Help deciding boat vs canoe: Hello all. I am having great difficulty deciding between a small 10-12 foot Jon boat or a flat stern canoe for a fishing set up. I already have a 22 foot...

FS Digest

Hello all. I am having great difficulty deciding between a small 10-12 foot Jon boat or a flat stern canoe for a fishing set up.

I already have a 22 foot pontoon boat for the family and a 14 foot aluminum v hull.

The issue with the v hull is that the motor is unreliable and I cannot afford the $2,000 plus for a new motor.

I can get a Jon boat or canoe for around $200. I would like to put it in the bed of my truck with a trolling motor to use on small calm lakes, rivers and river flats.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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by bluelinewarri0r

FS Digest

Forgot to add something. I thought one advantage of the Jon boat would be the ability to launch from shore and step on the back without getting in the water. Then beaching it and stepping off the front.

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by bluelinewarri0r

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Go with a kayak, stability would be far better.

flyguy Loc: Lake Onalaska, Sunfish Capitol of the World!

FS Digest wrote:

Hello all. I am having great difficulty deciding b... (show quote)

Welcome to the Forum, bluelinewarri0r, listen to plum, he knows what he is talking about but you may have to pay more than $200.00 for it if it is any good.

Randyhartford Loc: Lawrence, Kansas

FS Digest wrote:

Forgot to add something. I thought one advantage of the Jon boat would be the ability to launch from shore and step on the back without getting in the water. Then beaching it and stepping off the front.

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by bluelinewarri0r

I’ve fished from both a canoe and a Jon boat, and I prefer the Jon boat for a couple reasons:
More stable and more room. I’ve used a 12’ Jon boat with a 52# troller for years and really like it.
I also use an old 10’ plastic Bass Hawg with same troller and like it even better for stability. Bought both used for ~ $200 ea.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Welcome. Would you consider selling the boat and buying yourself a fishing kayak?
I like the jonboat option, too, but I would not go with a 10’ due to stability issues. You also have to wrestle a trolling motor and the battery every time. The seats are awfully low in the 10’ model (I have one for duck hunting). If you go this route, go with the 12’ model, but they are heavier, too. Lots to consider, good luck!

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

Randyhartford wrote:

I’ve fished from both a canoe and a Jon boat, and I prefer the Jon boat for a couple reasons:
More stable and more room. I’ve used a 12’ Jon boat with a 52# troller for years and really like it.
I also use an old 10’ plastic Bass Hawg with same troller and like it even better for stability. Bought both used for ~ $200 ea.

This is good info for me since I'm looking for a small boat the I can carry without a trailer and can stick a grandkids or two into.

Maximo Loc: Jupiter, Fl

If your not planning on using the 14’ V hull, I’d go with the 12’ Jon. Not too much to handle out of the water, easily seat two and lots of gear. Pickup truck haul. Pros and cons for everything. Two kayaks would fit your truck, too.

LKPKGA

Jon boat, grandkids and kayak are incompatible. Another thought is to pickup a small lawn trailer say 10x8 to transport the boat and use around the house to haul lawn and tree trimmings to the dump.

Flytier Loc: Wilmington Delaware

LKPKGA wrote:

Jon boat, grandkids and kayak are incompatible. Another thought is to pickup a small lawn trailer say 10x8 to transport the boat and use around the house to haul lawn and tree trimmings to the dump.

That's something I thought of and I ready have the trailer. In fact that's why I don't want to trail the boat. I already have a 28 foot Jayco sitting next to the utility trailer.

CRKfish Loc: Southern New Jersey

I’d go with the Jon boat. I have a canoe and it’s ok on a small calm lake with no power boats. It slips quietly into skinny water. On the other hand they’re tippy . Things can get dicey with kids in there casting.

Charlie N. Loc: north jersey, North eastern Pennsylvania

Those bass hunter style plastic boats are great. Stable, transport well, and are great to fish out of. Highly recommend

Maximo Loc: Jupiter, Fl

Lookout! We gots lots of opinions now. That’s good. A lot to hash out. You want to try the Jon and the elec motor. Cool. Quiet. Reliable. I think the newer batteries are a lot lighter too. Try it. Don’t forget the two paddles.

Mauwehu Loc: Norwalk Ct

Depends on the water you’re fishing.Some ponds are connected by shallow rivers.
Canoe vs jonboat—a canoe can move in half the water. Flat bottom kayak would do the same but not as stable as a canoe but would weigh a lot less.
Maybe one of each.

Maximo Loc: Jupiter, Fl

Yep. One of each. And keep your options open.