I like the Polarkraft, alumacraft, and the G3. I need suggestions for what kind of brand is better and what HP I need for my O/B. If you think there is a better engine than Honda please mention it. What is a good length, it will be just my son and I fishing. Thanx
Anything with a Honda engine will be expensive! Honda makes great engines but check prices against a good 2-stroke like Evinrude E-tec. As for what length it depends on what kind of fishing. Fishing for panfish or something like that 16-17ft would do. Also check prices against a fiberglass boat. They have a better ride, quieter and much more stable in the water. Plus some aren’t much more than an aluminum boat.
not too sure about the boat but don’t get e-tech or honda, suzuki is the best engine out there both e-tech and honda have too much problems with their engines. . . . . . .
I have a marinised 21 hp, 3-cylinder Kuboto engine in my 30′ aluminium boat.
I like AL boats for their weight but you do pay the price in anything but calm water. I made a big mistake and bought a tiller rather than the steering wheel. I have a Yamaha 4-stroke and it’s been fine, but everything I own from Honda has always been worth the extra price. If you’ll be in choppy water (ever), under 16 feet will get pretty rough. I’ve been considering an Alumacraft for a long time but they’re hard to find used (probably because they’re good boats and quickly sold to friends or neighbors?). I’ve always been happiest when I had the maximum power. I seem to get better fuel economy and it’s nice to have the power on those beautiful glass smooth days. Good luck and stay dry,warm and safe.
I CAN’T HELP YA. . . . . OUT OF MY FIELD. . . . .
Valco makes a good solid boat (alm) and the 18hp 3cy honda a strong motor. Wouldn’t settle for less than 16 feet. Steering wheel and a big cooler. Even the Honda 10hp would push that along. Great strong simple engines.
Being 4 stroke -you will not be run off of the growing number of “not 2-stroke” lakes.
Some of the early 4-stroke of other manufacturer had some real bad problems- Honda has been doing this so long they pretty much have it down.
Fiberglass is more stable, but quite a bit heavier.
Some aluminum boats had thin bottoms- so make sure you do your home work per model you are interested in. – Look for suspicious coatings and hull repair which might indicate an electrolysis problem or bad battery charger hook ups
Take a test drive. Will it turn sharp with out kicking out or cavitation. How fast on plane is it, and are you OK with it.
Run it with the hood off. You can hear impending problems and temp over heating. Run it with the hood on to detect exhaust leaks, ventilation.
Can you steer it with two fingers. Cable replacement can be rather spendy.
Have some fun- which is what this is all about- if you come back from a trip cursing the boat, trailer or even the traffic- -it didn’t work.