Loop_Dad Posted December 25, 2013 Posted December 25, 2013 Dumb question for you guys if I may... You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at? What is the difference of the bottom shape between jon boat and bass boat of the same size? The ones from tracker looks very similar on the pics... Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted December 25, 2013 Super User Posted December 25, 2013 Dumb question for you guys if I may... You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at? What is the difference of the bottom shape between jon boat and bass boat of the same size? The ones from tracker looks very similar on the pics... I built my current boat to get exactly what I wanted. Money wasn't even a consideration. I had a vision of what I wanted, and there wasn't one out there. So I built it. There are several different shapes of hulls a jon: flat bottom, mod-v, v, round bottom, deep v and multi-hull designs. Probably more I am forgetting. Each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Mine is a modified v. V in the front a flat bottom in the back. It seems to be the best of most worlds in the grand scheme of things aluminum! Jeff 1 Quote
Super User slonezp Posted December 25, 2013 Super User Posted December 25, 2013 00 mod, What brand hull is that? Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted December 25, 2013 Super User Posted December 25, 2013 00 mod, What brand hull is that? Weldbuilt Jeff Quote
Chris186 Posted December 25, 2013 Posted December 25, 2013 Dumb question for you guys if I may... You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at? What is the difference of the bottom shape between jon boat and bass boat of the same size? The ones from tracker looks very similar on the pics... There are a few reasons why I fish from Jon boats. Where im from, our biggest lake is 1500 acres. Most of the lakes I fish are in the 200-600 acre range, so I dont really need a big boat. Also, most of the lakes here in RI have a 10hp limit. No reason to have anything bigger if I cant use it where I fish. Yes, you could save all the money you spend on a jon and buy a tracker or something. But, with a jon, you arent dishing all the money out at once. Build it over time, set it up exacty how you want and fish from it along the way. 2 Quote
Super User Chris at Tech Posted December 26, 2013 Super User Posted December 26, 2013 Dumb question for you guys if I may... You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at? Yes and no. I'm not gonna lie -- my jonboat build cost me a pretty penny, but like Jeff I built what I want. One of the driving reasons I build a jonboat was because of accessibility. Atlanta has about a dozen electric motor only reservoirs ranging from ~200 to 900 acres. For me, those lakes are much easier for me to get to than the big waters. Big lakes Allatoona and Lanier are certainly short enough drives but they get so much pressure and traffic that I simply prefer the small waters. No jet skies, no ski boats, no house boats and no gas expenses all make the electric-only lakes more desirable to me. Quote
zachb34 Posted December 26, 2013 Posted December 26, 2013 Just bought it today it's a 2014 tracker topper 15 on a 2014 continental trailer. 3 Quote
Super User Chris at Tech Posted December 27, 2013 Super User Posted December 27, 2013 Just bought it today it's a 2014 tracker topper 15 on a 2014 continental trailer. Nice! Just be sure to do good research on the mods you want to do. Decking can be a bit tricky in car toppers since they're not as deep, so they're pretty easy to make top heavy. 1 Quote
zachb34 Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Nice! Just be sure to do good research on the mods you want to do. Decking can be a bit tricky in car toppers since they're not as deep, so they're pretty easy to make top heavy. Yeah I'm only keeping the decks at bench height no higher I don't want the boat to feel like a rocking chair Quote
Chris186 Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 Yeah I'm only keeping the decks at bench height no higher I don't want the boat to feel like a rocking chair I have the same boat, link to my build is in this thread. My decks arent to the tippy top, but they are pretty high. No rocking chair syndrome. Quote
Super User Chris at Tech Posted December 27, 2013 Super User Posted December 27, 2013 Hey Jeff -- any reason you didn't carpet the walls? Seems like that would go a long way to keep the high dollar equipment from getting scuffed. Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted December 27, 2013 Super User Posted December 27, 2013 Since then, I have added the same padding from the floor to protect the areas around the reels and baits. Just didn't have a pic already uploaded from that. You know how these boats are, always a work in progress! Jeff Quote
zachb34 Posted December 27, 2013 Posted December 27, 2013 I have the same boat, link to my build is in this thread. My decks arent to the tippy top, but they are pretty high. No rocking chair syndrome. I can't seem to find your link? Not sure if I'm just missing the obvious or what Quote
zachb34 Posted December 28, 2013 Posted December 28, 2013 Anybody have an idea on how to install a foot controlled bow mount trolling motor without installing a deck? This will be temporary before I install a deck in about two weeks. Quote
Insanity Posted December 28, 2013 Posted December 28, 2013 I'm not familiar with your model. But I'd guess it has the front bench seat across the bow. Sitting about three inches below the rail. I stacked up two 2x6's I think it was to get even with mine.(years ago) Drilled threw and bolted motor mount and all together with big washers under the seat. Hoping your seat is open underneath. If it's closed and your going to deck over it anyway. You could use the spring open metal drywall anchors. But you'll need to drill some big nasty holes for them. Someone else might have a better idea then that. Quote
stew6371 Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 Dumb question for you guys if I may... You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at? Others have stated most of the benefits of building a jon boat. I would just like to add the cheaper cost to use. Smaller tow vehicle, less gas to tow, & easier to use by yourself, to name a few. There is some great rigs here. Here is mine. http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6735. I've been using it for about 4 years now & it's about time to redo some of it. I want to change some of the storage around & build rod boxes down the sides. 1 Quote
kickbasskid Posted December 29, 2013 Posted December 29, 2013 Just bought it today it's a 2014 tracker topper 15 on a 2014 continental trailer. Congrats on the new ride man! Quote
Brayberry Posted December 30, 2013 Author Posted December 30, 2013 There's definitely some good idea here. Keep them coming Quote
Super User 00 mod Posted December 31, 2013 Super User Posted December 31, 2013 The beginning... Yea man, we all started with no boat! HAHA! Just had too! Jeff Quote
Richie823 Posted December 31, 2013 Posted December 31, 2013 Haha, I'm glad you card me out. Will try again after work... 1 Quote
dsidle61 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Im jealous of these beasts you guys have. I actually just picked up my tracker topper 1036 last night from bass pro. I fish mainly ponds and small lakes so right now this was a good fit for me. I know im pretty limited in what I can do to such a small boat but first on my wish list is gonna be seats. don't have to be anything fancy I would like swivel ones though. If anyone has done some work of their own on a boat my size id greatly appreciate any help. Im skeptical about building 2 platforms for weight reasons. Quote
zachb34 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 Im jealous of these beasts you guys have. I actually just picked up my tracker topper 1036 last night from bass pro. I fish mainly ponds and small lakes so right now this was a good fit for me. I know im pretty limited in what I can do to such a small boat but first on my wish list is gonna be seats. don't have to be anything fancy I would like swivel ones though. If anyone has done some work of their own on a boat my size id greatly appreciate any help. Im skeptical about building 2 platforms for weight reasons.I wouldn't be worried about weight but I would be worried about stability in that small of a boat. Quote
dsidle61 Posted January 3, 2014 Posted January 3, 2014 I wouldn't be worried about weight but I would be worried about stability in that small of a boat. I have read a bunch of people complaining about it being unstable. I took it out today it was 40 degrees and wind whipping pretty good. I had my wife in It with me and I stood up and rocked it to see what kind of stability it had bc I have been on 15'ers before and I was more than happy w the stability of this one. With two seats (not super high up) I think this will work out perfectly for me. Quote
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