Small fishing boat

[bassman018]

WOW, Thats a sweet little rig! @KU How did you get it out of the bed of the truck and into the water with one person?

[zerofivenismo]

Sweet looking setups KU_Bassmaster. and Madd Lunacy. 

[zerofivenismo]

It seems like you need a 12-14+ footer to be stable.

Bassman018: The width of the bottom plays more of a role with stability of a jon more so than the length of the boat. 

[bassman018]

Oh, Allot of people seem to think a longer one is better and more stable, I do think you are right though.

[Ken668]

I think typically, the longer the boat, the wider the width.  So they kind of go hand-in-hand.  That's probably what most people refer to. 

As zerfivenismo said, the width is ultimately what makes the boat stable.  I've yet to see a boat "roll" length wise.  That's not to say you can't submerge an end though.  From the reading I've been doing, even a couple more inches in width can make a huge difference in the stability of the boat.

[skunked_again]

Sorry I don't have a picture of the inside. I may make the maiden voyage of the year this weekend and I can snap a picture of the set up.

Pictured below are both the Jon boat (which I have gotten rid of) and my Bass Buster type boat I have had for 15 years now.

I bought the jon boat as a project a few years ago to see if I would like it. It was wayyyy too tippy with the decks I installed. I eventually cut them down and just used them as floor boards. It was better, but it was still something you had to watch yourself with. Yeah you had a little more room to move around in, but the loss of stability just wasn't worth it to me.

After only a couple trips I sold the jon and went back to "old faithful". I have had it for 15 years and it just as of a couple of years ago started leaking. But not through the seam. Rain water leaks in where the handles are. I can turn it over before a trip and it drains in 10 to 15 minutes. I have made a mod just this winter and drilled a hole on the back corners. Now it drains in less than a minute. I will plug those up with boat plugs while on the water.

It's not the most comfortable of boats with 2 people (I have to 10 ft model), but its doable. I feel comfortable taking 6 rods with me. I have an Eagle FishMark 320 that I secure with velcro so it's easily removable, but also somewhat secure. I launch it by myself 80% of the time I go fishing. I have only had the trailer around 5 years. Before that it was tossed in and out of the back of a truck. It has always been kept outside in the elements. I guess what I am getting at there is the durability factor that people seem to have issues with. By boat has taken a beating it was leak proof for 13+ years, but like I said before not in the place most will think.

the bottom pic looks like lonestar.

[Red]

I have an 8' Bass Raider with 30lb MK.  I love this thing.  I use the deck straps like one person posted, they work great.  I also cut a 3/4 inch piece of plywood to fit the floor so it is not so "spongy".  This seriously increases the ease of standing up and fishing.  I also made an extension handle for the motor so I don't have to bend down to steer.  This with a Big Foot floor switch and my fishing day is great.  The one thing about this set up is that the wind is your evil enemy!!  The boat can handle fairly rough water, but keeping it in place to fish in high winds is a lost cause.  It is a bit crowded with two people but it is doable, I am going in the morning with a buddy actually, but 95% of the time I am alone.  Other than this I love it.  I named mine "The Bass Tub" with some help from BR members.

Cliff

P.S. I have the largest marine battery Walmart carries and I can run the motor and depth finder all day and hardly put a dent in the battery.

[Madd Lunacy]

Sweet looking setups KU_Bassmaster. and Madd Lunacy.

Thanks!

[aceman387]

I have a couple 8ft pond prowlers and love them.like red said the wind can be tough so this past winter i switched the top of the trolling motor around so that i can sit in the front of the boat and have the handle face me and steer instead of sitting in the back .I haven't got a chance to try this new set up but i researched this idea on line and  by sitting up front i should have better control in the wind .If i have vast improvement i will let you guys know.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

@KU How did you get it out of the bed of the truck and into the water with one person?

Not gonna lie it was a pain compared to what I have to do with the trailer.

First you had to unload just about all your gear.  The just lift the nose of the boat onto to tailgate or as far up as you could get.  Then walk around to the back and push it in.  With the trailer I can loan and unload it with all my gear in it.

[KU_Bassmaster.]

the bottom pic looks like lonestar.

I don't know what you are talking about?

Never heard of it. ;D ;D

[pda1122]

I dont mean to hijack this thread, but, do you guys with trolling motors use an "amp circuit breaker"?  I've been using my MK 30# for a few years now and noticed the positive wire gets extremely hot and has melted some of the plastic sleeve.

[bassman018]

Alright guys, I think that a pond boat may not keep me happy in the long term scheme of things, I found this, And It's quite a bargain, Watcha think? Here it is:http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/boa/1665048991.html  It's small enough my dad can haul it with his escape, Instead of our beat up pickup. And It's manageable enough to be hauled by me when I drive.

[webroger]

check out carolina electric boats They have a good site on the internet

[Adam Harbuck]

Have you thought about a kayak?