Jon Boat

[John586]

Im wondering what type, length, width, etc. Jon Boat i should purchase. I have been looking around craigslist and just dont know what to look for. Im a highschool student,will be fishing with only 1-2 people in smaller waters. I plan on modifying it with a casting deck. What would you guys recommend? If anyone in the Southern Maine area is looking to sell one for under 700$, with a motor/ trolling motor, let me know asap. Thanks in advance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

text with any useful info 1-207-703-4101

[Snakehead Whisperer]

You should get at least a 1436, since you said you'd be fishing with 1-2. The wider the better. If you can find a 1448, even better. I'd advise against the casting deck though. Jon boats are great, but they are far more stable when the center of gravity is low (e.g. standing on the floor.)

[Bluebasser86]

You should get at least a 1436, since you said you'd be fishing with 1-2. The wider the better. If you can find a 1448, even better. I'd advise against the casting deck though. Jon boats are great, but they are far more stable when the center of gravity is low (e.g. standing on the floor.)

Agreed on everything. I've owned a few different jonboats, including the 1436. I did put a deck on it, but for the stability that I lost and weight that I gained, it wasn't worth it. I had a 15hp Johnson (max hp rating for the boat) and with that deck it would plow water and get to about 8mph. When I took the deck out, I could get on plane and run 15-19 depending on how loaded down it was, plus it sat much higher off the water. 

[Tony L.]

You should get at least a 1436, since you said you'd be fishing with 1-2. The wider the better. If you can find a 1448, even better. I'd advise against the casting deck though. Jon boats are great, but they are far more stable when the center of gravity is low (e.g. standing on the floor.)

Good call. The other thing to look at would be the tow weight. Jon boats are pretty light, so most vehicles would handle them just fine. If you have a full sized truck or suv, disregard this comment because it will handle all sizes, at least as far as Jon boats go... If your vehicle is on the smaller end though, you might not want to go too big or put on a deck that adds too much weight. Towing specs are easy enough to look up.

[Catt]

If you are installing casting decking a 40" bottom would be the smallest I would go with.

[sprint61]

I would suggest a v bottom not a flat.

[CRANKENSTIEN]

1448 min.  If you are going to have 2 fisherman in there and you want to stand, you will need some size or your going to be trying to balance every time someone moves

[John586]

i was also thinking about getting a 14ft vhull and installing a full deck. The only issue i had with a v hull is that they tend to be even less stable than Jon Boats and cant reach those real shallow areas

[thomas15]

A small V hull is going to get you fairly shallow. Having said that every boat is a compromise in some respects. That is probably why I think I should have two or three!

[livemusic]

I have a 1432 with 5hp Nissan outboard and also a troll motor and I can fish it with another person but it's not very comfortable fishing. Bear in mind that I have caught a bazillion bass with a small jon boat. I also owned a 12' that I loved and two fished out of it and it was even better because it was deeper and wider than my 1432. It was more stable. I would not put a deck on one unless it was far wider than a 1432. And preferably longer. Another option is two kayaks, lol.

 

You might luck up and find a decent used one. If you go around a lake, you can spot some and if you ask, you might snag one reasonably.

[Way2slow]

Well, I would base my opinion on how I was going to haul it. In south Texas I have a 1436 and a 1232. I bought the 1232 after getting tired of manhandling the 1436 up and down banks and in and out of the bed of a pickup truck. I'm 6'1"-180# and my son is 6'1" at 230# and even with both of us, that heavy a** 1436 got old very fast.

The 1232 weighs at least 50 pounds or more, less that the 1436, then put the battery and transom TM on, it's makes a huge difference getting it in and out of the water. The 1232 is more than stable enough wth the two of us, but we don't try to pretend it's something it ain't, a big boat you can stand and cast in.

As far as a V-hul, I would not have one for the way we fish out of Jon boats. They are far to unstable climbing in at out when having to do it over the bow.

We fish a lot of resacas, like small, long ponds, and most don't have ramps or easy access, so unless we are going in the Rio Grande, or some big water, the 1436 stay propped against the shed.

If you feel a casting deck is something you can't live without, you are looking for a 48" wide boat, or plan on just fishing warm water. A few dips in cold water takes all the fun out of a fishing trip.

[John586]

Well, I would base my opinion on how I was going to haul it. In south Texas I have a 1436 and a 1232. I bought the 1232 after getting tired of manhandling the 1436 up and down banks and in and out of the bed of a pickup truck. I'm 6'1"-180# and my son is 6'1" at 230# and even with both of us, that heavy a** 1436 got old very fast.

The 1232 weighs at least 50 pounds or more, less that the 1436, then put the battery and transom TM on, it's makes a huge difference getting it in and out of the water. The 1232 is more than stable enough wth the two of us, but we don't try to pretend it's something it ain't, a big boat you can stand and cast in.

As far as a V-hul, I would not have one for the way we fish out of Jon boats. They are far to unstable climbing in at out when having to do it over the bow.

We fish a lot of resacas, like small, long ponds, and most don't have ramps or easy access, so unless we are going in the Rio Grande, or some big water, the 1436 stay propped against the shed.

If you feel a casting deck is something you can't live without, you are looking for a 48" wide boat, or plan on just fishing warm water. A few dips in cold water takes all the fun out of a fishing trip.

Thanks for the insight! what would your recommended setup be? fishing with 2 people only 100yards from shore(at most) in small waters? can your 12 footer fit on top of a SUV? thanks for all the help

[Way2slow]

If the top of an SUV Is going to be your boat trailer, the 1232 would move to the top of my list. It can be loaded and unloaded with one person by sliding it off/on the back. I bought mine off Craig's list for $80 in south Texas a couple years ago. It's old, a little beat up but doesn't leak, and not super heavy, but down there most fishing is in the bay's and not a lot of demand for those smaller boats I would think if you you are patient and shop around, you could find a used one very reasonable.

[John586]

If the top of an SUV Is going to be your boat trailer, the 1232 would move to the top of my list. It can be loaded and unloaded with one person by sliding it off/on the back. I bought mine off Craig's list for $80 in south Texas a couple years ago. It's old, a little beat up but doesn't leak, and not super heavy, but down there most fishing is in the bay's and not a lot of demand for those smaller boats I would think if you you are patient and shop around, you could find a used one very reasonable.

thats a steal! the lowest price ive found is 200$ and theyre beat to *****

[livemusic]

Have you considered this -- http://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/pelican-bass-raider-10e-10-2-pontoon-boat/pid-1408792-- a lot of people love these things. I'm tempted, myself.