help with boat buying

[fishingtvn]

Great site you got here! I could really use some expert advice. I am looking to get into some more serious tournament fishing to see if I'm good enough to compete in bigger waters and from there...well we all have our dreams. I really want to go with aluminum for the usual reasons. The one draw back that I see in aluminum bass style boats [not multi-species] are the size of livewells. I would like a 18 foot boat, and one with a dual console. I love Triton's 186 mag but the live well is only 20 gallons. G3's HP18 has a 27 gallon livewell, and Alumacraft's Invader a 33. I view all these boats as fairly equal in quality [if I'm wrong please let me know]. The only problem with th Alumacraft is the beam it is too wide for my garage. With a man in the back there's no way I could keep 2 seperate limits in a 20 gallon livewell. So my question to all of you is am I putting to much importance on the livewell and go with quality and  of a Triton? Is G3 just as good? Or go with the Alumacraft for the largest livewell no matter what.  Thanks for your help!!!  ???

[squid]

How wide is the beam of the Alumacraft? Also I don't see the problem with the 20 gal tank...you can use tags to make sure you know whos is whos.

[fishingtvn]

Thanks for you reply. The Alumacraft's beam is 92", I don't know what the package width is, but I only have 94'' of clearance.

[Nick_Barr]

I would go with the alumincraft (just store it outside) Or i would go with the G3

[Glenn]

It's great that you're looking at the livewells.  My old aluminum had a small livewell, and I had problems keeping fish alive.  But I believe that was also due in part to the aeration system (it just sprayed water from a nozzle located at the top.

I think a 20+ gallon livewell should be ok, provided the aeration system actually mixes the water around, instead of just spaying water on top.

In addition, there are other things you should consider when purchasing a boat.  Here's some articles to help you out:

https://bassresource.com/fishing/a_new_boat.html

https://bassresource.com/fishing/buying_first_boat.html

https://bassresource.com/fishing/boat_buying_license.html

https://bassresource.com/fishing/buying_a_boat.html

Hope that helps!

[dman708]

The Alumacraft's livewell is one large tank, but is separated w/ a divider, so it's like having two wells.  I own the Invader 185 & never had a prob w/ 2man fishing or tourneys. Can't speak for the other boats, but I'm sure they're a similar setup (but definitely not as big... trust me, it's huge... & the air/pump-out & lights are nice, too.)

I may be a little biased, but I shopped around a LOT b4 my purchase, & looked at several models, including your other 2 mentions. The Alumacraft's wide beam (92") is actually one of the determining factors in my purchase (last year). It's rock solid for a tin boat--way more so than even the 80-ish beam of my last boat (piece of crap Tracker). But, if it won't fit into your garage... mute point I guess. Personally, I'd keep an Invader uncovered out in the rain/snow b4 I'd by a G3 (or another Tracker!).

The Triton alum. did make my short list, and I'm sure it's a quality rig, but the dealer was located too far away, & a 200 mi. drive for pickup/service, etc. was not feasible. As far as the G3, too many fishing buddies/acquaintances w/ serious complaints about 'em.

I, too, needed a tin boat for the vast amount of skinny river fishing I do, & after owning a heavy glass boat (mostly bondo when I sold it!) & the leaky, noisy & underpowered Tracker experience, I finally got it right w/ the Alumacraft. FYI: they lead lead the industry w/ customer sat. & consumer agency ratings. & are #2 in N.A. in tin boat sales (#1 is, you guessed it, Tracker!).

Hope that helps. Any other questions re: the Invader, let me know.

[fishingtvn]

what complaints do your buddies have with the G3? i pretty much have my mind made up to go with the HP 180 and i've even talked to their engineering dpt. about how the halves are joined along the keel but if you have any info please share! thanks

[dman708]

I'm sorry to mess you up w/ the last min info--especially after you had your mind made up! I know how confusing (& frustrating) it gets w/ the research, shopping, etc. trying to make the best decision.

You'll be happy, however, to know that one of my bud's doesn't have a problem G3 at all, but a Lowe. He was looking at G3s & I was thinking he bought one, but he ended up spending less $ (I think) on a Lowe & has had many probs w/ it. I spoke w/ him earlier today & he corrected me.

The other, is a friend-of-a-friend in southern IL who has a G3 (I think it's an HP or Pro 17 or 18'er, around a 2002/3) & told me last summer he had problems with getting/keeping the boat on plane. He's got enough power, but it porpoises badly at all mid/high speeds. He's was messing w/ the motor setup/props/pitches & maybe trim tabs when we spoke. Don't know how it turned out, but that stuck w/ me when I bought mine. Hopefully that's a prob. they fixed w/ the new models?

As far as the two piece hull, I know Triton's the same deal & I've heard nothing but good stuff about their tin rigs (although I think they're relatively new to alum... I may be wrong). Alumacraft is 1 piece/all forged which I looked for since, along w/ my river fishing, I'm often banging 1-2 ft swells & 50' yaht wakes whilst bassing in Lake Mich.

Reality is, if you check out any boat (from Lund to Tracker), I'm sure you'll find some dissatisfied owners out there. I'm sure whatever you go w/ will run sweet right out of the box. Hope that helps.

[fishingtvn]

you are a 100 percent right about the frustration part  i am driving my wife insane with all my time spent researching, and what really sucks is in new jersey and really much of the northeast this type of boat hasn't really caught on so dealers for g3, triton, and alumacraft don't carry any in stock so you can't test drive or go over in person. the only boat of this type that i've seen in person was the triton and that was in upstate ny. i have no doubt that this is a quality boat but the livewell is pretty small and it doesn't look to have the storage of the g3. i would store the alumacraft outside but i have no room. unfortunately i think its pretty much ruled out. i also think that it is more reasonably priced than the g3 and triton and the aluminum hull is even slightly thicker. for the g3 and triton with a 115 yamaha 4 stoke i am looking at $23g's. i'm pretty sure the aluma is a couple g's less. what power do you have on yours? and if you don't mind how much did they nail you for it? also i agree with you about the tracker i have heard too many nightmares about cracked welds and leaks. they actually are pretty popular in nj because 95% of lakes here are electric only but i plan to fish bigger lakes in ny upstate. thanks for all your info really appreciate it!!

[dman708]

That's so funny. I went thru the same exact stuff last summer (girlfriend getting sick of it/me, constant web searches, trips out to the sticks to find out no boats in stock...) I'm in Chicago, &, similarly to your situ, dealers actually told me that they mainly stock the big glass rigs because everyone sees them on TV & they want what Mike Iocanelli & co. has (even though most have no business in a 14ft jonboat). That, and deep Vs are big here, since I'm on the big pond (Lake Mich).

As far as price, the Alumacraft was actually one of the higher priced I shopped. Never got a price on the Triton (since the dealer was so far), but it was more $ than others (I looked at Fisher, etc.) & I thought more than G3 (I always see good prices in their ads, but, like I said, didn't really consider them at last) but it looks like about the same $ after all. I have a 125 merc 2-stroke on my 185, and I paid not much more than your 23k. Might've considered a 4-stroke or the 150 if I was building one, but that's even more $ & they happened to have this boat/motor combo in stock. Actually, if I was building one, I'd prob get an Evinrude etec (4 strokes are much heavier/bigger & the new efis are close/sometimes better in fuel econ & emmissions.) Had an old Johnson/Evinrude that I loved, & a Merc that I had probs w/ (again w/ the Tracker!) But my new Merc is pretty sweet so far.

The 115 should be fine, as mine is probably heavier w/ the thicker guage hull (.102 -- industry standard is .100) plus your 180 is 1/2 a foot shorter. Mine jumps out of water & cruises d**n close to 60mph.

Was just kidding about keeping yours outside, but am curious, is the G3 that much narrower? Both brands look almost identical & even heard once that the AC was based on the G3 layout (or vice versa).... I just looked at the G3 website... looks just like mine (storage, layout, step seats,end w/ the gas cap, everything!) Only I don't see a recessed step to the front deck. & it's only 2" less beam! Move that truck out onto the drive & sqquueeeze 'er in! Sweet. Congrats.

[fishingtvn]

thanks again for your info!! according to the catalog the g3 has a package width of 92" i have 94" of clearance and if i rip off the moulding on both sides of the opening i might gain another 1.5"but i've already ticked off the wife enough. well its either that or i replace it with rub rails for all the times i'm gonna scrape j/k. its a tight fit fur sure! actually about my wife i'm really lucky. and i'm not just saying this because she is reading over my shoulder : she fishes tournaments with me and is just as passionate about our sport as i am. its just the comparisons of keel and hull design, h/o versus 4 stroke vs carb, and my borderline o.c.d. condition about this purchase that drives her a little nuts especially when i expect her to listen to all of my ramblings on these matters of serious importance..what is wrong with her?..thanks again!

[Fatdaddy150]

Fisher makes a nice 18' aluminum boat. Pro hawk they are real nice!! I looked at them at the boat show. I think the well in it is 27 gal. They have an 87" beam. Lots of room and laid out well. The sales man told me I could get one with 115 hp Mercury Optimax for $17,500.00 that price included everything including prep, tax, boat cover, spare tire, another Garmin finder for the bow, on board charger. Sweet boat at a sweet price!! If your lookin at aluminum boats look at this one.

Tight Lines,

Fatdaddy151

[fishingtvn]

there a few issues with the fisher that bother me but the main one is they do not offer a dual console model. the livewell is 23 gallons not so bad. they are a division of tracker marine which gives me pause. the fact that the max horse power on this boat is 125 bothers me. not because i necessarily want a 150 hp or need it but because out of all the manufacturers of aluminum bass boats that i've looked at in the 18' class [triton,g3,lowe,alumacraft.tracker,fisher,xpress] trackers max hp is 115 and fisher is 125. now why that is i don't know but my first inclination is that the transom is not made as well as the other boats.i could be totally wrong but that is the feeling i get. thanks for you input!!!

[Wormy]

Fishingtvn, I just went through the same thing you are going through and trust me I feel your pain. I recently bought a new boat and it has taken me 3 years to decide on what I wanted so hopefully that will give you an idea of how meticulous I am with making a purchase of this nature and how I have based my opinion.

To begin, I was looking at a performance style aluminum bass rig like yourself and whittled my selection down to two different boats. The Xpress line and the G3's. I live in Arkansas so the Xpress factory is basically right around the corner for me and truth be told, they make a hell of a boat. I personally went to the factory and got the five star walk through. They have five knee braces supporting their transoms, all aluminum, all welded, etc... And after many conversations and talking to mostly dealers outside of my state I decided to go with the G3. Not merely based on the fact that it was better built or it came with a larger outbaord but because they are backed by Yamaha and the company is well funded. Almost every dealer that I talked too told me that they have warranted items they thought they would have never seen by other boat companies. Personally this tells me a lot. One dealer told me that he had a customers Xpress in for warranty work for over a month and hadn't even heard from them. This tells me even more.

I came down to the final two based on similar issues that you have as well, price and functionality. Fisher has a nice boat, nice build but wooden casting decks for the one I was looking at. Triton, BREAK OUT YOUR CHECKBOOK!!! Wow what a price and not all that appealing to my eye. I didn't even look at BassTracker although their avalanche looks really good.  Alumacraft and Lowe just didn't have what I wanted so that left me with Xpress and G3.

I had an opportunity this year to do an actual side by side comparison and the G3 won hands down as far as finish, welds being very detailed and it all around looks, in my opinion. I upgraded my trolling motor to a MK Maxxum 80, added a bow mount garmin 250 and have one at the console and opted for the Yamaha F115 4-stroke, alumnium wheel and goodyear spare, Promariner Tournament 100 onboard charger and a couple of complimentary hats from the dealer for 19500.  And the extra money it cost me for the 4 stroke motor was well worth it. Not only does it hall hiney but it is extremely quite and after putting over 3 hours of solid driving to break it in, still have 3/4 of a tank of fuel.

Not sure if this helps you any but it takes chop pretty well too. One of the things I really had to consider was the type lakes I would be fishing. And for me most of them are fairly small and that is why I opted for the 17 footer which is actually 17'4" for the G3. There is no doubt that glass takes rough water better but for what I do, my choice seems perfect and I could have probably made it with a little less motor. I wish you luck on your decision because it was a big one for me and my family.  

[fishingtvn]

hey wormy thanks for your help! check your messages i didn't want to bore the good folks with anymore of my ranting!