Ask Capt. Steve - Why Do Aluminum Fishing Boats Pound?

Because virtually all small aluminum boats are made from sheets of aluminum that are bent, then welded or riveted to form the bow shape, builders are limited as to the deadrise and shape they can put into the bow sections.  At slow speeds they pound, and at high speed they run on the relatively low deadrise sections aft, which may or may not be more comfortable, depending on the conditions and deadrise. 

In order to make aluminum boats with sharper entries would require a completely different method of construction which would make the boats cost prohibitive.  As we often say, all boats are a compromise.  Our suggestions are that you find the aluminum boat with the deepest deadrise at the transom and operate the boat at speeds most comfortable in the conditions found -- or consider a fiberglass boat, which might possibly ride better. Of course, they are heavier and more costly – so they have their own set of compromises.

                            --Capt. Steve