Yes Andy, I was able to take the boat out for the first time this past Thursday and then again on Friday. We went to one of our local Branson Lakes that is named Bull Shoals.

I was very happy with the feel of the modifications. The boat was much more comfortable and I was more proud of the boat than I was when it was just a bare aluminum John boat. I even got some compliments at the boat ramp.

The boat is quieter because of the flooring and Styrofoam insulation and the front storage deck is a real blessing because it keeps our junk stowed away rather than having everything under our feet. I love the stealth rod holders for trolling. They were absolutely amazing and I highly recommend them.

Before I did the modifications my top end speed with my 2021 mercury 9.9 hp motor was 25 mph. After the modifications my top end speed was 22 miles an hour, so I was very happy with that trade off. At 25 miles an hour that little 12 foot aluminum boat felt like it was going to take flight. I feel much more stable and safe on the water now and it jumps tight up on plane.

You might notice that I did not build decks that were flush with the top rail on the boat. At my age, 71, I did not feel stable enough to sit super high in the boat in a 12 foot Jon with a 48 inch beam. If the boat were bigger and therefore more stable, I might have build a different type of front deck.

Thank you for your question and I trust the information is helpful. Here is a couple of photos of my daughter and I on the water.

I see you have a trolling motor on the back. How is that working out for you. I can save myself a ton of money if I were to buy a stern drive trolling motor. Do you find that you can easily have hands-free to fish while adjusting your stern drive troller? Any advice you can give would be appreciated. Thank you!

I have a 2021 Lowe L1240, 12 foot johnboat. It is powered by a 2021 mercury 9.9 hp, four stroke motor. I bought it from a Vietnam veteran who had only used it twice and the motor had one hour of use.

I knew I would have to do something to the little aluminum boat to make it more comfortable and increase its fish-ability. I studied YouTube for a long time and then began to put in floors and a small front storage deck, all covered with CVA Camo foam. I then installed some stainless steel rod holders for transport on the water and some Stealth rod holders for trolling on my local Ozark lakes.

I am not a builder and have never been skilled with my hands. I don’t even understand the issues of how to build things, so I followed instructions found on YouTube. It was real trial and error!

Yesterday I was loading my boat onto the trailer at the boatramp on Bull Shoals Lake, when another boater came down to me and said, “Wow! I really like your John boat. You did a great job on building it. I would love to have a little boat like that.”

That made me feel so proud. I thought I would share my little project with you to encourage someone else to do something they do not feel capable of doing. I guess all things really are possible! It just takes time, patience and money!

My elder daughter, a Hollywood TV Producer, has caught a keeper Walleye on Bull Shoals Lake in Branson, MO. She was using a purple/gold Berkley Flicker Shad lure. She likes just being out in the boat on the water, but I think she could get used to actually catching fish!

I have fished in a kayak for three years straight. Mine is a 10 foot model that was actually a budget kayak, but was outfitted and accessorized very nicely. I would never consider paddling 6 miles in a kayak unless the kayak were outfitted with a very nice trolling motor.

You would be much better off to buy yourself a small, 12 foot Jon boat with a 9.9 hp motor. You could then troll all the way to your destination and troll all the way back without any effort whatsoever.

If the intended use for your kayak or canoe is for it to be a fishing machine, then you might as well buy a fishing machine, like a small johnboat. For me, a kayak is only for short, easy trips on days with no wind.

Taneycomo appears to be high from quick observation as I travel across the bridges in the Branson area. However, powersite level seems to be rather ordinary. You can see the weed beds to the left of the boat ramp when launching at powersite. If the lake is high, those weed beds are totally submerged. I went fishing there one week ago, throwing frogs into the weeds and fished a plastic worm and a spinner bait and I did not get one single bite. I must admit that I am probably not a good gauge of whether or not the fish are biting! Lol. I think that trout fishing is doing fine, but I had no luck fishing for largemouth bass from a kyack.

That is an extremely thoughtful and kind reply Fishyaker! I am just complementing you on writing a wonderful, friendly response at a time when so many seem to be on edge and prone to negative insult. Well done!

I love the one you sold! I think it’s the perfect boat for nearly everyone. I have never owned one but I sure would like to. They’re just too pricey for me! I’m happy that you got the boat you wanted!

Agreed! When I spoke of the boats running over my fishing line in Branson, I did not mention the fact that I did nothing to retaliate. When one of the boaters spoke to me, I told him that he was running over my lines, but I did so in a calm conversational voice. Everyone is on edge today and looking for a fight. Just look at what we have with road rage. I have determined to do unto others as I would hope they do unto me. Prayers for your complete restored health!

I have noticed that boaters in the Branson area will invade the fishing areas of kayakers and bank fishermen without any thought to violating fishing etiquette. I’ve seen it time and again. Table rock is by far the worst because there is so many pleasure boaters on the water. I won’t even fish that lake until after Labor Day when everyone is returned home. I recently was offended while fishing from a fishing dock on Lake Taneycomo. Unfortunately there is a boat ramp and boat launch and dock very close to the same area where the fishing dock is located. Boaters routinely ran directly across our lines while accessing the boat ramp rather than taking a wide turn, staying out of our way and still accessing the ramp, but from a different direction. I was appalled at their lack of courtesy. It seems that everyone is angry, self-indulgent and lacking general respect. What a shame!

Much to my absolute surprise, Freedom Electronics found a Twin Troller boat owner who lives near my home outside Branson, MO. I went to his house recently to touch and view a Twin Troller X10, tiny bass boat. It just so happened that not only was the owner kind enough to invite me to his house to take a look, but he informed me that he had just decided to sell the boat, because he never uses it...used once in three years. This is a 2014, garage-kept, Twin Troller with a Mercury 3.5 HP, four-stroke motor, nice galvanized trailer with live well that I found on TableRock Lake...I think it will work for me, so I am now pursuing the purchase...

Most certainly, I am more than willing to do as you suggest. As a matter of fact I have contacted Alumacraft, Lowe, and Lund boat companies. I have spoken on the phone with their sales representatives. These companies are somewhere in the neighborhood of eight months behind on manufacturing deadlines. I was going to buy a boat and a trailer, brand new, from one of these companies and then build my own johnboat and add a trolling motor and a small gas motor, but I got frustrated when I Learned I would not be able to access a new boat until at least February of next year. At that time I plan to be out of the country, so their schedule does not mesh with mine.

I continue to watch craigslist and marketplace for used boats and they’re either Way too expensive, meaning upwards of $6000 or more or they are absolute junk and they still demand a ridiculous price. So I will continue to look just as you have done and when I find something that suits me, I’ll jump in and buy it.

In the meantime, I just got an email from a guy here in my area who actually owns a Twin Troller boat and so I have made an appointment with him to go and take a look at it in person on Monday. At least then I’ll know whether or not this boat might meet my needs. Thank you again for all your input! BeaverTooth

I too am leaning toward the purchase of a John boat with a bow mount foot control trolling motor and a gasoline outboard motor. This time around, having had a very bad and expensive experience with my last bass boat (A big 20 footer with a 200 horse Johnson outboard that nearly put us in the poor farm) I really wanted to buy something very small but brand new. That is one of the reasons I was looking at the twin troller. It is very discouraging in 2021 to see what they’re charging for boats and motors and trailers. It’s obscene and who would’ve ever guessed that a small fishing boat would be such a huge investment. I realize that I can buy used and make a deal, but that was my problem last time around. I’m not terribly handy and so when I have a problem I usually have to hire a professional. Another reason why I was wanting desperately to purchase brand new to hopefully avoid future repair bills. Thanks however for your advice. I appreciate it! Beavertooth

Rated for 2.5hp max

I’ve watched about every video they have on the twin stroller but I always feel like I’m watching promotional videos that are somehow backed by the company. I’ve made it very clear that my intent is to use the boat on Lake Taneycomo which is not a small lake or pond. I just found out recently that top speed on this boat boat with a trolling motors and with a 2.3 outboard motor is only 5 mph. Apparently this boat cannot even get up on plane.