5 Most-Common Problems With Alumacraft Boats (Explained)

Alumacraft Boats was one of the first boat builders in the U.S. to use aluminum. They have been constructing them for over 75 years and have a wide variety of options.

Alumacraft Boats remains one of the largest brands of aluminum boats. They are durable, tough, and high quality.

Most of their boats are intended for sportfishing; they have divided their boats into five distinct lines. They offer more 70 models across those lines. The boats range from a 10-foot Jon boat to a sport boat of about 21 feet.

If you are shopping for an Alumacraft Boat, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will share what other Alumnacraft boat owners feel are the most common concerns.

We have searched through all the Alumacraft information to find the issues you might face with an Alumacraft Boat.

Before we start, make sure to read our article here about how reliable Alumacracft boats are.

1) Antifouling Paint Causing Problems

A common paint used on metals like aluminum is called an antifouling paint. It contains copper, and it prevents marine growth.

However, aluminum and copper mixed together may cause corrosion on Alumacraft Boats. Most boats have an epoxy barrier between the aluminum hull and the bottom paint. The barrier prevents corrosion from occurring.

When the epoxy barrier begins to break down and weaken, it may allow corrosion to occur. Another alternative is to use a bottom paint specifically for aluminum boats that do not contain copper.

2) Corrosion and Damage

There are other factors that can cause corrosion for Alumacraft Boats. Saltwater, for example, can be highly corrosive to boats. Even freshwater has a tendency to corrode boats.

Electrolysis is a large cause of corrosion. This is common when there are two different metals in an electrolyte. Water is an electrolyte. Saltwater is a stronger electrolyte than freshwater.

Boats that have bronze or stainless steel hardware attached to the hull are impacted by water and can corrode. Even something as simple as losing a copper penny in the bilge can be the cause of corrosion.

One solution is to attach zinc anodes to the aluminum hull. Unfortunately, the zinc will corrode and protect the aluminum part of the boat. You will have to examine the zinc anodes regularly and replace them. Eventually, they will completely corrode away.

The boat shaft tube of an aluminum boat is likely to corrode. Therefore, it is important to check that part of the boat when purchasing, especially if it is a used boat.

You may also see corrosion problems on inboard powered boats in the propeller shaft tubes and rudder bearings. These tubes are stainless steel and sit close to the aluminum shaft tube.

Fault wiring could be another cause of corrosion. When there is a current that flows from the aluminum hull to other metals in the area, corrosion may occur.

While the zinc anodes are there to take on the corrosion, they degrade quickly if there are stray currents. Therefore, electrical equipment should be insulated and well-grounded.

3) Rivets Are Loose

Small Alumacraft Boats have two panels of aluminum riveted together with a sealant between the panels. Over time, use and pounding through the waves cause the boats to leak and the panel joints.

This is no way to repair this permanently easily. One step to take is to drill out the rivets, apply sealant, and replace the rivets with nuts and bolts.

Another option to stop the leaking is to clean and dry the entire area around the leaking seam. Next, you want to apply Dow 5200 sealant and then allow it to dry completely. It will take about one to two days.

This type of sealant provides a strong seal. It is critical that you keep all the surfaces clean and apply quality and clean work to the process.

4) Aluminum Breaking Down

Anyone that has been on an Alumacraft Boat has felt it flex when it hits the waves. This process is also called oil canning. This is a typical response in aluminum boats.

When there is a significant amount of flexing, it causes the boat to work harden and fatigue crack. When a fatigue crack occurs, the only way to correct it is with aluminum welding.

If your boat needs this type of attention, you should take it to a qualified and professional Alumacraft dealer. In addition to welding the crack, they can add metal to reinforce the area.

These types of cracks are common around the transom. You should always inspect it carefully. These cracks are easy to spot.

5) Pretty Loud

Another common issue that owners face with their Alumacraft Boat is that it can be loud, especially for someone not used to the sound.

In addition, when the water slaps against the side of an aluminum hull, it can be jarring.

There are some soundproofing options available to make it a more comfortable ride. However, the soundproofing process does involve the use of aftermarket parts. For those willing to make some post-purchase modifications to their boat, it is possible to reduce the noise level significantly.

You can also add insulating panels to the hull to help reduce the noise of an aluminum hull. The noise is worse when you are riding your boat in choppy water or backwater. However, it is less noticeable when out on the open water.

5) Overall Appearance

There are some boat owners that love the look of an aluminum boat. It is a workhorse; however, there are boaters that love varnished wood. They are not going to like the way an aluminum boat looks.

When you are in an aluminum boat, it makes a lot of noise. Every movement you make in the boat is amplified. So if you drop something, all the fish are going to know it.

An aluminum boat transfers temperature easily. On a hot day, the inside of the hull will sweat, which means items can get damp and moldy quickly. The sun also beats down on the aluminum on a hot and sunny day.

General Pros and Con for Alumacraft Boats

Pros:

Aluminum boats are reliable and durable. They do not require much maintenance.

They are fast and lightweight, which also means they use less gas.

Aluminum boats are more affordable than their counterparts made of different materials.

Aluminum boats have a unique look and are workhorse boats.

Cons:

• Aluminum boats are incredibly loud.
• They must be insulated properly.
• These boats are highly susceptible to electrical corrosive damage.

What Do the Reviews Say?

Alumacraft Boats are reliable, durable, and will last a long time with proper care.

“All Alumacraft boats, whether it’s the all-welded jons or one of the riveted tournament models, are made with heavy-gauge, top-quality, 5052 marine-grade aluminum. That’s why you see Alumacraft boats that have been on the water for years and years.”

‘[Source: grandrapidsmarine.com]

Alumacraft is highly customizable, giving you a lot of room to make your own selections about specific items.

“Alumacraft wins hands down, or at least when it comes to the important choices of motors and aft flip-up seating options.”

[Source: fishingfather.com]

What is the Resale Value on the Alumacraft Boats?

Since Alumacraft Boats are aluminum, they depreciate much slower than a fiberglass boats. Alumacraft Boats are more affordable than a fiberglass boat, which helps their slow depreciation.

The Alumacraft Boats have an average depreciation of 25% over a five-year period.

Here are some examples of how well the Alumacraft Boat retains its value.

The 2015 Competitor 165 Sport LE sold for $12,642 when it was brand new. Today, it has a resale value of $9,680. That is a depreciation of 24%.

In 2015, the 19-ft Tournament Pro 195 Sport sold for $19,834 when it was brand new. Today, it has an average resale of $14,840. That is a depreciation of about 25%.

A 2010 Tournament Pro 195 sold for $20,189 when it was brand new. Today it has a resale value of $12,870. This is a depreciation of 36%.

These depreciation values are in line with the depreciation of aluminum boats.

Sources:

www.grandrapidsmarine.com,

www.fishingfather.com

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