Hey guys, the family just bought a little lake house and are soon to be looking for some little boat to motor around on. Eventually the goal would be to get something to carry around 6 people and pull a water skiier, but in the mean time we need something to fish on. We were thinking something along the lines of a Jon boat. Does anyone have any idea where to start looking for these, how much they should cost, anything. I am 100% new to boat ownership. Thanks.

 

EddyG88,

I grew up around boats. Everything from 60 ' Donzi's to 14 Foot Boston Whalers. All I can really say is buy used. Aluminum Tubs are great for fishing. I would think you should be able to pick up a 12" with trailer used, for about $800 to 1,500 depending on the motor and such. As far as the bigger inland lakes boats say 20' to 26' just look at the used markets. Above that gets into some serious $$$$ Sooooo many people buy boats new and then two years later loose interest. I'm getting ready next month to head to NC and pick up a 92 20' Cobalt for $3500.00 It just needs a starter and new canvas. Not a bad price for the boat. Plus it is a single owner.... It helps having friends in other places. Just start looking around. Last year I came across a 26' 1976 Chris Craft with a rebuilt 350. The boat belonged to an older gentlman that had bought it new when his kids were younger and they were all grown. It was cherry !!!! He wanted $1500.00..

Just like anything else. Start looking around and doing some research. There are tons of them out there.

Happy Hunting...

 

try to find yourself a power squadron boating course. You'll learn all the good safety stuff, but you also get many many tips from the die hard boaters giving the course. Worth the time and tiny price tag.

And yes, I second the notion, BUY USED!

also, be prepared, anytime you buy anything that has "marine" in the name or description, the price goes up 40%.

a boat is a hole in the water you throw money into.

 

If you want a boat for skiing putting around the lake and doing some fishing take a look at Lund boats. They have nice stuff.
Remember, cause this is so true in the boating world, you only get what you pay for!! Theres a reason why some boats are much cheaper then other! Trust me. I grew up at my parents marina we have many boat lines + Mercury + Polaris +++. honestly cheap boats are just that ...CHEAP. Boats are not like cars. Boats will easily last 20 30 years if taken care of. Plus boats hold their value for years and years. I've have rigged boats that look great and they were cheap (brand new) and when I rigged these boats with their engines I could see day light through the fibre glass! (where the deck meets the hull).

Here are some makes you may want to look into:
- Lund Boats http://www.lundboats.com/showroom.html
- Larson Boats
- Doral Boats http://www.doralboat.com/en/170mag.asp

Pictured below is a 17 foot Doral

 

I'm partial to Princecraft myself.
http://www.princecraft.com/index.aspx



Avoid Tracker like the plague. I've heard too many nightmare stories, even with their top of the line boats. They care too much about mass production and cost cutting to worry about stupid stuff like quality control and customer service. Smaller companies are the way to go IMHO.

EDIT: also, Pleasure boats drop in value a whole lot quicker than fishing boats do. A lot of people get bored cruising around in circles, and sell their boats at a big loss.

My best advice is, research a ton, figure out exactly what you want, find equivalent models from a couple different good manufacturers, and spend a couple of months shopping the internet. I spent about 2 months doing some die hard shopping (checking newspaper classifieds on websites of every newspaper in the eastern half of my state, boattrader.com, etc.,). I had about 5 different makes/models picked out, and found my favorite one of the group in perfect condition, hardly used, and at a heck of a price. I could easily sell that boat tomorrow and get a good bit more than what I paid for it. I had to drive about an hour and a half to get it, but it was well worth the trip.

 

Inbred I totally agree with you on Tracker Boats! wow what a piece of junk! Princecraft are nice boats.

Things to look for when buying new or used:
Look for any type of syder crack around the transom (the mount for the engine). Look for bubbling in the fibre glass (osmossiss, not sure if that's spelled right) Any type of yellow fading in the gel coat. You find this on cheap fibreglass boats.

Aluminum boats are tough boats and can take being pulled up on the rocks or pulled up in land. Jon boats are not really meant to be family boats. They are a utility boat, not built for comfort. Plus they are a shallow bottom boat (typically flat bottom). Not good in rougher water. And for sure not good for watersking. An adult could easily pull the backend around when skiing. I know I can when on one ski.

But it all comes down to what can you afford?

 

I wanna get me a hole in the water you throw money into. I wanna be able to get to those "hard to reach" area's around the lake and catch some BIGGUNS.

Like inbred once said,

 

You can't go wrong with a 9.9 on a 14 aluminum

 

^^^

Good point.

<EDIT>

I once had a lil 8 foot flat bottom aluminum boat. Stormed one night and it sorda got "misplaced" by the wind, and messed it up pretty bad...I just scrapped it.

 

For fishing small waters, there is nothing as good as the Basshunter UBHII . That is my second one and I paid $650 for it new.

They will carry two people and come with two, padded, swivelling seats. You sit much higher than you would in a jon-boat and your 'back' will thank you for those seats. It is as stable as the floor in your home. I stand in it right in front of the seat when I'm pitchin'/flippin' with no problem in fact, two adults can stand on the upper edge without it tipping.

It is quieter(important when fishing) than any aluminum boat. I use a 30# thrust trolling motor but it can take a 5hp outboard too. It is pre-wired front-to-back and has outdoor 'carpet' on the deck.

My first one lasted 6 years and was still useful. I gave it to a friend for his pond fishing.

Ya wanta see some Bass pics?

Dan

 

That's pretty cool!! Good idea.

Yes, I want to see some Bass pictures

 

Well, Dan, thats a silly question.

Does a horse pee where she pleases?

Of course we do.

 

pic

jig

Fat Free Shad

gut

3 times

swimming jig

I forgot to point out that that BH boat fit's right in the bed of my 1997 F150 XLT---no trailer needed and I put it in and out of the water by myself.

Dan

 

LIGHTNINROD wow nice fish. Do you have many of those fishing holes around you?? That's what I love about warm bodies of water they grow huge fish. Up here a 5 pound bass is considered huge!!

What's the biggest one you caught yet??

 

Thats it!

I'm moving to Warner Robins, Ga. I need to find a good hole like that around here. It seems like everything is all fished out. Not too many people around here catch and release. I've seen people leave the lake with a 2 lbs BASS on the stringer....sad in my book.