lol.. I live in Southeast Texas, and I'm looking into buying a small 12-14" Jon Boat for fishing the rivers and bayous around here.. I've been fishing here and there, a friend from work has taken me out on his 16" 25hp aluminum boat before and we've loaded up to 4 people on that little boat just fine.

My question is, how big of an engine would I need for a 12" aluminum Jon Boat? I would figure a 15hp would be plenty for 2 people right? What exactly all is there to consider when buying a small boat like this for the river? What else do I need to buy?

Price doesn't seem like it would be too much of an issue, and I would prefer to buy new.. so after all is said and done, how much am I looking to spend? I checked out my local Academy, and they are selling 14" Jon Boats for $500, and 15hp Mercury for $2000.. I figure I'm gonna need a small trailer, gonna need fuel hookups, a battery and etc.. What about registration and tags to make it legal for towing.. how much would it all come out to be? I'm estimating about $4000?

I appreciate the help.. I really am a newbie when it comes to boat ownership, but I've been fishing plenty of times.

 

For a jon boat I recomend the deep side wall, I just feel better that way.
I beleave you'll be able to keep it well below $4000. IMO

I'd get one longer than the biggest Gators that have been reported in your area

 

Check the local craigslist. I can find just about everything I can think of on there.

 

Depends on how fast you want to go. People out here are all about flying down the river. Standard river boats are 18' long with a 150 jet on them. Then there are the crazies who have the V-8 jets with the aluminum hulls.

Since (I'm guessing) you want a jet, you'll really want to DOUBLE your HP. A 15' boat should be great on the river with a 40-50 HP motor. Get one with a steering wheel, not a tiller. Also, search used boats. I'm sure you can find a ton of deals right now on a complete package.

 

Dunno if any of you Americans are familiar with David Wilcox, but this is all I have to contribute to this thread:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJz4eJwLwc

 

I'm not familiar with the artist, but the song fits most us river rats

 

I've got a 15' custom built aluminum boat with a 25hp 2stroke Yamaha on the back. Boat, motor, trailer, etc. and I have probably $7000 in the boat. That is with all new. Of course, prices on motors have gone up this year and aluminum prices are still up as far as I know. I would say to try and find something used in your area. You can probably get something you like for $4000 easy if you look around and are willing to wait. If you are like me and aren't patient enough to wait, you will end up spending a little more.

 

I don't really mind buying used if I'm gettin a decent deal. I can fix any cosmetic issues with an older boat, but I definately wouldn't know what to look for when identifying any mechanical issues, any tips?

I'm starting to look around on craigslist and the best deal so far was a 14ft Jon Boat with a 25hp Mercury motor. It looks to be in pretty good condition, and my friend has nearly the same setup and it was more than fast enough for me, even loaded down with 4 people. Either way, I only really plan on using it for 2 people at a time, so 25hp should be plenty right? I'm gonna email the seller later tonight, but the price sounds pretty fair at $2000.

As far as buying used, what all do I need to do? Can the motor start out of the water to check if it even runs? How do I tell if the boat wont sink? lol..

 

The better aluminum boats are welded rather than riveted. Rivets can come loose with age. I'd be more likely to buy a welded boat over a riveted one.

NO. Do not start the engine out of the water and if the current owner does- walk away or expect to replace the impeller on the water pump. It's rubber and the water is a lubricant/coolant. As it goes around inside the metal case, it builds heat extremely fast and damage is in just a few seconds.

Depending on how wide the boat for a 12' determines how much HP you need. A wider boat provides more floatation. A narrow hull will be deeper in the water and harder to plane with the same load. A 15HP may not be enough with the load of 2 people and gear. Rule of thumb when buying a boat- buy as much HP as you can afford.

Don't buy until you have had the boat on the water. Anybody that is selling a boat knows you will want to test drive it before putting the money down. If the owner doesn't want to give you a test drive, find another boat as there is probably something wrong with it.

And remember 2 things:
1. A boat is a hole in the water that you pour endless amounts of money into.
2. There are two happy days to owning a boat. The first day because it is new to you. The last day because the bleeding of the wallet has stopped.

Now go have fun!

 

Yes, you CAN run the motor if the boat is not in the water, as long as the motor has a water hose hooked up to it.

 

He is right about the money. It seems that there is always something to buy for or replace on a boat like that. Especially if you are going to run it on a river where floating debris may be present. If the river rises, you may not be able to see obstacles/debris that was visible a few days before.

Always ask for a test ride/drive to verify that the boat runs well. There are a lot of options for boats like this such as flat bottom, v-bottom, etc. High transom or low transom and many more. Make sure you know what you want. It probably took me 5 years of wanting before I ever got what I wanted and I am very happy with what I got.

Now, if I could only get those parts that I ordered, I can have her up and running for this weekend.

 

Well here,s the link to the boat I'm lookig at on craigslist, whatcha guys think?
http://houston.craigslist.org/boa/974493464.html

It seems good enough for what I need it for, just roaming up and down the river and stuff. I'm only looking to use it about once a month or so, just to put me in the water. I would like to go fishing down on the Guadalupe River down here in south Texas, and hit up some of the small bayous right outside the San Antonio bay. I've been out and around those areas with my friend in his lil riverboat just fine, so I'm sure it will work just as well for me.

I'm not looking for overkill, and I don't care if I'm the first boat out there, but does this boat seem like it would be good enough for what I need carrying 2 people? I imagine it would be good enough for roaming around a lake as well right?

 

When you said SE Texas, I was thinking East of Beaumont. But on the Guadalupa, it's kind of shallow in places isn't it.
You may want to do as Zairman suggested, and go with a Jet.

 

zeruin, where do you go to school? im in north houston.

 

that is a 84-85 mercury on there. For the money its over priced but a nice little boat. The trailor doesn't really fit the boat. I'm guessing about 15mph tops.