aluminum boats arent as tough of some of yall might think.
Start pounding the sht out of an aluminum boat in rough water, the welds can crack near the transom, with all that twin outboard weight hanging off the back.
When that water comes rushing in, they fill up quick. No time for nothing.
My guess is cracked welds, trying to make up lost time in rough water.
Except it remained afloat and was towed in, as I understand it.
