Alumacraft/Suzuki boat packages

[Mickey]

I'm trying to find a dealer that handles this combination boat & motor package. Does anybody have any advice/experience(good or bad) on dealers who sell Alumacraft boats with Suzuki motors? Thanks for your help!!

[Hookmaster]

Dan's Southside Marine in Bloomington, MN. Do a search for it on this site since some people have had issues with them.

[Mickey]

What sort of "issues"? Problems with service?, boat not ready when promised?, poor rigging of the boat/motor?, Unfriendly salesmen? Dan's seems to be the only dealer that sells the Alumacraft/Suzuki package and if they aren't a reputable dealer I may have to purchase the boat & motor separately. Please give me some more info before I make a COSTLY mistake. Thanks.

[Slyster]

Do a forum search for "southside" and you will find the information

[gilby]

Have you thaught about buying a Jonnson outboard, same thing just differant name. I have good luck with smitty's marine in lake city, he has alumacrafts and johnsons.

[beretta]

Just a thought here, but maybe you want to look into something more popular like a johnson or evinrude or mercury. Nothing against suzuki...there just arent many dealers around to get parts and service from where as it is easy to find a OMC or Merc dealer. Just my .02 cents

[waskawood]

Quote:

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Nothing against suzuki...there just arent many dealers around to get parts and service from where as it is easy to find a OMC or Merc dealer. Just my .02 cents

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I bought a new Suzuki a week ago and also am concerned about the dealer network. Will there be more Suzuki dealers in the future now that they have severed there ties with Johnson? I am hoping that there was enough Johnson/Suzuki fans that the old Johnson dealers will pick up the Suzuki line.

[Mickey]

The reason I picked Suzuki was watching towboats carrying 4 men, a weeks worth of food & camping gear, plus 2 canoes on top and still, run as fast as anyone else with a 25hp engine on Basswood lake near Ely MN.(25hp max allowed on Basswood) I've had my 40hp Suzuki for 3 years and with 2 other men plus myself(about 650lbs of flesh ) I still run about 32mph(gps). Nothing against any other motor but I'm really sold on the Suzuki.

[Mickey]

I must not know how to do a search correctly, I've put in Dan's Southside Marine and different variations of the dealer including "Southside" and set the post period from "newer than 52 weeks"(1 yr) to "newer than 208 weeks"(4 yrs) and I get a "no matches" to my search message. I guess I'm not very "computer savvy".

[DTro]

Here's the only post I could find in the last year. Looks pretty positive to me.

southside thread

[Ufatz]

I am not at all impressed with Alumacraft boats, but Suzuki OB's are tops for quiet dependability. Used them in southeast AK where you simply could not afford an OB that was not dependable. I am also a fan of Honda and Yamaha, but the bleepin' Honda's are simply over-priced-I know, I had a couple of 'em! HA! Don't worry about Suzuki....but think carefully about your boat choice.

[Mickey]

I guess the reason I want an Alumacraft is because the Alumacraft Lunker I own now has held up well. I don't know what the difference between a Lund and Alumacraft is except more $$. What are your "issues" with Alumacraft boats?(I'm looking at the TP 175/185's tiller models) A good friend has a Crestliner Fish Hawk bought new in 2003 and he has had it in 3 times for repair(last year he had to take it in because the boat was sinking and it took 2 months to get it back) I guess I'm fortunate that my Alumacraft(1998) has been problem free which gives me confidence an upgrade to the TP's is a good choice. Thanks to all for your help/opinions !!

[Ufatz]

Hey Mickey, if you're happy with Alumacraft thats fine by me. My opinion is just that-an opinion. I've owned a couple small Alumacraft and they just didn't seem to be as well built as other boats. If you like them and are committed to them thats good. My only suggestion was that you LOOK at other boats before automatically jumping for a "package" that included the Alumacraft. The Suzuki I KNOW is a great outboard. Carefully examine whats available and then go for it and have fun!!

[ChuckN]

I have owned the Alumacraft TP series and it was a great boat that held up well. There were minor issues I repaired myself (console support brackets were weak, radio housing broke), just small stuff. But, looks like you want a tiller so you shouldn't have the same issues I had. The hull is very strong and is a smooth performer in the roughest conditions. Enjoy your purchase.

[FL SNIPER]

Try giving Hallberg Marine a call. They are in the Forest Lake/Wyoming area. They had a really good deal at the sportshow on a Alumacraft Lunker and Suzuki tiller 4 stroke. Made me second guess my purchase of a lund rebel with the suzuki...just for the $$$ reason...I love my boat. PS...my 40 horse tiller suzuki is great. Good luck!

[DogGone]

I bought From Southside last year. No problems yet.

Suzuki 60hp Alumacraft 165CS ...I love It.

[LocalGuide]

Alumacraft is a great boat IMO. I have a 2003 TP 185 CS with a 140 Johnson 4-stroke. I love the motor on it, I just wish it was 200hp instead of 140 but it still gets the job done.

Alumacraft Tournament series of boats are nice. My uncle has a TP 175 Tiller and both of these boats handle big water nice and hold up well.

The only problem I have had with my boat is the antenna for the radio broke also, so that needs to get replaced. The only other thing is what just keeping maintenance up on it, like making sure all the screws are tight and everything is nice and clean.

Suzuki motors are a good motor. I think thats what my uncle used to have and he liked it. They are dependable, but I would almost think about a Evinrude or Johnson or something down that line just in-case you need parts quick or something. But I'm sure with Suzuki you should be able to get them in a decent amount of time.

[Mickey]

This is for all the outboard motor mechanics, please explain to a NON-MOTORHEAD like me, why so many people claim that a Suzuki, Johnson, Evinrude motor are all the same motor with the only difference being the name on the outside cover? If they're the same motor why couldn't you take your Suzuki to a Johnson/Evinrude repair shop for work? I would have thought that each company would have "patents" on their motors so that they must be different. Why do some outboards have longer warranties if they're the "exact same motor"? Sorry if this seems stupid to you folks that work on these motors daily, but, I'm as confused as heck when I hear people tell me Johnson/Evinrude/Suzuki are all one & the same. Lots of good feedback/info guys, thanks for all your help !!

[gilby]

I"m no expert, but I"ll try to explain what I was told. Suzuki makes the power head for Johnson,they only deal with four strokes. Evinrude have their own power heads, they only build two stroke motors. I suppose the warranty plans our just what bombardier comes up with, don't know for sure though. I do like my johnson four stroke, it looks exactly like a suzuki. If nothing else look into the Evinrude E-Tech, their suppose be quite the motor for a two stroke and run as quiet and fuel efficient as four stroke. Someone else on this board add more if possible, I'm sure I got something wrong.