1st boat purchase help

[rhoganjr]

I am finally set to purchase my first boat and I want to be as smart as I can about my purchase. My budget is not much at $1,500 so I'm pretty limited on choices. My question is what would you guys recommend, a used 1436 Jon, or a 10' two man bass boat? There's several lakes nearby that are large, but mostly calm water. I will almost always have another person with me also. Any input would be appreciated, thanks. 

[no39]

I would go with as large as you can tow.  I have a 14 boat and space is always a commodity.  Something to consider into your budget would be a bow-mount trolling motor.  This alone will greatly increase your fishing efficiency.  The jon boat would be good choice as they are pretty stable and able to get into skinny water.  

[rhoganjr]

I forgot to mention towing isn't a problem. I've just heard the 36" wide jons are pretty tippy. Thanks no39.

[tander]

I would go with large as you can jon boat. You can fix it up to how you want it a little at a time. I have seen Jon boats fixed pretty nice with decks, carpet.

[BrianinMD]

With a second person the jon boat will be your best option. Try to get the widest one you can, length is important too but width will give you stability.

[no39]

1 hour ago, tander said:

I would go with large as you can jon boat. You can fix it up to how you want it a little at a time. I have seen Jon boats fixed pretty nice with decks, carpet.

+1.  That's what I ended up doing.  At the very least it gives you a project in the winter. I did this to a v-hull in the course of a few weeks, but there's a part of me that still wished it was a jon boat. I hope this can show you some of the possibilities.

 

 

[rhoganjr]

That's an awesome job you did on that boat no39. How stable is the v hull with the deck?

[no39]

4 minutes ago, rhoganjr said:

That's an awesome job you did on that boat no39. How stable is the v hull with the deck?

Thanks.  It's a bit tipsy for some, but I was never made anxious by it. My girlfriend and I always fish out of it standing to give you some perspective. On Lake Erie I usually need the seat to keep my balance, but on smaller waters it's fine. 

[warrior1]

have you considered a used tracker?  you could probably find one in that price range

[WIGuide]

I had a 10' 2 man growing up and it was a good starter boat. Fishing two out of it was tight but could be done. It was very stable for a boat that small, but still tippy compared to bigger boats. A 1436 John boat would probably be tippier since it's base is narrower than the 10 footer. Fishing with two people you aren't going to be going anywhere very fast. With just one and an 8 horse I could get mine to plane out and run in the 15-18 mph range. With two it wouldn't plane out and would run maybe 7-10 mph. Overall a great little boat and there's times I wish I still had mine.  

[rhoganjr]

The only used boats I can find around my area are 1436 jons and 14' V Hulls. I'm probably overthinking this, but I just want a boat that could last me 5 years or so, and not be miserable fishing. I guess the old saying goes for me in this situation, "champagne taste and a beer budget".

[thomas15]

As others have said space will be an issue no matter what. This is going to be my third season with a 16 foot V hull and I cram a lot of stuff onboard but also have no room to move and always in danger of stepping on a pole. So I have been working up different ideas to store gear and poles  and  generally make the boat more of a fishing machine. I have this to-do list of about 25 things to do before the season starts. Some of those items are maintence but there are going to be rod holders, a stern platform and a bicycle seat for the bow. Third year and I'm just getting to that now but have fished the dickens out of the boat the past two years.

So my advice is don't give up and don't lose heart. If you can, try to get into it and make steady improvements one at a time and as money allows. A small modest boat is way better than no boat and there will always be something better out there but once you leave the bank it's all good.

[rhoganjr]

What do you guys think of this boat? It's a 14', comes with an Evinrude 9.5, depth finder, trolling motor, and battery. The guy is asking $1,200. 

[thomas15]

I would say that if the outboard runs well, the hull is sea worthy  and the trailer roadworthy then look further into this. Try to determine if the transom is not rotted out and that there are no holes in the hull. The seller should have titles for the boat and trailer.

Just because the seller is asking $1200.00 doesn't mean that he will not take $1000.00 The trailer looks like a converted utility trailer but if it works ok. Does it have rollers and/or bunks and working lights?

The boats is not huge but if sound and works you can have a lot of fun with it and it's not that expensive.

Lets see what others have to say...

 

[tomustang]

Better look hard into that trailer, looks like cast pipe screwed together

[deadadrift89]

On 02/08/2016 at 10:44 AM, warrior1 said:

have you considered a used tracker?  you could probably find one in that price range.

X2

I'd check Craigslist in the surrounding areas. I know down here they show up alot in the $1500 range. Also call the pawn shops. Make sure you buy a compression gauge($20)auto parts store and check the engine. You need have someone put new bearings and races in your trailer hubs unless the previous owner has maintained them,or buy new complete hubs around $100 for 2 (its well worth the money not to be broke down with a locked up hub)putting hubs on very easy job.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[IneedAnewScreenName-33448]

12 ft jon boat alumiunm and a hobie pro 14 kayak

[rhoganjr]

I appreciate all the input. I'm gonna be patient and wait for the right one.