Looking to get a new boat this year. Can't decide between Sun dolphin pro or a 1436 tracker jon boat? After adding up what it would cost to make a jon boat into a bass boat (decking, wiring, fuses, livewells ect..) the cost would be almost the same a buying the dolphin pro, with out all the work? Just slap a trolling motor, battery and go!

 

Anyone have experiance on these boats? Thanks!

I've had the sun dolphin pro and I currently have a tracker 1542. I miss the sub dolphin it was an awesome boat but the transom flexed more than I would have liked with a 5 HP outboard. It was a 99' though and was left out in the sun for a few years before I got it. The tracker has more length to it but isn't as wide and is louder walking around, but the sun dolphin is louder when anchored and waves are hitting the bow the stability is pretty close to each other though. I would add in the option of the basstender 11.3 it's a little less glamorous version of the sun dolphin pro.

Yes, the  basstender 11.3 does look good too. If I can find one used, that's a possiblity too.

In my opinion, the 1436 is a little narrow. (the 36 is the number, in inches of the width of the boat)

Maybe for river applications, where you're sitting down all the time, that would be ok, but if you've got the choice, there are other options. ( better ones in my opinion)  I like something that I can stand up in and not be concerned about balance.  If your balance is a lot better than mine (a strong possibility) then the 1436 jon  would be a decent fit for you.

 

At the end of the day, anything that gets you on the water and off the bank is a positive.  Boys and their toys - get the best one that you can afford

I had a Basshound 10.2 back in the day. (same thing as the Sun Dolphin Pro 102) Why K&L keeps changing their names I'll never know haha. Anyway it was a great little boat. I had an 8 horse on the back and it did flex, but that's just the nature of the material. For a boat that wide it was nice and stable and handled rough water surprisingly well. Despite what the manuals said (at least the one that came with mine) they will get up on plane and it was actually fairly zippy at least until I out grew it. (I'm 6'6" and 225 so it was getting to the point I'd have to lean forward to help get it out of the hole) Overall though they're great starter and small water boats. I'd suggest getting either the 102 (used or new), a used Bass Tender 11.3 or the 120 Pro. You won't be disappointed.

Thanks for the input guys!

 

One more thing that concerns me is, size of the live well in the sundolphin pro.

 

Is it big enough to keep five bass alive? I fish some small boat bass tourneys when ever i can.

IMO I don't think you could keep a 5 fish limit I think it's more for live bait users

hi, I'm new here. My fiancee and I just got the sun dolphin pro 120. We have shore fished our small local lake for the last 2 years and can't wait to try this boat out. We really liked the idea of this boat because its pretty well set up for people like us,(no boat experience). We just want the ability to fish the areas of the lake we have untill now, only been able to see in the distance.I also like the idea of getting some experience and buying a small outboard for it to fish our local river and bigger lakes.We cant fish our lake until May 1st but if anyone wants to know how we make out, just let me know!

Amy

Well. sold my crawdad & are now ready to buy my new boat.

 

But, I'm seeing some reviews on Pro 120 that are not so good?

 

Leaks around the drains & some build quality issues?

Has anyone experienced these?

 

The lakes & pond I fish are under 300 acres, so the Pro 120 looks like my best option.  

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

Well. sold my crawdad & are now ready to buy my new boat.

 

But, I'm seeing some reviews on Pro 120 that are not so good?

 

Leaks around the drains & some build quality issues?

Has anyone experienced these?

 

The lakes & pond I fish are under 300 acres, so the Pro 120 looks like my best option.  

 

Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

I'd say go for it, they're pretty sweet little boats!