Alumacraft Boats

I have a 1995 Trophy 170 and have recently discovered the hull below the gas tank is corroding and full of holes. I have spoken to the factory and they say the porblem is from moisture trapped under the tank. Has anyone experienced this problem and if so what did you do to prevent it from happening again?

Bob,

Is the factory going to help you out? Just curious if
they are taking the responsibility or if its all on you.
As a new Alumacraft owner I’m wondering if they have changed their design to
prevent the moisture trap or if it’s something I need to monitor.

Thanks,

Dan

I heard about a guy at work who has that exact same problem, I’ll ask . . . . Bob is that you?

Hey welcome aboard hope someone can shed some light on your problem. The boat problem I mean.

I seen the pictures that Bob has taken and it is unreal. You can stick a wire through at least 8 holes. I thought boats were made to get wet

Does the floor above the gas tank have vents? The newer ones have air vents. My 2006 Navigator has 2 air vents.
Thanks, Bill

I sent pictures to the factory for evaluation, and their response was, “Your boat is out of warrenty, and there is nothing they can do.”

Yes, there is one vent in the floor.

That sucks! maybe you can take it to a GOOD welder and have them fill in the holes.

Looks like Alumacraft just went off the list of boats I am looking at.

I stopped by the shop last night, and he estimated around 100 spots, which he filled in. The welder stated when he heats up the metal, a substance starts boiling out, so it looks there is some kind of foreign matter in the metal. I’ll get it fixed, but am not going to keep it for long, and definitely will not own another Alumacraft.

How long of a warranty does a 1995 boat have? 10 years? Are you the original owner? Most warranties on boats are only to the original owner I believe.

Thanks, Bill

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The welder stated when he heats up the metal, a substance starts boiling out, so it looks there is some kind of foreign matter in the metal.

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Must be “Made in China” aluminum. I have seen some unbelievable oddities in steel and aluminum over the past few years. You wouldn’t think a 1/4″ of machined stainless would have holes in it either. But I have seen it numerous times. If you go to sell it next year though I will make you an offer that you probably won’t like. ( I am somewhat boatless at the moment). Good luck to ya.

Real sorry about this, I have owned a Crestliner since ’98, 1 of the main reason’s I bought it was for the 3 year boat, 10 year deck, 20 year hull warranty. They have stood behind it very well including completely replacing my bottom deck last year when it started getting soft around the pedestals. Something to consider for your next boat. Good Luck!

There is a 10 year warranty on the hull, and yes, I am the original owner. My point to the factory, was that this is a very unusual problem. I’m sure there will be more boats with the same problem coming to light soon. Their point to me, was it’s out of warranty. Another upsetting factor is that I bought this boat with the intention of owning it 20 to 25 years.

I’ve had problems with Alumacraft not standing behind their products before. I finally had to get rid of the boat and get a different brand. Good luck!!!!!!

I have owned 7 boats in my lifetime. My first boat was a Lund. It was a good boat. My last six boats have been AlumaCraft boats and I have never,ever, had a problem. I own a 2001 Magnum 175. I expect this boat to last my lifetime! I trust it will happen!

i also own an alumacraft. i think there is probably more to this problem than what we are hearing. why wouldnt alumacraft take care of this if it was there fault? bad publicity isnt good for business. i bought my boat .”tp175″ because of they 2x hull and warranty. hopefully this isnt common. however i think every manufacturer at some point has growing pains. ever hear about tracker aka “cracker”? a buddy owns one and has had it break in 2 three times! yep, the hull and transom seperated and almost fell off! it was a design flaw on the prototype of there big tournament boat. not sure of the name of it. i saw the same thing happen to a ranger 619 on millelacs this summer. my point is, hopefully what ever type of boat you own, just hope they stand behind there product!
fritzzzzz

Almost makes me wonder if some acid from a battery didn’t leak out or the drain plug was never removed allowing the boat to drain out and get aired out under the floor. How else would you get corroding? Is the boat stored inside or outside? If outside is the drain plug removed after each use so when it rains it doesn’t keep filling up with water under the floor?
Thanks, Bill

It’s a boat! Why would water create pin holes, as Alumacraft is claiming

I too had expected to have this boat last a lifetime. I just wished the factory would have showed interest in my problem. Hope you don’t run into the same problem. When I get it back I will post before and after pictures.

Boat was always stored inside, uncovered, and drain plug pulled after each use. Will send before and after pic when I get it back. There has never been battery acid spilled in it while I have had it.

Maybe the holes occurred because of:

– Acid fumes from the battery being over charged. When onboard chargers malfunction this could happen, or if a regular charger is left on too long.

– Electrolysis from some stray current leak in the electrical system.

Keep a close watch to make sure this is not going to reoccur.

Dave Gulczinski

Sounds like an electrolysis problem to me. Wouldn’t all aluminum boats be prone to this(?), since regardless of brand all aluminum boats would have the same properties and be prone to similar, common problems.

Jeremy

We have been kicking ideas around for a couple weeks now, and I think I will coat this area with Line-X before the gas tank is reinstalled. Any comments on this??

I think that’s a good idea. I had a similar problem with my Princecraft. I had corrosion around the front deck. I always thought it was from electrolysis. I have seen a couple other boats with this. I hope my 06 alumacraft doesn’t have this issue.

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I think I will coat this area with Line-X before the gas tank is reinstalled. Any comments on this??

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Also be sure any corrosion is neutralized first. If it is not, the problem will still happen under the Line-X. Just like rust on steel, you can grind it off but there is still rust in the pours of the metal and if you paint over it the rust is still active. Spray it with Rust Mort and the rust is neutralized, then apply your paint.

Another thing to consider is epoxy primer and paint, or powdercoating. Both are tough finishes.

Keep us informed on how your project goes.

Bob
I have a 2015 Competitor 165 that the pain was blistering on the lower part of the transom. Alumacraft is replacing the wood core with an all aluminum transom. They say going the wood core had gotten wet and was pin holeing the aluminum. $3,000 in labor to fix, and they are covering the cost. I am the second owner so technically the boat is out of warranty, but they are covering the problem.

Welcome to ido!

I have a 2014 Trophy and the paint is starting to go on the inside rails
and part of the transom. Corrosion. Called my dealer he saw the photos and said he will send me some paint. All the company said was see your dealer. This doesn’t feel good. Anyone else with similar problems?
Robert

I just went through this with my 2015 Competitor165. Bottom line is the wooden transom rotted through the aluminum. I had to send my boat back to Alumacraft and they replaced the entire transom with a new aluminum one. Everything is great now but it took forever. For mine, they covered it under warranty. The parts would have been close to $1,000 and $3,000 in labor. If you want to chat about the issue call me at 785-554-7705. I can give you more details.

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That is weird. Wood itself doesn’t hurt aluminum unless it is treated with something…..