I just picked up a Tracker Grizzly 17/54 all welded hull on clearance at BassPro….. Built like a tank…….I added a steering console and 50 HP 4 stroke....It performs great 33 MPH loaded to fish with 2 people...…...
Last edited by KentuckyMountainMan; 09/05/19.
“When you eliminate the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”
Duranautic, Crestliner ( some models). Both manufacturers are aluminum, and have welded seams ( very strong), not riveted. Duranautic may be listed as "Marathon Boat", used to be made in Marathon, NY ( just north of Binghamton, NY).
Both are great boats. Have owned multiple versions of each manufacturer. Duranautics are lighter.
My first boat was an Alumacraft 14' FD model that I bought new in the mid-1970s. Zero problems with it. I later traded it for an Alumacraft bass boat. I've recently been looking at Jon boats for river use on Craigslist. I'm really surprised how many of these old FD Alumacrafts turn up in the 500-800 price range. Of course they usually come with an old motor of questionable value and trailers ranging from good to awful. FDs are indestructible and they might not shine any more, but unless it's been wrecked on the highway or run into rocks at some speed they should still be sound. Definitely worth a look if a 14-footer will serve your purposes.
Increasing my post count so people will buy stuff from me
Big open tillers are really popular here on the west coast, especially who shallow deadrise for running rivers with a jet. In my opinion, they are made stronger and are tougher than any Brunswick product. Alumaweld, Duckworth, River Hawk, Hewescraft, and I think even North River has an open concept tiller. These typically have .160 bottoms/transoms and .1 to .125 sides. All welded and will handle a lot of HP.
~Molɔ̀ːn Labé Skýla~ As Bob Hagel would say"You should not use a rifle that will kill an animal when everything goes right; you should use one that will do the job when everything goes wrong."Good words of wisdom...............