When looking at fishing boats, it really is a buyer’s market—there are so many options out there that it can easily get confusing as to which is the best and which may work the best for you. When looking for a saltwater fishing boat, do you want aluminum or fiberglass? Which is the best type of aluminum boat for fishing?
Before you click ‘purchase’ on any of these aluminum saltwater fishing boats, there are a few tips and tricks you should know about what makes aluminum fishing boats both work in saltwater and their disadvantages. Read on to find out more about why you should make that purchase.
What to Look for in Your Aluminum Saltwater Fishing Boat
Before you consider your purchase, there are a few things you need to know about using an aluminum fishing boat in saltwater. While most saltwater fishing boats are made of fiberglass or aluminum, you need to make sure you pick a boat that is not going to corrode severely in saltwater. Both materials are acceptable and hold up when put to use.
Saltwater fishing boats also have a deeper bow—or a deep V—to cut through rougher waves. Because of this possibility of rougher waves, you may want to consider a larger boat for your safety.
In terms of extra features, you may consider getting a boat with a baitwell or a Livewell, where you can store live bait or the fish you catch to keep everything even fresher.
Aluminum boats are also more affordable than most fiberglass boats, costing up to 50 percent less in some situations than their fiberglass counterparts. They are also constructed at a lighter weight and usually have more room for movement and for fishing.
While considering your options, there are a few downsides to the aluminum fishing boat. Most are made very simply, which means comfort is not always a priority in both your fishing experience and your travel. Because they are so lightweight, the construction can make them hard to maneuver in choppy waters, which can also make your motor work harder, which makes it noisier.
Also, be aware that aluminum can corrode—making sure your aluminum boat is welded rather than riveted will help with this.
How to Care for Your Aluminum Fishing Boat
While aluminum boats are specifically created for saltwater use, it’s important to know the pitfalls of using that material in saltwater. Saltwater is corrosive and can corrode anything it touches on your boat after a certain period of time. But this isn’t a death sentence for your aluminum fishing boat—you just need to take some extra time and care making sure it survives being used in saltwater.
To make sure your boat is well taken care of when you bring it out of the water to dock, wash down your boat with fresh water completely before putting it away. You can also stop corrosion by checking its components and looking for galvanic corrosion. You can also make sure to use a solid coat of anti-fouling paint to act as a barrier against corrosion.
While it is possible for the aluminum to corrode, it is still a durable option for your fishing boat, as aluminum ages very slowly. It is also extremely durable—if you collide with something in the water, it is more likely to survive than a fiberglass fishing boat. The metal also makes them almost untouchable if a fire breaks out on your boat.
Best Aluminum Saltwater Fishing Boats
1. Lowe Roughneck 1660
This aluminum fishing boat may be smaller than most, but it is very affordable and comes in camouflage or brown finish, making it a very good option for a hunting boat as well. Coming in at a length of 16 feet, it can hold a maximum of four passengers and has a horsepower range of 25 to 40. The boat is made completely of aluminum, along with a port side rod holder built into the construction. While this boat does not have as deep a V as the others, it is still a great option for calmer ocean waters.
Known for their durability, Lowe Boats are a great choice for your saltwater fishing expedition. The Lowe Roughneck 1660 runs about $12,000.
2. Lund WC 16
The Lund WC 16 is even more simplistic than the Lowe Roughneck 1660 but is still a contender for one of the best saltwater fishing boats. This boat boasts bench seating and tiller steering, along with a completely aluminum hull. Also, 16 feet long, when compared to the Lowe Roughneck, it can hold up to five people and weighs about 200 pounds less. You do sacrifice speed for the price, though, as its max horsepower capacity is 25.
The Lund WC 16 starts at $5,000 without the engine included.
3. Lowe Bay 22
If the basic package isn’t enough for you, consider going for the Lowe Bay 22 aluminum boat. With a modified V-hull that can handle both shallow water and big waves, it’s a great option for saltwater fishing.
A larger boat, the Lowe can hold a maximum of eight passengers with a horsepower range of 90 to 200. Coming in at 22 feet in length, it functions well on larger waves compared to the other options on this list. There is plenty of room to walk around on the platform and sports a center console in which to drive your boat. An insulated cooler is built into the front deck for your convenience.
The boat is made completely of aluminum and is all-welded to protect it from corrosion. It also sports several fold-down seats, along with fixed passenger seats near the console and rear deck jump seats with storage underneath. It also comes with a Mercury 115 ELPT FourStroke engine and trailer.
The Lowe Bay 22 runs about $41,000 with all features included.
4. Lowe Bay 20
If its larger brother is too rich for your blood, you can consider the Lowe Bay 20, the smaller version of the Lowe Bay 22. Coming in at 20 feet long, this boat is also all welded and all-aluminum, making it a perfect choice for saltwater fishing.
Closely related to the 22, 20 Bay has a horsepower range of 90 to 150 and can still hold a maximum of eight passengers at a length of 20 feet. It is welded like the larger version, making it safer to use in saltwater. While a bit smaller, this version holds many of the same features, usually just at a smaller level. It also comes with a Livewell to store live bait and your catches.
This version of the Lowe Bay runs about $37,000.
Can a freshwater boat be used in salt water? Find out here.
5. Lowe Bay 18
Yet another smaller version of the Lowe Bay line, this simpler boat is still a great option for your fishing expedition while keeping the comfort of the other Lowe Bay styles.
Compared to the 22, it can hold up to six passengers and has a horsepower range of 90 to 115. This boat does not feature a transom like its larger version but is all aluminum and all-welded, like the others in this series.
One downside is as far as the website states, you will have to separately purchase a trailer for this version of the Lowe Bay.
This boat runs about $32,000.
6. Tracker Guide V-16 Laker DLX T
This aluminum boat may be simple, but it stacks up against the other simply built boats on this list. While it has the least horsepower, coming in at 20 HP, it compares to the others at 16 feet long. This boat even has a folding, movable fishing seat built into the boat itself. This boat can carry up to four people on your fishing trip and has a limited lifetime hull warranty to protect your boat from damage.
One great thing about this Tracker Guide is that it comes with the boat, motor, and trailer, all at the price of just under $11,000.
7. Triton 1862 CC
This Triton all-aluminum fishing boat sits at a little over 18 feet long, making it one of the longer, more affordable fishing boats on the list. It allows for a stand-up console, giving you a better vantage point whether you’re running in freshwater or saltwater, and is completely wood-free and welded, making it a perfect boat for your saltwater expeditions.
A modified-V hull gives it enough room to allow for six passengers. It also sports three spots for your fishing rods on either side of the boat.
The Triton 1862 CC usually runs around $22,000.
8. Ranger VS1882SC Angler
For one of the newest aluminum fishing boats on the market, the Ranger VS1882SC Angler definitely makes a mark. A deep-V fishing boat with maximum deck space, it boasts more storage than the previous Ranger models.
Coming in at a length of almost 19 feet, the aluminum boat is completely welded to protect against corrosion and wood-free to protect against any saltwater damage that may occur. Custom upholstery and flooring add additional comfort to this fishing boat.
It also sports a 150 XL Pro XS FourStroke Mercury engine, along with rear jump seats and cargo storage. It also has a pair of aerated live wells for live bait and the catch of the day.
The Ranger VS1882SC Angler costs about $42,000 and comes with the boat, motor, and trailer.
While aluminum may corrode in saltwater, you can take a few steps to make sure that doesn’t happen, giving you a fishing boat that could last up to 40 years if taken care of properly. Any of the boats on this list could give you an experience of a lifetime, every time when you head out onto the saltwater for your fishing expedition.
Please note: This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or medical advice. Please consult a legal expert or medical professional to address your specific needs.