I am looking at building a long tail for my otter 2000 boat, 5hp. In order to keep it as light as possible, I am thinking of making it out of aluminum, the frame. Has anyone done this before? If so how has it held up? Anyone think of a good reason not to make out of aluminum?

Ive never heard of one, some of the various mm builders make some pretty light weight ones though, I would get an estimate of how much weight you would save and ask yourself if it is worth the cost, and time. Seems to me like you would have to add some additional braces and such to the difference in strength vs. steel. ???

We have one at work that is at least 15 years old. It has held up with no problems, but we are just running it in crawfish ponds. The ponds aren't really a true test at all.

Did yall build it or buy it?

It' homemade from what I can tell. It was there when I started.

This guy makes one with an aluminum frame... http://www.utahmarshmotors.com/Utah_Mar ... eature.php