IMHO - I had always been a fan of Duckworth boats, which seem to be the "Rolls Royce/benchmark" but recently have fallen in love with Wooldridge boats, greatly designed, built tough, and more utilitarian than luxury
I'm also looking at heavy guage boats. You should look at Stabicraft. I'm looking at the 1550 fisher or Thunderjet 186. Around the same price. I'm leaning to Stabicraft
@@trollin2021 They are foam filled chambers. Keeps the boat very stable at rest. The boat is close to unsinkable. Look up the video on YT where they try to sink one. It also keeps the boat very dry when underway.
Hewescraft, made in Colville wa. Excellent quality. Workhorse in Alaska. Northriver made in Roseburg Oregon. Excellent quality and very durable. Northwest jet, made in Clarkston Wa. Same group as Weldcraft and Duckworth. I run a 2015 northwest 218 lightning. Great boat. Fishes nicely
Have a look at Lifeproof Boats in State of Washington. Three different classes professional, yachtline and pleasure craft. I have been looking and lusting for a while but need to win the lottery first. Also looking at OXE diesel outboard power.
Raider is the only manufacturer that I know of using 1/4 inch plate aluminum for their bottoms. And they're beautiful boats with pretty awesome options.
@bruced1429 I have the Lund Barron on there, and don’t get me wrong Lunds are great boats but the Barron is the only “heavy gauge” comparable one they make. This video was heavy gauge specific and if the viewers wanted I was going to make another video more tailored to boats like Lund, crestliner, Smoker Craft, Alumacraft, Polar Craft etc.
IMHO - I had always been a fan of Duckworth boats, which seem to be the "Rolls Royce/benchmark" but recently have fallen in love with Wooldridge boats, greatly designed, built tough, and more utilitarian than luxury
My 21’ North River has the 1/4” bottom and was my 1st choice in an aluminum boat. Nice ride!
It’s starting to sound like North River and Raider are the way to go.
Boulton Power Boats
I'm also looking at heavy guage boats. You should look at Stabicraft. I'm looking at the 1550 fisher or Thunderjet 186. Around the same price. I'm leaning to Stabicraft
Stabicraft are neat looking boats. My only concern would be how bulky they are around the water line.
@@trollin2021 They are foam filled chambers. Keeps the boat very stable at rest. The boat is close to unsinkable. Look up the video on YT where they try to sink one. It also keeps the boat very dry when underway.
Hewescraft, made in Colville wa. Excellent quality. Workhorse in Alaska. Northriver made in Roseburg Oregon. Excellent quality and very durable. Northwest jet, made in Clarkston Wa. Same group as Weldcraft and Duckworth. I run a 2015 northwest 218 lightning. Great boat. Fishes nicely
Also Raider. Out of Colville Wa. Started by some guys from Hewescraft. Excellent quality and a rugged boat like Hewescraft.
Have a look at Lifeproof Boats in State of Washington. Three different classes professional, yachtline and pleasure craft. I have been looking and lusting for a while but need to win the lottery first. Also looking at OXE diesel outboard power.
You should look into North River Boats, out of Roseburg Oregon. #1 in Quality, Durability, and Customization.
I would have to say after going to the Seattle boat show this year North River and Raider had the nicest quality and lay out options.
Theres only 1 boat out of all the ones on your list. 22 Pac Pro Self Bailing Deck and No Foam !!!
River Wild tiller
Raider is the only manufacturer that I know of using 1/4 inch plate aluminum for their bottoms. And they're beautiful boats with pretty awesome options.
Plus their side thickness is as thick as most manufacturers bottom thickness.
@@trollin2021 Yeah! I think it's .190, a mere .060 difference. Some would complain about the extra weight until they got into heavy seas.
What no Lund Boats ? I can tell you Lund's are heavy duty. I really like mine, hit logs, run up on rocky beaches, no trouble in 5 yrs.
@bruced1429 I have the Lund Barron on there, and don’t get me wrong Lunds are great boats but the Barron is the only “heavy gauge” comparable one they make. This video was heavy gauge specific and if the viewers wanted I was going to make another video more tailored to boats like Lund, crestliner, Smoker Craft, Alumacraft, Polar Craft etc.
Those aren't lifetime boats for that type of duty. Rivets and thickness aren't the same quality