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[Damien]

I have been looking at this style of aluminum for a while now.  I usually fish with just two guys, so I think I like the style of a boat that is fully decked front to back, with a small cockpit in the middle.

Like this;


Opposed to this;


The majority of my fishing is casting around locally (mid Fraser and estuaries) for Pinks and Coho, and head up to the interior to flyfish in the spring and summer.  So I think having the raised deck is ideal for me.  The tons of storage areas and lockers help as well.  I rarely fish more than two guys.

Aside from the higher centre of gravity created by the decking, which could pose a problem in rougher water, any other negatives you can think of when going deck style opposed to bench style of modified V "jon" boat?

I am a somewhat experienced boater having run V bottom aluminium boats my entire life in calmer waters including around ambleside, near shore Howe Sound etc and understand limits.  Currently I have a 14' long, wide deeper V tinny with a 30hp Yamaha but am looking to move up to a 16-17' with steering and more comfort.  And in theory the opportunity to pull a tube around the lake a couple times per year.  But 98% of the useage is fishing for two, hence I gravitate to the awesome casting positing of a decked jon boat.

My V tinny will be given to a family member so I will always have access to it.

General thoughts?

[Easywater]

If by "flyfishing" you mean chironomid fishing, you might want to be low & seated most of the time.
I stand to cast (obviously) but put my rods in holders and need to be close to them for the strike.

For your Fraser fishing, it should be great.

[clarkii]

You might lose ease of access through storage, and also might see a weight capacity reduction.

In regards to casting and retrieving the higher position would aid in both casting and assuming you can get your rod tip in the water (a must for retrieving flies to maintain a tight connection) it might be easier to strip/hand twist etc, however  I do see potential issues getting comfortable if you need to rolley polley.

[kanuckle head]

Search for a bass tracker, rarely came up north of the border and best to search states side
The older models were riveted supports, so the older the hull may be more problematic for leaks
Trackers are still offered by Bass Pro but new is prime coin same with the G3 model

http://bellingham.craigslist.org/boa/5334979611.html

I had a 14 ft jon similar to your second picture and I built supports to receive a platform, hinged areas as door to store fuel tanks, battery, PFD and various gear.........would I do it again. Hell no!!, too much work not enough fishing 

[Damien]

Noted, good feedback.

I also do bassfishing from time to time.  Much less so since I moved back to Vancouver from the Okanagan and understanding retrieving with the rod tip low.  Bassboats are desiged for this, with little freeboard and ability to retrieve with the rod tip touching the top of the water.  And that is with a 6-7 foot rod.  A fly rod should be nice to strip from the elevated casting position.  Just seems like it would be a whole lot easier than what I have been doing.  Standing and casting from a V bottom boat.  Feet, ankles and hips start to ache after a while.  Especially since I aint getting any younger.

To Kanuckles point, yeah.  I have debated modifying my existing boat or getting a bare bones type of jon boat and going to down on it.  But I just think, why bother, if I can find one with some rod lockers, tackle storage, live well (which will serve as a beverage holder), etc already done. 

And about chironomiding.  Here is what they do south of the boarder fishing for "crappie".  SWEEEET!  lol

[Noahs Arc]

Man those Muuricans sure go all the way when they do something.
I'd try building a raised floor in your boat first if your chief complaint is sore ankles from the hull.
Likewise you could do the same for the "bare bones" Jon.
If I had money to burn the raised deck Jon doesn't look bad at all for what you want I'd just be a little leery about the chuck except for some local crabbing and such.

[Damien]

Yeah, I can see that.  The boat I have is only a 14ft tiller so I have never really done anything more than very near shore chuck with it.  I'm just kind of done thinking about making it more than what it is.

The boat I am looking at is 17' with a 60hp, modified V hull.  A big step up, and from what I fish from.  The lockers, storage, console steering, speed/fun factor etc is just going to be a nice change from what I am used to.  Although since I moved from a 15hp to the 30hp I have on my V now is awesome. 

The Mod V does have a relatively low amount of freeboard, so I will use my old tinny when out in the chuck (if I ever do get out there).  But zipping inshore around Barnet or White Rock, Porteau etc for crab is a scenario I could see with Mod V.  Heck, I can strap down more than a few square crab traps and prawn pots on the big front deck thats for sure.  And likely bury the nose in the process, lol.

[Spawn Sack]

A friend of mine has a 1756 Lowe Roughneck with a 60/40 Yammy jet. Nice boat! I've been in it lots in lakes mainly anchored up and fly or spin casting. Very stable boat, the modified V cuts water quite well, VERY stable laterally. The bad, as mentioned, very little freeboard! Esp if you are in the bow or stern as both are raised up. Zipping around in the Fraser and so on I always felt uneasy...would not take a lot to get ejected from the boat.

We almost bought a 16 foot G3 last fall but I knew, as novice river boaters, we would just feel uneasy navigating the Fraser and other rivers. Instead bought a 16 foot Harbercraft Falcon. REALLY like how deep the hull is, the full front windshield, just a very safe and comfortable boat. Downside is it will not run in skinny water like my buddies boat will, and it is a fair bit heavier to shove off a bar or whatever. Cost benefit wise, I'm glad we went with the bigger/deeper boat. Plus it has a 1/2 covered top so if the weather turns crappy, or if we want some shade from the sun, at least we have some respite.

[RalphH]

the 4 upholstered seats will mess with your back casts. These are targets for hook points etc. Cool looking boat though.

[Damien]

Yeah, the small freeboard is suboptimal on the jon, but my old 12 foot V tinny didn't have much room to spare either.  My current 14'er is a little better.

The two pedestal seats pop out and are easily stored under the front deck.  The two seats in the middle flip down.  I don't see that as being much of an issue.

I found what I think to be a good deal on one in the US.  Despite the dollar in the tank, i'm going to take a very close look.  An all welded Mod-V 17.5' with a 75hp 2-stroke.  It will probably scoot along pretty well.

[Damien]

This could be a candidate;

http://vancouver.craigslist.ca/rds/boa/5399671699.html

Looks in good shapen and will probably rip along pretty well.

[skaha]

--What I like about the bass style boat.... covered and lockable storeage.
--I would  trust the locks etc for long term storeage but keeps prying eyes off of your equipment even when going in to pay for gas or brief stop for lunch etc.

--With open Jon basically you have to store your equipment under truck canopy.

--Dislikes:Took a wave over the front and sitting in the lower seats got soaked but on the other hand no danger that the boat was going to fill with enough water to be a danger. Probably would not have been out in that kind of weather with an open Jon but jsut a matter of knowing the limits.

--A bit different when trolling facing forward but you can set holders in front of you so that you have easy access... just a bit awkward looking back. So when you play a fish you basically have to get up on the deck. This is OK and can get used to it but if you're planning colder weather fishing it is nice to be able to stay somewhat out of the weather... especially when trolling.

--For an all around boat I prefer either centre concel like a boston whaler style or the Walley style boats that have a front deck platform but sill have a more conventional driving position and open  back.
--They make these in smaller models as well 15-16 ft. light weight 50 hp

 

[Damien]

Well, I took title of this guy.  Waiting on my Uship to come through, funds are in escrow.



2003 G3 175 Pro Series with a 70hp Yamaha, 24v bow mount, on board charger etc.

[firstlight]

Sweet looking ride.
I love them Yammie 2 strokes.

[Spawn Sack]

N-I-C-E set up!!

That reminds me I want to install those side bunks on my boat trailer this winter. Right now it just has these PVC pipes that go on the rear of the trailer. They help a bit if the boat comes in crooked, but I've been told the bunks are a lot better.