Ok well i just got back from buying a 1979 Lowe 14 foot 48 inch wide jon boat, I bougt the jon boat and trailer for $250 which was a veryy god deal. The boat has a deck on the from made out of aluminum and a pedestal seat up front the deck is in rouch shape but still usable. So i was wondering what everybdoy had in mind on what to do to make my boat a nice rig to fish for bass out off,

ill try to get pics up later

Awsome, its all you really need. One of the best feelings you will ever get it is winning a tourney in that boat, and the guy in second has a $55,000 Triton.  8-)

Awsome, its all you really need. One of the best feelings you will ever get it is winning a tourney in that boat, and the guy in second has a $55,000 Triton. 8-)

I did that two years ago in the same size boat. I'm hear to tell you that it was a great feeling.

Clean and sand that boat and then add carpet and some storage and you will be on your way. Look for a trailor to. It will make useing that boat more enjoyable.

ha  hopefuilly i can show all those boys up in tehr fancy bas rigs ha while im in my 14ft lowe

That's just the kind of rig I'm going to be looking for in the near future. I'm finding it senseless to continue to drag my Champion around to smaller lakes that I either can't run the big motor on at all or can only run at idle speed.  The gas to and from the lake is killing me.

Good luck, nice deal.   8-)

I would work on getting a real trailer for that.  Utility trailers are absolutely GREAT trailers - for carrying stuff. ;D

Now, get this, jon boat trailers are great for....

Wait for it....

Jon boats!!!

The two rarely cross paths successfully.  

Trust me, you will drive yourself stupid trying to constantly load, unload, and drive with that.  It will be worth every penny.  

Next, I would look for an outboard.  An old Johnson or Evinrude, even way back into the 50s and 60s, if maintained correctly, will last a long while.  

Now, definitely get your safety gear at this point.  Given the size of the boat, and the intended use, it isn't gonna cost you that much.  But, it could be worth every penny.

Then, add a bow mount trolling motor.  Used MK all terrains, and edges, can be found for great deals.  A 12 volt 40 pound thrust would probably suit you fine.  

Now, a sonar.  Smaller ones, such as the eagle fishmark 320 and 480 will be fine (I run a 320)

If you want to make it look nice, you can give it a good scraping, and painting.  Research "roll and tip" and "etching primer" among other things.  Also, you can carpet that thing.  Lowes and HD sell Indoor/outdoor carpet, both by the foot from the large roll, or you can buy little 5 x 8 foot sections, usually near the area rugs.  These are like 10 to 15 bucks, and are great for that, or small trailer bunks.  

Keep us updated on what you do.  We seem to have an addiction for pictures.

well actually thats not the trailer that came with it , i have the picture posted below, i have a 45 lb. thrust trolling motor and i am looking for a 5 to 10 horsepower outboard. thanks for the advice so far, any other tips would be great

thanks

rookie

heres is another pic of the trailer, the bunks are specifically made for this jon boats

I have a 7.5 game fisher that runs great. I would problly be interested in selling it depinding on wether I get this other motor pm me if you might be enterested. Like I said the motor runs great I am just trieing to get a 20 hp from a friend.

5 hp might be a little small on that boat.  I wouldn't go less than 9.9 and preferably a 15 or better.

Nice find.  I agree with everything said so far about how to outfit it.  I am not much for paint and good looks though.  I am a form and function guy.  Why go through the extra work of painting it when you will just have to do it again.