Never been in a Duroboat but I have to weigh in with the Smokercraft - I have a 15 Alaskan and am real happy with it - rides good, light to haul, gets up on the step quick and goes fast, and doesn't seem to take on much water over the bow if you use your head in rough chop. I mounted my downrigers on the brace that connects the side of the boat with the seats at a 45 degree angle - did this so that I wouldn't have to lean over the side to retrieve the booger ball - and with a stainless steel backing plate this setup is rigid and works great. Also SC has a LIFETIME WARRANTY against leakage - if you don't hit something that causes a leak they will repair or replace your boat at your option. And they really do this - I had a 12 foot Alaskan Lite at one time that developed leaks - I took it down to the factory in Stayton and traded it for a 15 and they gave me full MSR value for it - which was more than I paid for it! Impressed the hell out of me. Finally, compared to welded boats these things are cheap. SC all the way is my $0.02