When it is time to buy I may go this route instead of getting a glass boat.
Pros and Cons.


http://www.alumacraft.com/pro-185.php

Welds breaking, my old neighbor had a new alumacraft and the weld where the front starts to come up broke. He took it in for warranty and they had to send it to Arkansas or something like that to have it welded. 3 months later he got it back and the next outing the other side in the exact same spot broke. He got rid of it and got a new skeeter.

Don't know about Alumacraft. Absolutely nothing wrong with aluminum.
Check Triton, Ranger or War Eagle or Lowe's.

Ran glass for 30 years. Fishing aluminum now and believe me, they have their place.

Just got a Alumacraft Classic 165 CS w/Mercury 50....awesome boat....I prefer a Deep V for the ride!

I had an 04 18 footer. Personally, I think there are other aluminum boats with better fit and finish. I didn't really have any trouble, as such. But, some things were aggravating. The switches were hit or miss, carpet was thin, lids leak like crazy and it seemed like you needed an elevator to go from the floor to the front deck. Also, definitely no lift, like a glass boat or pad style hull. All that being said, I caught as many fish out of it as I have the glass boats before and since the Alumacraft. I am slightly biased, I'm about 15 min. from the Express factory, and I see them a lot. If I had to buy an aluminum today, I'd look hard at Express.

Check out the G3 mx 185 I say I down graded 18 months ago from a cobra to this boat. But is dose not feel like a down grade. As long as u have a strong TM and know how to drive and control a boat they r awesome little boats. I fish 2 times as much as I did with the cobra and have saved enough money in gas to pay for my G3. Will handle rough water fine as long as u know what your doing. Not the best in the wind (15 plus)while fishing but with the strong TM it's not a prob. Can go any where a glass boat can and a whole lot more. I actually find it more comfortable to fish from because I'm not worried about that stump or branch or t post. I will cram this boat in the thickest brush I can find and all I might damage is a sticker. I don't tourney fish so the speed is no big deal 45 with just me and gear and tha little 90 hp Yamaha purrs like a kitten and just sips gas. G3 is a skeeter boat company built rite here in Kilgore tx. I'm very happy with my aluminum boat even after 4 glass boats

I have a 16" Alumacraft Angler with 25 hp Yamaha. The major advantage is it's cheap to own which is what I was looking for. The major downfalls are wind, storage, and stability.

We have a new, never rigged 2012 Alumacraft Pro 185 w/ Mercury 115 Optimax for $19,000.00 plus ttl. Great boat and great company building them. It is the oldest aluminum company in America. Check it out on our website rockwallmarine.com.

Look at Xpress, I'm on my 4th, all are up grades on my purchases

I own a 2003 Alumacraft 195 Enforcer. Bought it used about 3 years ago. The guy I bought it from bought it new and fished Lake Fork with it until he sold it to me. Lots of use and some abuse but that is the story of any boat that fishes long on Lake Fork. It is still solid, floats well and goes anywhere I want to take it on the water.

It's not flashy but it is stable in the water. The fishing deck is big and I never worry when I feel a stump go under the hull. The wind will blow you around some on the water. Lighter boat than glass means smaller motor and lower cost.

I often look longingly at the beautiful glass boats that sparkle and go fast. But I always end up thinking how much money and stress I am saving and just stick with my alumacraft.

Had an 09' 1860 alumacraft. Had big time stress cracks that would keep coming back. It also went back to the factory to be welded. It came back with gaudy welds on the hull which slowed the speed down some. And the bedliner they reprayed inside the boat started peeling immediately. Recently it cracked again. I traded it in on a Ranger. Couldn't be happier. I will never own another alumacraft.