Alumacraft vs. Lund?

[ib_jigged]

My family and I are close to purchasing a boat? So far we are down to 2, Alumacraft Dominator 165 Sport with a 90 Yamaha or a Lund Impact 1675 Sport with a 90 Optimax. Prices are within a few hundred of each other.

What are everyones thoughts on these two boats? I always thought Lund to be the best (fit and finish) but after comparing the two, I feel the Alumacraft almost is better in this aspect. Where the rear casting deck on the Lund hits the floor, it has two pieces that protrude out onto the floor vynil about 3/4" looks tacky and the edges of the dash are sharp plastic, where as the Alumacraft looks all finished with carpet in these areas.

I grew up with family all in Lunds and always thought my next boat would be another Lund. I have not heard much from other Alumacraft owners to know if they are comparable.

Thanks

[BoxMN]

If the Alumcraft has the 2XB hull, it is reallly reallllly solid. You will feel it when you drive it. The Lund is nice. I would pick based on the layout that works better for you, honestly.

For motors, if you want quiet, the Yammie is better (I assume you are talking 4 stroke), and if you want get up and go, the Opti will be much better. Both good motors, I don't own either but have driven and ridden with them. I think the Opti will get as good mileage as 4 stroke, or close, but the oil is spendy.

Both nice rigs, you won't go wrong with either. In that hp range, I would have to go with a 2 stroke dfi personally. Have fun!

edit - FYI - own 82 classic 16 (oldie but still running every weekend tubing and fishing, and fall duck hunting - we did have to rehab the floor and changed around layout for duck hunting) and 97 tp175 (2xb hull, hull still sollllllid after 12+ years of plenty use by two brothers and a Dad) alumacrafts, and owned an 87 alumacraft competitor (non- 2xb hull, still great boat, used a ton and sold it in 97 for what we paid for it in 87, no kidding).

[bassmann77]

I have the Dominator 175 CS and I love it. I have taken it out on Mille Lacs under terrible conditions and it handled great. I love the casting deck and the back area fishes well also. The model I have doesn't have the seats that are built in, so I cannot comment on how well the back casting deck is with the seats down. The one nice thing about the built in seats is the cost savings for putting in two more seats like I had to do. The carpet holds up to abuse well.

As the motor goes, I love the 4-stroke with the EFI. I just like starting the motor like a car.

Let me know if you have any additional questions.

[harvey lee]

One thing to also consider is the resale value of the boat. LUND typically does carry a better resale value.

Is Alumcacraft's warranty as good as LUNDS?

I guess if it simply comes down to looks, get what you like best.

[Kyhl]

One thing to also consider is the resale value of the boat. LUND typically does carry a better resale value.

I think the Lunds still have a slight advantage on resale but the having a 4S seems to add a bigger premium in resale.

[magnum mike]

Evinrude E-Tech. 4 stroke economy and emissions with 2 stroke weight and performance. Well worth the extra $ in my opinion.

[blakeb]

yeah better re-sale value is IMO due to higher intial cost, so IMO they have to same resale.

E-tech is hype go look at the oil cost, operation is way more expensive,

Dont base yourself off of the info mercial, my yamaha 115 4 stroke has ZERO issues or dealer required scheduled maintanence. lot of use on it to.

The alumacraft has a better warranty go with what one you like better they are both great boats, IMO if i were doing it again i would look at the trackers more closely.

[SkunkedAgain]

Yeah, you're sorting through similar colored apples here. I got an '08 Navigator 165 and have no issues with it. I rigged it with a 90hp Suzuki and also really enjoy that motor. My buddy's Lund is a very nice boat. The main differences seem to be layout more than anything. Any other slight variations are just that, slight. The resale will have more to do with everything else than the name on the boat.

[gregg52]

E-tech is hype go look at the oil cost, operation is way more expensive,

.

hype????

oil is spendy but i dont use alot

3 yrs havnt touched the motor that includes putting it away

starts before you finish turning the key EVERYTIME

purrs as it idles.. its resonalbly quiet...150hp on a 20ft glass boat

never lose site over the bow (safety) plus just coooooool..lol

trolls down can pull cranks with it if i want on flat water 2.5 can back troll with very little chop actually a 15 mph wind on winnie i hafta trottle it up....and it doesnt look half as big as boat!

pretty dam good hype

[tonkapat]

Plenty of late model used etechs for sale out there. Owners must be so happy with them they keep getting new ones. Or there sick of putting new powerheads on.

[ib_jigged]

Thanks for the replys, the Alumacraft has a Yamaha 4 stroke and the Lund has a Merc Opti. I am fine with either one.

I was hoping for more comments on the boats them selves and not about some other brands of motors.

Still not sure which boat to go with, but going to look again this weekend.

[Shorelunch]

ib,

I went through the boat buying process last year, looking at Pro-V's and Tourney Sports. To me, it came down to a few comparisons. Hull construction and gauge - compare hull construction and specs; fit and finish - which do you feel more comfortable in; trailers; add-ons/electronics; outboard motors (4S vs. 2S, hours, compression); dealer/service/brand and price. I did my best to think with my head and not my heart, and in the end, both won out.

[SkunkedAgain]

You won't find a ton of guys who have owned recent models of both. In absence of that, you'll get most of us chiming in to say why we like the boat that we got. Take that as it is, that everyone likes all the boats so it really does come down to what YOU prefer. If you really need some help, ask Mrs. ib_jigged to make the call.

[gregg52]

FUNNY

ASK THE MRS LOL

[ib_jigged]

Nobody owns an Alumacraft or a Lund?

The subject was "Alumacraft vs. Lund" I did mention some models but I wanted to know the overall satisfaction of both Alumacraft and Lund owners. Likes and dislikes.

Not an Etec vs. all other motors. Read enough of that on other posts.

[rmb]

the wife and i picked up a new alumacraft trophy 175 with a suzuki df 140, last spring. prior to that most of my time had been spent in lunds. i really think there are pluses and minus to both. for us we went alumacraft for the following.

motorwise we were able to get a alumacraft setup with a 140 suzuki for the same price as the yamaha 115 on the lund. couldn't afford to jump up to the yamaha 150 and we wanted to stay four stroke, so the merc opti were not an option. we really wanted to get as much motor as we could afford to be closer to max hp rating on the boat for our enjoyment and resale down the road.

liked that alumacraft had carpeted tops on the gunnels. more dog friendly for getting the lab in and out at the dock.

fit and finish in my opinion are really close. i do think the sport track system on the lund is super nice and so is the snap out carpet option.

if i had to do it again i would make the same decision but you really can't go wrong with either.

we looked at used quite a bit and at least what we found last year was that in mn if it was a lund, crestliner or alumacraft they tended to be a couple bucks more as compared to some of the other brands, not counting the glass options such as ranger and yar-craft.

[gregg52]

didnt mean to innrupted your thread

was just defending my motor....sorry

[harvey lee]

Nobody owns an Alumacraft or a Lund?

The subject was "Alumacraft vs. Lund" I did mention some models but I wanted to know the overall satisfaction of both Alumacraft and Lund owners. Likes and dislikes.

Not an Etec vs. all other motors. Read enough of that on other posts.

I have a 4 years old LUND and love it. No issue with the boat since I purchased it. It rides very nice and I stay dry, that is important to me. The boat is very well built.

I also like the Sport trac or Pro Trac system for holding your rod holders and moving them from spot to spot. Has to be the best on the market for being user friendly.

Lighting is good in the boat by the livewell and the front and rear. Not real bright lights but good enough to get the job done. I was very pleased with the workmanship fron the bow to the stern on this LUND.

Thier IPS or IPS2 hull is tough to beat too.

Paint job and decals were very well done and it has stood the test of time for the 4 years I have owned it. Thwe boat I have seems to be well designed with the storage and livewells in handy locations.

When it comes to the livewell preformance, LUND offers the aerated, ProLong and Pro Long Plus systems to keep ones fish alive and healthy. I do not to have my fishing floating dead in my livewell.

I do not know what else to tell you other than I have never owned another boat other than a LUND and this l;ast was was my 4th one.

I do believe they have the best warranty on the market and no doubt LUND's resale is very good.

[Triple_D]

I'm the second owner of a 2001 Lund Pro Sport, i've had it 5 years with absolutely no problems including wiring and livewell/bilge pumps, etc.

I let a friend of mine drive it on Mille Lacs once and the dope cut across a channel buoy marker at full throttle and wham, nailed a submerged rock. Other than a broken skeg, small dent on the bottom, and a strained friendship everything was fine boatwise. I'd buy another Lund in a heartbeat.

[caseymcq]

I have an Alumacraft Navigator 175 with a 75hp Yamaha 4-stroke. I love it. The motor starts and runs like a dream. The boad is one of the most solid boats I have ever been in. It handles rough water as well as any aluminum boat I have been in. I have a ton of room (it is a tiller). Adequate storage.

Both my dad and my brother have Lunds. Excellent boats.

IMO. Lund vs. Alumacraft - Six one way, half a dozen the other.

[delcecchi]

I have had a lund provee 1775 since 1998. No problems yet. Still like it. Thinking about upgrading the motor to a 4 stroke.

[ib_jigged]

Thanks for the replies guys!

Harvey, what model of Lund do you have?

I found a 2008 1675 Explorer Sport loaded for a good price, I think I am going to pull the trigger on this one.

I currently have a Lund also, a '82 16' Pro-Angler with 50hp merc tiller. Ready to upgrade to a family style boat.

[ib_jigged]

Nuts, boat was sold yesterday! Back to looking!

[BoxMN]

Nobody owns an Alumacraft or a Lund?

The subject was "Alumacraft vs. Lund" I did mention some models but I wanted to know the overall satisfaction of both Alumacraft and Lund owners. Likes and dislikes.

Not an Etec vs. all other motors. Read enough of that on other posts.

You didn't see my post? It was right after your original, and I own two, and have owned another Not sure how much more you want. I also gave you info about different style hulls for one of the manufacturers, there is a difference between 2xb and non on Alumacraft, and between IPS and IPS2 on Lund. Maybe it isn't same exact models, but the info will be similar.

I've also fixed rivots on Lunds and Alumacrafts and other boats, tried to weld a rivetted bottom boat (don't ever do that!!! hahaha! Warps like a tin can!), and had the floors out/off boats and pontoons and saw how they attach. The older boats (of good brands even) had way less support than new boats of all brands.

One other thing to check is how easy the access is to the bilge pumps and other wiring, if you plan to keep the boat for long, or if it is approaching about 6 years old. That is when pumps start to show there age (or sooner) and need replacing, unless the boat doesn't get used much. We are on third (fourth?) aerator and third bilge pump (we added a secondary, as one bilge pumnp will never save a boat if it truly gets swamped by a truly big wave(s)). But that is on 14 yo boat that gets used a lot, so not too bad considering.

Also, tell us if you want to put around pulling plugs with no oil fumes, or if you want to tube with kids or ski with teenagers, or if you really want the truly honestly fun $%^& eating grin of going WOT with a high HP screaming mimmi motor. I have done all of the above with 2 stroke, dfi, 4stroke (ok, not the screaming mimmi of the gang, but I haven't driven a Verado yet...), and can give decent info, as can others. We just need to know a bit more info. If price is biggest issue, just pick one that looks nice and fits your style and budget, they are all good choices you have, just depends on how you will use it.

Good luck.

[SkunkedAgain]

I've got a 2008 Navigator 165 with a single console. I'll give you the pros and cons from my vantage point:

PROS:

1. Tough boat. Takes a good pounding.

2. Big livewell in the front

3. I like the narrow gunnels vs that of the Dominator. I feel less likely to go overboard when standing on the edge and relieving myself

4. Good amount of storage, although you can always hope for more

5. Easy to get in and out of from a dock

6. Wiring and pumps are relatively easy to access through the rear hatches.

7. I have yet to encounter waves too big for this boat, but Vermilion is the biggest lake that it's been on

CONS:

1. No great way for passengers to hold on during a rough ride / big waves except for holding onto the seat

2. A separate bait tank would be nice

3. Extra rod storage would be a plus, but you can fit 5-6 rods in the port storage

4. I wanted a full windshield, but it came down to a full windshield or upgrading the motor due to budget constraints. A full windshield would be better during many of the cold weather trips, but it would take up more open space in the boat.

5. Lack of options for rod and drink holders. However, I'm going to install some Ranger Rails and that should eliminate two of my "cons"