Are G3 Boats Good & Reliable Enough To Own?

Looking for a small boat for short trips? Looking at G3? Wondering why there’s so little discussion about it? Are they good? Why are they expensive?

Well, look no further! Because in this blog I will discuss the good and bad of G3 in details! How they perform offshore, in salt water, what are the cons of taking them offshore and how they hold their value.

Stay till the end of the vlog to debunk g3 boats once and for all.

How Good G3 Boats Are?

G3 boats are small, concise but expensive vessels. They are a part of the Yamaha Marine Company. The boat models look quite similar to Alumacraft boats.

G3 is a bit low on specifications. But their build quality easily outclasses the Tracker boats. They ride smoothly and quietly. The build quality, fit, and finish of them are considerably better than old Crestliners.

Their big Jon boats are tough as nails. Fishing and duck hunting is equally easy with these boats. They have plenty of room. You can be as abusive as you want with these boats and they’ll still hold up.

G3 boats are fuel efficient. They don’t need frequent maintenance either. Boats are pretty fast. With a crappy aluminum propped 2-stroke you can hit 41MPH at 5500 RPM easily. Occasionally, 44-46MPH once or twice.

The boat is an absolute monster even with lacking support. Moreover, a good boat to use in both shallow waters and offshore for fishing.

How Reliable Are G3 Boats?

G3 boats are quite reliable. They hold up well. They should hold up well in salt/salt water as well. The only thing to be careful of is corrosion due to saltwater. Plastic glides on the bunks may alleviate this issue. Need to take care of the zincs and that is about it.

They do not promise dry rides. But taking the liners out from front compartments allows spaciousness. 

How Durable Are G3 Boats?

A G3 5052 uses.054 – .100 gauge aluminum on the hull. The 5086 uses .250 gauge aluminum on the other hand. It depends on the model, the type of sheet that is used. Nevertheless, very thin sheets are used here.

G3 seems to be making strong boats. But they are not big lakes or ocean suitable usually. They are in no way bad boats. But they are simple welded Jon boats. Nothing more.

Customers put the boats in mid range. Somewhere between cheap boats and big boats like Silverstreak or Eaglecraft.

What About Older G3 Boats?

G3 produces boats in many series. They started producing boats since 1960. Since then many models have been available. G3 or Generation 3 models dating as far back as 1990s are seen.

You might have seen the  Suncatcher pontoon model from G3 sitting in a marina.

Do They Still Make Parts for Older Models?

G3 does not make parts for older models. You need to look for parts to your local dealer. You might as well try eBay.

There are many other websites that store old parts. But most store newer models and parts for these models.

Here is a website that might have what you ar elooking for.

What Are Typical Problems with G3 Boats?

G3 boats’ main issue is a bad warranty. They don’t cover damage caused by salt water. Which makes it more difficult to trust the boat offshore. Or even going on the salty waters is a dilemma.

Moreover, the hull may be leaking in new boats as new as a 2008 model. But the warranty won’t cover that when you call them.

Sometimes, corrosion is found in the boat due to salt water. They aren’t very solid boats. So you understand why you would need a good warranty.

How Long Do G3 Boats Last Compared to Similar Brands?

G3 boats may last anywhere between 2-3 decades. But they don’t go without problems. Especially in the case of old models. You can still find boats from 1990s.

There is only 5 year limited bow to stern warranty.

Do G3 Boats Hold Their Value?

G3 boats don’t hold resell value very well. These are aluminum boats that depreciate fairly quickly. They aren’t fiberglass material.

Moreover, they don’t have a reputation to back them up. Which is why unfortunately the boats don’t resell well.

Are G3 Boats Still Being Made?

G3 boats continue to be produced by the Yamaha Marine corp even to this day. The production continues in the facility situated in Lebanon, Missouri.

Final Thoughts

G3 are good freshwater boats. But they aren’t as strong or sturdy for offshore, marine use.

Moreover, the warranty situation is bad. Although maintenance demands on these boats is low.

Overall, I would suggest against purchasing this boat.

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