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Post by kutkota on Mar 20, 2013 16:41:02 GMT -7
Well after speaking with the resident duck killer on this place I have moved from a canoe mind set to a jon boat mind set. For several reasons but not all that important.
I have done very little rigging on and around a boat before. What should I look out for. I am thinking as long as it floats and does not take on water I should be ok? I have a 15 ish HP outboard that I will throw on it and that is the extent of my knowledge. I don't think I will be trying to head out on the might MO but there are hundreds of lakes around here I can use it on.
Which brings me to my decision I need help on. I have a minivan and a honda accord. Obviously the minivan will be what pulls the boat. I am going back and forth between picking up a smaller one which are all over craigslist for 150-600 that I can throw in the local lakes that do not allow power on and spending a little more for a bigger one that I can put all four of the family in and eventually head out on the river to do some fishing. With the size of the motor I have and I will not be buying anything bigger, what is the size of boat that motor can handle. It came off my parents sail boat and has maybe 2 hours on it total. Bought brand new off the showroom floor so the motor is in great shape.
Is there anything else I should look for? Ideas, suggestions? Thanks in advance.
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Post by thywar on Mar 20, 2013 16:50:10 GMT -7
I think wtrfwlr can help with that info too.. couple of thoughts. If your family is interested in fishing and going out onto a lake in a boat then I'd probably try and find one that will hold all of you at least while your children are small enough. If they aren't that interested (and I don't know how many children are willing to spend 3-4 hours in a boat on a lake fishing.. guess it depends.) then I'd opt for something that you can maneuver on your own or with a buddy.
Really the only two pieces of advice I can give is 1) tie the rope to the trailer as you push it off into the water and 2) make sure you have enough gas in the tank.
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Post by offtrail on Mar 20, 2013 16:51:39 GMT -7
What is the size of your jon boat?
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Post by kutkota on Mar 20, 2013 16:52:57 GMT -7
OT, I don't have one yet. Open for advice.
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Post by kutkota on Mar 20, 2013 16:55:27 GMT -7
I think wtrfwlr can help with that info too.. couple of thoughts. If your family is interested in fishing and going out onto a lake in a boat then I'd probably try and find one that will hold all of you at least while your children are small enough. If they aren't that interested (and I don't know how many children are willing to spend 3-4 hours in a boat on a lake fishing.. guess it depends.) then I'd opt for something that you can maneuver on your own or with a buddy. Really the only two pieces of advice I can give is 1) tie the rope to the trailer as you push it off into the water and 2) make sure you have enough gas in the tank. Haha ;D My daughter is very interested and hopefully my son will be as well but he is only 2 at the moment. I almost bought an 8 foot boat for 150 but then I got to think to much and decided I wanted a bigger one, and now I am not sure. |
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Post by kutkota on Mar 20, 2013 16:56:39 GMT -7
What is the size of your jon boat? I guess my big question is how much boat can a 15 HP outboard motor handle. It pushed a big sailboat around but with little speed. |
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Post by offtrail on Mar 20, 2013 17:04:24 GMT -7
I would go with the biggest one i could handle. Jon boats of smaller size are not stable or comfortable but have a very shallow drift. A bigger and wider jon will be stable and very comfortable. Comfort and safety is the two most important things when it comes to boats. What will you be using it for ?
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Post by kutkota on Mar 20, 2013 17:07:53 GMT -7
I would go with the biggest one i could handle. Jon boats of smaller size are not stable or comfortable but have a very shallow drift. A bigger and wider jon will be stable and very comfortable. Comfort and safety is the two most important things when it comes to boats. What will you be using it for ? Initial just for fishing in the local watering holes becuase the banks are no good to stand on. Eventually heading out onto the rivers to do some fishing. I am thinking at a minimum for two people would be 12 feet? I just don't want to buy something and have the little motor not be able to handle it. Thanks alot OT, never been on a Jon boat so I am blowing in the wind. |
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Post by offtrail on Mar 20, 2013 17:37:06 GMT -7
I would go with the biggest one i could handle. Jon boats of smaller size are not stable or comfortable but have a very shallow drift. A bigger and wider jon will be stable and very comfortable. Comfort and safety is the two most important things when it comes to boats. What will you be using it for ? Initial just for fishing in the local watering holes becuase the banks are no good to stand on. Eventually heading out onto the rivers to do some fishing. I am thinking at a minimum for two people would be 12 feet? I just don't want to buy something and have the little motor not be able to handle it. Thanks alot OT, never been on a Jon boat so I am blowing in the wind. A 15 hp should be plenty for a 12 ft jon. Flat bottom boats of smaller size are not very stable because they ride on top the water. A V bottom boat or seim v bottom are more stable because they ride deeper in the water. Im sure BJ knows what he's talking about. I'm not sure if I would go with a 12 footer that's pretty small. I would go with at least a 14 ft boat. |
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Post by kutkota on Mar 20, 2013 17:48:18 GMT -7
Initial just for fishing in the local watering holes becuase the banks are no good to stand on. Eventually heading out onto the rivers to do some fishing. I am thinking at a minimum for two people would be 12 feet? I just don't want to buy something and have the little motor not be able to handle it. Thanks alot OT, never been on a Jon boat so I am blowing in the wind. A 15 hp should be plenty for a 12 ft jon. Flat bottom boats of smaller size are not very stable because they ride on top the water. A V bottom boat or seim v bottom are more stable because they ride deeper in the water. Im sure BJ knows what he's talking about. I'm not sure if I would go with a 12 footer that's pretty small. I would go with at least a 14 ft boat. Thanks a ton. I was close to buying an 8footer for the local 3 acre lake that does not allow power on it. It is an old mine with steep hills surrounding it so very little wind and no motors allowed. HMMM I'll have to see about trying some out somehow. Thanks. |
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Post by offtrail on Mar 20, 2013 18:13:41 GMT -7
A 15 hp should be plenty for a 12 ft jon. Flat bottom boats of smaller size are not very stable because they ride on top the water. A V bottom boat or seim v bottom are more stable because they ride deeper in the water. Im sure BJ knows what he's talking about. I'm not sure if I would go with a 12 footer that's pretty small. I would go with at least a 14 ft boat. Thanks a ton. I was close to buying an 8footer for the local 3 acre lake that does not allow power on it. It is an old mine with steep hills surrounding it so very little wind and no motors allowed. HMMM I'll have to see about trying some out somehow. Thanks. I would not wast my money on a 8 footer just no room. But you know best as to what will work best for you. I use a 14 ft v bottom boat with just a trolling motor. One thing I will say about flat bottom boats, they will beat the hell out of you when the water is choppy. |
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Post by offtrail on Mar 20, 2013 18:18:30 GMT -7
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Post by wtrfwlr on Mar 20, 2013 21:32:38 GMT -7
Sorry, I just got in and had a chance to check in a saw this thread. I'm beat and not sure the new job is gonna work out bit that's another story.
I'll say this, call me before you spend ANY money!! I don't claim to know it all but I do spend a lot of my life in these type of boats. You have the most expensive things covered, that being, a outboard engine and a tow vehicle.
You now need to match what you already have, and what you can afford that will do what you wanna do, right?
I have some thoughts and will share them on what you are contemplating and maybe it will help some others? I'll get some rest and try and post some thought tomorrow. Just don't buy nothing tonight!
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Post by swamprat1 on Mar 20, 2013 22:06:38 GMT -7
Yep, listen to BJ on this. I woild say get the bigger one though. The small one will get to small quick like, especially with kids on board.
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Post by marc on Mar 21, 2013 5:00:26 GMT -7
A 15 hp should be plenty for a 12 ft jon. Flat bottom boats of smaller size are not very stable because they ride on top the water. A V bottom boat or seim v bottom are more stable because they ride deeper in the water. Im sure BJ knows what he's talking about. I'm not sure if I would go with a 12 footer that's pretty small. I would go with at least a 14 ft boat. Thanks a ton. I was close to buying an 8footer for the local 3 acre lake that does not allow power on it. It is an old mine with steep hills surrounding it so very little wind and no motors allowed. HMMM I'll have to see about trying some out somehow. Thanks. No motors, or no gas motors? I see a lot of little 10'-15' aluminum boats using a trolling motor to fish small lakes. The boats actually get around pretty good. Marc |
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