Low End Boat???

[Btech]

Was wondering if it was possible to find a decent boat to fish lake norman and wiley arround north carolina for under a Grand. I know thats not much for a boat and im constantly checking Craigslist (Spoted a few OLD OLD OLD .... boats if u can call it that) but was wondering how much an averange jon boat could be built for or am i stuck with an inflatable ....

[Fishing Rhino]

Here's a site to give you a start.

http://www.trackerboats.com/segment/jon-utility-boats.cfm

While I'm not a fan of riveted jon boats (I'd prefer the welded), I had one years ago from Sears. The problem is, that after pounding around, and on Lake Norman, that's quite possible, the rivets will loosen up.

But, if you treat her appropriately by fishing calm waters, which means the sheltered shores and coves on windy days, it will take years for that to happen.

I used to take my jon onto Cape Cod Bay, and beat it around chasing Stripers and Bluefish. I know, not too bright, but it was all I could afford back in the late 1960s.

Keep in mind, riveted jon boats, while not being as sturdy as their welded kin, do have the benefit of being lighter and easier to handle, on the beach and on the water.

The price of a riveted Tracker, will also allow you to get a new electric trolling motor and battery for the budget you quoted.

Granted, it won't be the most powerful, but you don't really need that on a jon, and the entire unit will be new and guaranteed.

In addition, being new means that you should get a few years of trouble free use out of both.

I've been by Lake Norman several times on trips to the South. I'm guessing there are several public access ramps available, based on its size. If that is the case, you should always be able to find a ramp on or near a sheltered area.

Start by using it as is, then modify it as budgetary considerations allow. The prime consideration is that you'll have something to get you where the fish are, or at least where you think they might be.

[FD.]

As a kid I ran all over lake norman in a 10 ft monarch with a 3 hp chief.  Find a good used jon with 10 hp and you are all set.

[fastcasterjo]

I live in huntersville and i got my boat off craigslist for a 1000 bucks. came with 25 hp and its 16 ft. but I see lots of boats with a 10 hp and around 14 ft for 800 dollars all the time. If I were you though I would ask around. alot of times neighbors have boats and are willing to sell for like 6 to 7 hundred bucks. they just dont want the hassle of selling a boat. so ask around. I got mine from just down my road.

[fastcasterjo]

theres a 14 footer with a 25 johnson on charlotte craigslist to day for 750 looks like a pretty good deal

[simplejoe]

I might be buying a 18' bass boat with a 120 hp motor for 1500 bucks. What I did when I was driving to work or wherever I'd be looking in people's back yards for a boat that looks like it's been sitting for while then I would stop and ask them if they were selling that boat sometimes they say no but other times they would say yes get it out of my yard. The one I found The motor was all redone 2 years ago and runs great, but it needs some new plywood, carpet, and some other things done to it but I have a couple months. If I wanted to I could use it the way it is but, I rather put some money into it now while it's winter.

[Btech]

Wow thats a bargin Simplejoe... but dont you ever get run off their property ??  

[done]

In Kannapolis/Concord there is a Tracker dealer that is selling Jons pretty cheap. They are not the best jons around but I got 1436 from them and i tool around Wiley all the time with it.

Iheard through the grapevine they were going out of business and having a firesale so it might be worth checking out.

[daviscw]

In Kannapolis/Concord there is a Tracker dealer that is selling Jons pretty cheap. They are not the best jons around but I got 1436 from them and i tool around Wiley all the time with it.

Iheard through the grapevine they were going out of business and having a firesale so it might be worth checking out.

Are you talking about the place at Bass Pro or another? I was at Bass Pro yesterday looking at jons.

[done]

Nahh I think it is called Mid-State Marine. They had the same price on Jons, saved a fortune on my 8 hp motor, and their trailers were really inexpensive.

I had looked at BP but everytime i went there they were out of Jons.

One other thing on cheap boats man, look at the Charlotte observer, or Gaston Gazette. I can't tell you how many I see sitting out in front yards with for sale signs on them. Drive down New Hope from 321 to SC and you will see a dozen or so. There are a lot of folks in over their heads right now on the payments for them. I have been seriously temped to pick one up and sell my jon.

[simplejoe]

Wow thats a bargin Simplejoe... but dont you ever get run off their property ??

no, I don't go walking around someone's property and wouldn't suggest it. I go knock on their door and politely ask them if they are selling it sometimes they say no and get angry but there are other times they say yes. Some guys not even selling the boats are nice and some tell me stories about some of there adventures in that boat, or when they caught that -ONE- big fish.

I learned there's alot of nice people still out there. Who knows you might even make a new fishing buddy

[daviscw]

Nahh I think it is called Mid-State Marine. They had the same price on Jons, saved a fortune on my 8 hp motor, and their trailers were really inexpensive.

I had looked at BP but everytime i went there they were out of Jons.

One other thing on cheap boats man, look at the Charlotte observer, or Gaston Gazette. I can't tell you how many I see sitting out in front yards with for sale signs on them. Drive down New Hope from 321 to SC and you will see a dozen or so. There are a lot of folks in over their heads right now on the payments for them. I have been seriously temped to pick one up and sell my jon.

They had plenty when I was there. It is close to winter though... I didn't like how the trailors ran $925 though. If you know of any better options let me know. Let me know when you want to sell yours.  

[done]

try mid state. Their trailers were way cheaper.

[Btech]

Sorry daviscw I got first dibs on Mstarr boat!

Going to try midstate this weekend hopfully illl have a boat behind my truck when i leave.

[daviscw]

Sorry daviscw I got first dibs on Mstarr boat!

Going to try midstate this weekend hopfully illl have a boat behind my truck when i leave.

Good luck! That means you'll have to take me fishin!

[done]

We are gonna have to try a NC/Piedmont outing sometime guys. If I can ever get work to actually let me spend some time home.

[Btech]

2 Days to go .... 4034223552324 X10 Seconds and counting....

Daviscw pm me we should go out on a weekend! Im off Sat @ 2pm Sunday and Mondays so hit me up when you can.

[Btech]

Same with you MStarr we need your boat!  Or we can rent one on Wiley my buddy works at a boatrental 65 full day

[done]

If we all go, we will have to rent. I can get 2 adults (counting myself) on mine before I max it out. I am definitely game for a trip though.

Did any of you get a chance to hit Mid-State Marine?

[Btech]

I hope to hit midstate this weekend (Coulding durring holliday rush) but will let you know how it goes probably Sat afternoon