Just started fishing this year & I'm hooked . I bought a small Jon boat from a neighbor, but sold it after 2 outings. It was just too small for my son & I. Looking for some advise. Want something that can hold at least 2 average adults & is light enough to car-top on my mini-van. Or something that might fit inside the van too. So far I have narrowed it down to several choices. A sports pal 14' canoe, 10' or 12' Jon boat and a mini bass boat (bass raider). Would also like to have a trolling motor. Any input would be very helpful!

My experience is that canoes are very versatile, and can be easily maneurved, but if you are looking to hook up a trolling motor with it; it would be best to get a square back canoe to make mounting easier. Of course a jon boat makes mounting a trolling motor much easier, but I find moving in a canoe very easy (not to mention easier to carry or lift).  Canoes are a little less sturdy than a jon boat, but I never had trouble fishing from one. Just my 2cents though

Keep in mind bottom width determines stability

Get the biggest boat that will fit in the Van. Canoes are uncomfortable after a few hours of fishing, plus coordinating moves with 2 people can be a nightmare. With the boat (Jon or raider) you can at least stand up for a minute of two and stretch your legs. Having a back rest is a big plus. I have had all 3 of those boats.

Just my .02

Catt is right.  I have fished in many alum rowboats and I found that the ones that are 48" wide are much less stable than ones that are 54" wide.  Grumman and Meyers and Alumacraft all have wider beams.  I had a 10'er that worked fine for many years but upgraded to a 12'er to fit more gear.  2 200lb guys can stand up and fish and move freely without that tippy feeling when  the other guy makes abrupt movements.  You can even attach a clamp pedestal seat if you feel better leaning or sitting up high.  If you shop around a lot and keep your standards high, a good condition 10' will cost $350 and a 12' boat will cost $450.  A new one is over $1000.  If you find better you're a great shopper.  The $200 boats I looked at were all beaters with patchwork and lots of paint.  I stayed away from aftermarket painted boats because I hated seeing flaking paint on my gear and the water.  A square back canoe is hard to steer with the motor being directly behind you when its windy and you have to keep your hand on it the whole time.  Thats why they make those side mount motor clamps so its at your side with twisting 180 degrees.  Hope this helps

We used to fish in a canoe with a 28lb thrust trolling motor. Moved it along pretty good. But you have inadequate control with this type of arrangement. Also, it is tough to stand and bass fishing requires standing much of the time. Try sitting down and pitching or flipping! Canoes are fine if you don't have anything else. We also have a jon boat. Better than a canoe but not long enough. There's always going to be some sort of compromise. Small hand totable boats are good for ponds and places without boat ramps. Other than that, a bass boat with a main motor, flat decks and a foot pedal trolling motor in front is the only way to go.

I had a tracker 1436jon , but trailered it behind my minivan for a while. I took my kids out lots in it and it was great. Mind you not nearly as good as the PT 175txw I replaced it with but we fished it for 4 seasons and besides really windy high wake, conditions, it was awesome.

I did mod it though, added front and aft casting decks and put in some pedestal seats.

Hey Thanks everyone! Your replies have been very helpful.  I would like to stay away from anything that needs a trailer. I just don't get out enough to spend more $ on a trailer hitch, trailer, bigger boat, etc...

So, I thought that a small boat would be fine. I usually fish @ my local honey hole that is electric motor only & is only 5 minutes down the road (sweet!! ).  My mini-van is a Honda odyssey so, with all the seats out I can fit 4x8 sheets of plywood in it. It also has factory roof rack. I like the mini bass boats but, I've read that they can fill up with water making them heavier? I was loading the jon boat I had inside the van & just tying the tail gate down. It was a gamefisher 10' jon. It only had a capacity of 245#, which is why I sold it.

the capacity is deceiving.  It actually represents the capacity weight after the boat has sunk.  So your boat full of water will hold 245lbs before it actually sinks to the bottom.

Also I forgot to specify the V hulls in my post are better than flatbottom boats in stability

Just started fishing this year & I'm hooked . I bought a small Jon boat from a neighbor, but sold it after 2 outings. It was just too small for my son & I. Looking for some advise. Want something that can hold at least 2 average adults & is light enough to car-top on my mini-van. Or something that might fit inside the van too. So far I have narrowed it down to several choices. A sports pal 14' canoe, 10' or 12' Jon boat and a mini bass boat (bass raider). Would also like to have a trolling motor. Any input would be very helpful!

Have you considered buying a couple of float tubes or pontoon boats? These are cheap and portable and very comfortable.

I have caught tons of fish from my tubes over the years. Even though I own a bass boat boat, I still prefer my tube for pure simplicity occasionally.

Crawdad®

Model No. J12M010

   

Features Specs Expert Info Warranty   Made of virtually indestructible Ram-X® material  Length 12'/365 cm  Beam 48"/122 cm  Weight 131 lbs/60 kg  Maximum Capacity 420 lbs/191 kg  Maximum 6HP  Multi-use jon boat with 36 cubic feet of cargo space  Comfortable, full width central bench seat  Reinforced central and rear bench seats allow chair mounting  Rivot and seam-free construction for smooth, watertight finish  Double-hull ribbed construction for greater strength and stability  Reinforced motor mounts at transom and bow  Tri-grooved hull for superior tracking  Four rod holders  Extra flotation enclosed for added safety  Fore and aft carrying handles for convenient transportation  Tough bumper helps protect against dock abrasions  Two year limited warranty  

I bought my first one in '88 and my second one in 2002.  I love it.

maybe look into a porta-bote, i'm in the same situation and i looked into all the other options and this one seemed to be the one most fit for me, i'm working on getting one my self, i have yet to hear anything negative about them.

Get a couple of fishing kayaks.

i have a 12 foot jon boat, i am not sure about it being able to be on top of your van though.  I just keep in the back of my truck.  But the boat will hold me and another adult easily.

I would look at the coleman crawdad or a riverhawk. Personally, I like the riverhawk.

I have a like new 10' Porta boat for sale.

I'm not sure how big and sturdy of a jon boat you are going to be able to carry without a trailer.

I was looking a the tracker 1032 or 1232.

They are 46" wide. The weight is 77# for the 10' and 88# for the 12'. The porta-boat look great but very pricey. 

I was looking a the tracker 1032 or 1232.

They are 46" wide. The weight is 77# for the 10' and 88# for the 12'. The porta-boat look great but very pricey.

Are you sure about that 46" width on those small trackers ?

The bottom width on these two boats is 32 inches not 46 inches.

46' is the top width

yes the bottom is 32"

I have a like new 10' Porta boat for sale.

Can you post pics and a price?

I have a like new 10' Porta boat for sale.

Can you post pics and a price?

This boat was purchased new in March of 2007. We were to pack it with us on trips with our travel trailer for fishing. The fishing trips did not happen. The boat has been used on a local lake about 6 times. It is spotless and in very new condition. The web site can show it's features and functions in great detail www.porta-boat.com . Set up takes minutes and is easily rolled to water's edge on the removable wheels. It can be powered by a gas outboard or electric trolling motor. It moves very easily with little power. Great for "electric only" lakes. Purchased new would cost $1,349.00 for the boat and $229.00 for the wheels, for a total of $1,578.00. Oars and set-up stick (used for assembling) are included. I can transport to a meet point of reasonable distance for gas compensation.

http://s303.photobucket.com/albums/nn123/rag_18/porta%20boat/

Asking $1,100 or make an offer.

Get a couple of fishing kayaks.

x2

Relatively inexpensive, no registration required, easy to carry, and can go places even a tiny john boat can't squeeze into.

I have a 10ft Sears jon boat, 1032. its perfect for my daughter and myself, it will fish 2 adults, but as with any smaller craft it requires care.

It's a loaded little boat, two 360* swivel seats, MinnKota 55lbs thrust TM, and a Sears HD Marine battery. I can slip it into the back of my truck with ease, and you very well may be able to slide into the back of your van.

I did notice your in MA and your not very far, if your still looking for a 10ftr in the spring we'll keep in touch as she may be for sale. As a package!

Im sure too just got burried in this white crap.

Yes that would be great! The boat I had was also a sears gamefisher 10'. But it had a very low weight cap @ 245# was rated for 1 person. So, I sold it.

What are the weight caps on yours?