SonOfaFish

Get yourself a nice Chatillion, its not digital but it will last a lifetime. Mine is solid brass (12lbs scale, 2oz incracments) and calibration adjustable.They come IGFA certified. No worries about batteries dying and electronic equipment falling out of calibration. There website offeres a bunch of models. Cut and paste link. http://www.chatillon.com/Our%20Products/Chatillon%20Weighing%20Scales/scales_intro.html

I have a 1979 Sear Gamefisher! This thing has many a miles on it. It's rated for a 3.3hp so this thing can get easliy swamped. I always slide it into the back of my truck, and I only put two people in it at a time. 3 sounds a little dangerous. I make sure everything is removable like the the floor boards, trolling motor, depthfinder, battery, livewell, anchors. Even some of the carpetting. Believe when that stuff gets soaked, draggin the boat is a hell. Especially if your in those backwter spots where you gotta go up a small hill or down a path. I've had it fully loaded with a 5 hp mecury on the back, 46# motorguide in the front, cooler filled for livewell and 350lbs of people weight. Thing still hauled but can only handle like 4 to 5 inch waves. My buddy straps his Coleman Crawdad to the top of his Subaru which I think is nuts, but he gets to the water. One thing I did notice, becasue I use the TM in the front and mount the battery in the back, it balances out nice when you start adding more gear and another person.

Thanks Jason, I'm with you on carpeting everything to keep the noise down! The bare boat is almost like a drum it you drop a set of pliers in it! I never even thought of using those brackets over the bench seat,, thank you!!! Hopefully I can finish soon and get some pictures up. Thanks again for the input!! Shawn

Hey all, Just wondering from experience what out there what are some of your favorite jon boat mods. Built in livewell, pedestal seat, flooring, running/courtesy lights, anchor pullies, 24volts etc If you ask the old timer that's paddling his jon boat,, he'd tell ya you don't need any of that crap, just more time on the water. "Can't catch fish if ur pole aint in the water boy!" It's very true, I can't argue that. But for the rest of us that like to build, whats worth putting a on a 12ft jon boat? This has probably been my hardness decisions since starting the jon boat project. I haul my boat around in the back of the pickup, and drag the thing anywhere I need too, so I always keep weight in mind. I mean even life jackets take up alot of room in theses little jons. Definitely running lights to be safe and legal at night. I made a kick @ss transom mount out of aluminum for the front and fitting some 1/4 Doug-fir for removable floor boards. The hull is on the shallow side so i can't add everything I want, I have to sacrifice some things over others. Sorry if this is a newbie question, we learn slowly.

Had mice come out of the gunnels while out on the water,,,It was the first spring trip on the jonboat in after it upsidedown outside all winter. I wanted to see one get hammered swimming back to shore, but I felt kinda bad watching them jump overboard. If only they had like little vest harrnesses to attach a 4/0 to the mouse without ripping the hook thru it. Yea, I know I have problems.

I've applied it on the bottom of a 1989 Colman Crawdad, the jon is made out of PVC plastic and it adhered well. It would eventually peel off/scratch/dragged off so I applied it every spring. It more or less just help preserve the old boat. Don't know if I'd use it on the outside of my aluminum, but I like the idea on the inside to quiet bumps and banging down. I ended up fitting it with work foam flooring.

Yea, I figured it might be as simple. Thanks for puttin up with the newbie questions.

Hey all, With my Depth Finder setup, I have about 10ft of excess length on the transducer cable. I usually just coil it up, tie wire wrap it and tuck it near the transom mount. My question: is there a correct/specific way to store the extra transducer cable?? I don't get interference now, but just wondering for better ideas. Thanks again,

Thanks for the replies everyone. At first I thought this post would start another MG / MK feud, lol. You guys are full of crazy information, I appreciate sharing it. I've only fished 2 tourneys up here, and they were on friends trackers though. I've thought going 24V, but it's not economical for me. I drag my 12ft jon everywhere! I fish the well known lakes, to the back water reservoirs, rivers, streams, I've smashed so many bounders and logs on the rivers its not funny. Launched myself into the water a few times, lol. The longest one way direction is about two hours for me. And I've done my fair share of paddling my way home, even 1 emergency landing and walking back because the hurricane hit faster than I thought. I'm getting a new 54# MG soon, just wonder if it's worth getting the digital version or the other regular version. Sounds like the digie is the way to go for me. Best Regards everyone! -Shawn p.s. No hard feeling but MG for life!

Hey Everyone, First time poster here, I wanted to ask about Motor Guides new digital line. My whole life I've run 12ft jon boats with the 46 # thrust motor in the front. I've built a transom up front and spun the trolling head around, bla, bla, bla. My question is upgrading to the FW54 digital worth the money compared to the regular FW54. Is that much more energy efficient. I never throw a gas on the back, just a homemade fin to track straight. So even in a 80 acre pond, it's hike to ur favorite holes. Any advice is much welcome. p.s. this a kick@ss site. I'll be posting picks soon!