Aluminum Fishing Boats: From Compact Jon Boat to Custom Design!
Looking around on the web for an aluminum fishing boat? You'll
soon enough find out there are a number of different ways to go,
depending on your needs and budget...
Are you looking for something very straightforward and
uncomplicated you can quickly fit on your pickup? Or maybe you
want something more sophisticated you can use for both
tournament fishing and recreational fishing?
Another option - if money isn't your biggest concern - could be
to look into a custom built boat with everything just the way
you want!
You will probably know why you're looking for an aluminum
fishing boat as opposed to a fiberglass or steel boat, but
lightness (greater performance or fuel savings) and strength
(around 35,000 pounds per square inch (psi) will deform it as
opposed to 30,000 psi for mild steel) are probably the greatest
advantages.
Price also comes into play as many an aluminum fishing boat
owner have reported looking around for similar fiberglass boats
and being put off by the prices.
In addition it is not only the purchase price, but also the
maintenance costs afterwards which one need to take into account.
Aluminum is practically maintenance-free. If left unpainted
aluminum will form a supertight layer of aluminum oxide on its
surface and then will stay that way indefinitely.
What else is great about owning an aluminum fishing boat?
Aluminum is fireproof and non-toxic; it is natural, and the most
abundant metal in the earth's crust. It is easily repairable,
and a great advantage for boats: aluminum won't absorb water!
What about price? Well, you can start looking at something that
was designed to fit right into small pickup truck beds like a
Meyers Explorer 12 Jon Boat. This one goes for only a few
hundred dollars!
Then you can move up to something much more advanced like the
Tracker Pro Angler V-16. The Tracker features large lockable rod
storage that holds up to 7'6" rods, divided aerated livewell
with Flow-Rite aeration, a deluxe console with a simulated
burlwood switch panel and more.
On the Tracker there's always plenty of room for tackle, people
and gear. Even an amateur would know that this was a great
aluminum fishing boat after only one ride!
Then there's the Ranger Cherokee 217, which is known for an
extremely wide front casting deck. It also features an
extension-deck option to make it even bigger. (Note:
Unfortunately Ranger stopped making them, but if you can find
one, rest assured it's a solid boat. Crestliner's boats can now
offer a similar quality in a bass boat).
You may also want to look at unique boats like those of Design
Concepts. Their aluminum fishing boats are crafted with a
revolutionary hull configuration called Drop-Keel. Instead of
being flat on the bottom like other boats, Design Concepts boats
are engineered to drop just below the water line before turning
upward at the bow. This feature keeps the cutting edge of your
boat in the water at all times.
Design Concepts also offer a "true lifetime warranty": even if
you sell your boat, the warranty stays with it, ensuring you the
highest value retention of any boat you can buy.
How about a custom-built aluminum fishing boat? As an example,
King Salmon Marine lets you choose many details like the
position of the console, overall length and hight, bottom width
and thickness - even the type of aluminum alloy!
For more information visit http://www.fishing-things.com