i've owned a couple smoker craft alaskans, and they were great boats that needed little maintenance. never had any trouble with leaks or losing rivets on mine.

i fished puget sound, seiku, the chehalis, and all kinds of lakes with my 13' alaskan powered by a 15hp outboard.

i can see the merits of a welded boat, but if you aren't banging it off rocks on a regular basis i wouldn't sweat it.