Flat bottom or Mod-V jon boat ?

[Jim McC]

I'm looking for a 1448 jon boat. Is there much difference in the ride of the 2 ? Is the Mod-V just as stable when walking around, standing, etc. ? I fish mostly smaller lakes, 300 acres or less. 

 

If I wind up buying a new one, what are some good budget brands to look at ? Lowe, Alumacraft ?

 

Thanks. 

 

 

[Team9nine]

Personally, I don’t think there is much difference between the two. That said, I’d go with the Mod-V if given the choice just because it might help a little, but won’t hurt at all. Stability should be the same with both as the V is really just a more pointed nose than anything. I ran a Lowe 1648 Mod-V I customized for nearly 8 years and never had an issue with it as long as you use common sense on the waters and weather you fish in. Lowe is very popular around my parts, and pretty affordable, so you might start there if you have a local dealer.

[Jim McC]

Thanks. At the very least I want to put in a flat floor and a casting deck in front. Is the Mod. V a lot harder to customize, especially adding the floor ?

[Team9nine]

I don't think so. A little trickier maybe on the front deck because of the slight V, but the rest was pretty straight forward, and I'm no handyman 

 

Here's mine:

 

[Jim McC]

Very nice. What model is that ? I think I'd like to get the 20" transom also.  

[Catt]

Depending on manufacturer mod-v hulls can have any where from 6° to 12° deadrise at the transom. They cut through larger waves, holds better in corners, & provides a smoother overall ride.

 

I'm currently running a Alweld 1652VJT

Hull: Mod-V 2 1/2" Proformance Tunnel

 

[Jim McC]

Thanks. I reserve the right to bother you again later ! ?

[Team9nine]

3 hours ago, Jim McC said:

Very nice. What model is that ? I think I'd like to get the 20" transom also.  

Lowe 1648M jon - pretty sure it had a 15” transom. Not sure if they make it with a 20” transom

[RoLo]

 

FLAT BOTTOM = Stability at Rest   <|>   V-HULL = Stability Underway (that's all she wrote)

 

A jon boat in the Atlantic Ocean, wouldn't last 30 minutes in a sharp chop.

In a 14-ft Modified-V Starcraft, I ran up and down the oceanfront,

and motored offshore until the Coast Guard ordered me to motor inshore. 

 

My vote is Alumacraft

(Drove from Florida to Kansas last year, to pick up a Yamaha-powered Alumacraft)

 

Roger

[Jim McC]

Thanks guys

[GreenPig]

My Lowe 1448 isn't a ride for girly men in 1' to 3' waves but she's very stable while fishing. The square bow makes launching and loading much easier, trailer to boat/boat to trailer. 

[Jim McC]

Used jon boats don't come up for sale very often in my area. At least not the type I'm looking for. 

[garroyo130]

On 8/4/2020 at 1:22 PM, Jim McC said:

Used jon boats don't come up for sale very often in my area. At least not the type I'm looking for. 

Same here ... i reached out to Duroboat and after a conversation they told me I may be better off purchasing a used jon boat as it would be much cheaper ... sadly not many are for sale and the ones that are are outrageously priced or dont have a title

[J Francho]

On 8/3/2020 at 7:02 PM, Catt said:

Depending on manufacturer mod-v hulls can have any where from 6° to 12° deadrise at the transom. They cut through larger waves, holds better in corners, & provides a smoother overall ride.

 

I'm currently running a Alweld 1652VJT

Hull: Mod-V 2 1/2" Proformance Tunnel

 

Catt's boat turns my screws.  Love it every time he puts up a pic of it!

[Catt]

43 minutes ago, J Francho said:

Catt's boat turns my screws.  Love it every time he puts up a pic of it!

 

I'm looking at moving to Xpress's Hyper-Lift® DB Hull

 

16' length, 63" bottom, 75" beam 

 

 

[Jim McC]

On 8/3/2020 at 8:48 PM, RoLo said:

 

FLAT BOTTOM = Stability at Rest <> V-HULL = Stability Underway.

 

My vote is Alumacraft

(Drove to Kansas last year, to pick up a Yamaha-powered Alumacraft, and luv'n it).

 

Roger

Wow ! Was that to buy a new one or a used one ? 

[J Francho]

15 hours ago, Catt said:

 

I'm looking at moving to Xpress's Hyper-Lift® DB Hull

 

16' length, 63" bottom, 75" beam 

 

 

I wish I still had my 18' Hyperlift.  That boat was laid out well, and had fish mojo.

[Jim McC]

It seems like the Mod-V is more versatile because it works well in calm water and small waves, whereas the flat bottom only works well in flat water. Correct ? 

[RoLo]

On 8/6/2020 at 2:52 AM, Jim McC said:

Wow ! Was that to buy a new one or a used one ? 

 

Sorry, I just noticed your post.  Yes, it was a new boat, left over.

I traded down from a fiberglass Triton to an Alumacraft Classic with Yamaha power.

Covid-permitting, she'll be on Lake Ontario in the near future.  

 

Roger

[haggard]

Tracker Grizzly 1448 mod V, all welded aluminum, already has flat floors, casting deck, pedestal seat mounts. I loved mine. It was sluggish with the old 15 hp 2-stroke; I'd recommend the max hp (25). Modifying was pretty easy. It comes with channels on each side running the length of the boat. I put carriage bolts in them, attaching to L-angle aluminum brackets, on which I mounted everything - rod holders, cup holders, even supports for a bimini top.

 

 

 

[J Francho]

Let’s see some pics!

[haggard]

4 hours ago, J Francho said:

Let’s see some pics!

She wasn't very photgenic, but fun and functional.

 

Bringing her home:

 

Added cable & drum steering system from the old boat.

 

The built-in channels allowed for adjustable brackets which made it easy to re-tension the steering springs/pulleys. Here you can also see the accessory rails (again adjustable, sliding back/forth along the channels), with fish finder, throttle & gear control, and rod hangers mounted. The nav light at the bow is a large articulating Spro BBZ mackerel lure with eyes replaced with red and green lights, but he had to go to make room for the trolling motor. Built a side console and installed a seat on the floor, with short pedestal. 

 

Under console:

 

Rails detail:

 

Also added bimini top. The seats were used from the old boat. And a trolling motor. the main motor was a 1975 or 76 evinrude 15hp 2-stroke which ran really strong, but much better on the original boat - the Tracker was heavier and the 15 just wasn't enough, but it worked.

[Jim McC]

19 hours ago, Jim McC said:

It seems like the Mod-V is more versatile because it works well in calm water and small waves, whereas the flat bottom only works well in flat water. Correct ? 

Anyone ?

[Team9nine]

1 hour ago, Jim McC said:

Anyone ?

If talking regular old jon boats, I’d agree, though the minute the wind picks up to 10 mph and the lake even thinks about starting to whitecap, it won’t matter much.

[Jim McC]

Thanks. For us old farts, is the Mod-V just as stable in calm water, when standing and walking around ? Does it depend on the pitch of the bow ?