Boat for the river, what to get??

[TRDtom69]

Hey all,

What would be a good cheap set-up for a rig on the river. I have been looking at 12-14 foot boats. The motor is what I really can't decide on. I was looking at a 12 footer with a 6HP motor. I'm just affraid with a stronger current the 6HP might not cut it. I most likely won't be using it in the high fast water we have now. It would be used in the Blue earth and Minnesota rivers from New Ulm to St. Peter. Any experiance's would help greatly.

Thank you.

[Big Cat Dad]

Get a River Pro, I heard they are alright.

[TRDtom69]

Know where I can get one for under $1000?

[EBass]

I have a 14' Lowe Jon boat with 25H Merc - both are 1988. Well the Merc was rebuilt twice and the lower unit replaced (dang boulders)

Any who - I paid $2200 for it. You won't get much of a boat for under a grand. And you're right a 6H won't cut it in the fast current we have now. At least get a 15H.

That's my .02 - Good luck - I hunted for months before I got my boat and it wasn't really what I wanted. But I'm on the water

[hanson]

I've been on the mighty Red River in a 14' Lund (basic w/ bench seats) and a 9.9, 2 guys in the boat, and we definitely weren't breaking any water speed records heading upstream.

I've also been on the Minnesota in a 14' Crestliner (once again basic boat) w/ a 15hp and we weren't going anywhere fast as well.

Now some stretches of the river you really don't want to go anywhere fast, but there are others where a few extra ponies will be nice.

My opinion, 15hp minimum and 25hp is better.

[Scott K]

I had a 16 ft alumacraft w/console and a 30 mariner no tilt and trim. After knowing the river really well, I traded up to a new 40 merc. The 30 I would run wide open at times and wanted more power, the 40 I very seldom opened it wide open on the river, much faster. I fish between mankato and belle plaine. Once you get to know the river your always wanting to go faster. The only regret I had with the 40 was I bought it with tilt and trim, I liked the old 30 when I hit something it would just pop up and over the logs, the 40 horse didnt! I only broke one drive shaft with either of these motors, and it was on the 30, 2 days before I was to bring in the boat for them to mount my new motor, $900 off my trade Now I dont recomend flying down the river if you dont know the river, and even then it changes daily!

[jtk15]

I have a 14ft lund, modified V with a 15 horse Johnson to push it. The boat is fine in terms of getting around...Its runs pretty shallow for a proped boat, and it has enough power to push to adults with gear up a strong current at about 10 mph.....quite frankly if I had more power, I would like just do damage....

What I dont like, is when being out all night with some of my larger friends, its simply to small of a boat....and only room for two-with gear, and the boat fills up fast...

I paid less than $1000 for it-the guy even took off the cleats on the boat before he sold it so it was bare... but it need some minor work like a new floor and such, had no lights, the fun stuff that ultmiatley adds up-then you also need your anchor, oar, just odd stuff that is $ here and there to get it to where you want it. I probably have a little over $1400 wrapped up in it, not counting the graph I would guess.

I would look to a 16 ft mod V with a 25 horse if you have soemthing to pull it. At the time, that was limitation for me. You may find a good price for a little bigger boat too, their simply is more of them out there for sale-at least when I was looking.

jk

[sparcebag]

I've got a 14ft. resort boat,its built tough for thoughtless people.its aluminum has a 7.5hp. johnson works great gets me there and shallow its ran 10" water with motor set shallow run.I only fish the minnesota around GranitFalls so small is best for me.But I would'nt go less than 14ft.

[TRDtom69]

Thanks for all the replys and thoughts guy's. I think I will hold out for a 10-15HP, 14ft setup.