Help Deciding On A Boat

hooah212002 · August 9, 2012

Hey guys, i am in the market for a first boat and I found one that seems like a spectacular deal:

http://milwaukee.cra...3169043270.html

The thing is, I don't have a trailer. I know a 14' jon boat would be easy to transport in the back of a pickup, but what about this (abe: as in, would this be considerably more heavy or too heavy to lift in and out of the bed)? Also, how much harder is it to fix/modify fiberglass (floors, casting decks etc.) as opposed to aluminum?

Fishing Rhino · August 10, 2012

Unless that fiberglass boat is an eggshell, it's going to be a lot heavier than an aluminum jon.

As to which is easier, it's going to depend on an individual's skills. I've done woodworking and fiberglass fabrication. I'd opt for working with fiberglass. You can bond all the components in modifications without needing to drill holes in the hull for fasteners. If not done properly, when the hull of a jon boat flexes those holes can enlarge and cause leaks. In a fiberglass/epoxy job those parts may be able to flex with the hull. Even if they don't, and the bond fails in some place, it doesn't compromise the watertight integrity of the hull.

The downside of fiberglass is that it will usually cost more.

I would not recommend attempting either unless you are familiar with the one you choose, or are confident in your aptitude to work with tools. Boats are the number one victims of Murphy's law.

MarkH024 · August 10, 2012

If you don't have a trailer I'd skip this. Find an aluminum if you want to throw it in and out of a truck and what not. You'll end up cracking this fiberglass boat at some point.

hooah212002 · August 10, 2012

Thaks guys. I've decided to hold off now that I priced out the other stuff I'd need (~$200 for carpet. I think not). I am going to have to just save up until I can get a water-ready boat. I'm pretty sick of being shorebound, but patience is a virtue.