From looking at both of these boats, the difference in money is only by a couple hundred dollars, the Talon being more but is it worth it?

Both boats have almost identical weight, how is that true?

I'll be using it primarily in the puget sound for downrigging,etc for salmon and flyfishing for salmon and SRC trout for fun.

I will be putting at least a 75-90hp yamaha/honda motor.

Hard decisions here on buying new. Funny I see more Alumawelds on Craigslist than Lund Alaskans, is there a reason there?

Thanks!

Buy something made in the NW for the NW. Lunds are for mid-eastern walleye anglers.

Buy the Lund with the full knowledge and piece of mind that it will outlast any motor you happen to put on it. So yea there is a reason you don't see Lund's on Craigslist as they are only sold under extreme duress by the seller.

Here's pic of my '71 Lund right at home on the hook in the San Juan's.......


100's of salmon, 100's of crab and thousands of shrimpie's not to mention the occasional lunker ling and halibut and nary a single walleye

You can wear out a Lund in a light chop in half an hour the Talon takes an hour.

You can wear out a Lund in a light chop in half an hour the Talon takes an hour.

I'm partial to Lund boats because of how well they stand up to use that ranges from benign neglect to outright daily abuse. They are very common in Alaska fishing villages for just this reason. Not that I abuse my Lund, but I'm confident that it will take far more than I ever dish out.

If your primary use will be Puget Sound, did you consider the SSV model as an alternative to the Alaskan? It has a slight vee shape to the bottom of the hull that greatly increases comfort when running in a light chop. And when isn't there a chop on the Sound?

Sg

The Wooldridge sport offshore with bracket is a nice hull. I have the 20' and love it. Wooldridge will work with you on options.

http://www.wooldridgeboats.com/catalog/products/sport-offshore

I believe the Alumaweld has thicker aluminum & is just built more for our weather/conditions over here. I hear Lunds are great boats though. If I were looking to do Salt and Lake fishing, I'd get the Lund. Otherwise Alumaweld....

Like Merg, Alumawelds get noticed...

I figure if the Lund can handle the season's in Alaska, then there is no reason why it wouldn't be fine down here.

I don't own either, but have several friend who fish Lunds.
They keep them a long time, get a good price when they sell them even after years of use and then they buy another Lund.

I have a 2005 NR Seahawk 18' that I bought new and has been excellant for me in the sound, 6-7 times at Ucluelet up to 12 miles offshore, in the Strait several times at CQ and PA and regularly in the sound. Handles the waves well. It is also versatile enuff to use on Lake WA and Lake Sam for cutts and in tidewtr Sno for Silvers and Pinks.

A dont know how much those two boats go for or how they work in the NW. I saw a new 18' Hewes at Cabelas in Lacey last week for 29K. The Hewes is comparable to my Seahawk, maybe a little more beefy than the Talon or Lund. Hewes are good, made in Lewiston, ID. A buddy has a 2007 18' Hewes and it has done well.

I've spent countless hours in my dad's Lund in MN.

Great boats, but I like my Alumaweld better.

I was told there are a lot of Lunds in AK because the small riveted ones are lighter than a welded hull, and therefore cheaper to get up there...

actually the lung alaskan 18' is only 1030lbs and the 18' talon is 1060lbs.. Hmm. I like the fact of the lund having a front deck to fish out of as well. man, decisions decisions..

What's the entry/dead rise angle on the hulls. If you're headed into bigger waters, you'll want a sharper entry to cut the chop you'll encounter. Welded vs. riveted hull, deck space, mounting area for downriggers, ability to add a trolling motor, front deck access, canvas set-up, fuel capacity, rod/gear storage......lots of things to consider besides weight and cost...

if you arent going in rivers, get an Arima or the likes...salt only and a little lake use, fiberglass would be a better choice IMO.. a Trophy is another option, hell for the price of one of them, you could maybe get a 24 footer and go for tuna...

my opinion like it matters much:

rivers/salt = aluminum

salt/with a hint of lakes = fiberglass

If you have time, the boat show is coming up in January. You'll see lots of boats and can talk with lots of vendors.

I looked at the links to the boats (see below). If you're locked in to the Lund or Alumaweld, I'd take the Alumaweld if for not other reason than it has a windshield and you can put canvas on it. Fishing our waters can be cold and wet and you'll want canvas.

http://www.lundboats.com/boats/2013-aluminum/alaskan/1800-alaskan

http://www.alumaweldboats.com/Talon-18.htm

I'd pick the Wooldridge Sport Offshore over either the Lund or the Alumweld. Heavier construction, more deadrise/deeper Vee, bigger fuel tank, etc

http://www.wooldridgeboats.com/catalog/products/sport-offshore

Go with a local dealer who can get you good service, and go welded. Someone recommended glass. I've owned several glass boats and am currently using my first aluminum boat, a 17' Jetcraft. I'll never own another glass boat. The aluminum is so much lighter, so much easier to launch, and sits on top of the waves rather than crashing through them. I don't care it if hits the dock, or the bank, I ended up throwing my bumpers away. Zero maintenance works for me

Nice info bushbear!

I looked at them and the lund has significantly thinner alum. How can it be the same weight? Well the Alumaweld is actually 16'3". The lund is 18'9".

The Wooldridge you linked looks pretty sweet!