Andrew's Adventures

WANTED:: 14 foot jon boat

Wed, August 31, 2011

It’s no secret that I’ve been looking for a 14 to 15 ft. jon boat to better comfortably fish rivers and difficult to access places. With the fall months coming around, I’d like to make my purchase by November and use the winter months to ready the rig and get it all set for the 2012 season.

The boat I currently use is a 12 foot utility-V. It is extremely uncomfortable to fish and float from for all day use. It’s time for an upgrade.

I’ve been actively searching all over Craigslist and eBay in the Wisconsin and Illinois markets but all I’ve found is junk. Junk that is overpriced, and junk in the form of sheet metal on a dilapidated trailer that deserves to be in a junkyard. Even worse is that I’ve sent out a few inquiries to sellers stating that I could immediately come pick up just the boat only with my trailer, but unfortunately everyone wants to sell a complete package with a rusted trailer and an oil-smoking 2-stroke outboard that barely works. Does junk like this really deserve the $1,000+ price tag?

Let’s get serious.

I’m trying to stay away from boat dealerships because their pricing is unkind. I’m also trying to stay away from the hustlers I’ve come across the Craigslists and eBays. However, I’ve let a few contacts at dealerships know that I am in the market for a bare bones boat. It can be in used condition, and it can even be a discard placed on recall.

An extra set of eyes always helps. With this posting, I’d also like your assistance as well. . . . . .

Here is what I am looking to do:

I am looking for a bare and featureless jon (flat bottom) boat. Since I already have the trailer, the outboard, trolling motor, seats and electronics, all I need is the boat so that I can build my modifications.

I want to fish comfortably on the waters less traveled, less fished, and less floated. I want something lightweight that can be easily towed or wheeled through the woods, dragged across shallow rock riffles, and pushed down the lakeside and into the drink.

I’m very handy when it comes to fixing and working with boats and marine equipment. The only thing I’ve never done is replace floor boards or add deck extensions but based on research it looks easy. Based on the fact that it was such a joy to refurbish my glass Lund to as good as new back in fall 2007/winter 2008, I’d love to have a new project on my hands.

I’d love to make modifications to a boat so that it best fits my style of fishing. There’s no better way to get the satisfaction and the joys of owning a boat.

And most important of all, I am looking to ideally spend not more than $500 on getting the boat. Anywhere in the range of $300-400 would be best. Difficult to do for something decent, but I know it’s possible.

This is what the boat needs to require:

• Length———————————-14ft. to 15ft.

• Bottom Width———————- 40” to 48”

• Maximum Horsepower—- 20 hp

• Approximate Weight———200-250 lbs. The lighter, the better.

• Capacity——————————- Enough room & stability for 2 people.

• Hull Type——————————Flatbottom

This is my model of the perfect river boat for me:

Besides a bow-mount trolling motor, which is optional for me to have, I already have a 6 horsepower Evinrude, the trailer which is only a few years old, a brand new 45lb. MinnKota Traxxis that would be mounted on the rear, and I have the fish locators.

I modeled my ideal design off the Alumacraft 1448. However, another good fit would be the Alumacraft 1442 NCS, a slimmed down version. Anything similar and I feel that I can do anything with creating my rig.

Ultimately this boat would need to be as light as possible for easy launching on rough terrain and over difficult access. Hence why I may need to limit myself to just one trolling motor and the smallest outboard I can get away with. Realistically though, I don’t need anything more than the 6 horse I’ve got because the only times we actually use it is when motoring back upstream to the access site. Plus the rivers I float are really small but still navigable by smaller boat. Maximum power is good, but not needed at this time.

Even if I cannot get something similar to the concept of the Alumacrafts, then something basic like the style below is all I need. There’s a lot I’d be able to do with something like this.

I’d appreciate it if you guys could help me find a boat during the next few months. Remember, the budget is $300-400, but not more than $500. Just the bare boat only. E-mail me your referrals and findings and we’ll get down to business. I’m beginning to get antsy as something needs to happen.

Thanks.

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