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[Jewelz]

Me and my dad are in the market for a 14' aluminum boat. Came across some of these jon boats at a local boat dealership and was quite surprised to see how cheap they were compared to V-hulls. We wanted to use the boat strictly for lake fishing. What's everyone's opinion about them...

Here's the model we were looking at: http://boats.iboats.com/alumacraft-boats-1448-20t-jon-boat/575271.html

[fishgutz63]

got one of them and they work out great for me in lakes  n sloughs i would recommend them for the money 

[777fishing]

Had a new 1236 which I sold after going out a few times in it last year.  Was junk when we got into any waves!! The person up front would always get wet (wife did not enjoy that much!!)   Great little boat for flat water and fly fishing on small calm lakes!!
Just was not good for us and all the wind and other boats zooming by. Got a nice 16ft alum V-hull now.

[troutbreath]

http://directboats.com/jonbobugu.html

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=29574


It sounds like you only want to take that puppy out on a nice day.

[Jewelz]

http://directboats.com/jonbobugu.html

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=29574


It sounds like you only want to take that puppy out on a nice day.

Haha! How did you guess!  I might take it out when its raining, but prolly not if its windy! I know, I know... I'm a wuss

[spoonfed]

Have a Lowe 1448MT. Don't use it a lot but works great when I do. very stable to fly fish from. not fun when it water gets a bit rough.

[Jewelz]

Have a Lowe 1448MT. Don't use it a lot but works great when I do. very stable to fly fish from. not fun when it water gets a bit rough.

We are looking at that one now too. 

[Damien]

Those small 1236's are ONLY good for still waters/small lakes/little to no wind.

1448 is the way to go.

[Big Green Machine]

The type of boat you purchase should depend on the type of fishing you do most. The boat you want is different than the boat you need and the boat you like is different than the boat you need.  The smaller Jon's are great for fly fishing and at anchor. They can be tippy though. If you like to fish the big river and troll lakes where you need to zip around a lot, a deep v hull would be better.

[coldfinger]

Green machine's advice is good.
The Jon boats look kool but if the boats is going to used in the saltchuck I'd pass.
As an alternative I can say I've had a 14' princeraft Yukon for 12 years now…and aside from looking it's age,
 used it alot, it's still  as soild as a riveted boat can be. The transom is still in great shape after bbeing pushed by 15 hrs $ stroke merc. all it's life.
 it's wide beam males it very stable.
 
and that's not to mention the Legend series of boats …they look pretty nice too.
And of course the smokercraft has always made a great product….
so much to choose from …
one thing for sure, it will never be big enough!

[Jewelz]

We have narrowed it down to 3 boats; Alumacraft Fisherman 145CS, Polar Kraft 1578 WT SC and the Legend 14 Prosport SC. We have done away with the jon.

 If anyone else can suggest an aluminum boat with a side console for around $9000 that I haven't thought of, please share! Thanks.

[fullahead]

Lifetimer

[HOOK]

Jewelz - dont do away with the jon boat idea. take a look for jon boats with a modified Vhull, basically they are a jon boat but they have a V on the underside of the front end to cut through waves easier in rougher water. I know LUND makes them but not sure what other companies do, well worth a look if you want something very stable to fish from 

[Jewelz]

We looked at the modified v hulls, but i think what moved us away was they carrying capacity. The jons just don't carry as much at the deep v's, and with a family of 6 its kinda important. Maybe I'll give it another look just to make sure...

[Jewelz]

I also forgot to mention that we now want to take the boat out to the bay to do some crab fishing.