The Alumacraft Tournament Sport 195 can please dedicated pro-level anglers, but this boat is so well-designed, it will elevate the game of a weekend tournament warrior or casual worm-drowner. In fact, its versatile layout makes it a great runabout too. The abundant dry stowage and multiple rod lockers, the generous livewells, the perfect freeboard, and the elbow room fore and aft all make angling more efficient, and that’s really what separates the pro — and the pro’s boat — from the rest of us.
On the North Woods scene since 1946, Alumacraft was acquired by BRP in 2018, and so, going forward, expect to find mostly Evinrude outboards powering this brand. The Tournament Sport 195 has been in and out of the Alumacraft line over the years and remains a solid boat. And we mean really solid, thanks in part to its 2XB hull, which covers the entire running surface with two layers of aluminum and a stout hardened-aluminum keel from stem to amidships. The Tournament Sport 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. The boat is level at rest, which helps it better hold position in the wind and rough water.
This dual-console boat has a tall windshield that’s dandy in cool and rainy weather. Our boat was rigged with an optional Humminbird Helix 7 GPS/locater ($982) in place of the standard analog gauges. There’s rod stowage 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. motor popped the Alumacraft on plane in a flash with 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 and motor combo is the right tool for the job.
High Points
- Quick to plane and holds plane at low speed, which is perfect for making good time in rough water.
- All stowage hatches lipped to keep out inevitable rainwater.
- Full-length concave spray rail is effective in rough water.
Low Points
- Steering wheel blocks the view of an electronic helm display.
- Consoles could use a redesign to improve function and appearance.
Toughest Competitor
The 19-foot-10-inch Lund 1975 Pro-V ($53,717 with a Mercury Pro XS 200 and trailer) has a 22-gallon livewell and a deep aft casting deck. The generous 55-gallon fuel capacity extends range.
Price: $44,590 (with test power and without trailer)
Available Power: Outboard
How We Tested
Engine: Single Evinrude E-Tec G2 200 H.O. outboard
Drive/Prop: Outboard/Evinrude RX4 15″ x 20″ 4-blade stainless steel
Gear Ratio: 1.85:1
Fuel Load: 16 gal.
Crew Weight: 400 lb.
More Information
Alumacraft Boats – St. Peter, Minnesota; 877-314-7756; alumacraft.com
