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Looking to buy a 16' tiller driven aluminum skiff. Got it down to Lund and a G3. G3 advertises fully welded and Lund rivets most of their boat although it welds the "critical" areas. Somebody cut through the confusion for me. I see lots of old riveted aluminums in Essex. Does it make a difference one way or the other?
I've had 3 riveted Starcraft's, one friend had a riveted Princecraft and anothed has an 18' Lund. All 5 of these boats leaked due to rivet problems, the Lund was sent back to the factory for repairs. Based on my expierences I would never buy another riveted aluminum boat again, though I would love a Black Lab!
I have a riveted 14ft Landau Jon Boat- as the boat flexes over time- it develops small leaks around some of the rivets. It is not a big deal b/c I use it for duck hunting and wear waders and track mud into the boat etc. However- if you want to keep the floor dry- and thus the stuff in the boat dry- get an all welded boat. My buddy has a Sea Ark all weld that is very nice and rugged. My brother in law has an all weld G3- 17ft side console and it is very nice.
I've heard it both ways, I've owned 2-riveted and never had a problem. I've heard from a few who had welded that they had some of the welded areas crack. My dad has a 16' Lowe Big Jon and we have fished it alot in the sound and never had a problem with it either.
I've had two welded Duranautics over the years. Fished hard in SW and FW....neither ever leaked, and the smaller one, which I still own, turns 17 this month.
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Boston Whaler 210 Ventura, 225 Verado
Go with the welded for sure. I had a 17' G3 that was riveted and after 2 years (it was 3 years old when I bought it) of me using it on lake murray it developed cracks on 6 or 8 spots along the rivets in the hull. I thought I was screwed but Yamaha took it back and gave me a brand new welded hull boat. I would not buy a riveted boat again. Can't say enough about Yamaha or East Columbia Sport Shop in SC though.
Location: Los Angeles, FL.or Georgia, depends. In Fl now.
Posts: 5,979
Re: Aluminum - riveted or welded?
I have a 5 yr old riveted V14 alumacraft and have had no problems with it. I use it in saltwater most of time. It has a 20 yr no leak guarantee. We have run over rocks on lakes and have a couple of dings to show for it but no leaks.
Be carefull with advice on a forum. There is a lot of prejudice and very little facts on most of advice. There are also "pushers" that thrive in pushing you towards their product of preference. Also, how do you know advice does not come from a salesman?
I don't know G3, but I have several friends who have had Lund boats for years without leak issues. My view is that rivets are fine and make perfect sense on small boats used on lakes in good conditions. Most riveted boats are made of thinner aluminum. I have a 17 year old 18' aluminum boat at a summer place up in Ontario that's had to have dozens of rivets replaced over the years. I believe the leaks have happened when the boat was loaded up and driven at speed in rough water. Riveted aluminum boats just aren't made to endure pounding like that. If you'll be in smooth lake water, you'll probably be fine with a well made aluminum boat.
Having said that, there's really no comparison between a riveted aluminum boat and a well built welded aluminum boat like a Black Lab or a Henley. The thickness of the metal and the quality of the welds will allow those boats to do well in most any conditions. Extremely stout. If you can afford a well made welded aluminum boat, by all means get one.
I had a 13' riveted duranautic years ago, and over time it developed leaks. I'm not sure I can blame this on the boat, as it was probably 15 year old by that time, had never seen anything but saltwater, and had a light 15hp 2 stroke (max hp). We got the thing airborne on a regular basis, with the prop completely out of the water. We would run through small chop at WOT whenever we could. Jumping wakes was another fun form of entertainment. Yes, it was leaking after a number of years, but not too badly considering what we did to it.
I had an older riveted Jon boat, and have been on many others. They have all leaked a little bit. Granted all of these hulls were at least 15yrs old and well used. I also fish on a a newer starcraft (97?) riveted boat, which has never leaked.
Take ur pick. I would think welded would be better but I bought an old mirrocraft circa 1960's to early 70's, riveted v hull, 14' w/ johnson 40hp. old man I paid the 300.00 to said it never leaked. Had it 3 yrs, never leaked unless u count the first time i left out the drain plug...lol. Always used in saltwater.
I once had a riveted boat dealer tell me that "when boeing starts welding aircraft instead of riveting we'll start selling welded boats"---I've had three alum riveted boats and two welded, all leaked eventually. fwiw-- lund was the best in my mind
I have owned Lund Alumicraft Starcraft nayden & sylvan aluminum boats all were riveted the only one that didn't leak was the sylvan.
The sylvan was a tough boat that I beat to death overpowered & abused it bad after 15 years of pure punishment to that boat with many thousands of hours & two new motors I sold it for about half that I paid new including the motor costs.
A few highlights boat was dropped of a stand when new at the boat show so the dealer discounted it big, I had it come off a roller trailer [rope broke & chain pulled hook bent out tiedowns were not on yet I was pulling over to secure them it was a very steep ramp] on a gravel road sliding down a hill it stopped when the skeg caught in the road. I jumped it over beverdams to many times to count got it stuck in a narrow bridge that it used to fit through, a jetski doing 30ish lost control smashed the side when parked at the dock in front of me. I bent three trailer axles from rough roads that I towed it on. I banged it off rocks pulled it on rocks dragged it over rocks, sand & oysterbeds used it in saltwater & it never leaked.
After 15 years the transom needed repair so I fixed it myself the wood rotted. The starcraft leaked the first time I used it in saltwater I bought it new I sold it after a few years I didn't abuse it . The others were used boats.
__________________ Avenger 23TE by Marauder Marine inc.
DF250 Suzuki & Owens & Sons Trailer
Essex huh? If you like to blend in with the crowd, get the Lund. If you want something unique, get the G3. I don't think you can go wrong with either. I used to have the 20' Alaskan (Lund). Wingarsheek was my favorite, as I could beach and walk the dog there. Still go there, just have to anchor....Good luck!
At one time it might have been a toss up between the two, but now there not even close, go with welded. All high volume manufactors use jigs and automated welding on there alum. boats. I have been all over my boat and not seen one example of a bad weld, and I would bet this is true of all brands.
__________________ Remember be kind to your neighbor he knows where you live. Rob
I have had 3 aluminum boats thru the years. 2 were riveted and the 23ft welded Crestliner. None ever leaked. Crestliner has a 20yr warrenty on the welded hull. It has clean welds which have been ground down and look great.
Aluminum - riveted or welded? 
