Who makes the best aluminum jon boat?

[Clark]

I'd suggest all welded, the less rivets the better.
And open, they can do it all and easily configured to whatever you like.
It would also be cheaper.
I like a tiller motor, less maintenance with no cables and wiring.
I'd look for a galvanized trailer, too.

Good luck.

[captainsling]

Wow. So to install a receiver hitch and wire it for a trailer is gonna cost me a bundle? Didn't know it would be that cost prohibitive. Im not looking at a custom made boat fellas. Im talking about something I can take my wife and son out in that is safe and comfortable. Honestly Id love to have a custom 20 footer, but, who has an extra $20,000 dollars laying around?

Go to a Uhaul Shop and you should be able to get hitch installed for under $300. Most wiring harnesses are plug and play. They have made them pretty easy these days.

Just my two cents.

[Hogmauler]

OK. U Haul it is. That will be step one.

[denowt]

Go to a Uhaul Shop and you should be able to get hitch installed for under $300. Most wiring harnesses are plug and play. They have made them pretty easy these days.

Just my two cents.

This is exactly my point.
Most receiver hitches are right around $100.
If you own a set of sockets, it'll take you about an hour or so to bolt it to your frame, leaving $200 to spend on other upgrades.

Even if you own ZERO tools, you could use that $200 to buy a nice socket set and still come out ahead. Plus now you'd have a socket set for the next project.

[Hogmauler]

Yep not a problem installing a hitch. I tend to think of things in the aspect of time. "Is it worth my time to do this or that, or is it cheaper for me to have it done".

[manwitaplan]

Boat right, period.

I would agree 100%

[Hogmauler]

Boatright before Seaark?

[sticknstring]

Sea Ark

[calfroper_06]

Sea ark for sure. Tough boats

[Hogmauler]

The problem is finding a used one in good shape. Most of the brands mentioned in this thread brand new are way outta my price range. Gotta go used. Or, to be politically correct, "pre owned". Gatortrax, Seaark, Lagoon, and Boatright all make your mouth water. You look at em and say "Wow"!

[GatorBait]

Southfork makes a dang sturdy boat.

[mjhaverkamp]

I don't think there is any question, Alweld out of Arkansas, I have a 2002 model and it is like a tank, I think they been in business for a long time.

[rocky]

I'm on my 3rd Xpress boat.
2 X19s, and now fishing out of an H20 Bay.
The H20 Bay might be the most customer friendly boat I've ever owned.

[cwill]

All great boats mentioned above. I have a war eagle 860 and have been very happy with it. I'd strongly suggest at looking to buy a good solid used boat and save yourself a lot of money. Go all welded if you can and no wood in the transom if possible.

[txwhitetail]

Xpress makes a good one.