weldbilt

has anyone had any experience with weldbilt boats. their prices are grest but what about their construction.any info would help.thanks

I had a weldbilt before and first week I had it cracked, brought it back, fixed it, and had trouble with it ever since. Cracked where front board on trailer was and cracked the bottom of the boat where the whole seat was welded on. Later on down the road went to purchase a southfork from the same dealer and he told me they quit selling Weldbilts because they had a big problem with them. That was my experience, never buy one again.

thanks for the info. how do you like the southfork. any recomendations on a good aluminum boat, semi vee 17 or 18 ft

I have a go devil motor on a weldbilt boat. It seems to work fine ive never had any problems with it. I dont understand how you could crack it that just doesnt sound right. I think you would be happy with one but that is just my opinion. Like I said i have a "go devil" motor on it. Ive taken it in one inch of water going 20 mph barely even has a scratch on the bottom of it. So i have no idea what this guy is talking about the quality is not good because it is.

All the welds cracked around the bench seat as well as bow just under eye. Running thru slighty chopy water is what I think did mine in. Those boat are made of thin aluminum compared to other welded boats such as southfork, alweld. Never boat the southfork, went with a fiberglass boat. I stay away from aluminum boats now.

I had 3 alumacrfat RIVETED boats none leaked and I run rough water every weekend not incluiding running them up on thne bank.Now that being said i DO NOT pull the boat on the trailer with anythbing in it .all gear rides in the truck bed .I had one that did crack a weld on the front end Alumacraft replaced it completely ..it had been in service two years .They are only .063 mill but structurly well built .Got a buddy who runs one also with a Go Devil Hard and neither does it leak

I have had riveted boats before also and no leaks with any, thought I try a welded boat and I bought that Weldbilt. That is the only welded boat I have had.

Hey i hear you dude i wasnt really trying to rip on your comment. I'll have to see how mine holds up. I got mine made out of .100 gauge aluminum so its not too flimsy. If not i'll be buying another brand also. Ive never had a problem yet even had the current in the diversion push me into a tree and didnt do any structural damage just brushed some paint on the rail. My boat is for duck hunting though there are no seats really except two pods in the back. Looks like it has some good welds on it but its cool if i have problems i wont buy that brand again.

Cheaper is not always better. If you are going to use the flat for fresh water and limited salt water it will probably last a long time. On the other hand if you intend to salt water fish and take a pounding on a regular basis you may want to reconsider your choise. Get a boat that is 100 gauge inside and out with no rivets or screws. I have had good luck with Alweld and have beat the crap out of them for a long time.I looked at G3, Express and Weldbilt and was not impressed. Don't make a quick decission shop around and look at the structual details of each type of aluminum boat.

I agree aluminum boats would not be my choice for salt water. We duck hunt in freshwater mainly. I would not take my boat in real salty water alot. If i wanted a saltwater boat it would be fiberglass. Also with a go devil motor on the boat it doesnt really go faster than 20 mph so i really dont beat it up and i take it slow in waves. It is .100 gauge aluminum throughout with no rivets or screws and ive been very happy with the durability of the boat so far.

had a 1548 all welded and i have been caught in some rough water and i had a 40hp tohatsu and that sucker was fast and very strong.

I have an Xpress X22B Bay Boat which has the hyper-lift hull/V and it made of .125" thick alum. It can take 2' chops also the dry weight of the boat is 1,700 pounds which is more than most fiberglass bay boats of the same length.

hanko's or scully's

I work with a guy who always had Weldbilt boats, and he was set on getting another as his new boat. He searched around looking for one but decided to buy an Alweld. He has not looked back since, and I think he's hooked. Alweld boats are more expensive than most aluminum boats, but you get what you pay for. My dad and I both have Alweld boats - 15' and 17'. We have run through some rough water without a problem. The 15' is 10 years old and full of scratches but does not have one single leak.