g3 boats

anyone have an opinion about g3 boats? also any pros and cons of welds vs rivets?

I’m not familiar with the G3 line of boats so I can’t comment on that one…

Welds Vs. Rivets! Potentially flammable topic here

Both work well, offering solid and reliable performance. I’ve owned both. Never had a problem with either. I’ve heard of a small number of problems with welded and rivet boats over the years but they sure are far and few between. Currently I’m in a welded boat (Crestliner) and it’s been a VERY good boat for me. With most hull warranties now stretching into the DECADES (good for us consumers) I think the factories are willing to stand behind both contruction methods to a degree that instills confidence in someone looking for a new boat.

Does anyone know if there are any G3 dealers in S. MN?

G3 Boat Company is owned and operated by Yamaha Corp. I don’t know if there is any relationship, but the G3 boat models and layouts look EXACTLY like Alumacrafts. Their models even share the same numbers. There are 2 dealers in and around the Twin Cities area. Hoots Marine in Rosemount and Yamaha Motorsports in Hutchinson. There is also a dealer in Northern Iowa, Algona Marine in Algona. These boats look like a great deal.

Good Fishin’
Crossin’

If G3’s are anything like Alumacraft stay away from them. Bought a new 185 Invader in March of 2002. Couldn’t keep the front end in the water. Dealer and a sales rep said boat wasn’t right so they sent another boat,same thing with second boat. Dealer took it back to Minnesota to have the factory work on it. Got it back in December of that year and when spring came wasn’t any better. In January the dealer retired and closed so I had to deal with Alumacraft my self, after about 2 months they said they would give me another new boat. They had someone pick it up and haul it to Arkansas promising me it would be back in a week. Three weeks later I got it, no better than the other two. After fighting for a couple of months with them hardly ever returning calls they more or less told me to sue them. I decided I would rather spend the money on a different boat so that is why I running a Charger now. When I bought the Alumacraft the dealer told me it was designed after the G3. Sorry this is so long but I wouldn’t want antbody to do through what I had to.

I know Alumacraft’s flat bottom styles are made in Arkansas, and I can honestly say I have never dealt with them. I have, however had 2 different V-hull fishing boats (I currently run a TP 175 tiller) and have nothing but good things to say about it. The V-hull and some other styles are all manufactured in St.Peter, MN and the customer service people there have always been A-1 in my opinion.
Regarding G3, I wouldn’t be afraid of one if the warranties are good. Check out their web-site and do some more homework. Like I said before, their prices are pretty unbeatable, so if they come with a good warranty and will stand behind it, what is there to be afraid of?

Good Luck,
Crossin’

I wouldn’t write off all Alumacraft products though. Every major car company has had troubled models and lines, innovations and products. It’s no fun for the consumer and sales quickly reflect that either a major redesign is needed or to discontinue it. What would be better is finding out how many other Invader owners are experiencing the same thing and bring about a recall or class action suit. But Alumacraft has had a number of quality products over the years so I wouldn’t fault all of them as being junk.

As for “principle”, it appears they’ve done all they know to do as well. You may not have come to an agreement, but to replace what you have twice? You can’t argue with their efforts to at least do everything in their power to right your situation.

When a company sues an individual, they make the individual eat the court costs and legal fees. Take all the documentation you can and present it to a good lawyer. If you can show Alumacraft selling a faulty product, the court will award you the case, order them to fix the problem, and save a lot of trouble for others.

Out of curiosity, what did you do with that Invader? Trade it in on the Charger, sell it outright, or still have it on hand?

I traded it to a Charger dealer in Missouri that was also a Alumacraft dealer so he knew all about the problems with the Invader. Personally I didn’t like the way that Alumacraft treated me on any part of the year and a half that I put up with it. I kept getting the runaround Minnesota telling me to call Ark. and them telling me to call Minn.

Sorry to hear about all the hassles…………..seems like we all run into that somewhere!

What did that dealer have to say about the Invaders? Any insight toward a fix or others problems? All the same or multiple issues? Truthfully, if he knew they weren’t a good boat, I’m surprised he took trade on it. I’d like to help the next guy out of a jam too but I couldn’t resell it knowing it’s not performing correctly. Maybe being a dealer he had some options……..I don’t know. Just contemplating guesses.

I guess I’d find out what G3 is the comparable model and steer clear of it! Seek out some direct customer feedback regarding other models too. Plenty of boards out there to get some responses on. Good luck in the research!

hey guys thanks for all the input it is appreciated i’ve been watching g3 for a number of years now. when they first came out it sounded too good to be true with some of their deals but they seem to be hanging around so someone must be happy with them

He said that he was going to put trim tabs on it. I’ve checked his web site alot to see if it is on it with the other used boats and it’s never been on there. If I was ever going to look at a metal bass style of boat again I would look at Xpress or Trition from what I have read people seem to be happy with them.

I’m far from having any expertise in bass boats but I sure like what I see every time I lay eyes on a Triton! If I ever decide I can’t live without a bass boat, I will definitely be taking a close look at their offerings!

The price differce between tin and fiberglass these days are very little.Tin boats are a upper midwest things, after running tin boats and all problems with riviots and a far less confortable ride I will never run tins again.It is very uncommon for fibergass to break up in large storms,not so uncommon for tin boats,so a warrenty won’t help if you are a ruff runner and your boat is being reapaired all the time.
‘

Big Weav, curious… what power did your invader have? I have a 2004 185 w/ only a 125 merc & it runs like a raped ape. Jumps on plane & the front end stays right where it should be at 50+mph– up out of the water, and [censored] on pad. Nice & level at low/med cruising speeds too. You didn’t want the front hull to plow water did you? Can’t figure it out & don’t want others to get a bad taste for Alumacraft.

This is my 2nd AC & I will get another. Also know many others w/ same or other Alumacraft rigs & no complaints that I know of. Maybe your older (2001 or 2) boat was defective in design & that’s been fixed, but I love my 2004.

And regarding the tin vs. glass comments late in the post:
newer, quality, one piece all-forged alum boats (like alumacraft) don’t pop rivets & leak. I’ve had both kinds. Heavy glass rigs are nice & a bit more stable (especially on big, rough water) but I’ll take a small hull dent over an all-day bondo job after my shallow-water “ruff running” anyday.

i run a a 17 foot deep v with a counsole. 90 horse on the back and runs about 40 to 42. Had a warranty issue but they are replacing it. otherwise love the boat, smooth ride and just as nice as any alumacraft i have seen. any other questions just pm me i have owned 2 of there models already.

I may be wrong, But I was told Yamha bought out Grumman boat and renamed it G3.

MARINE SPECIALTIES INC.
1303 LEVEE RD
RED WING, MN 55066-2182
Phone # 651-388-4991

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Does anyone know if there are any G3 dealers in S. MN?

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Welcome to IDA Rob!!!

I’ve been looking at them for about a year now. Hannay’s in Mpls is carrying them too. The top end deep-v’s are very similar to the Lund Fisherman; but with more standard features and a lower price point. The guy at Hannay’s said they are carrying them since it will be tough to get Lunds with Yamaha’s on them very soon. Looks like a preety good boat to me, but I haven’t been in one on the water yet.

Rob I had a 130 Yammy on it. The first one I got was rated for 135 after that the other 2 boats were rated for 150. I still not happy with the way alumacraft handled the whole thing . At one time they agreed to buy back the boat and trailer and I’d keep all of the other stuff, but after I fax all the papers to them they told me to sue them and would never return my calls. I’ve been thinging about calling them as I still have the title to the second boat. I had a 1988 Charger that I traded for the Alumacraft and loved that boat so I’ve been real happy with the new one .

A buddy of mine is on his 4th G3. They have all developed a hook in the transom. He is running a 150 on them and it seems they cant handle it. I was in front of him one day and saw how it ran, it would take off and run till most of the hull was clear of the water and then it would dive in and plow. Looked a little dangerous.

I would suggest you to explore Aluminum Boat Guide to find the best G3 boat.

I’ve had the mod v G3 boat for 6 years now. Never had any problems with the boat or the motor. Only had to replace a couple fuses on the aerator. Good boat for the $ in my opinion and purchased at Marine Specialties.