Thinking about buying a new jon boat what to do

[s13john]

so im looking at this one

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/specs.cfm?boat=3304

want something around this, mostly gunna go on small lakes and the james river. mostly want something that i have a less chance of falling out of. but I am new to this boat buying stuff. so maby you guys know what might be a better boat or some deal going on. lemme know

-john

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

I had a 14'42" jon and it was plenty stable for me and a friend or two, that 16'48" no worries

Just tossing this out to you around my area N IL a 16'jon 10hp, at times a trolling motor to, and trailer can be had for $700-800 or so used. I bought my 14'/5hp/trlr for $500 sold it for $450 5 years later.

$2500 could by a pretty nice used small lake/river fishing B/M/T.

[birdman78]

That looks like a heck of a jon boat.  I've fished out of a 16 ft 48or more before. and the 9.9/15 hp the guy had on it could plane it out.  It was a very nice boat to fish from.

[Grey Wolf]

That should do the job for you.

[KYHUNTER]

I had a 1448 Grizzly little brother to what you are showing and it was a great stable boat with a 25hp on it.  Fishing while standing and or moving around in it not a prblem.  Took my youngster with me and you know they can't sit still.  Liked it so much I moved up to the 1754 Grizzly just for more room.

[Bluebasser86]

That boat is a lot like the Lowe Roughneck 16' boat I fish out of everywhere. I've had it on tons of lakes and rivers in Kansas and Lake of the Ozarks, Pomme de Terre, and Table Rock in Missouri and never had a problem. I've got a 60hp Merc 4 stroke on the back of it and it gets into the low 30's on plane. Very nice set up that you can use to do lots of kinds of fishing (and hunting, bowfishing, whatever) out of without worrying about keeping it looking real nice.

[South FLA]

Nice heavy stable boat, as long as you trailer it and don't plan on carrying it like the riveted hull jon boats you should be fine.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Looks like it should be a heck of a jon.  Trackers have developed a bad reputation over the years, so you may want to either search around for info on that model, or do a little shopping for something else in the same price range.  One thing you will need for a welded jon, especially that size is a trailer.  The one in the link you posted is priced for the boat only.  Be prepared to spend a few more bucks on that.

[Chris at Tech]

That'll do the job.  Personally, I'm a fan of the G3 boats

But either hull would give you plenty of opportunity to install decking, etc.

[s13john]

hey thanks guys it will definatly be trailered. but i like that it has a pretty sizable casting deck and i can do my own thing with it insted of getting a used bass tracker or something similar. i have a 14-36 alumacraft now and it just feels really tight, especially when you get a buddy in the boat with you swinging a swimbait past your head.   

[Catt]

Excellent length/bottom, like that it has a deck, trolling motor bracket & flooring

I would add a 25-40 hp with jack plate, 2 more seat bases on the rear seat for a driver & passenger, and then built a back deck from aluminum.

[Goldstar225]

I fished out of one of the a few years back.  Compared to the 14' jon boat I had been using it felt very stable.  With just me and my gear it ran 28 MPH with a 25 horse (by GPS). 

[Aluma-Bass]

i have the 1448 grizzly and LOVE it!!! I fish all same bodies of water you do with out a problem!!! And with Tracker there is no way around that additional freight charge...even if they have one on display. >

Only thing i dont like about it is the paint job on the grizzlies dont seem to hold up all that well.

Over all its a nice hull, cuts through water nicely, thicker aluminum then most jons so its a tough boat! No rivets, ALL weld! Gotta love the aluminum floor with out the ribs and no center seat for more room,casting deck, trolling motor mount already on it, storage area!! You will love it!  8-)

[s13john]

yah gunna go get a quote on Friday and and go to the fishing show. hopefully i can sell the boat i have now+tax return and come out smelling clean.

[Wayne P.]

The way the Grizzly boats are shaped with the narrow front and wide back, if you don't put a lot of weight on the back end, that end will be a kite when you are on the bow.

A friend of mine has the 1448 short transom and even when he uses a 9.9 with it and fishing alone, the bottom of the transom is barely submerged when he is on the bow. When he is fishing electric only waters alone, his transom is about at the water level with his TM battery at the back. He weighs about 180#.

When I am fishing with him and on the back, I am higher than he is above the water. I weigh 170#.