The new market share report for boats which shows sold and registered units through the 3rd qtr. of 2006 shows Alumacraft up 4.5% 
Lund down 17+% 
and Crestliner down 28+% . 
Alumacraft is now the second largest builder of aluminum boats and the fourth largest of all boatbuilders in the US.
I think that heads are going to be rolling at Brunswick shortly with sales figures like that.
Alumcraft’s updraft in sales doesn’t really surprise me. I used to own a 2001 Tournament Pro, and I always thought it was a very well built boat that I wasn’t afraid to put up against a Pro V. I actually own a Crestliner now (well, if you don’t count the bank!! 
), but I’ll always remember how sturdy that Alumacraft was.
Remember, those are total units sold, which includes canoes, jon boats, etc. As mentioned in a few other posts in the General Forum, it is skewed . . .
This doesnt surpise me. Alumacraft is the best bang for the buck. I loved my Lunds but they are getting way too spendy.
Not surprising at all. Especially with news that you cannot get a Lund or Crestliner rigged with anything other than a Merc.
Good for Lumy. I love Lund boats, but I would like nothing better than to see Brunswick fall on their face for the stunt they are pulling with this exclusive Mercury bullshat.
I ask you how is that any different than G3 putting only Yamahas on the back??? I believe (don’t quote me) you can at least get a different motor ont he back of a Lund or Crestliner. You need to pay a little extra, but at least you can do it. Try doing that on a G3. 
This doesnt suprise me one bit. When you consider most people buying boats DO, in fact, have budget. And you can save $1000’s over Lund and Crestliner for a comperable boat.
In fact I saw an Alumacraft commercial the other day that said something about a boat for the “blue collar” people. And certainly the majority of fisherman/women fit right into “blue collar”
$3,000 off MSRP right now at select dealers.
I’m not saying it was a good decision by Brunswick, but in order to stay on top in today’s world. Industries, Companies, Dealerships etc. need the ability to “CHANGE & or ADAPT” to survive and stay on top. It appears most dealers have done that and gone and accepted AlumnaCraft, YarCraft, etc. to change and meet their customers changing needs.
Ok, to bring it more local……….Do you think that James would sell or advertise a product on here at IDA with FM’s name on it???
I’m guessing not. How is that different then Brunswick(Mercury) hanging a Yamaha on the back of a Lund or Crestliner??? They are not out to make friends, bottom line it is a corporate business.
Again, I’m not sold on Brunswicks decision of hanging only Mercury’s on the back, because of the end result of less consumer choices and other factors described by everyone in aboveand oher recent posts, but I can see his (Brunswick’s) point and reasoning of not wanting a competitors motor on the back of “THEIR” boats. Can you blame him? Are we all sure this is bad for the industry? I can’t see the future, maybe you guys can???? 
The rising costs of leading Aluminum dealers was the last straw for me and what put me in a Glass boat. I bought a 2006 Glass boat for the same price, I could get a comparable Aluminum boat for. That is not even true, because I do not believe the top aluminum boats and glass boats are comparable. In my opinion it was a no brainer, because I believe that the Glass boats are a better boat for the waters I fish. If I had to choose an Aluminum Walleye boat toady, that would be a Tracker Tundra DC..
Quote:
The rising costs of leading Aluminum dealers was the last straw for me and what put me in a Glass boat. I bought a 2006 Glass boat for the same price, I could get a comparable Aluminum boat for. That is not even true, because I do not believe the top aluminum boats and glass boats are comparable. In my opinion it was a no brainer, because I believe that the Glass boats are a better boat for the waters I fish. If I had to choose an Aluminum Walleye boat toady, that would be a Tracker Tundra DC..
How would you know? Did you ride in any of the comparable tin boats before you bought the glass?
Yes, I did Derek. I took rides in all the ones I was interested in. I was even able to swing a ride in the Tracker and that was my last one before I made my final decision and bought the boat I did.
I agree with Lip Ripper.
I loved my Alumacraft Tournament Pro 175 and if I were buying another aluminum boat, I’d buy an Alumacraft.
That being said my glass boat I own now, same size boat and motor, does ride better and is dryer.
What did you think of the 2025 Lund? Or the Tourney Pro 195?
Quote:
I can see his (Brunswick’s) point and reasoning of not wanting a competitors motor on the back of “THEIR” boats. Can you blame him?
Valid point, but that seems greedy. Furthermore, he will lose sales due to someone wanting other than a Mercury on the back of the boat. Unless its a tiller.
Can I see the future? No, not really, but they will get their way. It would be a different story if Lund was new on the market and only offered Mercs. Maybe what should have happened was to leave Lund alone, make a new line similiar to Lund with only Mercs.
I guess we all have ideas and suggestions. Someone has figured this out, we will see what happens.
I own a Lund Explorer but if they would have only had the New domiator out the year I bought It would have been that. I got a good deal on the lund and love it. But I do think that alumacraft makes one of the best if not the best aluminum boat today!
U can Hang a differant motor on a G3 for a up charge just like lund c-liner ect. call Hallberg’s Marine they will sell u what u want!! They have had no request to do so yet.
I owned what I considered to be my dream boat which was a Lund Mr Pike 16 and loved it. I traded it last fall, boat only, for an Alumacraft boat from Smittys Marine that had alot more room in it and a huge front casting platform. When the time comes to buy a new motor for it I’ll be able to put an E-tec on it as I don’t care for Mercury motors. I have found the quality and fishability of the Alumacraft boats to be second to none. Its been a fantastic boat in my mind and I’m very happy I made the trade.
Thanks, Bill
I gotta say I was just at a huge outdoor fest in Rosemont, Il and saw a ton of boats, but no Alumacrafts. I think they left them out so the competition wouldn’t be mad! I haven’t seen such a bunch of crap in a showroom in years. Most of these boat had warped compartments and even floors, the carpet wasn’t tucked in corners and the hinges didn’t even look right. They were priced well and all had black motors, God I am glad I bought my Alumacraft last summer, we love it and the quality is unreal!!! Had 1 issue with etec but has been perfect since!!!! 
Rob, was that Targa really a better ride than other tin boats given the mold/formed drawn hull?
Derek, I ran in my buddies Dads 2005 2025 and I thought Lund had made some good improvements from 2001 when I was last looking for a boat, but in no way was it close to the rides I had experienced in a Glass boat. I did not like how it handeld at all.
The Alumnacraft, I did not ride in a 195 but did ride in a 175. I liked my 18′ C-liner better. They layout was not for me either, not a deciding factor, but a factor.
In both of those boats I got soaked and “jarred” in big waves. 
Derek, I grew up a Lund guy all the way. When I was looking at boats I was hoping to go back to Lund.
Frank, I did not ride in the Targa. I ran in the 21′ Tundra. That boat was the closet boat I rode in, that had a “Glass Feel” ride to her. 
If I bought another boat besides the one I have now. That Tundra 18′ or 21′ would be pushing the top of the list.
Quote:
I ask you how is that any different than G3 putting only Yamahas on the back??? I believe (don’t quote me) you can at least get a different motor ont he back of a Lund or Crestliner. You need to pay a little extra, but at least you can do it. Try doing that on a G3.
And hopefully they flop too. I don’t like the idea of certain people telling me what I can and can’t put on the back of a boat that is gonna cost WAY more than it should.
But, at least G3 didn’t have it one way and switch it. They are a new boat company and they have done it from the start. IMO, they aren’t selling tons of people with their boats. It is their motors that are bringing people over and when they get a chance to be in the boats, they find out they are not all that much different than that Lund or Crestliner they once cherished.
A quote form a similar thread.
Quote:
At the boat show I looked at an identical 07 1800 pro v, with no major changes from my 04 to the 07 except for the color of the horn toggle switch. For a whopping 44k with a merc 150 on the back. 44k, I almost fell over!
Derek, exactly why I bought a 20′ Glass boat. I got a 2006 last year with a 225Hp on it for far less than the 18 foot Aluminum boat with a 150Hp above.
I have a alumacraft Mag 175cs that I just love.
Brian
the 195 is no good it wont fit in my garage 
.
Quote:
A quote form a similar thread.
Quote:
At the boat show I looked at an identical 07 1800 pro v, with no major changes from my 04 to the 07 except for the color of the horn toggle switch. For a whopping 44k with a merc 150 on the back. 44k, I almost fell over!
Derek, exactly why I bought a 20′ Glass boat. I got a 2006 last year with a 225Hp on it for far less than the 18 foot Aluminum boat with a 150Hp above.
Ripper, I am with you on this one, I was set to by a Pr V 1800, after pricing WHAT I WANTED , it the same as 19′ TUFFY glass with a bigger motor, I am glad I switched, smooth sailing
I’ve typed this on a few other posts here . . . but . . . I purchased a Lund with an E-Tec. It’s an ’07 model, which I ordered. I spoke to three Lund dealers here in MN and the only extra charge was the extra cost of the E-Tec over the Opti/Verado. That’s it. BRP and other motor companies are offering incentives to dealers for making hulls available for consumers who want a different color of motor. It was not a painful process and all three dealers were very accomodating. They also said there were a number of other consumers doing the same.
I will agree that aluminum boats are going to, or will eventually price them self out, with the glass boats. In my case, I have a good price on the Lund and I regularly fish the Canadian side of LOW, so I’m not comfortable with a glass boat (at least not yet).
I hear ya KLH! 
Fisherman J, Good Point. I’m not saying that glass boats are for everyone. For me, it is a great choice because of the water I fish (Mille Lacs). If I did not fish this particular piece 90% of the time, it would not be such an issue to have a glass boat. If this was the case I would have kept my 182 Tournament Series Crestliner. I truly believe this is the one of the best 2, 18′ Aluminum boats ever made, even still today.
LR, what boat are you stepping into? Why do you prefer glass over aluminum on Mille Lacs? Are there issues with glass boats spearing those ML waves?
Quote:
BRP and other motor companies are offering incentives to dealers for making hulls available for consumers who want a different color of motor.
There is more than one way to skin a cat, and the motor manufacturers have stepped up to the plate. They want business too. Furthermore, it keeps dealers who only want one or two brand engines going. Its tough to carry all the engines and parts.
Quote:
LR, what boat are you stepping into? Why do you prefer glass over aluminum on Mille Lacs? Are there issues with glass boats spearing those ML waves?
FJ, I got a 2006 Ranger 620. The only problem with spearing waves in any water is “Operator error” and has nothing to do with the boat you are driving.
You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
