Alumacraft boats!!!

[llg]

I have a 40 yr old Alumacraft. The only thing about it that I would change is welding instead of rivets. It is 14', I have a small motor. I use it in rivers and lakes.

[coombro]

I have a 23 yr. old Sea Nymph and so far as a weld vs. rivets well they say the rivets are prone to leak yet mine doesn't. My boats been through hell and high water. I think every year about a new one then I ask myself why. Lots of Alumnicraft boats out there must be good ones.

[peter]

Hey coombro. Good question--?

I have a mid 80's sea nymph too and occasionally thought about a newer boat. Every time I mentioned a newer boat to someo they said --what for? Couldn't really give them an answer.

The layout and size of mine is what like.

Weld vs rivet?

Rivets can leak and welds can break/crack.
Guess it has to do more with how it's built.
Aluminum thickness is a big factor in welded and riveted boats. # rivets too.
With welded boats you need much thicker aluminum because when alum is welded it reduces the strength of the material around the weld.

I am not that familiar with but have never heard anything bad about alumacraft.
If it were me be I would first see where alumicraft falls re: hull thickness between the most and least expensive similar models of boat.

Good luck!

[coombro]

Great point about the weight factor Peter. That was the main selling point to my purchasing a Sea Nymph.