Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk AL Fishing Talk Jon boat recommendations

Guys, I need some sound advice. I'm looking for a all welded Jon boat to take my wife and kids out on. Is there any brand that's better/ or stay away from? What kinda price range am I looking at? I'm by no means an expert on boats. Thanks in advance for the info.

Need more info. How many and what size kids? There's a big difference between going out and actually fishing , and there is a difference between bass fishing and catfishing.

I was in the same situation and as an all around compromise, I bought a Sea Ark Rivercat 200. It's a 20'long 8' wide john boat with decks,center console, livewells, and 115 4 stroke outboard. I got it for 22K.

There's a lot of other choices though for less money or more. I wouldn't expect to take the family on anything smaller than 18'.

My girls are 8 and almost 12. We will be mostly fishin for catfish,bluegill,crappie. I don't want to spend a ton of money. I do want something safe/stable.

I would look at an all welded hull 1860 with a fairly new 40hp-90hp 4 stroke. You should be able to find one from $4K-$8K if you look long enough. You might also consider a tiller steer for the room. You can fish with everyone in an 1860 size boat but it's still tough for 4 people to fish well even from a larger boat. You can do OK though with live bait on a kid trip.

Make sure to get one 20" transom rather than the shallow 15". A V bottom will be better in rough water. Something designed like a Lund but a flat bottom will float shallower and still do OK on rough water if it is wide and deep.

I think just for family fishing an aluminum John is the right way to go. It won't be as fast and smooth as a bass boat design but it works better with 4 people and is more versatile than a bass fishing rocket sled.

I'll look around and see if I can post some links for examples.

Sounds like a barge, but my kinda boat.

Westkybuck
What kind of money were you thinking of spending.

Here is a great deal on a 16' that would work. It's not optimal for 4 people but a good deal if 4 only go sometimes and 2-3 most times.
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/boa/5547931497.html


Here is the kind of boat I recommend but it may be a lot more money than you are thinking of.
https://bham.craigslist.org/bod/5542227246.html

Here is a good looking all around boat.
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/boa/5562144776.html


This looks like a really good deal to me with a 4 stroke.
https://huntsville.craigslist.org/boa/5608879882.html

Realy nice one, right size everything with a nearly new motor but 9K
https://shoals.craigslist.org/boa/5576739179.html

Yes, it's bargesk but very stable and roomy. 29" deep sides and rated for 12 persons.


It's 6'X5' here in the floor in front of the console.Enough room for a couple camping chairs when cat fishing.





It was an anniversary present from my wife. I believe I'll keep them both.LOL

Wow....that boat is awesome.

Look at a Carolina Skiff before you buy anything else. I have 17 1/2' Skiff and its 24 years old and still look like it came off showroom floor. DGB

Good boat too that might work well for the family. I saw a couple on Craigslist under 8K but didn't pay much attention to motor details.

RH who did you deal with for the Sea Ark. I am between a SeaArk CC or Procat 200 and a G3 Sportsman 200

RH, thank you very much for the links. I've got a good idea what I need now. Man you sure have a sweet set up. Thanks again!

D&D Marine in Athens. I bought one through them that someone had canceled at the factory. It wasn't the color I really wanted but it had all the features and D&D sold it to me 7-8K cheaper than what a couple other dealers wanted for the same boat.

Shoot me a PM if you want to go out and try it out sometime.