Cheers Posted April 29, 2007 Share Posted April 29, 2007 I am looking to buy a portage boat and am thinking about a john boat # 1236,( 12 foot long and 36 inch wide). I have never been in one before . How do they handle. Thanks for the advise Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mpester Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 My Old Town Penobscot canoe has about a 34" beam. It is stable (for a canoe). I would want more beam in a boat if I were you. I have never been in a boat with that narrow of a beam but I think I would expect it to only be a bit more stable than a canoe but you will be able to carry more gear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamptiger Posted April 30, 2007 Share Posted April 30, 2007 Personally, I wouldn't buy a jon boat with less than a 48" beam - otherwise you'd be better off with a canoe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainman Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 I have a 1442 Alumacraft that is very stable. It is my river/duck boat. I love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheers Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 RainMan do you think a 1236 is to small to be safe ? What is your boat like in waves ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ufatz Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Don't waste your money on this boat. First, it appears you do not have a lot of boating experience and this is a small, light and spooky boat. You will not like it much after you buy it because it won;t be long before it scares you....or worse, DUMPS you. Get something with more beam and even more length. Or just get a square stern canoe.Heck, there are even a couple models of 12' alum rowboats that only weigh about 125 lbs. Lowes makes one I think. Have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swamptiger Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 I looked up the #1236 jon boat on the Lowe HSOforum this morning, and actually, the "36" refers to the bottom width - not the beam. The beam of their #1236 is actually 56", which isn't too bad for a smaller boat. Boat is rated for 10 hp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkf Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 You may also want to look at the 12' semi-v boats from lowe, lund and etc. The semi-vs have a little deeper sides and more weight capacity than the jon boats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheers Posted May 1, 2007 Author Share Posted May 1, 2007 my concern is how stable are they as compaired to a 12 foot skiff, will the go through rough water? The local dealer has got a 14 foot in stock but not a 12 footer, if he orders one in I have bought it and dont want to get stuck with a boat I dont want, I have a 16 foot coleman canoe that has a wide flat bottom, it is ok but to long to transport and to small comfortably fish from all day plus it is still tippy. My fishing partner has knee and hip problems and needs to be able to stand and be clumsey at times. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ufatz Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Your partner has "....knee and hip problems...etc." Go back and read my post again. You do NOT want this boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkf Posted May 1, 2007 Share Posted May 1, 2007 Several years ago Me, my dad and my grandfather went fishing on small waters in his 14' jon boat with 10hp and we did not stand up and had to be very careful. Even with the bare WC-16 Semi V that I have you have to be careful about how you lean over the side, the boat will respond to your every move.I think you need a 15' or 16' boat for you and your friend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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