The Alumacraft Tournament Sport 195 was created for pro-level anglers, but this boat is so well-designed it will elevate the fishing game of any weekend tournament warrior or casual worm-drowner while also accommodating family boaters. The abundant dry stowage and multiple rod lockers, the generous livewells, the perfect freeboard height, and the elbow room fore and aft all make angling on board more efficient. And that’s what really separates the pro — and the pro’s boat — from the rest of us and the boats we fish from.
On the Northwoods scene since 1946, Alumacraft was acquired by BRP in 2018. So going forward you can expect to find mostly Evinrude outboards powering Alumacraft boats. The Tournament Sport 195 has been in and out of the Alumacraft lineup over the years, and as this latest iteration that we tested proved, it remains a solid boat. We mean really solid, thanks in part to its proprietary 2XB hull, which utilizes two layers of aluminum to cover the boat’s entire running surface and also integrates a hardened-aluminum keel from the stem to amidships. The boat feels and sounds like a fiberglass boat in rough water. The bottom also has a subtle concave shape between the keel and chine, which enhances lift. Unlike some boats, the Tournament Sport 195 sits level in the water at rest, which helps it hold position in winds and rough water.
This dual-console boat has a tall windshield that’s dandy for weather protection during cool and rainy weather. Our boat was rigged with an optional Humminbird Helix 7 GPS/locator ($982) in place of the standard analog gauges. There’s stowage for rods below the walk-through and below a hatch in the port gunwale. The gunwales are wide and reinforced for mounting downriggers.
An Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O. outboard motor popped the Alumacraft onto plane in a flash at just half-throttle. All that power is nice, but the Evinrude will also idle in gear at just 500 rpm, less than 3 mph with a 20-inch prop, the perfect speed for trolling a crankbait. For freshwater anglers, this boat-motor combo is the right tool for the job.
High Points
- It’s quick to plane and holds plane at low speed, perfect for making good time in rough water.
- All stowage hatches are lipped to keep out inevitable rainwater.
- A full-length concave spray rail helps in windy conditions.
- Main rod locker will hold 8-foot sticks.
- Toe holds below the inwales add security when reaching with a landing net.
Price: $44,590 (nationally advertised)
How We Tested
Engine: Evinrude E-TEC G2 200 H.O.
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Evinrude RX4 15″ x 20″ four-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 16 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
Alumacraft Boats – St. Peter, Minnesota; 877-314-7756; alumacraft.com
