Hey there, new to the forums but not new to boating & fishing. looking for your guys' opinion. Im looking at purchasing a 16'+ jon boat solely to be used for bass, crappie & catfish fishing, currently have a 19' recreational boat which is not the best for navigating the fishing lakes and areas id like to go. I will mainly be taking the boat to small local lakes 100-900 acres, and occasionally on a lake which is about 12,000 acres in size. Not really looking for a fiberglass boat. Ive found a couple boats for sale locally, an older Lowe 1648 side console modified v with a 40hp evinrude, with custom front and rear decks and the other is an 08 Lowe roughneck sc 1652, has live well, with a 50hp johnson. both priced about the same.  I know these boats would fare well on the smaller lakes but would they safely handle the chop of the bigger lake on a busy day? It seems the roughneck has a lower freeboard height, will I be able to take this safely on larger lakes or would i have to worry about water coming over the rear freeboards? It will mainly just be myself and my dog on it, but two people on occasion. any input or opinions?  

I used to run a Tracker 185 mod v boat and had it out on Lake of the Ozarks hitting some of the 4-5ft yacht wakes. While it certainly wasn’t comfortable or fun, it handled the job fine. I think you would be fine either way you go, just gotta pick your days and obviously don’t go out on the big lake if it’s too rough.

On 9/24/2021 at 10:18 AM, coldsteel5 said:

I know these boats would fare well on the smaller lakes but would they safely handle the chop of the bigger lake on a busy day?

 

I fish Toledo Bend 190,000 acres.

 

I'm currently running a Alweld 1652VV Marsh RD Package Tunnel with a Tohatsu 40 hp.

 

Two suggestions 

Learn where every boat launch is, I trailer to the different areas I plan on fishing.

 

Keep an eye on the weather, a weather app on you phone is a great idea.

Mod v hulls are not great for waves.  I have one.  A true v hull knifes through the waves a lot better.

 

I have a Ranger RT178 and I primarily fish small to mid size lakes with it.  However, a few times a year I do fish a couple of larger lakes, but I cannot fish them in any conditions.  Anything more than 10 mph wind not only is questionable in terms of safety, but it makes for problem controlling the boat.  I didn't buy the boat with the intention of using it on big water most of the time.  If I tackled 4 or 5 foot waves in it, I'd take on water.  But I won't ever be out there in that, so there's no issue.

 

The rig you described will be perfectly fine on the lakes under 1000 acres.  I would hesitate to go on anything big if there is wind.

My Dad had a modified V-hull, 16', 50hp Merc, I think it was a Lowe. Casting decks, steering wheel, it did what he and my Brother needed it to do. Didn't handle chop well at all.

 

My Brother got a Lund Alaskan this spring. Dad sold his Lowe shortly thereafter. 

 

I would highly recommend getting a V-hull. They are hard to beat.

 

Rather have it and not need it, vs. need it and not have it...

I’ve got a 15/48 mod-V Polar Kraft, with 25hp 4-stroke. I think it handle waves and weather good for what it is. As good as a V-bottom…No.  just keep aware of the weather and what’s going on around ya. 

Thanks for the input. Sounds like boats of this size should be able to handle where I'm looking to fish mostly. I don't like to be on the larger lake with winds over 15 mph, even with our ski boat. I had a chance to talk to an owner of a tracker grizzly who was next to me last time I was pulling my boat out of the water. it was a substantially windy day that day and he said the boat handled the chop pretty well with 2 people and gear.  Unfortunately the 1648 jon boat sold already but the roughneck 1652 is still available. guy is asking around 4k, comes with lowrance elite 7 and a 12v 45lb thrust trolling motor & batteries.  Does that seem a reasonable price? there is currently foam padding glued on the floor and decks id like to remove, how much of a hassle would that be? 

16 hours ago, coldsteel5 said:

the roughneck 1652 is still available. guy is asking around 4k, comes with lowrance elite 7 and a 12v 45lb thrust trolling motor & batteries. 

 

Sounds fairly reasonable 

 

16 hours ago, coldsteel5 said:

there is currently foam padding glued on the floor and decks id like to remove, how much of a hassle would that be?

 

Hard to say without knowing what kind of glue & how well its stuck.