A question for boat owners (Page 2): There are some nice stable jonboats available and you can get into and through some skinny water with them if necessary.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

ghaynes1 wrote:

We've discussed it John. We don't need much. A 40hp Merc would be fine. Maybe a trolling motor. Maybe a Jon boat would do. As someone on FS once said, "I never saw anyone catching a fish running at 60 mph."

There are some nice stable jonboats available and you can get into and through some skinny water with them if necessary.

DC Loc: Washington state

OJdidit wrote:

I still have my 1998, 17’ Smokercraft and have spe... (show quote)

yes my boat I use the most is my 16' smokercraft pro tracer love the boat and have added a lot of different things to it such as air ride seat, back grab rail, second motor mount with 9 hp kicker motor to go with the 40hp main motor, down riggers, fish finder etc. which is why boats end up costing so much over the years, then there are the normal expenses such as tune ups, oil change, injector cleaning, steering cable replacement, bunking boards replacement, light replacement on trailer and boat, battery and of sorts of other things that come up. not saying all this to say dont get a boat just to say beware of the on going cost of boat ownership going into it. it is very good advice to first think about what you want in a boat, how are you going to use it, how many people are you going to take out on it, what type of weather, water etc.

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

ghaynes1 wrote:

I've heard the expression many times that goes som... (show quote)

My only new boat was a 1991 16' Deep V Bass Tracker, while living on Lake Arrowhead I flat loved the boat, caught so many fish out cost $6,900 fully loaded.

We restored a 1962 15' River boat from top to bottom and we hand painted Camouflage on the waterline and two toned topside, fully loaded it with trolling motor and electronics and carpeted floor and and upholstery on the benches and seats. Had it outside the house, a lady Facebook friend saw my restoration post and decided to drive by my house and looked my boat over, offered me $5k for her husband's birthday gift. I gave $200 for it from a thrift store and $1,500 plus elbow grease in the restoration. We needed the money so I took it.

My 1984 16' Sylvania we bought and restored two years ago isn't going anywhere but fishing with us, gas is expensive but upkeep just comes, I can put a 100 pounds of fresh catfish and crappie in no time fishing the rivers and lakes around here. It's so much better than the store bought frozen fish, plus it's fun taking it out on the water, the peace and quiet. Not for sale

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

Passingbye wrote:

My only new boat was a 1991 16' Deep V Bass Tracke... (show quote)

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

ghaynes1 wrote:

It helped. We will see what others have to say.

A lot depends on 3 things Greg.
1) How often are you going use it? Roughly 40% of mechanical problems are the result of lack of use. This according to my late marina owner/ boat dealer/mechanic.
2) How much basic maintenance/repairs/customazation can you do yourself. Marine labor is expensive, and turn around times are very long of late.
3)And most importantly, how much do you love the freedom it gives you, to basically go wherever you want, and have fun.

ghaynes1 Loc: Strawberry Plains, TN

Fredfish wrote:

A lot depends on 3 things Greg.
1) How often are you going use it? Roughly 40% of mechanical problems are the result of lack of use. This according to my late marina owner/ boat dealer/mechanic.
2) How much basic maintenance/repairs/customazation can you do yourself. Marine labor is expensive, and turn around times are very long of late.
3)And most importantly, how much do you love the freedom it gives you, to basically go wherever you want, and have fun.

Use - Once or twice a week.
Basic maintenance - unable to do any.
Love the freedom - probably would really enjoy it with a very basic boat which is all I can afford.

DC Loc: Washington state

ghaynes1 wrote:

Use - Once or twice a week.
Basic maintenance - unable to do any.
Love the freedom - probably would really enjoy it with a very basic boat which is all I can afford.

if you get a 12-14' aluminum boat with a 10hp motor it would be fun get you into a lot of lakes and wouldn't be that expensive to maintain. I have a 12' duraboat and had a 7.5hp motor on it, it was lot of fun, caught alot of fish and very little maintenance.

Fredfish Loc: Prospect CT.

ghaynes1 wrote:

Use - Once or twice a week.
Basic maintenance - unable to do any.
Love the freedom - probably would really enjoy it with a very basic boat which is all I can afford.

Time used is good. Basic maintenance includes lubrication, care of fuel, electrical connections, and trailer maintenance. All pretty simple things. Didn't you say that Bear has some boat knowledge? Now a days, everything is available on U Tube.
I know you will love it, and I highly recommend you try it. If you don't like it, you'll be one of the happy sellers.

DozerDave Loc: Port Orchard Wa.

ghaynes1 wrote:

I've heard the expression many times that goes som... (show quote)

Well Greg, I’m very happy with my boat and it will be a very sad day if or when I sell it. Like most things there are pros and cons. You’ve just got to figure out if there are more pros. Of coarse there are going to be cost’s. If you keep it simple. Your cost should be relatively inexpensive. Start adding bells and whistles. And the cost starts going up. So if you could find something fairly inexpensive to just get you on the water and you find out that it’s something you want to continue to do you can build on that one or up grade to something that better fits your fishing needs. Or just sell it and chalk it up to an experience. But a boat will open up a multitude of fishing possibilities. And I just prefer to be on the water versus on a dock, pier or the bank. But that’s just me…

🐟on

Dinger Loc: CA

A boat, Sea Doo, Quad Runners,Travel Trailers, Harleys.. All of which are luxury items. And ALL of them are what you make of them! None are worth anything unless you take the time to actually use them as well as take care of them. Simply put...If you take care of them it will cost you less if you neglect them it'll cost you more 💯

Doug Lemmon Loc: Rochester Mills, PA

ghaynes1 wrote:

I've heard the expression many times that goes som... (show quote)

Well, G, I'm on boat #5.. only one I was happy to see go was a problem from the day I brought it home. Worked on it more than it was in the water.. it was a lesson on what NOT to buy..LOL.. basic maintenance won't break the bank.

Keep it simple, and you'll be just fine!

Whitey Loc: Southeast ohio

ghaynes1 wrote:

Use - Once or twice a week.
Basic maintenance - unable to do any.
Love the freedom - probably would really enjoy it with a very basic boat which is all I can afford.

G boats aren't really that difficult for miner things. I'm sure there is guys around your area that would help ya do miner maintenance on your boat. If I was you i wouldn't get a boat smaller than 16 ft unless it's a small pontoon boat. Pontoons set higher in the water an alot easier to get on an off the boat but they are harder to unload an load in moving water. Keep your eye open this time of year is a good time to find one 👍

Passingbye Loc: Reidsville NC

I had a 12' Jon Boat, filled the bottom and sides with expansion foam, laid 1/4 inch marine grade plywood with contact cement, bought a $100 Hummingbird fish and depth finder, a used high power tiller trolling motor, two batteries in the back. Used a 5gal bucket for my cut bait and one for a live well, loaded jug's to set out lines and two rods and 5 heavy duty PVC holders. To fish the river I used very little power to set out my lines, top speed maybe 10 miles per hour or less. I have caught more fish in this little $1,500 boat than anyone at the Moose lodge park. A boat is a fisherman's tool, a quite place to be one with God, a means to get on fish you can't on a dock or bank fishing. The only cost is the truck fuel to reach the water. I catch my bait using cast nets or dragnet with my brother on the boat slips.

Frank romero Loc: Clovis, NM

ghaynes1 wrote:

I've heard the expression many times that goes som... (show quote)

I bought a used bass tracker and had it for several years. I could get in shallow water without hitting bottom. Enjoyed it after I fixed minor problems. Had 40 hp mercury and trolling motor. I could troll with both. Used the trolling motor in real shallow water. I sold it after I started having trouble with balance. Hope this helps you.

Possum2 Loc: South Mississippi

No body but you can answer that question.Just consider your plans.How often do you plan on finishing, where are you going to keep the boat between trips,is there good launch facilities where you want to fish.How old are you, good health, fishing partner.Last but not least Does Your Wife fish.