Quick Answer
Excel and Jireh generally use the thickest aluminum gauge in the hull bottom among the aluminum boat brands sold in Texas, typically 0.125 inch (about 10 gauge equivalent) on their premium duck hunting and coastal models. G3 Gator Tough series uses 0.100 to 0.125 inch on the hull bottom. Crestliner premium models use 0.125 inch on many hulls. Lowe utility jon boats typically use 0.080 to 0.100 inch, which is thinner but adequate for calm water use. For duck hunters, coastal anglers, and anyone who fishes stumpy timber water, hull thickness matters more than most other spec because it directly determines how the boat handles strikes. Big D Marine and Powersports is an authorized dealer for G3, Excel, and Crestliner aluminum boats.
What Aluminum Gauge Actually Means
Aluminum boat hull gauge is the thickness of the aluminum sheet used to build the hull. It is typically expressed two ways:
- Decimal inches (0.063, 0.080, 0.100, 0.125, 0.190) which is the most accurate way to compare across brands.
- Gauge number (14, 12, 10, 8) which is the older sheet metal industry naming. Lower gauge number means thicker material.
For reference, here is the aluminum gauge to decimal thickness conversion for common boat building materials:
- 14 gauge equals approximately 0.063 inch
- 12 gauge equals approximately 0.080 inch
- 10 gauge equals approximately 0.100 to 0.125 inch
- 8 gauge equals approximately 0.190 inch
The number that matters most is the hull bottom thickness because that is the part of the boat that takes strikes from stumps, oysters, shell, and rocks. Sides and decks are often thinner because they take less abuse.
Aluminum Hull Gauge by Brand: The Real Comparison
Excel Boats (0.100 to 0.190 inch on hull bottom)
Excel Boats uses among the heaviest gauge aluminum in the industry. Excel Viper F4 and Excel Shallow Water F4 duck hunting hulls use 0.125 to 0.190 inch on the bottom. Excel Bass Pro and Bay Pro Elite use 0.100 to 0.125 inch. See the Excel Boats page.
Jireh Boats (0.100 to 0.125 inch on hull bottom)
Jireh Boats also uses heavy gauge aluminum, typically 0.100 to 0.125 inch on the hull bottom of their premium shallow water and coastal models. Some custom Jireh builds use even heavier material. See our Jireh Boats guide for the deep dive.
G3 Boats (0.080 to 0.125 inch on hull bottom)
G3 hull thickness varies by model line. G3 Gator Tough hunting series uses 0.100 to 0.125 inch on the hull bottom. G3 utility jon boats and standard fishing hulls use 0.080 to 0.100 inch. See the G3 Boats page and our G3 Jon Boats guide.
Crestliner (0.100 to 0.125 inch on hull bottom)
Crestliner premium fishing models use 0.100 to 0.125 inch on the hull bottom. All welded construction is standard across the current lineup. See the Crestliner page.
Lowe Boats (0.063 to 0.100 inch on hull bottom)
Lowe utility jon boats typically use 0.063 to 0.080 inch on the hull bottom. Premium Lowe Stinger bass boats step up to 0.100 inch. This thinner aluminum is why Lowe hits lower price points but also why Lowe hulls do not handle heavy strikes as well as Excel or Jireh.
Tracker Boats (0.063 to 0.100 inch on hull bottom)
Tracker (owned by Bass Pro Group like Lowe) uses similar gauge to Lowe on utility hulls, with premium models stepping up. Tracker Grizzly hunting series uses 0.100 inch on many models.
Head to Head: Thickest Hull Winner by Category
Thickest Duck Hunting Aluminum
- First place: Excel Shallow Water F4 with 0.190 inch hull bottom on top spec models
- Second place: Jireh premium hunting hulls with 0.125 inch
- Third place: G3 Gator Tough with 0.100 to 0.125 inch
Thickest Aluminum Bass Boat
- First place: Excel Bass Pro at 0.125 inch
- Second place: Crestliner Bass Hawk at 0.100 to 0.125 inch
- Third place: G3 Sportsman at 0.080 to 0.100 inch
Thickest Aluminum Bay Boat
- First place: Excel Bay Pro Elite at 0.125 inch
- Second place: G3 Bay 22 DLX at 0.100 inch
Thickest Aluminum Utility Jon Boat
- First place: Excel utility hulls at 0.100 to 0.125 inch
- Second place: G3 Gator Tough at 0.100 to 0.125 inch
- Third place: Crestliner utility hulls at 0.100 inch
Why Hull Thickness Matters (and When It Does Not)
Aluminum hull thickness matters most in these situations:
- Duck hunting where you push through cover, mud, and shallow water regularly.
- Coastal fishing where oyster reefs and shell bottom hit the hull.
- Timber and stump fishing (Lake Livingston is a classic example).
- Working boat use with heavy loads and rough handling.
- Long ownership where cumulative strikes over 15 to 20 years wear down thinner hulls.
Hull thickness matters less in these situations:
- Calm freshwater lakes with clean bottom.
- Weekend recreational use with occasional short trips.
- Boats that spend most time at the dock or on the trailer.
- Small pond and farm tank fishing.
For the broader aluminum boat brand comparison see our companion posts Best Aluminum Fishing Boats for Texas Lakes and G3 vs Crestliner vs Lowe.
Welded vs Riveted Construction Matters Too
Beyond raw hull gauge, the way the aluminum sheets are joined is nearly as important. All welded construction fuses aluminum sheets into one continuous piece with heat. Riveted construction fastens the sheets with rivets, which can loosen and leak over the years.
- All welded (best): Excel, Jireh, G3 Gator Tough, Crestliner premium models, SunCatcher and Xcursion pontoons
- Mix of welded and riveted: Standard G3 fishing hulls, some Lowe premium models
- Riveted (budget): Lowe utility jon boats, Tracker Grizzly utility, entry level jon boats from most brands
Pontoon Tube Gauge (Different Discussion)
Pontoon tube wall thickness is a different discussion from hull bottom gauge. Premium pontoon brands (Bennington, SunCatcher Diamond Elite, Xcursion Elite) use 0.090 to 0.125 inch tube walls with heavier gauge at the front tube nose where impacts happen. Entry level pontoon brands use 0.063 to 0.080 inch tube walls. See the SunCatcher and Xcursion pontoon pages for the current lineup.
What to Actually Ask a Dealer
When shopping aluminum boats, these are the questions that will get you real answers about hull construction:
- What is the hull bottom gauge on this specific model? Get decimal inches, not just gauge number.
- Is the hull all welded, all riveted, or a mix?
- What is the transom rating for horsepower and does the transom accept mud motor mounting?
- What warranty covers hull structure and craftsmanship?
- Is the aluminum marine grade 5052 or 5086 alloy?
Our sales team at the Huntsville flagship and Hitchcock location will answer every one of these questions honestly for the models we carry, or contact us to get spec sheets sent over.
Where to Buy Thick Gauge Aluminum in Texas
Big D Marine and Powersports carries the thickest gauge aluminum boat brands at all three Texas locations. Our Huntsville flagship stocks Excel, G3 Gator Tough, and Crestliner. Our Hitchcock location stocks Excel Bay Pro Elite and G3 Bay boats for coastal use. Our I 45 Huntsville location handles pre owned aluminum inventory.
Financing and Service
Pre qualify for aluminum boat financing on our financing page. Service via our certified service department handles aluminum hull work including patch welding, mud motor installation, and warranty service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which aluminum boat has the thickest gauge hull?
Excel and Jireh generally use the thickest aluminum gauge in the hull bottom, typically 0.125 inch (about 10 gauge equivalent) on their premium duck hunting and coastal models. G3 Gator Tough series uses 0.100 to 0.125 inch on the hull bottom. Crestliner premium models use 0.125 inch on many hulls. Lowe utility jon boats typically use 0.080 to 0.100 inch on the hull bottom, which is thinner but adequate for calm water use.
Does aluminum hull thickness really matter?
Yes. Aluminum hull thickness directly affects durability against stump strikes, oyster and shell contact, dock impacts, and long term wear. Thicker gauge aluminum (0.100 to 0.125 inch) shrugs off strikes that dent or puncture thinner aluminum (0.063 to 0.080 inch). For duck hunters, coastal anglers, and anyone who fishes stumpy timber water, hull thickness is one of the most important buying decisions.
What is standard aluminum boat hull thickness?
Standard aluminum boat hull thickness varies from about 0.063 inch (about 14 gauge) on light utility jon boats up to 0.190 inch (about 8 gauge) on commercial and heavy hunting hulls. Most recreational aluminum fishing boats use 0.080 to 0.125 inch on the hull bottom. Premium duck hunting and coastal boats often use 0.125 to 0.190 inch.
Which pontoon has the thickest aluminum gauge?
SunCatcher and Xcursion pontoons (both built by Yamaha owned G3) use heavier gauge aluminum in the pontoon tube walls than many mainstream competitors. Bennington also uses heavy gauge aluminum in its premium pontoons. Entry level pontoon brands typically use thinner tube walls to hit lower price points.
Is welded or riveted aluminum construction stronger?
All welded aluminum construction is stronger and more durable than riveted construction for the same hull thickness. Welded seams fuse the metal into one continuous piece rather than fastening it with rivets, which prevents leaks, reduces flex, and holds up better to strikes. Premium aluminum brands (Excel, Jireh, G3 Gator Tough, Crestliner) use all welded construction on their higher end models. See our duck boat guide for the hunting focused breakdown.
Ready to Compare Aluminum Hulls in Person
Come knock on the hulls yourself at any of our three Texas locations. Browse current stock on our inventory page or start at the Big D Marine homepage.
