Jon Boat help!

[MikeyBob365]

Hey all, i'm 16 years old savin up for my first boat! i just want a lil jon boat for fishing! i want help with my set up since my dad isn't too into fishing or boating i am considerably clueless!

i'm thinking about getting a 12 footer (at academy they sell it with a trailer for probably 200/300 bucks more!... six hundred total i believe. and i don't need much HP for an engine correct? what would ya say should be the max HP? also any ideas of where to get a good cheap one? craigs list, i'm afraid its gonna be bad and i'll need to spend more than i paid for, so thats out of the country!

i know i have to get it registered and get a license and all that good stuff, where can i get that done at?

any other ideas, tips, tricks would be appreciated! thanks in advance all!

 

[airframer]

Re: Jon Boat help!

Starting young, cool! 7 hp is max for that transom. A little less than six hundred for boat and I'd put at least a five horse on it and that will cost you about a grand brand new

 

[5150abf]

Re: Jon Boat help!

The more time you put into looking the better the deal you will find, local paper, graigs list, Ebay, just keep looking till you find what you want.

You should be able to find a jon that size with a motor and trailer for what you have to spend.

I started in a 12' with an old 69 9.9 Johnson, "bought" the boat from my mother in law for a dollar and got the motor for $300, used it for 3 years and sold the motor for $500 and gave the boat back when I got my currant one.

As far as a registration you don't say where you are from but where I am that all goes through the DMV but some places it is done through the DNR, they shouldn't spank you too bad on a small boat like that.

Good luck and let us know when you find something.

 

[clarkbre]

Re: Jon Boat help!

Don't be afraid to buy a used motor off of Craigslist or any other classied ad. However, if you do, check out the set up it was on and the condition of everything.

I was looking to buy a used engine and it looked OK but then I saw the boat the seller had it on. The boat was completely trashed and everything in it was worn and not well maintained. I ended up backing out of the deal because the motor showed more wear than it should have. The guy's boat, trailer, and gear was actually a good indicator of that though.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Jon Boat help!

at your age, go for 14' so you can more safely take 1-2 people out; 12' is a one man boat. Look for a Carolina Skiff J14, or a used Boston Whaler 13. Lowe makes a very wide 14 I use for duck hunting and it's stable, and will run fine with a 15hp, real fast with a 25.
You will probably have to take a boater safety course, and should anyway. Some are online. Get good safety equipment, a good anchor, and always wear your PFD.
Tell us where you will be using it.

 

[Starcraftguy1]

Re: Jon Boat help!

I say the 14' would do you much better.When you get started you will get excited and for sure one of your friends would want to go.Any aluminum for the first boat would be great,check for leaks,and a 15 - 25 hp motor,river fishing,lake fishing,hell go halfs with a good friend,split it.When you both get experienced enough,bigger boats will come.Good luck

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: Jon Boat help!

thank you everyone for your replies!

14 footer is the idea now!

and for a used engine, maybe i can take one of my friend's dad with me to check out the motor so i won't get ripped off!

i will mostly be on lakes, such as bronic, lbj, choke canyon, canyon lake, travis, and other S.A. area lakes!

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: Jon Boat help!

hey yall i found this on craig's list!

Antique Sea King 5HP outboard. 1949 5HP. Makes a great father's day gift! Too much stuff in the garage, some of my motors in my collection have to go - motor was made by Gale (an OMC company) as a branded motor for Montgomery Wards. Has strong compression, and can be a runner with a little TLC (I have a 1945 version of this motor and it runs great.) I'm also selling a 1958 Gale 25HP (like a Johnson of the day). Email with any questions, or if you need photos.

i emailed the guy about the motor and asked if it still ran and got this reply:

Old outboards with a little care can run just like they did years ago - I believe they all should and can be made to run. Personally, I run a 1946 Evinrude on a wood speed boat with good results, and also have a '45 Gale 5HP same motor type that runs well that I use for fishin' I haven't done much with the '48 Gale since I bought it - and can check it further for you, I just have too many motors and need to thin my collection.

i'll post a picture whenever the guy can send me a picture, what do yall think about this? but what do you think of the thing so far? i mean i love antiques! i always get antique rods from the flea market so this just fits my personality!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Jon Boat help!

While I'm sure it's a great motor, I wouldn't recommend getting it as your first. Parts are difficult to come by for antique motors like that. I would recommend you try to get into the '70s or newer (at least the 60's). Also you may want to avoid Chryslers, Forces, Gamefishers, or pretty much anything air cooled for the same reason. Scarce parts/service.

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: Jon Boat help!

the thing is, $75 for a motor would make my life a hellave lot easier than paying $300 minimum for a motor! i think i'm gonna take one of my friend's dad's out to see it with me this weekend...

if any one has a good site for motor maintance would ya lay it on me just so i'll have a better idea about motors, and what i'll wanna do regardless to what motor i get.

 

[idrownworms]

Re: Jon Boat help!

I don't know about your part of the world but here in Indiana you can buy a used boat with motor and trailer for the amount your ready to pay for just the boat. Then you can use the money you planned for the motor and buy necessity's like life vests, anchors, rope/line, clamp on running lights, etc.
just another point to ponder.

 

[yrsouth]

Re: Jon Boat help!

SanAntonio area means trailering the boat. Another option might be to get one that will fit in bed of truck with a trolling motor. Braunig/Calavaras are your closest fishin spots, but if you have the bucks, 14'er with 25hp gas would be a whole lot more fun. Canyon Lake is so low that you can find lots of stuff for sale up there. Try around Jacobs Creek area.
Be Safe and have fun.
p.s. I still got the 10' Sea King I had as a kid and it is real handy to slip into ponds with

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Jon Boat help!

A $75 motor will NOT make your life easier, although it sounds like you are buying from a guy who knows what he's doing. If you were saving up for your first car, would you buy a 1946 Packard? Old cars and boats are hobbies that require far more hours working on them than you get riding in them. You want to be on the water, not in the garage.
Anyway, buy a good pair of oars with oarlocks, esp. if you buy that motor! ("Buy an outboard from Sears and row back!")

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Jon Boat help!

I would opt for a 14'er. it doesnt seem like much more, but it will be a much more enjoyable boat and will carry 2 people and more gear better.

as already stated, keep your eyes peeled and dont be in a hurry. there are MILLIONS of 14' Jons around. One tip is to let all your friends and relatives know you are looking for these things. you knever know who might come across a deal for you. I had a friend call me about the boat I eventually bought, his next door neighbor had it.

anything from $100-$300 will get you a nice outboard that will need little to no work. I got a 6HP johnson with my tinny last summer for $250. it ran fine but I still gave it a full tune up and checkover just to be sure.

Also keep an eye peeled for used trolling motors. I picked up a 40LB minnkota last season for $50.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Jon Boat help!

Also keep an eye peeled for used trolling motors. I picked up a 40LB minnkota last season for $50.

That's good advice. I see them ALL the time on CL.

 

[MikeyBob365]

Re: Jon Boat help!

do you think just a trolling motor would work? cause 100 bucks new at academy there is a 30lbs...

yeah, i'll probably go out to canyon once i got a grand to look!

thanks again guys!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Jon Boat help!

JUST a trolling motor would work but only on very calm small lakes. I good wind could outpush a 30lb.