Howdy all,

I live in NE Georgia where there are many lakes over 90 acres that are restricted to trolling motor only boats.  I have a Ford F150 short bed truck with a towing package.  I will primarily be fishing by myself, but will also occasionally have a fishing buddy with me.

I've been looking at boats for a while and am still undecided.  I have narrowed down my choices on what I want to get based on what I've looked at.  Here are the candidates:

I am looking at one of the pontoon style plastic mini bass boats, the Bass Hunter EX:

http://www.1stdirectproducts.com/basshunterex.html

It's pretty basic, so affordable, but the design appears to allow you to partition the interior and upgrade as you go, making the boats somewhat "expandable" if done intelligently.  The weight is reasonable and seems a good buy.  The biggest negative seems to be is you'd have to use lightweight materials to make the upgrade doable and the max weight limit is 550 lbs.

Does anyone have this boat or a similar boat and can comment on the pluses and minuses of such a boat?

I am also looking at two of the Johnson plastic modified V-Hulls, the Water Quest 10.6 and the Water Quest 11.3.  Both of these boats appear to offer good features and have a reinforced hull to allow a 15HP motor so you could actually get up on a plane.  I like these boats a great deal, but like the plastic pontoon boat above, I'm concerned about their upgradability and long term durability:

http://www.llboats.com/Bass10.6.html

I am also looking at a standard basic jon boat, either a 10, 12 or 14 footer in a v-type hull that I could buy plain initially, then gradually upgrade to a nicer boat with a trailer over time.  Or possibly buy used for cheap.  The reason for continued interest in these is the large amount of information available on the internet for upgrading these boats, plus the fishing tournaments where these seem to be the accepted mode of travel.  I would convert to a bassboat deck style and an aluminum frame underneath over time if I bought a stripper, but I'm thinking of getting a boat someone's tired of or doesn't have time to fish as a better alternative.  I don't have a brand of these I'm looking at yet, but would like to get a couple of brand recommendations and shapes to look at in a 10 to 14 foot boat size, either flat bow or modified V type.

The final boat I'm interested in is the SeaEagle Foldcat 375, for reasons of portability, rowability and storage.  I'm moving to a duplex apartment while I attend colege and these could be stowed inside safe from theft or tampering.  I called their factory and got some interesting facts:

1.  You can run up to a 75 lb thrust trolling motor on one.

2.  A 30 lb thrust motor gives you 6-7 hours on the water with a decent batttery.

3.  The rep I spoke to recommended a 55 lb thrust motor, because it gives you 8-10 hours on the water with this boat.

4.  It's possible for the average guy rowing this to travel anywhere from 1-2 miles, assuming it's on a lake.  It's "easy to row" he said.  This is good for a variety of reasons, including not to have to buy a motor up front.

5.  They offer the MB100 electric high pressure inflation pump that clips to a battery for inflation purposes.  This looks like a good choice for using the TM battery to inflate.

6.  With the 650 pound weight rating, one could add aluminum sheet "decking" coated with Dupli-color truck bed liner or marine carpet and create a decent platform to fish from with storage compartments.  This could greatly increase the useability of the boat and these could be made to add on with quick release locking pins after the boat is inflated.  Could potentially make for a real nice boat.

7.  The seats are standard and can be raised by changing out the pedestal.  I'm thinking this could be a good thing.

http://www.seaeagle.com/catamaran/375fc.asp

Does anybody have this boat and can comment?

go with a used (or even new) 10' jon boat. It will be more stable and offer more usable space than those plastic junk things. Plastic will warp and degrade over time, those boats will be worthless in 5-6 years. I've owned a jon boat that was almost 20 years old and sold it for more than I paid for it (after using it for 2 years).

I'm not even going to comment on the inflatable boat. Just think about sharp hooks. Then think about how many inflatable boats you see being used by fishermen. Sounds like you met a real good salesman.

go with a used (or even new) 10' jon boat. I've owned a jon boat that was almost 20 years old and sold it for more than I paid for it (after using it for 2 years).

Riveted or welded?

As long as you have a place to store it, I'd go with the johnboat as well.  They're just more durable and fishable than the other options you mentioned plus you can modify them to your hearts content.  Easy to launch to with your PU truck.  Make sure you get a trailer with it.

Oh, if you have the choice, go welded.

As long as you have a place to store it, I'd go with the johnboat as well.  They're just more durable and fishable than the other options you mentioned plus you can modify them to your hearts content.  Easy to launch to with your PU truck.  Make sure you get a trailer with it.

Oh, if you have the choice, go welded.

I'm not sure if I'll have a place I can store the jon boat and some of the lakes don't have a ramp.  Why is welded better and what's a good shape for the jon boat?  

I see some with flat hulls and some with V fronts that appear to be flat bottomed. What's a good jon boat hull design?

Finally, I forgot to mention I have two bad knees due to military service and need to keep my very long legs at a minimum of ninety degrees and preferably more to not experience pain.  How high can one raise the height of a boat seat off the standard jon boat seat before it becomes "tippy?"

I'll go the other way and recomend the plastic 2-man bass boat. Take care of it and it will last forever. I hose it down every couple of times out, and armor-all it a couple times a season. The are VERY stable, more so than any 12 foot or less jon-boat. I can run all day with a 30lb thrust TM on my battery. I have the 8' size which is great for me as I always fish alone, but for 2 people it's real tight, so if your going to fish with a buddy often get the 10'.

I'll go the other way and recomend the plastic 2-man bass boat. Take care of it and it will last forever. I hose it down every couple of times out, and armor-all it a couple times a season. The are VERY stable, more so than any 12 foot or less jon-boat. I can run all day with a 30lb thrust TM on my battery. I have the 8' size which is great for me as I always fish alone, but for 2 people it's real tight, so if your going to fish with a buddy often get the 10'.

The one I'm looking at is in the link above.   It's a 9"6" model.  What brand do you have?

I've got the KL industries 11'3" pro 120 boat and I absolutely love it. It's way more stable than any 12' jon i've ever been in. I've got a 15hp Johnson and a MinnKota Endura 30lb thrust trolling motor on it. This thing will plane fully loaded with two 230+lb fishermen and will do 13 to 14 mph (thats all I need).

I weigh 230 and my buddy weighs every bit of 280, we can stand at the same time and walk all over this boat. Try that with a 12' jon and you'll be swimming.

And I respectfully disagree about the durability, this boat is tough. One of the lakes I fish is loaded with trees, logs, standing timber, stumps and floaters. I've hit things in this boat and it doesn't leave a dent. You know as well as I do that if you hit something with an aluminum boat it's going to either puncture it or leave a nasty dent.

I bought this boat used for $1200 with the outboard, trolling motor and a nearly new trailer.

The ONLY thing that I dislike about the boat is it's heavy. It takes two people to lift it(without the outboard and fuel tank), and you better take all your gear out before you lift it. It's definitely do-able, but I just thought I would mention it.

Don't let anyone tell you the plastic boats are junk, it just isn't true. They have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages far outweigh the negatives for me, it's up to you to decide which is better for your needs.

I've got the KL industries 11'3" pro 120 boat and I absolutely love it. It's way more stable than any 12' jon i've ever been in. I've got a 15hp Johnson and a MinnKota Endura 30lb thrust trolling motor on it. This thing will plane fully loaded with two 230+lb fishermen and will do 13 to 14 mph (thats all I need).

I weigh 230 and my buddy weighs every bit of 280, we can stand at the same time and walk all over this boat. Try that with a 12' jon and you'll be swimming.

And I respectfully disagree about the durability, this boat is tough. One of the lakes I fish is loaded with trees, logs, standing timber, stumps and floaters. I've hit things in this boat and it doesn't leave a dent. You know as well as I do that if you hit something with an aluminum boat it's going to either puncture it or leave a nasty dent.

I bought this boat used for $1200 with the outboard, trolling motor and a nearly new trailer.

The ONLY thing that I dislike about the boat is it's heavy. It takes two people to lift it(without the outboard and fuel tank), and you better take all your gear out before you lift it. It's definitely do-able, but I just thought I would mention it.

Don't let anyone tell you the plastic boats are junk, it just isn't true. They have their advantages and disadvantages. The advantages far outweigh the negatives for me, it's up to you to decide which is better for your needs.

Brandon,

Thanks for the information.   The KL boat was one I was looking at.  Do you find you've wanted or needed to upgrade anything about it?

Brandon,

Thanks for the information. The KL boat was one I was looking at. Do you find you've wanted or needed to upgrade anything about it?

Dave

No problem.

I haven't needed to upgrade anything on this boat.

I do want to add an extension to the rear deck so the rear passenger has some more standing room, but that's more of a "nice to have" than a need.

Take a look at these two links, it's a two part story about a tournament angler who prefers this boat over his big bass boat for catching trophy bass. He's made some mods to the boat which are neat, including the rear deck extension I mentioned.

http://www.another sitearmy.com/bfa_news_article.asp?ID=11

http://www.another sitearmy.com/bfa_news_article.asp?ID=28

Brandon,

Thanks for the information.   The KL boat was one I was looking at.  Do you find you've wanted or needed to upgrade anything about it?

Dave

No problem.

I haven't needed to upgrade anything on this boat.

I do want to add an extension to the rear deck so the rear passenger has some more standing room, but that's more of a "nice to have" than a need.

Take a look at these two links, it's a two part story about a tournament angler who prefers this boat over his big bass boat for catching trophy bass. He's made some mods to the boat which are neat, including the rear deck extension I mentioned.

http://www.another sitearmy.com/bfa_news_article.asp?ID=11

http://www.another sitearmy.com/bfa_news_article.asp?ID=28

Thanks for the links.  Gives me more of an idea what these boats are capable of.  Is that a North Carolina tag on that Chevelle?

Dave

Thanks for the links. Gives me more of an idea what these boats are capable of. Is that a North Carolina tag on that Chevelle?

Dave

Sure is, I Live in Wilmington NC.

Thanks for the links.  Gives me more of an idea what these boats are capable of.  Is that a North Carolina tag on that Chevelle?

Dave

Sure is, I Live in Wilmington NC.

I've been to Wilmington a time or two fishing.  I'm originally from Goldsboro. (Grin)

Sure wish I could get some down east calabash style seafood or some good Wilber's barbeque.

Dave

Now why did you have to go and mention barbeque. Now I've got food on the brain and I'm trying to watch my girlish figure.  ;D

Goldsboro huh, I played football for New Hanover High school here. We had some tough games against G-boro.

ok, i have owned a 10 ft riveted jon a 9 ft kl industries pontoon and presently own a 1444 g3 welded jon.the 10 ft was too tippy and small, the pontoon was a little better but did not hold up to the dragging around. i dragged it because, like u, i fished alone. i broke down and bought the g3 new. i added my old trolling motors and have slowly upgraded the boat over time. it came with a front casting deck.my advice, look for a used 14 ft jon, welded would be best, and slowly update it.i fish electric lakes mostly and iam in ga too. there is a 14 ft jon for sale up the street. on hwy 81, in loganville. it has a 8 hp mariner on it. let me know if u want the telephone no. good luck

I'd like to get the phone number, but I'm not ready to buy quite yet.  I'll be buying at the end of the summer, as I'm still looking at boats now.  Thank you though.

Dave

What kind of budget are you working with for this boat?  I have a fiberglass Stump Knocker 2 that works great for what you are discribing (and it is even for sale).  Btw, I am in Wilson, NC.  Lost of local boys on this site.

X-trued,

I'm in Flowery Branch, GA.  That's a good 7 hours from where you are or better.  Both my Father and brother retired from the Firestone plant there in Wilson and my brother still lives there, so I've been all over that town.

My total budget is $3K, but I'll not be buying till the late summer after we get moved.

regards,

Dave

I'm in Flowery Branch, GA.  

Hey neighbor! I'm only forty minutes or so north of you, in northern Habersham County.

I'll go the other way and recomend the plastic 2-man bass boat. Take care of it and it will last forever. I hose it down every couple of times out, and armor-all it a couple times a season. The are VERY stable, more so than any 12 foot or less jon-boat. I can run all day with a 30lb thrust TM on my battery. I have the 8' size which is great for me as I always fish alone, but for 2 people it's real tight, so if your going to fish with a buddy often get the 10'.

WW2, all due respect intended but I have to strongly disagree with you.  Having spent many years in both vessels, the 12 ft jon outperfoms the basshunter 5X over.  Jons are stabler.  Much stabler.  Larger working platform.  More storage area.  Will last longer (basshunters tend to leak after time, fixing is much more difficult than fixing a leaking jon as they leak at the seam.)

Weights are comparable. 8ft BH vs 12 ft jon

as for the 10' jon,...now I would prefer the basshunter.  I am strictly talking about a 12' jon and an 8' basshunter

and 2 people in an 8' is EXTREMELY tight.  Like, so tight, if you have feet, don't bring a tackle box if you ever want to put them down,lol.

I have a 16 ft moddified v hul all welded alu. I like it.