10 of the Best Aluminum Boats For 2018

Aluminum boats have long dominated the fresh water fishing market and for good reason. Here are 10 of the best aluminum boats for 2018.

Let’s travel back in time to 1945, and those first few months following the end of the second world war. As governments cancelled outstanding orders for fighter planes, bombers and transports, aluminum companies suddenly found themselves with a huge stockpile of material and no more market for their product. In response, aluminum suppliers began approaching different manufacturing industries asking, what can you make from this stuff?

For the boat industry, the sudden availability of inexpensive aluminum was a major win. Boats of the day were generally built from wood, where aluminum was a far superior material being so much lighter in weight, so much more durable and virtually maintenance-free. Little wonder it quickly became the new standard – especially in fishing boats, where it’s light weight and extreme toughness offered a massive advantage over older wooden boats.

Aluminum fishing boats continue to dominate the fresh water fishing market today, with manufacturers continually raising the bar with new models, new features, and new designs. Here are our picks for the 10 best aluminum boats for 2018. See if you agree!

Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk

Crestliner 1750 Fish Hawk

• Length: 17’ 6”
• Beam: 95”
• Dry weight: 1,480 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 27 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 115 hp

Crestliner’s venerable 1750 Fish Hawk remains a perennial best-seller for one simple reason – it’s a well-designed and well-made multi-species fishing rig that represents great value. With standard features like multiple rod lockers, multiple live wells, plenty of dry storage space for gear, a huge elevated bow casting platform and Crestliner’s SureMount accessory mounting system, this aluminum boat comes with everything that serious anglers demand. The ability to add options like a swim platform and fold-down jump seats in the stern makes it an attractive choice for anglers who also like to take the family out for boat rides and more.

Kingfisher 2025 Flex Tiller XP

Kingfisher 2025 Flex Tiller

• Length: 20’ 1”
• Beam: 8’ 0”
• Dry weight: 1,560 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 45 gal.
• Passenger capacity: n/a
• Maximum power: 250 hp

If you think tiller-powered boats are for small lakes and little engines, then you haven’t seen Kingfisher’s big, bad 2025 Flex Tiller XP. Rated for outboards to a massive 250 horsepower and with a hull built from ultra-thick 0.160 gauge aluminum on the bottom and 0.125 gauge on the sides, this all-welded multi-species pro is built like a battleship. Standard features like an in-floor rod locker, locking side storage, a 24-gallon live well and a ProFish Command Center for the driver give this ride serious tournament credentials.

Lowe 1810 Fishing Machine Pro WT

Lowe 1810 Fishing Machine

• Length: 18’ 10”
• Beam: 95”
• Dry weight: 1,850 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 32 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 7
• Maximum power: 175 hp

Lowe has won 26 awards for customer satisfaction and counting, which says a lot about its ability to build boats with features that people really like. The 1810 Fishing Machine Pro WT is a great example, with its massive bow and stern raised casting decks, twin live wells, centerline in-floor rod locker, plenty of secure storage spaces for gear, running rod racks, big walk-through windshield for extra protection from the elements, and thoughtful touches like fold-down cleats that won’t snag fishing lines or stub wayward toes.

Lund 1775 Crossover XS

Lund 1775 Crossover

• Length: 17’ 10”
• Beam: 95”
• Dry weight: 1,450 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 28 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 7
• Maximum power: 150 hp

For anglers who like to head out with the whole family, Lund offers its 1775 Crossover XS, a versatile multi-species aluminum boat that’s also built to pull wakeboarders and water skiers, cruise the lake or head out for picnics on offshore islands. Fold-down jump seats in the raised rear casting deck, raised bow casting deck with an in-floor rod locker, Kicker stereo with two speakers, a full walk-through windshield for extra protection from spray and comfortable seating all come standard.

Polar Kraft Kodiak 165 SC

Polar Kraft Kodiak 165 SC

• Length: 16’ 4”
• Beam: 85”
• Dry weight: 978 lbs
• Fuel capacity: Portable tank
• Passenger capacity: 5
• Maximum power: 75 hp

Polar Kraft’s Kodiak 165 SC is small enough to fit in a standard garage and light weight enough to be easy to tow behind mid-sized vehicles. These traits make it a popular choice among anglers who don’t want to have to buy a full-sized pickup just to get their ride to the lake. Standard features like a live well, raised bow casting deck, rod storage and plenty of space for gear, two jump seats in the rear casting deck and standard Lowrance electronics means the Kodiak packs a lot of boat into its trim dimensions.

Princecraft 195 Xperience

Princecraft 195 Xperience

• Length: 19’ 0”
• Beam: 98”
• Dry weight: 1,845 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 37 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 9
• Maximum power: 200 hp

Who says aluminum boats have to be spartan? Princecraft’s plushly appointed 195 Xperience put equal emphasis on big water capability and occupant comfort. Standard features include a large raised bow casting deck, in-gunnel tackle storage, in-floor rod storage, aerated live wells in the bow and stern, stern fish box, reinforced gunnels for downrigger mounting, plenty of storage space, and Princecraft’s PrinceTrak accessory mounting system, while enticing options like power steering, kicker engine, bow-mount electric motor and wash-down system add even greater capability.

Ranger VS1882DC

Ranger VS1882DC

• Length: 18’ 8”
• Beam: 96”
• Dry weight: 1,790 lbs.
• Fuel capacity: 40 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 175 hp

Although better known for its tournament-grade fiberglass bass boats, Ranger offers an impressive lineup of aluminum multi-species fishing rigs, including the VS1882DC. A big bow casting deck, large rear casting deck with twin fold-down jump seats, stereo, standard Lowrance electronics, Minn Kota electric trolling motor, lockable storage compartments, all-welded, wood-free construction and matching trailer with swing-away tongue give the Ranger impressive capabilities and terrific value. A variety of electronics upgrades, trolling motor upgrades and other appealing options let owners set this boat up exactly as they want it.

Smoker Craft 182 Pro Angler XL

Smoker Craft 182 Pro Angler XL

• Length: 18’ 5”
• Beam: 96”
• Dry weight: 1,425 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 27 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 8
• Maximum power: 175 hp

Smoker Craft’s 182 Pro Angler XL is the master of all trades, being big enough to handle offshore trolling or salmon and walleye, yet shallow enough in draft to poke through shallow bays where trophy bass and pike hang out. A large, locking centerline rod locker in the bow handles up to eight rods, while the extended aft fishing deck converts from comfortable seating to a huge casting deck in seconds. Additional features include twin live wells, full walk-through windshield, Jensen stereo with Bluetooth, hydraulic steering and Smoker Craft’s Integrated Gunnel Track System for accessory mounting.

Starcraft Fishmaster 210

Starcraft Fishmaster 210

• Length: 20’ 10”
• Beam: 101”
• Dry weight: 1,598 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 52 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 10
• Maximum power: 250 hp

Starcraft has been building boats since 1903, and all of the company’s expertise comes to the fore in its Fishmaster 210; a no-nonsense offshore aluminum boat that’s built for big water. Its deep-V hull is packed with features serious offshore anglers demand including a deep cockpit, raised bow deck with a 41-gallon live well, torsion beam constriction, in-floor storage, reinforced gunnels for downriggers, hydraulic tilt steering, Bluetooth-enabled stereo and full top for protection from the sun. Options like an electric trolling motor and electronics upgrades give this boat even greater capability.

Tracker Targa V-18 WT

Tracker Targa V-18 WT

• Length: 19’ 1”
• Beam: 8’ 6”
• Dry weight: 2,060 lbs
• Fuel capacity: 40 gal.
• Passenger capacity: 6
• Maximum power: 200 hp

Built with versatility in mind, Tracker’s Targa V-18 WT can troll offshore for big lake trout and salmon or sneak through the shallows for bass and panfish with equal ease. Dual eight-foot in-gunnel rod lockers, twin live wells, deep-V hull, walk-through windshield, Lowrance electronics, Minn Kota bow-mount electric motor, hydraulic steering and Tracker’s VersaTrack accessory mounting system all come standard, as does a matching trailer. Owners can expand this boat’s functionality even further with optional electronics upgrades like a kicker engine, bow cushion set, convertible top and even a ski tow.