Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 19:20:00 GMT -5
Were going to look at a 14' jon boat this weekend. It's in decent shape, and it's only 300 with trailer. As mentioned before on here, where using it in small streams where we wouldn't dare to take our other boat. I was thinking that since where going to be spending some time in shallow water if it would be a good idea to coat the bottom of the boat with a rhino truck bed liner. I can do it for like 80 bucks and in my opinion should help WHEN we hit a few rocks. Might even coat the inside if I have left over.
Any one ever done this? Or does anyone have any ideas for a first time jon boat owner? any "do's and don'ts" I should know about? What about rod holders, any tips?
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Post by Catfishrollo on Jan 16, 2012 19:40:47 GMT -5
Were going to look at a 14' jon boat this weekend. It's in decent shape, and it's only 300 with trailer. As mentioned before on here, where using it in small streams where we wouldn't dare to take our other boat. I was thinking that since where going to be spending some time in shallow water if it would be a good idea to coat the bottom of the boat with a rhino truck bed liner. I can do it for like 80 bucks and in my opinion should help WHEN we hit a few rocks. Might even coat the inside if I have left over. Any one ever done this? Or does anyone have any ideas for a first time jon boat owner? any "do's and don'ts" I should know about? What about rod holders, any tips? Sean, I used to use small jons to get from one point to another. And still do! In my opinion, I can't say its a bad idea. However, me being an going on ole timer by some.. LOL.. If you are using a small boat like I have to just access spots on smaller systems like I have fished, smaller boats will probably require you getting out and dragging them across shallows, no matter what! If you have the extras to coat the boat, then I would say yeah! But, if not... Just be carefull! We all learn, and can credit one thing to the next for being or not being safe! rollo |
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 20:34:46 GMT -5
my old rig was a 14'36" flatbottom jon.........I had it out on the lake 3 days a week for the most part of 3 years and hit rocks and plenty of stumps running wide open which was about 18mph..........it was a riveted boat, and was plenty forgiving. I don't know if rhino lining it would be that beneficial, I beleive flatbottom aluminum boats are made to take a beating to a degree. I would worry more about hitting something with your lower unit while on plane.....that is usually where something can go bad....
I have a pic of my old rig with the rod holder set up on here somewhere sean, it was very cheap to do, easy, and very stout....i never had to worry about my pole going in the water or anything like that. I am going to set up my new rig very similiar once I get a chance to get around to it......i have everything I need, just need to make a trip to lowes to get a few things and a day to work on it.......
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 20:40:57 GMT -5
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 20:42:50 GMT -5
Thanks guys. I might give it a shot and see what the river's gonna be like. It's got a 800+ pound weight limit so that's not going to be an issue. I feel alot better about it now that I heard that you can beat it up a little. I don't think were gonna put any size able motor on it for now. Might invest in a 7.5 or something, and use a small troller most of the time. We have a spare 55lb thrust motor that will probably move the boat quite well. Just don't think it will be enough to pull her upstream.
Aaron I seen the pic of your boat, and I was going to try and replicate the rod holder to some extent. Just don't need quite as many here in Ohio. Lol.
Thanks for the pics. I'll post some when I replicate it. ;D
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 20:52:59 GMT -5
if you want to run that steel bar across the back just go to any machine or fabrication shop and they'll hook you up for right around $10.....you can get any size you want in there, i beleive mine was 3" x 1/8", then cut to the length of my transom...they will also punch holes for you where you want them at the shop with a press, (which is alot better then drilling through 1/8" steel) I had them punch 1/2" holes in mine since my rod-holders were 1/2" as well as the bolts I used to secure them to the boat........and the pvc along the gunwale's is pretty self explainatory, I just hose clamped them to the ribs of the boat, they aren't going anywhere....post pics when you're done.....a 7.5 on a 1436 flatbottom should push it pretty good on smooth water, if you keep the weight down, I would also suggest keeping the battery up front if at all possible to keep the weight nicely distributed........
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 20:53:34 GMT -5
Here's the pics the guy sent me. He said that he had a rivet leaking and he couldn't find it so he went ahead and sealed them all. Its dry now.   We have a mini-metal shop at our house, even have the metal strips down in the barn to do it. Just have to get a few pics up when i get her to see what you guys think. Thanks for the info Aaron. |
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 20:58:52 GMT -5
that looks like a sweet deal, trailer looks brand new......looks like the boat is more of a modified V, which will be more stable in big water, yet will take a lil more hp to make it plane...i know your intentions are to fish some backwaters but I would throw a 15 on there and fish the big river.....
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 21:01:48 GMT -5
how wide is the beam??
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 21:03:18 GMT -5
Its good to have that option. If i found a 15hp at a good price i wouldn't think twice about it. The guy has an old 7.5 that looks as good as the trailer, so I might just grab it. He's wanting 200 for it. It will save me time and shopping around if I just go ahead and get it.
Our other boat has a merc 9.9 that really moves some water, might hook it up and run on the big river too.
Sorry I didn't bother to ask about the width. I'll take a measurement this weekend.
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 21:09:34 GMT -5
heck yeah, if that 7.5 has good compression that sounds like a great deal.......
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 21:14:57 GMT -5
 It's an old ted williams. Never heard of it but if its as clean on the inside as it is on the outside....or as the trailer, I'll be happy. He just offered a package deal with a trolling motor 35lb thrust, 7.5 motor, boat, and trailer, for 500. Best part is that it's a 25 minute drive from the house. So that will save me the 100 dollars in gas i was going to spend heading up to Avon lake for the other jon boat. |
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
|
Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 22:33:41 GMT -5
Hey Aaron, where the rod holders driftmasters the 1/2" pro flatliners 250H? Just curious, I might get a couple for trolling purposes. And if you don't mind me asking, was there any hardware you had to get with them? Thanks
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Post by bassmassey on Jan 16, 2012 23:19:57 GMT -5
they're 1/2", but not the flatliners, the flatliners hold your rod at a 0 degree angle......the ones i had held the rod at i beleive 60 degree......
and I wouldn't buy the mounting bracket or whatever it is they sell........just buy the rodholder, since you're gonna run that flat bar steel just mount it directly to that with 1/2" washers on top and bottom. I sprayed mine w/ some black rustoleum (sp?) too......
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Seanstone
Catfish Freak
Multi-Specie Catch and Release Angler
Posts: 1,166
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Post by Seanstone on Jan 16, 2012 23:36:10 GMT -5
Bottom Dwellers has it listed as 25 degrees, maybe it was the driftmaster troller? It was rated at 40 degrees. Once again thanks for the info. I would have bought the base parts for no reason.
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