Too Late or Too Old??? (Page 3): Mid 70 s , 6’4” 225 lbs . Pretty good shape . A Jon boat , particular a small one , less than 18 feet, is anything but stable . Plus the seats are very...

Skbrownie

Mid 70 s , 6’4” 225 lbs . Pretty good shape . A Jon boat , particular a small one , less than 18 feet, is anything but stable . Plus the seats are very low , getting up is a major task . Big boats are stable, little boats will get you wet .
First thing , hire a guide and see how you do getting around in his boat . That will give you an idea of the type of boat you need .

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Spiritof27 wrote:

This is what I was talking about. Very light and very stable and not that expensive. I see a lot of folks out on the lakes around here using them as a platform for fly fishing.

Spirit - I zoomed in the photo but don't see a rod holder or a logical location to attach one (or more). That port side projection on the frame at about the occupant's ten o'clock position doesn't make sense as it would get in the way of the paddle. But I'm assuming this model is scalable to some degree.

Bilgebreath Loc: Fairborn, Ohio

Fishing Frank wrote:

You are never too old. I fish with 2 friends that are 74 and 82. I have a Ranger Bass Boat 18' and my friends love it. Where do you plan to fish and what type of fish are you after? Get back to me and let me know. You can send a private message if you prefer.

Fishing Frank

FF.....I fish mostly catfish and occaisionally engage small and large mouth bass. I fish the lakes in the local southwest Ohio area, from the banks. Since I have retired, I want to do more, and I believe a boat or yak is in.my future. I have worked hard all my life and I intend to enjoy every minute I can. Wife of 52 years is on board too.

Riverrat 583 Loc: Southeast Ohio

Bilgebreath wrote:

Hi folks. First off I am 75 years old. I have been a bank fisherman since I was a child. I want to do some boat or kayack fishing. I am a big guy, 300 lbs and 6'3". I am reasnobly spry, have pretty good balance, and fairly good mental capabilities, except memoery sometimes. Waddya all think? Waited too long?? What is the reccomended ride?? Boat or kayack. (prolly john boat) Just trolling for some opinions. Thanks....

Bilge, you are never to old. Keep on keeping on.
My wife and I got our first pontoon this year and boy does it beat a John boat. There is plenty of room to move about and stretch.

Pontoons are more cumbersome to haul and There was a learning curve to how a pontoon handles compared to a flat bottom or v boat but well worth the effort.

Just my 2 cents, it doesn't matter just get out and enjoy
Gary

Fishing Frank Loc: Ohio

Hey Bilge you should take a trip with me to see what a boat can do for old men. Send me a private message and see if we can make something happen.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Well, yes and no! It is all in the fishing on the water, first you have to get your craft, regardless of type into the water before you can maneuver about. No matter what you choose, a tandem pontoon, kayak, john boat, all have some level of difficulty of loading and unloading.

Example, I am 87 and am taking Physical Therapy to be able to walk. I am up XXXX creek if I tried to launch any type of craft alone. In my younger days I could and did launch a 26 ft Bay boat with 150 HP Yamaha. No, that, and anything else would not be possible. What ever you finally choose, use the hell out of it while you can.

I always had the theory that in a salt water environment, use the hell out of your boat because it is going to deteriorate at the same rate whether you use it 24 hours a day, every day, or only once a month! Remember, none of us have any real control over how much longer we can successfully do what we want to do. I am probably past that point, but am offering you the benefit of my experience. Just Sayin...RJS

El Rod Loc: Port A

Bilgebreath wrote:

FF.....I fish mostly catfish and occaisionally engage small and large mouth bass. I fish the lakes in the local southwest Ohio area, from the banks. Since I have retired, I want to do more, and I believe a boat or yak is in.my future. I have worked hard all my life and I intend to enjoy every minute I can. Wife of 52 years is on board too.

If your wife is going to fish with you forget the kayak. Looks like y’all will need a stable boat to enjoy your time on the water. There’s several different models of fishing boats out there in the 20’+ size that are stable platforms to fish out of. Going any smaller and the boats lean too much when a person moves around to try to keep your balance. Take your time and check out several boats and don’t forget to take a boating safety course.😎👍

Spiritof27 Loc: Lincoln, CA

DCGravity wrote:

Spirit - I zoomed in the photo but don't see a rod holder or a logical location to attach one (or more). That port side projection on the frame at about the occupant's ten o'clock position doesn't make sense as it would get in the way of the paddle. But I'm assuming this model is scalable to some degree.

Anybass Loc: Pa.

Lot of good tips being offered Bilge. Given your size, best stable platform most important. My recommendation would be to find some friends that have whatever and try them out in calm and windy conditions. If lacking someone having same, then maybe rent something or go to a place that has them available on the lake. Better spend some rental $ than an investment may regret. Thought once I would buy a canoe and after a days fishing in one, dropped that thought. Have fished in a Yak but me personally, not comfortable in windy/waving conditions. Never used a Jon Boat but some questioned stability believe it or not and others said only good thing about one is it is great for mixing cement. Guess it is all about what you get used to growing up. I prefer a nice 12 foot aluminum v hull for general ponds/small lakes. Roomy enough and stable. Just my thoughts. Hope you find the right ride on the water.

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Bilgebreath wrote:

Hi folks. First off I am 75 years old. I have been a bank fisherman since I was a child. I want to do some boat or kayack fishing. I am a big guy, 300 lbs and 6'3". I am reasnobly spry, have pretty good balance, and fairly good mental capabilities, except memoery sometimes. Waddya all think? Waited too long?? What is the reccomended ride?? Boat or kayack. (prolly john boat) Just trolling for some opinions. Thanks....

Banks dory. You are too big for any kayak, besides, I like dories.

DCGravity Loc: Fairfax, VA (by way of Cleveland OH)

Sport wrote:

Banks dory. You are too big for any kayak, besides, I like dories.

So would a dory for a big guy be called a hunky dory?

Jer Loc: N. Illinois 🇺🇸

DCGravity wrote:

So would a dory for a big guy be called a hunky dory?

LMAO

Sport Loc: Sacramento county north. California

Sport wrote:

Banks dory. You are too big for any kayak, besides, I like dories.

SK, just for fun. Look up The Dory Shop. "Handline" There are many others. Wood or fiberglass. John Gardner's The Dory Book is one of my all time favorite books. Simplest, find a buddy with a boat. Luck to you.

nutz4fish Loc: Colchester, CT

Skbrownie wrote:

Mid 70 s , 6’4” 225 lbs . Pretty good shape . A Jon boat , particular a small one , less than 18 feet, is anything but stable . Plus the seats are very low , getting up is a major task . Big boats are stable, little boats will get you wet .
First thing , hire a guide and see how you do getting around in his boat . That will give you an idea of the type of boat you need .

Sk... Great Idea, makes a bunch o' sense.

Ken Bauer Loc: Sherwood Ohio

Will have my kayaks out at Buck Creek state park this weekend if you would want to try one. I think you are at the max weight for the one I have. I tried an old town which I could stand on but wouldn't suggest it. Pm me if you're interested and I can shoot you information. I would suggest a boat for you just my 2 cents.