[Opry99er]

...would you choose a 2 man pontoon or a 14 foot aluminum flat bottom Jon boat.

Jon boat upsides:

More room for gear, movement, etc.
Easy to mount a small trolling motor


Pontoon upsides:

Fits inside an SUV.


I know Jon boats can be had fairly inexpensively, as can used 'toons.

What you guys think? Could a 14-16 ft flat bottom be strapped fairly easily to the top of an SUV, or would a trailer be required?


**At this point it's hypothetical... not gonna be able to buy for at least a few months...but very soon I'll be in the market. Thanks guys.

 

[chuckphlegm]

 

[fischer]

Colorado + jon boat = deathtrap

 

[Opry99er]

Hey Chuck, is that a V Hull? What's the length, if you don't mind me asking.

 

[chuckphlegm]

It was a 12' V Hull. Sweet little boat. We were on Trailridge on our way to Williams Fork. Used a 45 lb. thrust electric motor, worked great. Mostly used it to sight fish carp in local lakes.

Pontoons are sweet but I think a little aluminum is way better to fish out of. Especially with the boy.

VHull a lot better in the wind and waves that can come up so quick in Colorado.

Pontoon/Raft for rivers(remember will require shuttling). Boat for lakes/ponds.



:biggrin1:

 

[Fordo]

This 1969 Fiberglass 12' sea king F.V. Mackinaw Merauder has been with me for 2 decades. Don't get a flat bottom get a V hull. Something like this can be found for not a lot of money.




Below is 43" 41 pounder. The biggest mack ever aboard the Marauder

 

[Opry99er]

Thanks Chuck and Fordo...

I'll keep my eyes open! You guys rock.

 

[Zman]

Colorado + jon boat = deathtrap

x2 million


Nice Fordo it looks like you photoshopped a 43 inch brookie!...what a rectangular chunk!...thats just filthy and sick!!

 

[Opry99er]

http://denver.craigslist.org/boa/4281868567.html

Seems to be a really good deal... I'm not ready yet, but does this seem to be a good price to you guys? If another deal comes up like this in a couple months, should I go for it?

OR, is it high? I just don't know. Thanks for the info, guys.

 

[Zman]

Seems pricey...look in other more southern cities to see what they are going there where there is more inventory...

 

[Opry99er]

Pricey, eh? Even with the motor... well, that's good news. I'll keep my eyes open, thanks, z.

 

[Bronco]

Fordo do you have any pics that are within the last 20 years. :tongue:

 

[walleye seeker]

i have bought 14 ft vees for 200 incl trailor no motor. untill you hear a motor run on a lake or in a bbl the value is zero. ponds up to 200 acres a elect trolling motor is great, be sure to have a pair of oars incase you run the battery down. i carried a 14 deep vee on the top of my pickup and camper for over 5 years and if you get the right roof rack it is easy to load by your self. you want the rear rack to be a roller and mounted as far back as you can get it

 

[pistoldog]

Chuck, Fischer and Zman all have you on the right track Opry, and especially with your son going with you, the v hull is the way to go.

 

[Opry99er]

Great info there, Walleye. $200 for boat and trailer?? Man, I gotta get on that wagon!!

Also need to figure out what freakin lakes I can boat on. back east, you could just about boat on any water you could push your boat onto... Its quite a bit different here, I know.

 

[Meridian69]

Go with a fishing kayak. They are stealthy, move through the water great, and very customizable with gear.

Here is a pic trolling on Aurora for trout & walleye.

 

[JWurgaft]

This 1969 Fiberglass 12' sea king F.V. Mackinaw Merauder has been with me for 2 decades. Don't get a flat bottom get a V hull. Something like this can be found for not a lot of money.




Below is 43" 41 pounder. The biggest mack ever aboard the Marauder

That mac is insane!

 

[Bionic Man]

14' V Hull is how I would go. And personally I would want a trailer.

I have bought and sold several over the years. You are going to have to look hard and act FAST if you want to find one for less than $500. And remember, prices will go up as we get closer to ice off. March - July or August will be the highest prices.

The last little boat I had was a 1974 14' Lund. Three wood benches with two swivel seats. Sold it with a trailer and a 36 pound thrust trolling motor for $1400 in one day two springs ago.

If you want a boat for this season, buy it soon.

 

[Opry99er]

Well, no can do. I wont be ready financially until March at the earliest. I appreciate the info, Bionic. Good stuff there.

 

[lvrider]

I've taken my hobie pa kayak out in some pretty big waves and stood up on it to fish. My buddy says he takes his son out on the back who was over six foot tall. I also vote for trailers. If its windy and you are lifting by yourself it can be challenging. Of course trailers are another fee every year and we all hate those.