How much, realistically, is it going to cost to minimally outfit a Jon boat?

[fishnkamp]

You are at the end of the season  Deals will come up now. 

 

Here is one to go look at

https://zanesville.craigslist.org/boa/d/14ft-flat-bottom-jon/6692928307.html

[WVU-SCPA]

Two years ago I picked up a 16' jon boat with a 45lb bow mount and 35lb tiller for $500.  The kicker was it was lacking the title for both the boat and trailer.  It was a spontaneous/not a lot of thought purchase .  Still have plans to set it up for electric only lakes but haven't put the time into it.

 

Just personal preference,  but I would chose boat over kayak every day of the week and twice on Sundays.  Just take your time to find the right boat for what you want to do. 

 

[CybrSlydr]

1 hour ago, fishnkamp said:

You are at the end of the season  Deals will come up now. 

 

Here is one to go look at

https://zanesville.craigslist.org/boa/d/14ft-flat-bottom-jon/6692928307.html

Thanks for the HU on that, I'll run it past my brother.

 

A wide boat would definitely be a plus - the less rocking while standing the better.  lol  

 

I'm 6'1" and about 280lbs.  My brother is 5'8" and around 250.  So yeah, we're big guys - that's my main concern.

 

Are there other places I should be looking for used boats other than Craigslist?

[CybrSlydr]

Just spitballing here - but if we could save up about $5k, would something like this be a good idea?

 

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/1987-hydra---sports-dv175-103355373/?refSource=standard+listing

 

(granted, right now we're looking at maybe $2k as a top, but always good to hear what you folks have to say about other stuff)

[haggard]

7 hours ago, J Francho said:

$1995 for a Hobie Compass including the seat, paddle, and Mirage Drive. 

Yes! Correctly stated... $1995 to $3500 gets you a real nice Hobie

[slonezp]

3 hours ago, CybrSlydr said:

Just spitballing here - but if we could save up about $5k, would something like this be a good idea?

 

https://www.boattrader.com/listing/1987-hydra---sports-dv175-103355373/?refSource=standard+listing

 

(granted, right now we're looking at maybe $2k as a top, but always good to hear what you folks have to say about other stuff)

If the hull and motor check out on a 30 year old boat and you are comfortable with the price, do it. Take note, that boat doesn't have a trolling motor and if I had to guess, no trolling motor batteries. To purchase a 24v motor and batteries new, you're looking at another couple grand

[fishnkamp]

I am going to share with you an article my friend Brian wrote on buying a used bass boat. Now first let me explain a little about my friend Brian. He is one of the best anglers I have ever shared a boat with. He also runs his own website about fishing MD, and VA.  He does equipment reviews and if he reviews it favorably it is because he has purchased the product himself and fished with it for at least 30 hours. He fishes at least 3 or 4 times a week ( at least till he moved recently). So get yourself a nice cold drink and find a comfy chair and do some reading. His article was written from decades of bass boating experience as well as his experience while prepping one used Ranger to sell and chasing his next baby, a 20 foot 1990's Ranger. He prefers that brand so accept that up front, but he has owned other brands and explains what you need to know when considering purchasing an older used fiberglass bass boat. He will accelerate your learning curve by years.  So enjoy the read.

http://www.baybass.com/node/200

 

Please let me know if you have any questions after you are done reading it.

To answer your initial question " if we could save up about $5k, would something like this be a good idea?"

Like others have said, it depends on the condition of the hull and engine.

 

You could call and ask to see something like these.

 

https://dayton.craigslist.org/boa/d/sea-nymph-bass-attacker/6685886351.html

https://limaohio.craigslist.org/boa/d/ft-lowe-bass-boat-with-70hp/6668172619.html

 

If you decide to go with a bigger boat and spend a little more money I think personally you are going to be best off staying in an aluminum hull for your first boat.

[ItsHardwick]

Earlier this spring I decided I needed a boat, but I have a wife and 3 kids so I lack the funds to drop one fiberglass bass boat. I found an older used 14’ aluminum boat, it’s 56” wide that came with a trolling motor but no batteries and no mount. Guy wanted to get rid of it so I got it for $300. With the trailer. 

 

I added seats, $8 a piece at Walmart, plastic deals. $15 each for swivels and another $10 each for the pedestals. I built a casting deck in the front, that cost me about $200. Added a tiller handle trolling motor in the back $250. Built a little box for the batteries in the back and hold a bunch of planos cost maybe another $50. Also painted the whole thing, plus registration another $150? Got a mount for the other trolling motor it came with from my uncle (lucky).

 

But the biggest expense was the batteries and my graph. I have 5 batteries in total lol. That sounds ridiculous. But, paddle yourself back to the ramp one time and you’ll buy an extra for the back motor too. The front trolling motor is 24v so it takes 2 and then another to run all the electronics. I got a humminbird helix 5 side imaging in the back $500 and a smaller garmen 4” deal up front on the casting deck $100. Plus 5 batteries at $75-$100 a piece. 

 

But now I have a pretty darn sweet setup. I’m planning to add a motor of some kind. Hopefully 20-25hp after I save up some money this winter. Because the trolling motor only gets me 3.5 mph on a good day, chop slows me down lol. But I fish on Kentucky lake and I love it. Mostly I stick to the cove our camper is at, there’s a ramp in our campground, but the cove itself is the size of some small lakes. I’ve been on the main lake with it a few times but really if I want to hit a different part of the lake I’ll just drive to another ramp and out in there. I’ve loved it so far, sure beats bank fishing, and I recommend it for anyone just getting started with boats. 

 

Sorry for the long post, but I love my little boat and proud of what I’ve done with it. I’ll have to post pictures sometime. 

[CybrSlydr]

9 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

I am going to share with you an article my friend Brian wrote on buying a used bass boat. Now first let me explain a little about my friend Brian. He is one of the best anglers I have ever shared a boat with. He also runs his own website about fishing MD, and VA.  He does equipment reviews and if he reviews it favorably it is because he has purchased the product himself and fished with it for at least 30 hours. He fishes at least 3 or 4 times a week ( at least till he moved recently). So get yourself a nice cold drink and find a comfy chair and do some reading. His article was written from decades of bass boating experience as well as his experience while prepping one used Ranger to sell and chasing his next baby, a 20 foot 1990's Ranger. He prefers that brand so accept that up front, but he has owned other brands and explains what you need to know when considering purchasing an older used fiberglass bass boat. He will accelerate your learning curve by years.  So enjoy the read.

http://www.baybass.com/node/200

 

Please let me know if you have any questions after you are done reading it.

To answer your initial question " if we could save up about $5k, would something like this be a good idea?"

Like others have said, it depends on the condition of the hull and engine.

 

You could call and ask to see something like these.

 

https://dayton.craigslist.org/boa/d/sea-nymph-bass-attacker/6685886351.html

https://limaohio.craigslist.org/boa/d/ft-lowe-bass-boat-with-70hp/6668172619.html

 

If you decide to go with a bigger boat and spend a little more money I think personally you are going to be best off staying in an aluminum hull for your first boat.

After reading that article, I think something other than an aluminum boat is out of our price range.  The other thing is finding a place to put it - we just don't have the space for a boat on a trailer when I really think about it.  Thank you for the article - it was an incredibly informative read!

 

Maybe we'll just go the kayak route to hold us over until a boat is more affordable.  Kayaks would be easier to store too, could put them in the basement when not in use.

[J Francho]

3 minutes ago, CybrSlydr said:

Maybe we'll just go the kayak route to hold us over until a boat is more affordable.  Kayaks would be easier to store too, could put them in the basement when not in use.

Put that in your Pros and Cons list.

[Catt]

2018 TRACKER GRIZZLY 1448 Jon: Boat Only $3,000

 

55# thrust trolling motor $500

 

Depth finder: $300 or less

 

You'll need to find a trailer & outboard for under $1,200

 

New or used your biggest cost with be the outboard ?

[slonezp]

44 minutes ago, Catt said:

2018 TRACKER GRIZZLY 1448 Jon: Boat Only $3,000

 

55# thrust trolling motor $500

 

Depth finder: $300 or less

 

You'll need to find a trailer & outboard for under $1,200

 

New or used your biggest cost with be the outboard ?

Why buy new. The 14ft Lund pic i posted earlier was $900. I bought a new base model  Helix 5 for under $200  a new transom mount TM and a remanufactured bow mount TM. For another $400. Minus the battery and registration I'm all in for $1500. 

My only advice would be to scan craigslist every day and have cash on hand. The good deals disappear quick.

[Catt]

4 minutes ago, slonezp said:

Why buy new. The 14ft Lund pic i posted earlier was $900. I bought a new base model  Helix 5 for under $200  a new transom mount TM and a remanufactured bow mount TM. For another $400. Minus the battery and registration I'm all in for $1500. 

My only advice would be to scan craigslist every day and have cash on hand. The good deals disappear quick.

 

Didn't say anything about buying new!

 

Budget $5,000

 

If one were to go new that's about what you could get, which would eat your entire budget.

 

Me personally I would take 2,500-3,000, find a 25 hp outboard that 4-5 yrs old & then a boat, trolling motor, depth finder.

[Hook2Jaw]

I own a 1436 Tracker Topper with a nearly brand new Mercury 4-Stroke 9.9hp and a 40# foot control up front. 

 

I also own a Hobie PA14.  I put about the same amount of cash in both boats.

 

I never use the Jon boat and I'm selling it soon.  The kayak is almost always in the back of my truck.

[fishnkamp]

You are welcome for the article. Brian has a way of educating anglers without you feeling like you are being educated LOL.  He is an incredible angler and I have always enjoyed being on a boat with him, mostly mine as he lived in Northern VA and we fished my local waters. Of course my local waters was his home for his entire childhood.

 

Here are some ideas to consider before you jump into your kayaks.  Go make a stop in some of your local tackle shops and see if there is a kayak bass fishing club. Contact them and see if you can learn a little from them as to what their members use, and how they outfit them. There is a TON of postings on this site about kayaking. Also do some internet research and see if you have any bass guides that specialize in kayak fishing.  Watch places like craigslist and finally see if any of the stores that sell them have demo days. Often time they will.  Another idea is to see if you have any rental places, usually they will sell off some of their rental boats in favor of new ones for next year.

As always youtube has more info than you need.

Good luck and good fishing.

 

[Ratherbfishing]

On 9/9/2018 at 10:10 PM, CybrSlydr said:

There's always the Ultraskiff.

 

https://www.ultraskiff.com

ANY boat that looks like a giant can of chewing tobacco is...suspect.  Bet it tracks like an amusement park ride that's gone off its rails.

[BassNJake]

On 9/10/2018 at 12:55 PM, JustJames said:

I can haul a lot of equipment on Jon and my big fat ass 6'5 fishing buddy.

hahahahahhaaaaa.... now that is funny

[J Francho]

23 hours ago, fishnkamp said:

Here is one to go look at

https://zanesville.craigslist.org/boa/d/14ft-flat-bottom-jon/6692928307.html

No title, and no parts available for that Force motor.

[LionHeart]

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ftw/boa/d/17-lowe-hunting-fishing-boat/6683174989.html

 

This would be tempting