taking boat matter into my own hands(literally)

[J@k3 01s3n]

Well, I'm just another in the group of bank fishermen. Not! This will be my first year fishing from a boat, and I'm so excited! Its not the prettiest, but its gonna get me on the water. I have heard suggestions of float tubes, but I looked into it, and for a decent setup, I'm looking at almost $200. I just didn't like the idea of not being able to have anyone with me either. I also looked around, patiently, for a used jon boat, and couldn't find even a junker at a reasonable price. All I can say is LBH you are pretty lucky to find such a good deal. So, with those two methods exausted, I have taken matters into my own hands. I am building my first boat. I think this might really be the answer for fisherman looking to get off the banks with minimal investment. I will post pics and such when I am finished, but I figured I'd just put the idea out for those who are still stuck in my kind of situation. A hint for those looking around: search for mouse boat or one sheet skiff. These are not what I am building, as they are meant for one person, but can be made for between $70 and $100. I know they're not bass boats, but with just a small investment, I feel I'm going to have a much more sucessful fishing season. Plus, it sure helps to pass the time while I wait for the right weather!

[J@k3 01s3n]

Posting some pictures just to give folks and idea of what I'm talking about

[KU_Bassmaster.]

Hold the horses!!!!  Instead of patiently waiting for a good deal on a Jon, go out and actively look for one.  What I mean is drive around the neighborhood(s) and look for people with Jons in their backyard that looks like they haven't been used in ages.  If you have any lake communities in your area, even better.  I was pretty picky and wanted something 14+ ft, but I found a couple 12's that I could have bought for $150 or so and a 10 ft I could have got for around $100 by doing this.  LBH I believed left notes on people doors that were on his UPS route.

[J@k3 01s3n]

It's hard for me to explain that where I live it is extremely difficult to find anything like that just lying around. I live in a part of michigan that is all about lake michigan. As a result most fishing in this area is salmon related. I drive 45minutes to 2hrs to find small bass lakes and ponds, because most places are stocked with salmon, trout or pike. It was nice when I lived in illinois, and living there I could have seen that as a possibility, but not all parts of the country are littered with unused jon boats. Imagine going to walmart and seeing 85% of the fishing section is spoons, salmon spawn, and giant rods and reels. Its hard to be a basser up here, and so building a boat really is the best option I have found thus far.

[cart7t]

Good grief! Save your money. Get a second job.  I wouldn't be caught dead in one of those things which is exactly what could happen if you actually tried fishing out of one of those.  That first picture is a joke. The waterline is at the top of the gunwhale at the back of the boat!    

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Be careful there Jake.

How about a canoe or kayak?

[BassBird]

How much are you wanting to spend on a jon boat????

[J@k3 01s3n]

Those are just pictures of one-person skiffs, as stated before. What I am building is just under 8ft.(bout the size of a small pelican bass boat). Its gonna have the basic jon boat feel, and has a load capacity of around 450 pounds. The boats are somewhat crude looking, but there is a good sized group of people who use these all the time, for fishing even, and I haven't heard of any bad situations.

Cart7: the gunwhale is extended on that boat. The purpose of the elevated box was to give that extra room. It is completely sealed. A little more floatation in the back(styrofoam filled?), and he'd be running pretty decent from what I hear.

[FlyRod]

Gonna miss Ol' Jake ... ... :'(

http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/questions/eternal.html

Select and click on choice of player.

Rodd, Fligh

Commanding Officer

HMS Indigestible

[haskell112]

HEY try this website just chooes your location and look for boats, it may have a nice jon boat

http://boston.craigslist.org/

[bipr8]

I bought a jon for $150.00 (used) about 3 years ago.  It is in great condition and takes no water.  Question:  How much can a jon boat really cost?  If I am correct in my assumption that they go for $150-$350, hell, go buy one.  The hassel that  you are going to go through to build a skiff that will suck anyway is so not worth saving a few hundred bucks.  Dont know your socio-econcomic situation or age, but I would go cutting lawns for a weekend at $25 a pop (to buy a boat) before I ever got in a homemade one.

[J@k3 01s3n]

I am a new father working 50 hour weeks to take care of family while wife is on maternity leave. Taking on a second job is not an option. I think you will be suprised on how well this boat works for me. Most places that I fish have a no motor rule anyways. That means there is no wake, and so you could pretty much float around in a cardboard box. It is just a boat that is cheap(all materials=$85). Its to last me this summer, and then next year if I move back to illinois, I can buy a jon boat. I can't really pull a jon boat around with my pontiac grand am anyways.

P.S. Wherever you guys have seen jon boats for $150 you are lucky. Around here they sell for that with holse in them.

[J@k3 01s3n]

Well, after a lot of consideration of things mentioned by posters on this site, and some talking with the wife, I think I have come up with a little better of an idea. For about $100 I can have this puppy. It accepts a trolling motor, is 10ft, and can esily carry what I need. Just a little caution will be needed. So, do you fellas think this can get me through this year's fishing?

[J@k3 01s3n]

Just so you know, This is assuming:

-All places fished have no motorized craft rules, or have a large no wake day fishing zone.

I know it will not allow me the room and veiw of a pedastool seated jon boat, but this think can get into some tight spots, and I see know problem throwing a spinnerbait, or working a c-rig, etc. I know I won't be able to flip or pitch very easily, but to get out on the water should make a big difference. The banks are heavily pressured. No one is using boats on these lakes. Hopefully jsut getting out past the casts of bank fishermen will help me hook up with some good 'uns this year.

[Gatorbassman]

That should work fine for a little while. I'm sorry but it's still hard for me to believe there are no old boats hiding in a fishing community. It is a good idea to do some footwork and drive around looking for old boats in someone's yard. If you don't want to approach someone just leave a letter at their front door. It may take some work and a few awkward moments, what's the worse thing someone could say when you ask them if you can buy their boat. You will be amazed at how many people just haven't thought about selling that old boat. Show them a little green and it will go a long way. As long as it floats you can't go wrong.

Last year I had a budget of 2000 bucks for a boat. It took me about 6 months of asking around till I found a boat that is awesome. It was located more than 100 miles from my house. It is a 14ft jon. It came on a trailer with a brand new 8hp Merc, two transom mount trolling motors and a foot control trolling motor, one depth finder and a bunch of extras. I got it for 1500 bucks. What a steal. But the best thing about it is that the guy I bought it from is now a great fishing partner of mine and he has upgraded to a Ranger Z-20. So I got a great boat and a better friend out of the deal.

[cart7t]

Well, after a lot of consideration of things mentioned by posters on this site, and some talking with the wife, I think I have come up with a little better of an idea. For about $100 I can have this puppy. It accepts a trolling motor, is 10ft, and can esily carry what I need. Just a little caution will be needed. So, do you fellas think this can get me through this year's fishing?

That looks a lot safer than the previous. Besides, that thing can be deflated and stored in the event down the road, after you've moved and maybe stepped up to bigger boat,  you'd want to use it again.  On the other hand, after you're done with the wood boat you'd wind up having to have some place to store it.  Good luck.

[SavannahFisher]

I am right in the middle of building my boat. It will have a platform in front, and plenty of storage compartments. It is 14' long and has a 54" beam.

[Pintail55]

I know alot of guys that have made boats out of foam and epoxy resin, for duck hunting layout boats. But they would also work great for fishing. Here is a few links I can get more info and pics if your interested. They are fairly inexpensive and very light weight plus they are very stable (you would be supprised how much weight foam will hold). Check them out. Most of these links totally walk you through the process and also show pictures.

http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=291256

http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=291256

http://www.refugeforums.com/refuge/showthread.php?t=340734

[BassBird]

SavannahFisher...how is it coming along? any new pics?

[SavannahFisher]

No new pics yet. I've been too busy at work, but I will post them as soon as I have made some progress.