Boat buying. Help needed.

[rtwvumtneer6]

I've got the okay from my better half to buy a boat, but have no idea where to start.  Forgive my ignorance.

 

I'm hoping to stay at or below 1000# total weight.  That would really open up my budget if I didn't have to buy another vehicle to tow.  Looking for something to run shallow water on small lakes, 500 acres +/-.  I fish a club that is limited to trolling motors only.  Casting deck and livewell would be ideal.  Haven't set a budget, yet.  More research to be done before that happens. 

 

Any suggestions or recommendations are appreciated.  Really just looking for where to start.  Looked at manufactures websites, Craigslist, auctions, etc and it's a bit overwhelming so I thought I'd ask the folks who know best!

 

Thanks!

RT

 

 

[Jig Man]

Id start researching jon bats if I wanted to stay under 1000#.  Battery, trolling motor, trailer will eat up most of your weight limit.

[Bird]

Yeah, you want to stay within your vehicles tow limits, payload being a major factor. 

You need to determine your vehicles towing capacity, payload and staying within its capabilities before you jump in.

 

What is your TV ?

[rtwvumtneer6]

1000# tow (1,500 with trailer brakes) and 150# tongue weight are manufacturers suggestion.  

[imbatman]

Alumicraft makes a 16' Jon boat with a livewell and trailer that is right @ 4k$ .  It is very basic but it would be easy to build a little padded casting deck and mount a foot controlled trolling motor up front.  You could add one on the back for more speed or get a little 9.9 that is easy on and off.  It is exposed ribs in the bottom which makes adding a simple floor very easy. 

 

You should come in under 1000#s pretty easy.  Boat and trailer might go 750 lbs which leaves plenty of room for batteries and a trolling motor or two.  Even the Yamaha 9.9 is under 100#s.

 

We have some guy here with some serious john boats.  I was launching one morn when they were going our and one guy had three trolling motors across the back and another up front.  That little thing was getting it done!!!

[rtwvumtneer6]

17 hours ago, imbatman said:

three trolling motors across the back and another up front.

 Did they get it on plane?!? Haha.

 

And thanks for the suggestion!

[WRB]

Lots of panic selling going on right now shouldn't have much trouble finding a great deal.

What vehicle has 1,500 lb towing limit?

Tom

[rtwvumtneer6]

2 hours ago, WRB said:

Lots of panic selling going on right now shouldn't have much trouble finding a great deal.

What vehicle has 1,500 lb towing limit?

Tom

Forester 

[WRB]

Subaru Forester, looked it up and 1,500 lbs is correct. I would say this vehicle isn't appropriate for towing, bike rack or kayak OK.

 Light weight small wheel boat trailer with14'-16' aluminum boat is a possibility.

Tom

 

[rtwvumtneer6]

5 minutes ago, WRB said:

Subaru Forester, looked it up and 1,500 lbs is correct. I would say this vehicle isn't appropriate for towing, bike rack or kayak OK.

 Light weight small wheel boat trailer with14'-16' aluminum boat is a possibility.

Tom

 

Yes, not looking at setting any speed records or tear my vehicle up.  The club I fish is limited to trolling motors, and otherwise I'm just wanting a vessel that will get me off the bank and have room to accommodate a buddy.  A Jon boat with a casting deck, front and rear trolling motor and livewell is all I really need.  But, what I'm finding is I may have to buy the basic Jon boat and do the mods myself.  Still looking...

[WRB]

You could find a Tracker type bass boat with small wheel trailer that comes close to your 1,500 lb towing limitation with all the decking , livewell etc already done. If you don't need a outboard engine you save some weight but add it back in batteries for 2 trolling motors.

Look at the gross weight including the trailer. Factor in the fact you need to be able to luanch and recover the boat onto the trailer....wet with all your gear.

I am not a fan of converting cheap Jon boats to bass boats when they are already available commercially.

Tom 

[rtwvumtneer6]

@WRB I do like the 160 Pro, but then I would also be looking at a vehicle upgrade. 

 

They have a 16' Grizzly, but it looks like the model with the trailer and livewell also comes with an outboard.

 

Are there any makes/models in particular that come to mind that you suggest I look at?

 

Thanks !!

[Elkins45]

A Lowe 1648 Jon boat https://www.loweboats.com/jon-boats/l1648m-jon/ weighs 275# dry. Add 400# for a 10HP outboard, trolling motor and battery, gear and misc. Put it on this 160# trailer from Academy https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/mcclain-14-17-single-axle-aluminum-jon-boat-trailer#repChildCatid=161404 and you are comfortably under your limit and even have enough extra weight capacity to build a casting deck.

[gim]

Just because your vehicle's towing capacity is 1500 pounds, doesn't mean you should approach that.  Personally I would stay below 75% of the max capacity.