Aluminum Boat Makes???

A

AlK

Well-Known Member
I am thinking of maybe getting a larger boat in the 20'-22' size and perhaps one made of aluminum. The makes that that come to mind are the Alumaweld, Hewes Craft and North River? The boat would be used for ocean fishing. What are your thought on these boats? I believe they are lighter than glass boats and the ride may be a little rougher.

Thanks,
 
yup rides rougher but still great boats i'd have a look at the northwest hulls built in victoria.Owners name is Doug Spraggit.
 
I have owned a 20 ft. SilverStreak for 5 years and it is a great boat. I would highly recommend them. Aluminum boats are lighter (better fuel economy) tougher and less maintenance than a glass boat. There down sides are they are noisier and a rougher ride then glass boats.

If you want to buy local (which means you can see it being built, get closer service and support the BC economy) you can also try:

- Northwest Aluminum Craft in Langford (lots of guides use them)
- Wolf Boats in Courtenay, http://www.wolfboats.com/
- Bridgeview Marine in Vancouver, http://www.bridgeviewmarine.com/aluminum-boats.cfm
- Eaglecraft in Campbel River, http://www.eaglecraft.bc.ca/boats_outlaw.html
- Ironwood Boats in New Westminter, http://www.ironwoodboats.com/
- Lifetimer in Duncan, http://www.lifetimer.bc.ca/
- Liquid Metal in Sidney, http://www.liquidmetalmarine.com/
- Quay Craft boat in Port Alberni, http://www.quaycraft.com/

Good luck in your decision.


Long live wild salmon!!!
 
If this one is still for sale-- I suggest looking at it. Looks like a very nice boat. Check make sure the stern deadrise is 18 degrees (or more)
http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14176

Intruder2-2.jpg


20ft Alumaweld Intruder
 
I love my Lifetimer. I've had it for 10 years and still love it. I can't go to a boat ramp and not get compliments on it.
 
quote:Originally posted by Cuba Libre

If this one is still for sale-- I suggest looking at it. Looks like a very nice boat. Check make sure the stern deadrise is 18 degrees (or more)
http://www.sportfishingbc.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=14176

Intruder2-2.jpg


20ft Alumaweld Intruder
Click to expand...
That is an 18deg deadrise Brian, and yes still for sale. Maybe just not the right time of the year hehehe.

quote: I am thinking of maybe getting a larger boat in the 20'-22' size and perhaps one made of aluminum. The makes that that come to mind are the Alumaweld, Hewes Craft and North River? The boat would be used for ocean fishing. What are your thought on these boats? I believe they are lighter than glass boats and the ride may be a little rougher.

Thanks,
Click to expand...

All boats mentioned seem to be out of the cookie cutter. 3/16 bottom plate, similar deadrises, hull weight, motor options.
Alumaweld has a better fit and finish than hewes and NR are out of biz so warranty need not apply.
Been running my Alumaweld Intruder for the past couple of years and been quite happy with it. Always a dry ride, bouncy sometimes and mostly by choice, you know throttle heavy, this boat brought me back to the dock safe and sound. Easy on gas could go to jordan river and back on 40 bux. All is built solid on it, from captn' chairs, big benches for those lazy days on the pick, lotsa lockable storage, fish hold etc etc. It caught a couple of fish too [:p] Two footitis is saying sell so i have given in.

So I bought a hewescraft thats 2ft longer :D abit more power... maybe a mid age thing LOL, no hard top so I have a feeling I might miss the old one. Sure they use 3/16 bottom plate but everything else is built kinda flimsy, welds throughout don't compare to alumawelds quality, finish is rather rough. Stern is 14 degrees so will see how it is going to behave in the rough stuff.

There is no such thing as the perfect boat wish i could afford one of the other makes mentioned in the thread.
Good luck with your boat hunt, think wolf was saying it is a happy day when you buy a boat and when you sell it.
cheers

JUST FISHEN'
 
Thanks for the information. I didn't know that there were that many manufacturers on this side of the border.
One of the boats that looks interesting is the Hewescraft 20' Searunner. Any thoughts on this boat. I fish at WH and I am wondering how that boat would perform up there as compared to my 17.1' Malibu Tyee (same hull as Double Eagle).
 
Love that layout with the bench seats for fishing! Sure beats the sleepers on the malibu. That said the bow looks low and the bowrider portion would make me nervous. If fishing offshore at all i would be wary.
 
Kelly-- the open bow feature has good and bad aspects. When drifting for butts, it provides another spot on the boat for fishing. If you DO get a monster, the bow is where you want to land it and stash it-- no slime in the boat. Shore breaks are a snap with an aluminum hull and a walkthrough windshield

As far as the downside.. yes, under extreme conditions, there is a remote possibility that you could take a green one over the bow. The scuppers are too small for my liking. To get around taking on a bunch of water in the open bow, a grometed cover is the way to go. Down south, some of the boys have an inflated inner tube under the screen so that the weight of the water cant pop the fasteners.

Intruder2-2.jpg


20ft Alumaweld Intruder
 
I run an '08 Hewescraft 220 Searunner HT & Ext. Transom... overall length is 27'6" including outboards. I use it on the west coast of BC, both "inshore" & "offshore". The boat has been great in both applications... its actually one of the most sea kindly boats that I've used "offshore", never had a concern even when holding in reverse for halis in some pretty heavy seas. I haven't had a problem with the open bow... now, I'm not proud of it and hate it when it happens, but I've taken some green water over the bow. The scuppers seemed to drain quickly enough... before the next one in that case. What I now do is securely strap a large plastic box in the open bow... and store stuff like my extra anchor & chain in it... Now there's less room for a big volume of water to get in there should I take another green one. Anyway, wanted to toss that idea into the mix for those concerned about the open bow... so far has worked well. Finally, this boat has a pretty soft ride in the heavy going... not sure that I've had it better in any other boat this size.
Alk... I'd sure suggest a good look at Hewescraft... it was the test drives I had in the boat that got my attention...
Good luck with your selection... I think there are alot of good ones out there.
Cheers,
Larry
 
Larry,
Thanks,that is good information. What kind of power do you have on your 22', and do you have any idea what the minimum power should be on a 20'?
 
'08 Yamahas- 150 & 9.9ht kicker...
...and, after almost 150 hrs, I'm pleased with the performance of both in the conditions that I operate.

I can't help you with the power for the 20', but I'm sure you will get lots of feedback at www.hewescraft.30.forumer.com/
 
I fish a 180 Hewes Searunner out at WH and north towards Cape Caution on the nice days and have no problems. It is a bit small:D for true west coast fishing, but for us it is fine. Good seaworthy boat, lots of room and realy economical to run. Great fishing platform.

And, knock on wood, no greenies over the bow.

It has a Yammy 115 that keeps her up to speed with minimal effort. A budy of mine has a 200 Searunner ET with a 135 Honda and it works great.

They are good boats.

The site Nahmint psoted is a great site, plus check out Alaska outdoors, lots of Hewes owners up there as well.

What ever you pick, make sure it is a ocean going boat, (good deadrise) otherwise they will pound the living crap out of you.

Cheers

SS

Fishing08018-1.jpg
 
quote:Larry,
Thanks,that is good information. What kind of power do you have on your 22', and do you have any idea what the minimum power should be on a 20'?
Click to expand...

I have a Merc 115 4 stroke on my 20ft Alumaweld. A better match (5 to 10 more MPH is the 150. I just hit the wall on my budget when I purchased my boat..;))

Intruder2-2.jpg


20ft Alumaweld Intruder
 
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