Are Alumacraft Jon Boat Good & Reliable Enough To Own?

Alumacraft was one of the first aluminum boat manufacturers in the United States.

Aluminum boats had a reputation for being shoddy and cheaply manufactured for a long time, The boats are harder and more robust thanks to the heavy-gauge aluminum and sturdier and broader ribs.

But are these boats trustworthy? Let’s have a look!

How Good Alumacraft Jon Boats Are?

The firm manufactures aluminum boats and develops technologies to improve your experience on and off the lake by making it as simple as possible. So you can focus your efforts on what matters: catching fish.

Aluminum boats are durable, and Alumacraft has been producing them for more than 75 years in a range of styles and models.

The firm is still one of the most well-known names in the aluminum boat industry. They are a dependable brand due to their strict quality control and wide dealer network.

How Reliable Are Alumacraft Jon Boats?

The cost of Alumacraft Boats, and aluminum boats in general, is one of their most appealing features. At such a low price point, most owners appear to realize this. There will, however, be certain issues that will unavoidably occur.

These boats are mass-produced, and while Alumacraft prides itself on the quality of its aluminum, bigger ribs and rivets, and paint grade, issues can still develop throughout the manufacturing process.

Poor caulking, a few faulty rivets, missing seams, and poorly placed paint can all contribute to this.

However, while you may find complaints about this on the internet, Alumacraft does not appear to be much worse than other companies when it comes to the fit and finish of their boats.

Many of the concerns mentioned are small and maybe resolved quickly, such as a dislodged speedometer line or screws sliding out of windshields.

How Durable Are Alumacraft Jon Boats?

One significant benefit of aluminum boats over fiberglass and wood is their long-term endurance.

Aluminum will dent if it is thrashed by waves and pebbles, but it will not rust.

 The riveting and welding at the seams are the most common causes of failure in aluminum boats.

The aluminum may be welded or riveted, depending on the hull’s design. Alumacraft’s Jon boats, for example, are welded, whereas most of their tournament boats are riveted.

When done correctly, both approaches are long-lasting solutions. Alumacraft now has the benefit of most of their hulls being one-piece, meaning there is no seam in the middle.

Owners of Alumacraft boats that use their boats frequently should expect issues as a result of the manufacturing process.

Using them in harsher conditions than they were designed for may result in damage, especially to seams that cannot bend as much as the aluminum.

After 5 years of heavy usage, some owners claim that their Alumacraft has “totaled,” while others have had the same boat for 20 years. Alumacraft boats appear to be as sturdy as you’d expect for the price.

What About Older Alumacraft Jon Boats?

The metal utilized on the Alumacraft Jon boats will not corrode, the structure and other components will. Leaks ultimately appear, either as a result of corrosion or other damage to the rivets or welding.

On forums, there are several complaints about earlier Alumacraft models developing these issues, notably leaks.

However, because many of their rivals have the same issues from this period, it’s generally incorrect to state that older Alumacraft boats have greater difficulties than other similar companies.

You can visit Boats if you want to look at older Alumacraft Jon boats.

Do They Still Make Parts For Older Models?

Many Alumacraft replacement parts are still manufactured and may be obtained through a dealer. Due to the popularity of Alumacraft boats, a broad range of vendors sells OEM components for these boats, even some older versions.

Many smaller internet stores sell Alumacraft components, and they’re easy to discover using Google.

A few long-time merchants may have acquired some vintage components, but finding them can be tough. In this instance, the best place to look is on the internet forums.

Finding out-of-production components for boats from the 1990s and earlier will be more challenging. The dealer network is frequently made up of businesses like Cabela’s that don’t have room for components or have a history as dealers.

You can visit eBay to look at some older parts.

What Are Typical Problems With Alumacraft Jon Boats?

Over the years, there have been complaints of fractures in the welding along the hull. However, issues are uncommon, tend to be handled seriously by the organization, and are normally remedied swiftly. The cracking along weld lines might just be an unavoidable side effect of the welding process, rather than a fault with the firm.

Also, there have been complaints of leaks in some models before Alumacraft was able to discover and solve the problem in the mid-2000s. Dealers and owners believe the leaking was caused by electrolysis-induced corrosion and leaky gas tanks.

On more current versions, there have been concerns about the dashboard and consoles. Cracks across the dash or along the base are the most common. The majority of owners appear to think the provider did a decent job with warranty repairs.

Some consumers, however, faced difficulties in getting this issue resolved. Some of the parts used in the consoles were made by a business that mislabeled the part numbers in its inventory.

How Long Do Alumacraft Jon Boats Last Compare To Similar Brands?

Aluminum is a long-lasting material. Although rust can be a problem if allowed to grow, and frequent stretching over waves can lead to cracks, the metal itself will not break down in the environment or become mushy like fiberglass.

Owner testimonies abound on forums, ranging from boats that are going apart after five years to those who still have their original 1980s model.

The same criticisms and accolades can be seen in other manufacturers of aluminum boats on these same sites. Alumacraft’s longevity is generally comparable to that of other similar manufacturers; however, Lund and Tracker may have a tiny advantage in this area.

Do Alumacraft Jon Boats Hold Their Value?

Aluminum boats appear to degrade at a slower rate than fiberglass boats. Part of its popularity is due to its low cost in comparison to fiberglass.

In 2015, the bigger Tournament Pro 195 Sport sold for $19,834. The average resale value is $14,840, indicating 25% depreciation.

After 5 years, an Alumacraft boat will have a respectable worth, with a depreciation rate of roughly 25%. The initial price of the 2015 Competitor 165 Sport LE was $12,642. It is presently worth $9,680 on the resale market. That’s a 24 percent drop in value.

The depreciation is substantially bigger after ten years. The 2010 Tournament Pro 195 was originally priced at $20,189 and now has a resale value of $12,870. That’s a 36 percent drop in value.

Are Alumacraft Jon Boats Still Being Made?

The firm is still operating strong, producing a variety of boats ranging in size from 10-foot Jon boats to 20-foot deep-V speed yachts.

Even though the majority of their boats are sportfishing models, they have separated their fleet into five distinct lines.

They have approximately 70 models in various categories, ranging from a 10-foot Jon boat to a nearly 21-foot sport boat.

You can visit their Models page if you want to have a deeper look at their current lineup. You can also Find a Dealer using their page to find the nearest Alumacraft Jon boat dealer.

Final Thoughts

Alumacraft knows what it takes to develop a great product after 70 years of giving the globe famous, long-lasting boats. Alumacraft boats continue to push the boundaries of performance and reliability, giving boaters of all types peace of mind and confidence.

From 20′ 8″ long, high-performance deep-V boats to 10′ flat-bottom Jon boats, there’s something for everyone. Alumacraft boats come in a wide range of sizes, forms, and designs to suit a wide range of needs and prices.

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