I know there's lots of opinions out there on other forums about alumacraft boats vs Lund. Just wanting to get a feel from my fellow Utahn's on how you guys think they compare on our home waters.
I currently own a nitro z6. And while I've really enjoyed the boat and really don't have any complaints, it's just not as practical as I'd like right now. I fish a lot with my 80 year old father. My wife likes to go and we have a kid that'll be old enough to go boating in the next few years.
So I'm looking for something a little more family friendly. I keep thinking my dad might take a tumble off the nitro.
I know Lund is the aluminum boat that all others are measure against. It looks like one can pick up a similar equipped alumacraft for a considerable amount less.
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Per the research of a friend and my father, Lund's are notorious for being leaky. Alumacraft fo sho.
Partial to Lund. We've had our setup an 1800 Fisherman for 7 years and it has never leaked. If we ever decide to get another boat it will be a Lund. Good luck and I don't think you can go wrong with either type you're looking at.[
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I've had two other aluminum boats before I got my Lund. There is a big difference in my opinion. I love the Lund and will never use another brand. I've fished out of several other aluminum boats too and the Lund is still the benchmark. Oh, the leak comment? I've never had a leak in mine and neither do my 3 friends who also own Lunds.
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[quote Fische]Per the research of a friend and my father, Lund's are notorious for being leaky. Alumacraft fo sho.[/quote]
Per the research of using and heavily abusing two Lunds over the last 28 years, privately and commercially, including losing one off the trailer, running the same one onto a gravel bar at Lees Ferry doing 35 mph, and breaking 1-2 inch ice all over Flaming Gorge every spring with both of them, I can't get a Lund to leak if I try! I had the '84 Mr Pike, which I sold about 10 years ago to a man I know in Vernal, who is still using it, and it doesn't leak a drop. I have a '98 Alaskan that now gets over 150 days a year on the Gorge, in rough water, heat, ice, and abused to death, and it doesn't leak a drop. I did just replace the front wood floor in it two years ago. That's all.
Per the research of generations of Alaskan natives in every village in Alaska, where hundreds of Lunds are beached and used as the primary fishing and hunting vehicle for nearly every native Alaskan living on or near water, you can't kill a Lund. Their lives, income, and often survival depend on their boats, and when you look down on any village from the air, all you see is red Lunds. Hmmm. (That's how I first learned of Lund boats in 1980.)
My two cents. And no, I am not sponsored by Lund or any other company. I pay full price like everyone else, and receive nothing for this endorsement.
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I bought my 1850 tyee in 2000 and it has never leaked and everything still works like new. I will stick with Lund too.......Fishon
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Spent a year in the desert contemplating my next boat purchase - narrowed my decision down to Lund and Alumacraft - ended up with Alumacraft because of local sales support. Lund makes a great boat but I felt I got more bang for the buck with Alumacraft and I had better responses from the local Alumacraft dealers than from the Lund dealers - I shopped all the local dealers for aluminum boats. You can't go wrong with either Lund or Alumacraft. Just depends on your pocket book and the features you are looking for - happy to discuss further. I have the competitor 175 with a tiller. Mostly troll with downriggers and use a bow mount trolling motor - works for me with tons of protected storage space and wide open space if I want to fly fish.
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I bought a brand new Alumacraft last yr and used it all summer... it's like my guns... you'll get it out of my cold dead hand if you want it! LOVE THAT BOAT!!! Excellent ride, turns great, looks stellar!! WOW!
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I've owned my Lund 1850 Gran Sport Tyee since March of 1998. I have around 540 hours on the Mercury 150 EFI. I have used nearly all brands of aluminum boats and I can say with all candor, you will not find a better built aluminum boat than the Lunds. They are more for the initial purchase but you'll never reget getting the best.
Most of the other brands are serviceable but you will notice the superior workmanship and the fit and finish of the Lund when compared to some of the other manufacturer's products.
Compare all the equipment very closely and I think you'll do what I did and that is to hold out for the best boat on the market.
You might want to check online for some deals with the dealers in the upper midwest. Due to their sales volume many of them can offer a better deal for the purchase. I bought mine from a dealer in Ham Lake, Minnesota and I saved over $5,000.00. It only cost me about $550.00 to drive back there and tow it home.
Consider the boat as an investment in your family's safety and boating pleasure. My wife nearly insisted on the Lund due to the wide hull and high side walls which will keep a kid or older person from going overboard.
The bottom line is that it's often just a personal decision. Kind of like Ford, Chevy or Dodge. Get the one that fits your situation best.
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Mike
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Taking engine size and boat size into consideration as being equal the Crestliner will be out in front of both of them for speed on the water rough or calm. Solid welded hull which has a lifetime warranty, been running my Tournament 202 for 12 years with no problems. [fishin]
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