considering a jon boat...

[Chris at Tech]

So I'm attempting to convince the fiance that me getting a jon boat would be a good thing for fishing small ATL area lakes.  I may actually be winning the argument.

Anyway, if I did move forward, I'd want a boat with decks and pedestal seats.  Are there any jon boats that come new with this configuration, or are my only options to modify the boat myself, or find a used boat?

Just trying to see what options are out there...

[G3 Fan]

  I depends on how much you have to spend and how big you want the boat to be. I think you will have to look at all welded boats. Most of the riveted I have seen only have bench seats. Most mfgs. have a front deck/rear bench seat 14' and up. They will have seat pedastals in the front and back. Most boats will be "stripped" but they have options for livewells, storage boxes, floor kits etc.

Tracker Marine has some nice packages 15' and up. G3 has some packages as well. There are a ton of aluminum boat makers, I would see what your local dealers carry.

  If you are looking for something small, Tracker makes a 12' with seats in it, I think it is called the tadpole.

  If you plan to go the route of customizing the boat yourself I would reccomend a boat with at least a 48" bottom a 20" transom height will increase the hp rating.

  It all comes down to the almighty dollar  

[PeterF]

Take a look at my Post "Project Finished". That boat comes with pedestals in the front and back. You will need a trailer for a boat this size (1448 Grizzly). It weighs about 400 lbs with nothing on it.

[Triton_Mike]

Chris,  You have 2 options.  Do what Peter and I did and fix up a jon or find an old basstracker with a blown motor and fix it up.  Those are the 2 cheapest alternatives.  The old basstracker ain't a bad idea.  It's already got the wiring and livewells in place.  You could probably just change out the carpet and be looking slick in no time.

T Mike

[Gatorbassman]

For 2500 you can have mine. It is rigged for any small lake in GA. I designed and built it to use it as I work on my book about all the small lakes in GA. It has everything you need. If you are interested PM me and I will give you the details. It's a great first boat.

[langs15]

Fluke,

I just remembered that I have about a 15' Colman boat ( http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colemancom/detail.asp?product_id=J12M010&categoryid=66003 )

Thats what it is but an older model, I was thinking about getting a motor on it and maybe even trying to but some supports on it like you did on your tracker, not sure if it would work, but cool if so.

Do you have any idea what age I can get a license on it to use it on the bay at my beachhouse since that's where it's at and we don't have a trailer?

Cheers.

[Gatorbassman]

langs15, To keep from hijacking this post I'll PM ya.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Fluke- $2500??

Kinda low-ballin' yourself, no?  I figured the hull alone would be close to that.

[Chris at Tech]

For 2500 you can have mine. It is rigged for any small lake in GA. I designed and built it to use it as I work on my book about all the small lakes in GA. It has everything you need. If you are interested PM me and I will give you the details. It's a great first boat.

You've got a PM

[Gatorbassman]

Chris you can always take that ring back to the store to get a little extra cash. I did it twice. Tell your sweetheart I just kidding.

[Chris at Tech]

Chris you can always take that ring back to the store to get a little extra cash. I did it twice. Tell your sweetheart I just kidding.

But the problem there is that I wouldn't be around to use the boat.  And they'd never find my body