Recommended V Hull Upgrade

[claytonb78]

All,

I am sure many people ask this a lot but I wanted to ask if anyone has recommended older aluminum boats to upgrade to? I currently lovingly own a 14' Sears Gamefisher which can hold 3 people but really, with full gear and a livewell it's a two person boat. I love this boat but would really like something that could fish 3 people with gear. So this Winter I want to shop for my next project boat.

Ideal traits would include:
1) Something 16-18 feet
2) Aluminum
3) V Hull or Mod V
4) Ideally a high transom and high sides (since I would like to feel safe/comfortable in it in a little rough water)
5) A wide beam would be appreciated

I would plan to use this boat for 2 person fishing probably 70% of the time and 3-person the other 30%. I fish around DC and would love a a decent all around boat capable of fishing fresh water and the Chesapeake. I'm ok with a tiller as I enjoy the simplicity of a boat. I would also plan to do a lot of customization to this boat in the winter...possibly adding a front and rear fishing desk with storage, a large livewell, and removable/movable seats.

So, any recommendations? I don't need a specific year and model but I am curious if any particular name brand and model come to mind. I was thinking the Alumacraft Lunker might be good but I am still doing a lot of research. Thank you.

 

[Butthead]

If you can afford it, I'd go with an 18' V-hull. If you're fishing the bay it's crazy how quickly the weather can change and put you into some serious chop. Even the Potomac, like around Mattawoman or Ft. Washington, can get some serious chop that will pound that crap out of you in a mod-V.

For what it's worth, I personally know guys that have or have had Lowe, Alumacraft, and Sea Nymph V-hulls and all have had good ownership experiences.

 

[stevesecotec02]

Check out the sea ark rxv. It is a mod v with a 15deg deadrise its probably what i will upgrade to in a couple years when my kids outgrow our current rig.

 

[claytonb78]

Thank you for your responses. I have a lot to learn about boats and love this site. An 18 foot aluminum boat would be perfect but there doesn't seem to be a lot of them on craigslist. I don't plan to buy until the end of the fishing season but I will admit...fishing boats have become a passion of mine. Being presently deployed...more like an obsession.

Does anyone have any recommended 18 foot aluminum v-hulls they'd recommend? My ideal boat I'd honestly strip down, seal all the rivets, paint the hull, and build her back up.

Also, I know people are bias on aluminum boats which I honestly love but is there a big difference (other than layout and fabrication materials) between say an 18 foot V-Hull and an 18 foot fiberglass (say an older Boston Whaler Outrage)? Just curious on your thoughts...all things being equal.