Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

[Stachi]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

will you be eating the fish you catch from that river ??

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

will you be eating the fish you catch from that river ??

I imagine those three-eyed fish would require some specialized preparation.

 

[Stachi]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

i imagine those three-eyed fish would require some specialized preparation.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahaha !

 

[Stachi]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

glow fish......lol

 

[Stachi]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Hey people

OK, I posted an earlier thread needing to know if a problem that I read about online was true. Specifically, if molded plastic jon boats I'm interested in buying really sank to the water level at the back if a 170 pound or larger guy sat in back by the motor

Although I received helpful replies none actually addressed the actual question

So, let me rephrase my question...

Do small (9.5' - 10.5') jon boats have a problem with the back sinking to the water level or below if a larger person sits in the back & runs the motor? Do some & not others? Does metal vs plastic have any bearing? What if another person sits upfront, does this still happen?

I live in Chicago & am not a boat person. My only experience with boats is taking a 10 foot inflatable raft out with our 5 HP motor. That worked fine. I'm simply sick of the hassle of using that raft & want to go with a small solid jon

I want to go as small as possible, but one that will take a 5 HP. Having no storage space to speak of & a 6.5 bed on my truck, I'm hoping to purchase one 10.5' or shorter

Do those with jon boat experience know if the problem I described above is truly a problem?

I'm 6'2" & weigh about 210 lbs. My wife will always be with me & she weighs around 130 (I think) Is her weight enough to keep the back end level?

Also, we only take the boat down the Chicago river. It's usually very calm except for the occasional boat wake. Oh, & maybe wakes from bodies being tossed in & Uzi fire from the gang bangers

I could really use some opinions because I'm ready to buy & ready to get back on the open sewer.... er, I mean river

Thanks for any help with this

from the movie JAWS... "I think we need a bigger boat "

 

[JRgt205]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

what part of the river will you be going out on? I could see going out in a boat that small on the north branch..but not the downtown area and near the locks.

 

[yooperangler]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Just looked at that bass hunter ex and don't think I would want to go on any river with it let alone one with as much traffic and possible pollution as the Chicago. Did take one of those boat tours down there a few years ago definitely a nice ride around town via the river and can see why you want to float around on it. I think you would be a lot better off with a 14' v hull on that water and your outings would definitely be more enjoyable and safer. If you keep your eyes open and watch Craig's list you can probably get one for similar money to the bass hunter (thing looks like one of those wading pools for kids or a sandbox not a boat)

 

[infideltarget]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Why not do an inflatable? See 'em on here for less than $1k, and would be much safer and more buoyant, and seems it would be easier to store and transport, since you can deflate / inflate it. Take a 12v air compressor, your deflated boat, and your motor and throw 'em in your truck, etc. Seems a better and no more expensive alternative. Theres an ad on iboats right now for a 9' inflatable for $499.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

The little plastic jons are made for fishing farm ponds and the like, not for river cruising! Purchasing one of these boats for your application will be a waste of time and money.

Let us know how it works out for you!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Someone earlier mentioned a hitch extender. I have one of these. It allowed my to haul a big 'ol square transom canoe in the bed of my pickup. Worked great. I know you had some storage limitations but if you could somehow get around that, a hitch extender would allow you to easily haul a more traditional boat.

 

[Mozart7]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Dudes & dudettes, thanks for all the responses. After numerous strong drinks last night & mulling it over with my wife & some friends, I think we'll go with a 12-14 foot jon. Not sure which material is best but I figure aluminum probably is.

I'll also buy a trailer or that hitch extender piece a few mentioned. If I buy a trailer I'd like to get one I can use for other things too, not just hauling a boat. I found a pretty cheap boat trailer but it really isn't good for anything other than hauling a boat. I'm thinking a 12' jon wouldn't be a problem laying flat on a trailer with straps holding it down

A few more things...
No, I won't be eating any fish from that river. I won't be fishing period. The only people foolish enough to eat anything from that river are escaped mental institution patients & drunken illegal aliens

Also, to the poster who asked why I don't buy an inflatable, it's because I have one, an 11 footer. Been on the river with it many times. I'm just sick of blowing it up, deflating it, the overall work involved. It's a pain in the keester

And yeah, I'm planning on going down the north branch most of the time, & the branches that shoot out into the suburbs. But I have taken the raft downtown a few times & it worked fine. I just stayed over to one side & let the big boys scoot on by. It's totally cool putting along with massive skyscrapers on either side

Hey guys, one more stupid question. When the boat manufactures give weight limits, that means the motor is included in that too, correct? I'm sure it is but thought maybe they already figured in a basic motor weight & meant the weight limit was for actual bodies & supplies. I know it's a dumb question but I just want to be sure

Anyway, thanks again people. You've all helped me to make an informed decision on which type of boat to buy. It was because of you guys that we decided on a larger boat for safety, stability & overall enjoyment. I'll let you know what I bought when I decide

Thanks again!

PS: (another question) How much should a 5HP motor tune up cost? Just roughly, because I'm going to call a few places around here & it would be nice to know the tune up price norm beforehand

 

[Bolixt]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Good Grief!!!!!

Go to the launch pad and look for a boat like you might want, explain your problem/question, and get into one of the damn things and see how it works; see just exactly what happens. Give em a few bucks maybe.

Then you'll KNOW.

 

[DaNinja]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Dudes & dudettes, thanks for all the responses. After numerous strong drinks last night & mulling it over with my wife & some friends, I think we'll go with a 12-14 foot jon. Not sure which material is best but I figure aluminum probably is.

I'll also buy a trailer or that hitch extender piece a few mentioned. If I buy a trailer I'd like to get one I can use for other things too, not just hauling a boat. I found a pretty cheap boat trailer but it really isn't good for anything other than hauling a boat. I'm thinking a 12' jon wouldn't be a problem laying flat on a trailer with straps holding it down

A few more things...

Sounds like a well thought out choice. Stay safe!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

here's where you have a bit of a conflict: you want the smallest boat possible for 2 adults, so you are working towards overloading, making it succeptible to swamping and tipping. If you were going to be in calm, warm shallow water, fine--the risk is lower of swamping and if you do, the consequences are manageable 9same concept as white water canoeing).
But although you are thinking about something for calm water, every boat must be bought with an eye to the worst condition you may encounter. In your case, that's large boat wakes. They are like ocean swells, worse actually, and when they get to bouncing off the canal sides or two wakes collide, you have big water. You MUST have a boat AND the skills not to swamp or flip, in your case. It would be fatal there.

And whatever you do, do not put pedestal seats on it. You need to keep a low center of gravity, like a kayak.

 

[Mozart7]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Hello again people. It's been roughly three months since I began this topic & at the time I said I'd report back with info on what jon boat I bought & how well it worked on the river. So here goes...

I ended up buying a 12 foot KL Industries injected molded plastic jon. I use my Briggs & Stratton 5HP outboard on it. So far I've taken it out twice & I must say I'm pretty happy with it

My original question was about small jons with outboards sitting low at the back & the possibility of water coming in because of it. I'm pleased to say I have no problems in that regard. While the front raises up at full throttle, the boat stays pretty level & I haven't gotten a drop of water in it

This boat feels sturdy in the water, rides smoothly & the 5 HP moves it at a good clip. Plus, I haven't had to take a chemical body wash down to remove the cooties from the Chicago river water

I can post a few photo's if anyone wants to see it

 

[zagger]

Re: Maybe I Should Rephrase My Question... Expertise Needed

Congrats on the new boat. Considering on where you will be using it any ideas what you will name it? Post some pictures from the water!