Now Da Boat?

[SteveD]

When I was young and bulletproof I bought a 10' homemade wooden jon boat out of a newspaper thrifty want ad. I kind of bought it on an impulse one afternoon on the way home from work. It was a pretty slick little boat that I could slide right in the back of my Ranger pickup with the tailgate down. Naturally I didn't think to mention it to the Bride because I was sure she wasn't interested.

When she came home I was in the garage painting it. As soon as she saw it she remarked: "What are you doing with that dresser drawer?". Well needless to say, my boat immediately had a name. "The USS Dresser Drawer".

I weighed about 210# and I ran an electric motor off the transom but by the time you added the battery, tackle box, and other assorted equipment it wasn't the safest way to fish. When I got in it I had about a 1/2" of freeboard left. It leaked at a few of the joints and no amount of caulk could seem to stop the leaks. You had to keep a sponge handy to bail occasionally. That was definitely one of those situations where your PFD was always on and you kept another boat cushion handy. I used it on the upper St Croix, usually fishing out of Franconia, for a couple of seasons. It wasn't to bad up there because there wasn't much boat traffic or boat wakes or waves to contend with. My wife and I laugh about it now but she wasn't that happy a camper when I brought it home.

[jtk15]

Jon,

I have a 78ish 14 mod v lund with a very reliable 15 hp johnson-on it-I think the motor is an early 80's. Removed the center bench, put in some plywood, put in a deck from the front bench forward-with a coupld of swivel sheets on each bench-front is removable, back is attached to the bench, and it seems to work fairly good. If I did it all over, I would have just bought a 16 ft. jon myself. With this rig, myself and one other adult can head out around the Mankato area-

The thing with catting is, if your going out at night, and looking to relax, and probably get some ZZ's in the process of a bite, its nice to have a little room to spread out. Add the gear you need and this is just enough room for two, and the gear.....I bring a "sunbathing" chair, to put on the deck for one to sleep, and the other-myself, on the floor. Works pretty slick. Do need to store it though.....I would not recommend anything smaller myself....this is just getting by if I want to bring another with and be comfortable....around here, waves are not an issue on this area.....however, its fairly stable, and can take on some descent size waves....If I could find a 16ft jon, I would love to get rid of this....I would like something a bit bigger, as this is the only way I really ever fish when I captain the ship....if I am doing anything else, the father-in-law, and buddy have the big water or lake rigs.

I paid $900 for the boat, motor, and trailer-no lights, no decking. The guy actually even removed all the cleats and everything.... Did do a lot of customizing and rigging after I bought it, but thats half the fun....In all, I would estimate I have about $1400 invested at most with the wood, carpet, lights, ropes, anchors, and other stuff into a very functional river rig for me for two. The Super Sixtey flasher was a "gift" from the father-in-law....which may be updated....We will see how the handheld GPS works this summer before I make that my next investment...

Just tossing out options and ideas. In a year, you may find yourself with no room for that thing taking up the third stall you used to use because you want to upgrade your river rig.....

Just my two cents, take it for what its worth.....jk

[Blue Kayak]

I wonder if a drift boat that is used primarily out west for trout fishing would work? I've only seen them from a distance and on the Web. I think some of them can be put in the back of a full sized pickup. Someone on the fly fishing forum has probably used them, if no one here has.

[chunkytrout]

Jon, sorry to hear of your storage issues. That really limits a guy. Up here it is relatively easy to come accross jons as they are used as tow boats by the canoe outfitters. They run for about 5-6 years then trade em out for new ones. After I got rid of the "Ciscoe Kid" (2 tons of soaking wet floatation and fiberglass) I picked up an 18' Alumacraft jon for $350. I kept the shore station trailer from my old boat and will need to modify it for the jon. She's pretty beat up, needs paint, a couple of spot welds, but she's water tight and HUGE! I too am looking foward to exploring the rivers up here and the St. Louis for cats. Also will make a great camping boat as I can put 8 peoples gear in it and still have room for a couple of dogs . Good luck on your quest!

[Random guy]

I was up north this weekend (home) and looked at the 10' Jon I used to trap/fish/hunt out of...man I was a dumb youth.

If I can figure out how to get around the storage issue I will have it. If I leave it outside it will get swiped for sure,a few doors down just lost his sled sitting on the trailer. They did leave the cable lock behind, and this is susposed to be a "safe neighborhood" I would hate to see a bad one. If it's on a trailer I can't fit it in a already over stuffed garage. A storage unit long enough to fit a trailer in is not cheap either. This is starting to make my head hurt.

[honky kong]

how easy is it to find these bargain jon's. is there anyplace to track one down over the web. it's worth the drive north for a boat.

[Random guy]

I have found a bunch of Jon Boats for sale via web ads and word of mouth, also check with the boat dealers.

[NorthWoodsGuy]

I too am in the market for a small river Jon. There's been many a time when I would be fishing from the shore dreaming about the cats that haven't been fished "just around the next bend". That's the one thing I love about catting small rivers - finding a place where I am utterly alone. Just me and whiskers going toe-to-toe.

G3 came out with a nice 1448WOF all welded model this year that has a flat floor and sides (no ribs showing). But with a 15hp motor and trailer, they want ~$4900.

I guess I'll wait until next year when I can hopefully snag (no pun intended) a used one.

Buck

[Dennis Steele]

I found the perfect boat for you Jon.

Its inexpensive. Is wide and stable and looks like it planes out nicely.

You can also store it in your dining room.

[Guest]

[Random guy]

Go get a haircut and a shave you hippi.

[hanson]

That rocks!

I'd probably use my dinner table more if I used it that way.

[Random guy]

I currently have a round dining room table, it would be a wild ride! (not that I was looking at it and thinking about it)

[icehousebob]

Last night, my #3 son parked a new seventeen and a half foot Tracker jon boat in my driveway. That means I get his old 12 ft. jon. Do either of these sound like they would work for river use? Why the kid needed a fifth boat, I'm not sure. He does seem to enjoy his toys.

[DARK30]

Looks like Gilligan did find a way off the island.