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Used Aluminum Fishing Boat Buyers Guide
By Jeff Matura
Hull
The first step is to inspect the hull of the boat for damage or repairs. Simple giveaways of hull repair are color mismatches, or rivets/welding outlining a patch. Be sure to bend over or even crawl under the boat to thoroughly inspect the bottom of the hull. If any repairs exist I would recommend walking away from the deal. Dents and dings in an aluminum hull won't leak but this damage does reduce the value and can be very costly to repair.
Rivets/Welds
Any aluminum boat will be constructed from rivets, rivets/welds, or will be all welded. It is very important to look for loose rivets or cracked welds when inspecting a used aluminum boat. Be sure to take the time to crawl under the boat for rivet/weld inspection. Boats that are used on very large waters and subjected to a lot of abuse will most often have loose rivets.
Transom
With the outboard in an elevated position (about 45 degree tilt) try rocking the motor up and down while observing the transom. If any flexing of the transom is observed I would recommend finding another boat to look at. This check is very important when looking at aluminum boats that have a transom reinforced with wood.
Floor
Aluminum fishing boats will have either a plywood floor or possibly an aluminum floor. Be sure to get in the boat when it's on a trailer and bounce your weight around a bit. You should not feel any soft spots on the floor. It is also very important to sit in every chair and try to rock it. If excessive movement is felt through the chair the floor is most likely rotted around the base. Floor repairs to a boat can be costly as the carpet will need to be replaced along with the plywood.
Gauges / Instruments / Lighting
You may have to take the sellers word for the speed indicator but take the time to verify other gauges and lighting work, including the bow and stern lights. Bilge and live well pump operation can also be verified with the boat out of the water by listening for a steady hum versus a squealing sound.
Batteries
Look for the purchase date on the battery for starting the motor if applicable and the deep cycle battery/batteries for the electric trolling motor if applicable. Lead acid batteries in a marine application don't typically last more than 4 years and on average cost about $80 apiece to replace.
The majority of used aluminum fishing boats on the market are still very usable boats, and hopefully this guide will help you get the best fishing boat for your money.
An excellent resource for finding discounted aluminum fishing boats is http://www.aluminumfishingboatsforsale.com/.
Jeff Matura has been fishing during the open water season and through the ice for over twenty years. The majority of his time fishing has been spent in the Midwest on lakes and rivers including the Mississippi River for crappie, walleye, and bass.
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