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[halcyonguitars]

I've had the canoe out enough times to realize it is not an ideal fishing vessel.

I see 16-18' bayliners etc in my price range all the time, but it's a pretty big leap from a canoe.

So I'm thinking a 12-14 Lund type tinny on a trailer is a better next step. It would also fit in the garage which makes it more realistic for this city slicker.

However, I don't think there's room in my alley to back it in and out, so I'd like to know, can a tinny on a trailer be manually maneuvered by two extraordinarily ordinary people?

[firstlight]

yes

[halcyonguitars]

Thanks! I figured as much but it's good to confirm...

[santefe]

Get a 14', you'l appreciate the extra two feet.

[halcyonguitars]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind...

[ShaunO]

I have a welded aluminum 12' on a trailer and I can man handle it by myself without much sweat.  I bought a Highliner trailer for my boat through Bridgeview and I am very happy with it.  Came with bearing buddies and it tracks as straight as an arrow behind me.

[armytruck]

Purchase a swing jack for the front of the trailer and you will only need 1 person to roll the tinny no problem .

[halcyonguitars]

Thanks for the tips!

[Spawn Sack]

As others have said pushing around a 12ish foot aluminum "Lund style" boat is no big deal at all. Even if it does not have a swing jack (wheel that drops down that you can raise or lower) it should be no problem to pick up the tongue and move it around. When I lived in a town house I had a 12 foot aluminum on a trailer. It was too tricky to back it into the garage so I would just unhitch it and push into the garage and rest the tongue on a milk crate.

I am not an expert here but I've owned a few tin boats and trailers so here it goes:

-decent used 12ish foot boat on a trailer should run you 1000-1500 this time of year. A bit more or less if it is really new or really old.
-if you know nothing about boats and trailers it would be best to bring someone who does before you hand over cash.
-plug the trailer in and make sure the lights work. Fixable if they don't, but you should get $ off if the wiring/lights are screwy.
-have someone check over the wheel bearings. if they are noisy/loose that is a safety issues and more $ you will have to spend to make it road worthy. you do NOT want to be that person on the side of the road with a trailer with a blown wheel bearing.
-if it comes with a motor great, just make sure it runs well if it is gas powered. if electric that is fine just make sure the battery is good. Anything more than 5 years old it's probably no good. New deep cycle trolling battery about $200.

I would avoid anything super old. Boat or trailer. Unless your budget is low in the $1000 range. I would save your $ and buy something newer, especially the trailer. Older boat is fine if it not beat up.

Good to buy off someone you know who you know looks after their stuff, or at least bring someone knowledgeable when you go to look at one you might buy.

There is a Lowe 1236 boat, trailer and motor on facebook marketplace Abbotsford asking $2500. Looks pretty good!

Flat bottom will be more stable laterally. Better for standing up in and moving around. Good for small lakes with minimal waves. However they such when the waves pick up. A Lund style v-hull will cut waves much better but a bit more tippy laterally if you want to stand up or move around the boat. 

[skaha]

--folding front tongue on the trailer will get a few extra feet of boat in a garage if that is the issue. Once you go to a trailer you may as well get the benefit of a bigger boat. If not go with a lighter flat bottom Jon boat for stability...especially if you are going on lakes that you used the canoe. The other option is good inflatable.

[halcyonguitars]

Thanks, just researching right now, probably buy next spring, budget 2500-3500 all in. Have trawling motor, fish finder, life jackets etc already.

Space in garage not an issue with a tinny.

Can you do things like fish estuaries or go crabbing or be on the Fraser or fish Harrison with a v hull? I'm leaning to a v hull presently in hopes of greater versatility...

[skaha]

--its simple...but its not that simple. There are many types of "V" and modified "V" a lot depends on the type of waves and speed you want to travel on or in them. you can get boats with flatter section at back or even a tunnel to run on plane in smooth water but trim down to plow the V in chop. waves very different on river, lake ocean and estuary.  You're going through the process n the right way...you have to consider where you most often want to use the boat then how specialized you want to make it when you run at speed, anchor or troll. The biggest thing is to try some different designs in areas you want to use them in. They may not meet your expectations or have some surprises. The big thing is you have to choose the one the suits you. Once you choose one, stay withing the safe limits of the boat and don't push it until you feel confident in it.

[halcyonguitars]

I'll be a most cautious operator for sure. Not sure how one would go about testing different boats. I rented a big flat bottom jon boat at Tunkwa, and it was amazing for that application, I suspect tug waves at Ambleside would make me like it less...

[wildmanyeah]

When you start looking on going out in the Fraser and the ocean it’s nice to have alest a 25hp motor and a decent size tiny.

I have seen guys do it with less.

[skaha]

--I never owned one, but like the look of stryker boats. A couple of people I know have the small 10 ft which they use with electric motors for still water fishing so haven't seen the bigger models with gas or the hunter models with reinforced bottom for river transport.
--I've used 12 ft tin on upper Thompson so no rapids or big waves but the bigger rivers don't have that skinny water where you need a jet, North Thompson or below Savana a different story for sure. Was in Alberni harbor in same 12 ft when the loaded fishing boats came in...big waves so hanging on with both hands...was not comfortable but for sure a Jon boat less freeboard would be worse. I have a 12ft Durolite...its not that lite though can car top it on a truck.