Small John Boat Questions

[Brian6428]

Hey guys, I am looking into getting my first fishing boat. My budget is about $500 so I am looking at smaller john boats, in the 10-14 ft range. Here are the boats I am looking at: http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/3714983675.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/3733403269.html

Here are my questions:

1. Would there be room for my brother and I to fish comfortably in these?

2. Could we bring along a third person if we wanted?

3. Could we make do with only a trolling motor on small lakes?

4. Would they be stable enough to stand up?

5. Do these boats look good to you guys? I haven't ever owned a boat before so don't really know.

Thanks in advance!

[jhoffman]

For $300 on a trailer that second one might work out great. Id say no more than two guys, yes a trolling motor only will work on some lakes. It should be stable enough to stand up in , its going to be a little tippy but it wont be undoable.

 

Not sure how titling works in that state, check the details with having only a bill of sale.

[ChadmatthewsLWBF]

I own a boat very similar to the first pic. I am able to stand up in the very back of the boat and occasionally on the seat if needed. You can use a trolling motor with two people but the upgrade to a small outboard makes it easier to move around to different spots on small lakes you should be fine. It should fish two comfortably if one of you stand up in the back and the other sits in the front. Three people its a tight fit and hard to fish but other wise its a good boat.

[derekxec]

that boat looks good i have a 14ft john boat but its a flat front not a v hull and me and my friend fish it both sitting or standing no problem   we just keep the tackle and cooler and such in the middle of the boat so we both reach it easily

 

we fish the flats a lot for bonefish and redfish and such and i stand up on the very front without feeling like i will fall in or tip the boat you just have to get used to it...i had a 12ft before and its doable but 14ft seems like its a lot bigger also the aluminum boats have a lot of hull slap (flat front not sure about vhull) but we took some of that spray on bedliner and sprayed the bottom of the boat with it and it removed the hull slap 

 

we also use a trolling motor only cause it was free and im too cheap right now for a gas haha but we use a deep cycle marine battery and it will last us atleast a couple hours 

 

oh sorry with 3 people fishing you could do it i guess but you have to beware of what everyone else is doing so you dont hook them or their rod or so when you cast....ill take a pic of my boat so you can see in a min(just dont laugh haha we got it for free)

 

 

[Brian6428]

Thanks for the replies guys, I will keep you guys updated on what I do. I do have 2 more questions, though:

1. Would the seats in the second boat be harder to fish from cause they're lower than the first one?

2. What power of trolling motor would be optimal for a primary motor for a boat this size? I see the second one has a 55 lb one, is that large enough? 

3. Lastly, would there be a way/place to mount a trolling motor for hands-free operation?

Thanks!

[Bladesmith,]

I notice you are in Kansas. Be real careful with that "bill of sale only". It can be a time consuming nightmare to try to get this boat legal. 

[derekxec]

if you get one without a title you could try what i did...im in florida though so not sure if it will work there

 

i didnt have a title and had no one way of tracking down the person who did..so i went to get it registered you can do it as a home made boat which is what i did and it worked fine

 

ps. i got my boat for free so if they turned me down i had nothing to lose anyway so keep that in mind if you are paying for a boat

[Brian6428]

I notice you are in Kansas. Be real careful with that "bill of sale only". It can be a time consuming nightmare to try to get this boat legal. 

Technically Missouri, but I think the boating laws are the same. I agree, though. I did a quick google search and it looks like it could be a real hassle to get it titled and registered. That is the main reason I am leaning towards the first one at this point. thanks for the advice!

[derekxec]

if you are set on buying it maybe you could ask the seller if they could try to get it titled as a home made boat before you buy it?

[Brian6428]

if you are set on buying it maybe you could ask the seller if they could try to get it titled as a home made boat before you buy it?

Yeah, everything I read online said it was easier to title it before it is sold

[bartdude186]

Either of the boats look good to me. I have a 12 foot vhull almost just like those. i fish 2 people very easily,no problems at all. i have had 3 but its not a comfortable trip if all 3 are fishing. i blew the engine on mine so now the only thing powering it is a minn kota 30lb thrust trolling motor, and believe it or not it pushes the boat just fine. you are not gonna break any speed records but with the walmart brand marine battery i bought 2 years ago i can fish all day long and when i get home still have 85% battery. As for the title i'm no help, but here in tennessee all i needed was a bill of sale, mainly because mine is so old it does not even have a hull ID number. Good luck, and you will not regret your purchase.

[fstr385]

I have a 10` tracker for small waters. Its perfect for one person, and can handle 2, sorta tippy. 3 is pushing it. My  girlfriend and her 4 year old have gone out ok, but its a pain. If your mostly goin yourself, and want a smaller motor, 10-12, but If you plan on mostly 2-3 people, definatly 12-14. Upshot with the 10 is I can load it into the truck bed myself with the battery and outboard off, throw them in after and take it if I cant use a trailer. Ive got a 3.5hp on it which is fine w just me, but kind of a turd with 375lbs in it. I like the flat john better, but either on of those look decent. You can always offer a little less too and see what happens. Make sure you get a title, and make sure its in the sellers name, and not just signed to them. that's been an issue for me before.

[slonezp]

Hey guys, I am looking into getting my first fishing boat. My budget is about $500 so I am looking at smaller john boats, in the 10-14 ft range. Here are the boats I am looking at: http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/3714983675.html

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/3733403269.html

Here are my questions:

1. Would there be room for my brother and I to fish comfortably in these?

2. Could we bring along a third person if we wanted?

3. Could we make do with only a trolling motor on small lakes?

4. Would they be stable enough to stand up?

5. Do these boats look good to you guys? I haven't ever owned a boat before so don't really know.

Thanks in advance!

 

#1 and #2 How big are you and your brother? If you guys are 300lbs each, maybe you should pass

#3 yes

#4 1 person probably, 2 people maybe

#5 if they don't leak and trailer bearings, lights and tires are ok then yes they look ok

 

Thanks for the replies guys, I will keep you guys updated on what I do. I do have 2 more questions, though:

1. Would the seats in the second boat be harder to fish from cause they're lower than the first one?

2. What power of trolling motor would be optimal for a primary motor for a boat this size? I see the second one has a 55 lb one, is that large enough? 

3. Lastly, would there be a way/place to mount a trolling motor for hands-free operation?

Thanks!

#1 seats can be changed if you don't like them

#2 Optimal depends on what you expect.

#3 Yes, but it would involve modifications

 

Lastly, and most important, you will need to change your screen name to Ihaveaboatbrian 

[Brian6428]

#1 and #2 How big are you and your brother? If you guys are 300lbs each, maybe you should pass

#3 yes

#4 1 person probably, 2 people maybe

#5 if they don't leak and trailer bearings, lights and tires are ok then yes they look ok

 

#1 seats can be changed if you don't like them

#2 Optimal depends on what you expect.

#3 Yes, but it would involve modifications

 

Lastly, and most important, you will need to change your screen name to Ihaveaboatbrian

My brother and I are both around 6 foot and each weigh about 160. And I hadn't even thought about changing my username! haha!

[Dyerbassman]

Go with number 1. I found a 12' semi-v just like that at an estate sale for next to nothing. Then I went on tinboats.net to get ideas on how to customize it a bit. Decked it out and a 55 lb. trolling motor pushes it just fine with 2 people. I just added another trolling motor to the front, too, that I found on Craigslist. Perfect for the smaller waters!

[200racing]

these little boats hold their value so if you buy it and dont like it you can always sell and get your money out of it.

[Brian6428]

Ok, from what you guys have said I am leaning towards the first one, mainly for the smaller size and having a title. However, I think it is overpriced. Do you guys agree? And if so, would it be rude to offer $400 instead of $500?

[slonezp]

Offer whatever you think is fair. You can always offer more. Like 200racing said, they hold their value. You could get 5 years of use out of it and turn around and sell it for the same price you paid. If the trailer is in good shape, it's worth $300-$400 by itself in my area. 

[Brian6428]

Hey guys, quick update. The first boat is now sold, and sadly not to me. The second boat has no contact info or title, which makes me nervous. What do you guys think of this boat? It is a little more expensive, and on the phone the guy said the trolling motor is 45lb instead of 35. http://kansascity.craigslist.org/boa/3701641718.html

Thanks!

[zachb34]

I think you can do better for 800 atleast in my area you can

[Dyerbassman]

$800 seems like a bit too much for that. Try not to be too anxious and keep looking. You‘ll find one! But this one is not it.

[derekxec]

if you look at flat bottom boats look to make sure the braces that go from one side to the other are still there and not cracked in half...this will cause the boat to make a crack in the floor which is how mine is although before we fixed it we welcomed the crack...sure we had to bail water every hour or so but it made a nice livewell just grab a bait at your feet and go hahaha

[Brian6428]

I agree, after more looking I think that one is overpriced. I will keep looking till I see a good deal. Thanks!