Riveted or Welded Aluminum Boats

[cufishin]

My 1957 Richline hasn't given me any problems with leaking in the couple years and couple dozen times I've used it. This boat is a 50+year old riveted semi-V that was just a shell when I got it but now has front and rear decks and a floor. I owned an 18' Starcraft center console(riveted) for years that was used extensively on the Puget Sound, this boat took countless poundings in rough water and leaked the entire time I owned it, a bilge pump easily handled it but I always kept a spare pump on board, I learned that lesson soon after I got the boat. (bilge quit working = end of fishing for the day before I wised-up)

I'm no expert but I'll give you my opinion FWIW: Either type of construction is prone to failure, a welded hull will probably take more abuse but can fail in a more costly and dramatic way if it does. Welded hulls are usually going to be rated for more HP and weight. So the real questions would be: How many people do you want to accommodate? How fast do you want to able to cruise? How likely is it that you'll be in rough water?

A couple guys on a small/medium lake/river: riveted will be fine for many many years.

3 or 4 people or 2 adults and a couple kids going out on larger lakes or rivers: you will probably be happier with a welded boat

[Sam]

Welded.

Also go for the trolling motor and battery set up you want.

You need to be safe no the water in a little jon boat so please do not skimp on equipment. 

[Aluma-Bass]

Tracker Grizzly all weld model..cant go wrong!