http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/?boat=3514

This what I'm looking at getting in the next few months. I want to build a small casting deck from the rear of the front bench seat to the bow. Being as this has a 52" beam instead of the more common 42 or 46" beams, is this going to stable enough to stand on and fish?

Im planning on going with a foot mounted motor on the front and a rear mounted trolling motor on the rear. I will take both batteries and place them in the rear for added weight. I will get a gas motor later.

I want to stick with a 10' or under for now. I have a Explorer Sport Trac. With the tail gate down, it's 6'3" long. Bed is 54" wide so the boat will slip right in.

I have no room for a trailer right now and don't want to do a storage unit at this time. I figure with boat, two motors, batteries etc, it will weight about 150-200 pounds. I have a sweet idear to build a ratchet lift to hang it from the ceiling in my garage.

Thanks for the help. This is got me all kinds of gitty as a school girl

I think you are going to be cutting it real close with the weight capacity. Specs say max weight of 380 and if you have 200lbs before you and your gear that thing is gonna ride low in the water for sure.

Fly makes a good point. Go up a size or two and buy the trailer also.

The bottom width is what you need to be considering!  36" is VERY tippy.  I would recommend at least a 48" bottom before adding a deck!   Don;t cut corners, you will regret it in the long run, even if it takes you longer to get it!

 

Jeff

the issue with johnboats is weight more than stability in most cases.

 

once you build the deck, add TM, battery, yadda yadda you will be sitting LOW.

 

as with anything else get the most you can afford, even if you gotta wait for it.

Not sure if you are buying new but I would seriously watch craig list for jon boats possibly with trailer or gear with what your looking at if you buying this new. I learned with my tracker topper14 if your state anything like mine the freight charges and taxes digs deep in your pockets. If want to go new get the total after everything to make sure if haven't already.

 

 If can find them on craiglist it will save you allot if and can find the right deal. I know I will never buy another jon boat new.

Not sure if you are buying new but I would seriously watch craig list for jon boats possibly with trailer or gear with what your looking at if you buying this new. I learned with my tracker topper14 if your state anything like mine the freight charges and taxes digs deep in your pockets. If want to go new get the total after everything to make sure if haven't already.

If can find them on craiglist it will save you allot if and can find the right deal. I know I will never buy another jon boat new. especially once you go to stalling a deck you voided the warranty.

X2. I do know that NC and VA, there are always good deals of all grades jons on CL. Id start there.

I think you are going to be cutting it real close with the weight capacity. Specs say max weight of 380 and if you have 200lbs before you and your gear that thing is gonna ride low in the water for sure.

Man I never thought about that. Good point. Thanks!

The bottom width is what you need to be considering!  36" is VERY tippy.  I would recommend at least a 48" bottom before adding a deck!   Don;t cut corners, you will regret it in the long run, even if it takes you longer to get it!

 

Jeff

I was hoping to get something small for this coming season and go larger in two years, but you make good point. If I wait till February of 2014 I can have a budget of around 7k

I think one of those 10'Pelican  pond boats or something similar is a better boat than that 10'jon boat.  Even before you add anything to it, it will be tippy.  Check one of those boats out before you buy.

The bottom width is what you need to be considering!  36" is VERY tippy.  I would recommend at least a 48" bottom before adding a deck!   Don;t cut corners, you will regret it in the long run, even if it takes you longer to get it!

 

Jeff

Jeff, can you give me a link to your brand of boat? That looks sweet.

I found a decent trailer from a buddy at work. I still think even with a 14' boat I can store the small trailer in the back yard and the boat from the ceiling in the garage

I was hoping to get something small for this coming season and go larger in two years, but you make good point. If I wait till February of 2014 I can have a budget of around 7k

 

with that budget (2014) you can almost get a used tracker PT165.....maybe even a pt 175.......worth thinking about.

with that budget (2014) you can almost get a used tracker PT165.....maybe even a pt 175.......worth thinking about.

I know. I just found the most beautiful 2001 ranger I've ever seen for 4k.

Jeff, can you give me a link to your brand of boat? That looks sweet. I found a decent trailer from a buddy at work. I still think even with a 14' boat I can store the small trailer in the back yard and the boat from the ceiling in the garage

 

 

http://www.backwoodslanding.com/16ft.html

 

Might have to order the one you want.  They also have a good trailer for less than a grand!

 

Jeff

If you do decide to get the 10'er, check out www.tinboats.net for ideas on a casting deck. This site really helped my modify my Alumacraft by seeing what has worked for other people.

You would be much better off buying a Pelican or Basshunter two man boat over a 10 foot jonboat.  My 8ft Basshunter Baby Bass has a weight limit of 475 lbs and is much more stable than any Jon boat with a 36 inch bottom.  Go read the long thread here about Pelican owners before buying a 10 ft jonboat.

You would be much better off buying a Pelican or Basshunter two man boat over a 10 foot jonboat.  My 8ft Basshunter Baby Bass has a weight limit of 475 lbs and is much more stable than any Jon boat with a 36 inch bottom.  Go read the long thread here about Pelican owners before buying a 10 ft jonboat.

I remember when I had my 11' Sears I still miss that jon boat easy to carry, but when my seat broke the boat about flipped if wasn't for my brother being up front and countered the weight. The dang thing was almost standing up sideways, haha good times. This dummy sat back in the seat and almost fell out boat again.

You would be much better off buying a Pelican or Basshunter two man boat over a 10 foot jonboat.  My 8ft Basshunter Baby Bass has a weight limit of 475 lbs and is much more stable than any Jon boat with a 36 inch bottom.  Go read the long thread here about Pelican owners before buying a 10 ft jonboat.

Thanks

I remember when I had my 11' Sears I still miss that jon boat easy to carry, but when my seat broke the boat about flipped if wasn't for my brother being up front and countered the weight. The dang thing was almost standing up sideways, haha good times. This dummy sat back in the seat and almost fell out boat again.

I think you would have a very hard time trying to flip one of these 4 ft wide pontoon style boats.  Two people can stand on the very edge of my basshunter with no issues.