Kayak or Jon boat? (Page 2): A little age discrimination there. I am 69 and neighbors in their 70's enter the kayaks from our docks with no problems. One peddles clear to Pamlico sound...

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Jdowning wrote:

I would say it all depends on your age! A kayak or canoe is very hard to get in and out of and to keep upright, where as a Jon boat or as we call them where I live a bateau with a trolling motor is easy to get in and out of and you can't turn it over unless you yearly try that's my thoughts!!!!

A little age discrimination there. I am 69 and neighbors in their 70's enter the kayaks from our docks with no problems. One peddles clear to Pamlico sound and myself and another paddle to the Pamlico sound. This isn't just a creek or a tiny river rather large body of water and we out fish many a boater. No batteries, or gas problems just peace and quiet and stealth to our spots.

plumbob

EasternOZ Loc: Kansas City Metro

Sounds like a good time PB

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

EasternOZ wrote:

Sounds like a good time PB

That it is Eastern OZ. We might be up in our years and Lord willing its tight lines as long as there is water out there.

JRK227 Loc: Cedarburg, WI

I have a 14 foot X 48" jon boat. It is an Alumacraft and is extremely stable and allows me to fish in comfort on almost all lakes and rivers. I like to take a daughter or grandchild along fishing and this foots the bill for comfort and stability. Many kayaks are a wet ride and limit casting ability. The decision is totally yours, but I readily recommend a jon boat. Best of luck on whatever you decide on.

Fishon Fishon Loc: Baton Rouge Louisiana

Yeah plumbob you’re right no problem from a dock but put it out on the bank by yourself a whole new ballgame no fishing problem you’re a wet duck and I’m 71 in good shape!!

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

You are correct there Jdowning in reference to getting in and out of a kayak. All kayaks are different and having traveled to locations where there is not a dock I haven't had a problem. I have a fishing kayak brand name is bonafide. With the stability of this craft I haven't had an issue once you learn what you can do and can not do in a kayak. Every entry and departure is not routine just like a boat.

For the person deciding what to get we only provide just one of many options. Where you may have looked at kayaks they have demo kayaks that they should let you try before purchasing.

plumbob

Bob O Loc: Palatine, IL

I've owned both. With either, you can but a 4 x 8 Harbor Freight utility trailer for $350 and carry either with slight modifications. Not good at backing, you can buy or build (check Google) a 2-wheel dolly to carry it to the water. After owning many, I chose an Old Town Topwater PDL (lifetume hull warranty and 4-yr. warranty on pedal assembly). At 75, I have no trouble standing and throwing a cast net, fly fishing, etc. or pedaling 2 miles out into the Gulf of Mexico. One if my best investments.

plumbob Loc: New Windsor Maryland

Hey Bob O. 2 miles out into the Gulf, you are for sure not at the top of the food chain that far out. I was stationed in Ft Walton back in the 70's that is one beautiful part of the world with its white sand. I didn't know Old Town had a pedal assy, thanks for that info. When the time comes to move on to that style I will compare it with the Hobie brand. Haven't done a cast net from my Bonafide, putting what I would catch is a concern. When I did casting from my 14' crisscraft that wasn't a problem until I pulled up an abandoned crab trap.

plumbob

mathiesu Loc: Port huron Michigan

It depends on where you go I sold my kayaks to buy a Jon Boat .up in age it's harder for me to move around in a kayak. I can't wait for my new adventure in the Jon Boat

Bob O Loc: Palatine, IL

Thanks for sharing. Best wishes whichever route you choose. Just be sure and put up with all of the Google video demos and ask questions.

Rondo Loc: Port orange Florida

Wow lots of input. That’s awesome, for me fishing salt water for reds and trout nothing beats my kayak. I fish in real skinny water where even a Jon boat won’t go unless you row it. If paid under $800 dollars, I don’t have to buy gas no motor to break down or prop to damage and it weighs under 100 pounds it’s a 10 foot pescador perception pro 100. Oh ya im60 years old and don’t have any problem getting on or off of it. Good luck to you what ever you buy!

Reety Loc: Jasper GA

Rondo wrote:

Wow lots of input. That’s awesome, for me fishing salt water for reds and trout nothing beats my kayak. I fish in real skinny water where even a Jon boat won’t go unless you row it. If paid under $800 dollars, I don’t have to buy gas no motor to break down or prop to damage and it weighs under 100 pounds it’s a 10 foot pescador perception pro 100. Oh ya im60 years old and don’t have any problem getting on or off of it. Good luck to you what ever you buy!

I just discovered the peace and fun of fly fishing on a small mountain lake in GA from a 10 Ft kayak. It takes a little coordination when you get a nice bass on the line that literally pulls you around and you’re trying to use the paddle to avoid overhanging tree limbs and keep the fish on the line at the same time. I love the challenge and the quiet. I’m 64 and my 40 lb kayak is easy to drag up and down the mildly steep bank to its home under my porch.

Barney

Spend the bucks and get a hobie mirage drive. I have had mine for 5 years now. Its a pro angler 14. Ive had it from gulf of Mexico to lake superior. Im 73 years old have had no problems getting in or out of it. If your set on a jon boat i have a 12 footer i will sell you. Barney

Littlejohn

I have a 16' canoe, 2-10' kayaks & 16x48 Lowes john boat w25hp tiller Johnson. . . Though all have their place, the Jon Boat gets the nod for fishing 98% of the time. . . We can (wife) go & come as we please regardless of the tide, we can out run a quick summer squall, we can carry enough to camp out easily, we float in 3" of water with the motor up & we added a top this year for the sun, just saying. . .

Raw Dawg Ron Loc: St. Petersburg, FL

All right, where is the Gheenoe boat folks? Nice stable small boat like a canoe! What I started with then a large wide john boat!