Used Aluminum Boats For Sale On Craigslist (2024)

FAQs

Do aluminum boats hold their value? ›

Generally, aluminium boats last longer than fiberglass boats. Resale value. Because aluminium is easy to maintain and capable of preserving its integrity for longer, it has a tendency to preserve its resale value better than its competing materials.

Aluminum typically comes with a lifetime hull warranty, giving you peace of mind in the longevity of the boat itself. Aluminum offers about 10 times the shear strength of fiberglass, which means better fuel economy and quickness out on the water.

One of the most obvious advantages of purchasing a used boat is the cost savings. Just like with cars, boats experience significant depreciation in their first few years. By choosing a used boat, you can often get a vessel that's just a few years old at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

Generally speaking, aluminum watercraft are lighter and less expensive than fiberglass boats. Less weight means they can be powered by smaller, less expensive, and more fuel-efficient outboard motors. This not only makes aluminum boats more affordable to buy, but it also means they're more affordable to use.

Aluminum is similar to steel when it comes to durability and strength. However, this material weighs less, and as a result, it navigates faster on water. It is also fuel-efficient and corrosion-resistant. If maintained properly, a good aluminum boat can last for 30-40 years.

Corrosion can be a problem

While hull damage can be more easily repaired on aluminum boats, corrosion is something you'll need to look out for. This isn't as big a concern for fiberglass, outside of the outboard motor, stabilizers, and other mechanical parts.

A common problem affecting aluminum boats are leaks. Collisions with underwater obstructions, beaching boats, and years of pounding waves are the likely causes of loose or missing rivets, widening of seams, and hairline cracks and tears.

Other alloys may provide superior corrosion resistance. Aluminum boats for the retail market, including those by major manufacturers Lund and Princecraft, are primarily crafted from 5052. This wrought aluminum grade contains 2.2%-2.8% magnesium and 0.15%-0.35% chromium: these help it with corrosion resistance.

Although galvanic corrosion is more prevalent when boating in salt water, boats in fresh water are not immune.

There are numerous factors to consider, like make and model of the boat, its age and condition, the amount rigging features and electronics, the region and type of water where it has been used, and the total operating hours on the engine, just to name a few.

How old of a used boat should you be to buy? ›

Your next step is to pay attention to the used boat's age and engine hours, we recommend looking for used boats that are under 10 years old with less than 500 hours logged. This age and amount of hours logged should ensure the boat is in good condition and minimize the amount of problems you come across in the future.

The hours on the boat basically refer to the hours on the engine. So a boat just sitting in a dock for months will not accumulate many engine hours, while one out cruising and fishing will. Most boat experts say that 1500 hours on a boat is considered a lot.

One of the advantages that aluminum boats have is that they are very lightweight. They can ride over choppy waves more easily than other boats; heavy waves and swells won't be a problem.

Lund's aluminum boats are renowned for their exceptional strength and durability. They can withstand rough waters and rock environments, making them a reliable choice for anglers fishing in rocky northern shield lakes.

Fiberglass boats tend to weigh more, so they generally have better seakeeping abilities and more stability than aluminum boats. Their higher weight means fiberglass boats don't get easily buffeted by the wind, so they tend to drift slower and more predictably (a trait important to anglers, in particular).

In addition to durability and lightweight properties, aluminum boats are relatively low maintenance. They require less upkeep than other materials, reducing the time and effort spent on care.

Loose Rivets –As an aluminum boat ages, and as it is impacted by the hammering of the waves, it will become more prone to experiencing loose rivets. Eventually, it's possible that welded aluminum boats will develop leaks at their panel joints, as a result of this loose riveting.