drmnbig Posted January 22, 2009 Posted January 22, 2009 I can't figure out what I should do about getting a jon boat. I wish I could afford another bass boat right now but I can't. I am lucky enough that my father in law gave me his jon boat to use since he hadn't used it but once in about 3-4 years. I used it several times this past year but I'm a little spooked by it. It's a 12' Coleman plastic jon boat. It's a good little boat other than the wind blows it around so bad. My problem is that I'm a pretty good sized guy and don't feel real safe in it. I'm 6'5" and 325lbs. This makes the sides of the boat get within a couple of inches of the top depending on if I sit in the front seat or back. I always wear a life jacket while on it but it still doesn't make me feel much better considering I can't swim very well. I'm thinking about picking up a 14' jon from Bass pro but I want to make sure I won't have the same issues with it. Do you think it'll be a little more stable than what I have now? The only thing I fish out of the jon I have now is ponds but I have quite a few 100-300 acre lakes within an hours drive of me that I'd love to get back on but I'm afraid if the wind kicks up I could get swamped in the Coleman. Thoughts? BTW, I'd have loved to have video of my dad getting on the Coleman with me last year. He's about 200lbs and I swear we looked like we were floating around in a cooler. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted January 22, 2009 Super User Posted January 22, 2009 if you get a 14ft, get the 48 in bottom should be a lot more stable for you. Quote
drmnbig Posted January 22, 2009 Author Posted January 22, 2009 I'm thinking so too. I really love to fish with my dad but I know he's terrible about trusting that the boat won't tip over and I want to get out with him some this year. Quote
TopDog Posted January 22, 2009 Posted January 22, 2009 I agree with the above, a 48 inch bottom will be perfect. Quote
drmnbig Posted January 22, 2009 Author Posted January 22, 2009 How much would a 14' jon with a 48" bottom weigh? The reason I'm asking is that I just use my landscape trailer to haul the jon I have now and it works perfect. I'd hate to have to buy a trailer for it when I have one. As soon as I typed this I though what the heck, I can just put a small winch on the front of the trailer. Quote
Super User Grey Wolf Posted January 22, 2009 Super User Posted January 22, 2009 How much would a 14' jon with a 48" bottom weigh? The reason I'm asking is that I just use my landscape trailer to haul the jon I have now and it works perfect. I'd hate to have to buy a trailer for it when I have one. As soon as I typed this I though what the heck, I can just put a small winch on the front of the trailer. My Lowes 1448 weighs 240 lbs. Quote
drmnbig Posted January 22, 2009 Author Posted January 22, 2009 That's not too bad. The trailer I have is low enough that you can back it down until the bottom of the trailer is about 4" off the water without getting the lights in the water or the tires. Looks like I'll be trying to find one now. Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 22, 2009 Super User Posted January 22, 2009 drmnbig, check Ace Hardware in Stuarts Draft. They may have a jon boat to suit your needs without having to go to the Richmond BPS. Quote
surfer Posted January 22, 2009 Posted January 22, 2009 thought shall not overlook craigs list. http://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/1003027223.html http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/va Quote
Super User Wayne P. Posted January 23, 2009 Super User Posted January 23, 2009 drmnbig, I sent you an e-mail. Quote
drmnbig Posted January 23, 2009 Author Posted January 23, 2009 Wayne, I just go the email and responded. Thanks again for the info! Here's a snippet to the email to Wayne. Another option I have is that I also have my father in laws Quantum fish and ski sitting in my driveway. He has seldom used it and it has basically sat in his driveway for 3 years. This has caused it to have several electrical problems. I found this out the hard way on Lake Anna last year. It runs fine but loses spark sometimes when trying to start it. The tm also has issues with the breakers tripping. (24v) Any ideas on what could be causing it to not start? Edit: It's a 120hp Force Any ideas on why the breakers on the tm keep tripping also? Also, when the tm is in 24 I can only run it about 30 seconds and the breaker will trip. After a few seconds I can reset it and I'm off again. If I just switch the tm back to 12v about every 20 seconds, like it's cooling off the breakers, then it works okay. Even in 12v mode it'll start stuttering if I run it for 3-5 minutes straight. These are things that make me insanely mad when I'm out fishing and have to deal with it constantly. I'm gonna go ahead and stick it in the shop and hope they don't stick it to me. Any ideas on what this may cost me? Quote
drmnbig Posted January 23, 2009 Author Posted January 23, 2009 thought shall not overlook craigs list. http://richmond.craigslist.org/boa/1003027223.html http://geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/va Believe me....I check craigslist every day! I'm hooked on just looking at boats! It's not the bait monkey but his close cousin the boat monkey! Quote
ImaRapalabeliever Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 I have a 14'36" jon boat and I go about 290lbs, I have a 20HP Merc and a 30 thrust TM, both in the back, I have never had any problems with mine and because my TM is in the back (for now) I walk all over the boat and it holds me pretty good. My dad was in town over the holidays and he is about the same weight and we didn't have any problems either, I bought the whole set up from craigs list for $1200. Quote
surfer Posted January 23, 2009 Posted January 23, 2009 Believe me....I check craigslist every day! I'm hooked on just looking at boats! It's not the bait monkey but his close cousin the boat monkey! I like craigslist so much I check it even though I have a boat. Quote
bassmedic46 Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 I have a jon boat 14' with the 48" bottom and I'm 230 and have had no problems. Quote
BassinMichigan Posted January 27, 2009 Posted January 27, 2009 Believe me....I check craigslist every day! I'm hooked on just looking at boats! It's not the bait monkey but his close cousin the boat monkey! I like craigslist so much I check it even though I have a boat. I have two boats, both from craigslist. I need to start avoiding that site. Quote
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