New Jon Boat

[luckydave]

Hello fellow duck hunters, I'm thinking about buying a new jon boat (flat bottom vs. modified-V ??). I usually hunt small lakes with one other guy. I'm currently using a Lund 14' semi-V. I'd appreciate some input on the flat vs. modified V jon and also a 1448 vs. 1542. I currently have a 15 horse Evinrude. I'm looking for something a little easier to put a blind on, a little more room, and a little better for shallow water. Speed is not very important. Thanks for your thoughts!

[caseymcq]

I have an Alumacraft 1236 and an Alumacraft 1442. I am pretty happy with the 1442. It does well with a 15 horse and has a decent amount of room for me, decoys and a dog. The 1448 may be a little nicer with the extra 6" of width it may add a noticalbe amount of stability. It looks like it is only 50 lbs heavier than a 1542. The room in width may be more valuable to you than the additional length.

I don't know what the difference is in the amount of water a modified-V drafts vs. a flat bottom or how much better a MV does with rough water than a flat bottom but depending on the type of water you will typically use it in (small and shallow without a lot of rough water vs. larger and deeper with the potential for more chop) that may influence whether you get a MV or a flat bottom

[olbaidhh]

Flat bottom boats will generally run shallower then mod V

Mod V boats will take rougher waters easier and have a smoother ride.

448 vs 542 is six of one a half dozen of the other.

Sit in each and see which one suits your hunting better. 42" is pretty narrow to shoot out of a 48 will be a bit more stable.

A 15hp will push any of the combo's well enough to get from A-B.

You wil have more room, run a bit shallower and be more stable with the 448. The 542 will be faster though.

[luckydave]

Caseymcq and olbaidhh: Thanks for your comments!

[Cold_blood]

i like my jon boat a lot better then my mod v hull its lighter and more stable plus on the little lakes it sits lower in the weeds and the jon boat is an absolute work horse since i hunt mostly by myself its easier and i've taken it out across a lake and rowed (no motors allowed) and the winds were blowin a steady 30 and gustin 40+ and it was still doin great