and go by a Lund.

Ernest,
What do you like and dislike about your boat? Why did you go with a Alumacraft vs. a Lund or other boat? Do you trailer the boat? If yes, how does it handle on the road and the ramp? When you are on the water, how does the boat handle underway and while fishing?

Jerry and Spyguy,
If you could turn back time, would you go with a Lund? If yes, why? If no, why?

Are there any fit & finish issues with the boat? Are the boats solid?

As always, thanks in advance for your answers.

Lowe has a nice tandem (side by side)seat arrangement on some of theirs.

Three big reasons for a brand boat.
1. Dealer
2. Dealer
3. Dealer
I researched buying a boat for over a year and am very glad that this past March I bought a Lund 17 foot Crappie Special. There have been other posts under this section and under the Boats section by Lund owner opinions about their boats. You would get bored reading by the time we all get through telling about the plusses about our boats and trailer that is sold under these well built boats. There is probably an owner of one near you that would happpily show one or even take you for a ride as would the Lund dealer. Check this site
http://www.texasfishingforum.com/cgibin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=009128

I have no quarrel with Lund, they make a fine boat. If there had been a Lund dealer here when I bought mine I might have bought one.

The biggest difference is the price. My Alumacraft is just a less expensive rig. Doesn't have as fancy a finish out as a lund or Triton.

Structurally it is great and fancy wasn't what I wanted. It runs about 43 MPH with a 115 HP Honda and 3 passengers. It would be a little faster with a Mercury.

As far as the dealer is concerned, I agree with Joe & Jerry, Advantage Marine is top notch. That's where I bought my Alumacraft and they are now Lund dealers.

If I were buying a new boat today I would most likely buy a Lund with a Mercury engine.

I still love my Alumacraft and the Honda Engine will probably outlast anything on the market.

hi ernest can we see a picture or two of your boat please ? w/r/j

Joe, thanks for the links. I really enjoyed reading the threads. I never get bored reading about other's enjoyment.

Guides, what rigs do you use? They put a lot of wear & tear on their rigs. How are your rigs holding up?

I respect that Joe is a good dealer and he has been really great with me on the phone. What actually makes a dealer good? I can think of a few things that really matter to me: 1)Good price 2)Good Dealer Prep 3)Honest to a fault (This trait is very hard to find in humans let alone salesmen�). I believe that it is my responsibility to make sure my boat fits my needs. I have been and will continue to discuss my rig with the factory and various dealers to ensure the package is correct for me.

Since I am down in Austin, I will be on my own for the most part. I will have to get my engine work done by local factory authorized repair shops. In fact, I like being independent from dealers. As we all know, dealers no matter how good they are or how big they are come and go.

With that in mind, I am also looking out of state for my boat. I travel up north often, so I don�t mind flying up and driving my boat home. When you look outside of Texas, your options really open up. Out of state dealers are now having some really good deals, for they are now into their fall clearance sales for 2006 boats. Even 2006 Lund boats can be found at a discounted rate. It pays to shop and talk to out of state dealers. I would also advise folks to talk to the factory. I have already spent time the talking to the sales and service department at the Lund factory. Found out that they offer a factory tour open to the public on Tuesday & Thursday. If I decide to buy a Lund from up north, I may arrange a tour prior to the purchase. I really enjoy the manufacturing process of any gadget.

Anyway I look at it, I am going to have to travel to find a Deep V boat. Deep V boats are just hard to find in Central Texas. I have gone the bass boat route before and I was not happy. I want to get back into a solid Deep V boat which can handle the chop which we face down here.

Anyone have trailer brakes installed? Likes/dislikes? Anything advise?

I own a 1998 Alumacraft Magnum 165CS with a 1998 Mariner 75HP. I love this boat. It will GPS at 38MPH with 2 people, and the ride is great.

I guide out of this boat, as well as fish all around the country on Crappie USA and CAST tournament circuits...so it does not sit in the garage very much. It has held up to anything I have asked of it.

I'd highly recommend the Alumacraft line. Sure, there are several very good manufacturers out there...and Alumacraft is one of them

2006 Lund 1900 Pro V / 225 Mercury Optimax

Guide and fish 1, 2, 3 or 4 people with ease. Not bumping into each other and getting in each others way. Handles rough water exceptionally well. Is a cadillac in calm water. Great fishability in rough water. Floats in relatively shallow water - 2', maybe less.

Absolutely ZERO complaints.

Duck_Jerky,

Nice boat! Any leaks or stress cracks? How does the boat trailer? What boat is the closest in the 2006 lineup?

Being a current Alumacraft owner of a 1962 boat, I see first hand that Alumacraft puts together a solid boat. Not flashy by no means but it is still around and is fishable.

What are the very good manufacturers in your honest opinion?

Thanks for the posts!

Sabot,

Don't forget that your local dealers will usually match or beat any written offer you get from an equivalent dealer. Saved me a bundle.

One last word of advise: Rivets will leak with time. Do a search for the manufacturer and rivet problems before you buy. IMHO, welded construction can't be beat for a long term investment.

Jughead