BigBendFishing.Net

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 9:43 am**

Any opinions on welded aluminum boats? I've got a friend in Iraq who will be home in a couple of weeks and he wants to buy one when he gets back. Lookin for one in the 16 ft range, maybe stick steering, pan fishing type boat.

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 9:55 am**

I love the way my G3 Eagle 17.5 handles in both fresh and salt water

http://www.g3boats.com/GatorTough/Gator ... efault.php

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 9:57 am**

I had a tracker 1648 all welded for a couple of years. If you want aluminum, then its the only way to go in my opinion. I got mine from the folks in Jasper for a sweet deal. Just bought the basic boat and did a little customization to it.

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 9:58 am**

This will give ya an idea of cost for the rigs "in texax anyhow"

http://www.csoutboard.com/G3HOME.htm

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 1:39 pm**

$31,000 for the 200! That's kinda steap isnt it?

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 2:04 pm**

Them is kinda steep.

Wevans did you pay that much for your 17?

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 2:16 pm**

That's right about what I paid "only dif. is I have the 40 four stroke and it comes with a 50 two stroke"

That's realy not a bad price

http://www.csoutboard.com/G3BOATS/G3%20EAGLE%20175.htm

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 2:43 pm**

My 17ft crestliner is all welded and I love it. It does well on the flats, lake, river you name it. With a 50 hp mercury I put about 9k in it new in 2004. Jacks boats in perry sells tham as well as duracaft and I think a few other aluminum brands.

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 2:52 pm**

I've got the 1860 tunnel hull G3 and would recommend G3 to someone looking for a relatively inexpensive welded alum boat.

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 3:13 pm**

I have a 1652 G3 with a jet 40 (60hp head) that I bought new in 2004. Boat, motor, galvanized drive on trailer, 74lb thrust trolling motor (24v) and a custom set up interior for right at $12K. Bounced off a lot of big rocks up here on the Hooch

and the boat is still water tight. Tough boats

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 8:58 pm**

Thanks for the great feedback. I'm sending my buddy the link to this thread. Maybe we'll even hear back from him.

Posted: **May 8th, 2006, 9:06 pm**

All welded alum. boats are handy when you unload 1 at the top of the ramp also.

Posted: **May 9th, 2006, 6:24 am**

Perch Jerker...thanks for the post...and all others thanks for the input. I should be back to the states around the middle to the end of the summer and will be looking hard about that time. The G3's look really good. I'll be in the Atlanta area and looking around..I know the basspro up 85 has a good selection of all welded boats...as perch jerker said..16 foot range..25 to 40 horse....prefer 4 stroke...want used, but will buy new if I have to...

I especially like this one...

http://www.g3boats.com/EagleSeries/Eagl ... efault.php

Posted: **May 9th, 2006, 7:06 am**

You may want to go by Bay Marine in Mayretta on Hwy 41 and look at the War Eagle boat line. I have a 16 foot that I use out in Arkansas for waterfowl hunting. I have knocked down some big trees with it and not even a scrach. You can get them camo or plain. I have used this boat down here in Carrabelle to and it's a great all around boat. Jim Bay is a great guy and they give good service too.

Posted: **May 9th, 2006, 7:40 am**

I didn't know we were talking about butt stomping, tree knocking, stump sliding duck boats....can't beat a GatorTrax like I got for that duty. Dem some tough son of a guns. They don't have V front, so they aren't great for the flats. A buddy of mine in Valdosta is now making a custom boat the same quality as Gator Trax. I've seen one he made and it was sweet.