Low Boat Budget Advice

[SeanC]

I am looking for a boat for around $3,000. No bells and whistles nothing fancy I aint looking to pick up any chicks (nor could I with that kind of budget).

I have seen a lot of used jon boats that have been affordable. I have also seen a few skiffs. I am on a tight college budget but I am ADDICTED TO FISHING and really want something.

I need something that I and a friend can fly fish with on lakes and back bays (like the flats of near Charleston harbor).

Can anyone please shed some light. What are somethings I might need to worry about? Are jon boats the wrong idea for fly fishing? What should I be concerned with?

Thanks

[cmacdol]

Why not , waders and a tube?

Les

[Wild Bill]

Sean-

Jon boats make great fly fishing platforms. Try to get as big a jon boat as you can for that money. You may be able to get a bare bones tiller motor 18' jon if the motor is not too new. Test it in the water to see that it runs and does not leak.

[CaptMikeStarrett]

I will sell you my Victory21 Gambler for a mere 800 more. Great boat..

Bmail if interested.

Capt Mike

[boats]

Before I had my Flats boat built I fished a Polar kraft 14' wide Jon Boat with a 9.9 Johnson. Only extra expense was a floor couple of fly rod holders and good push pole.

It was as good a single fly fisherman boat as the 17 foot tunnel hull I run now. If two fly fishermen longer is better just to keep each others lines out of the way. The 14 would get into shallow spots others could not.

I sold the Polar Kraft with trailer and all for 1800 to a buddy of mine who still fishes it, He added a trolling motor, No doubt in my mind thats the least expensive way to fly fish from a powerboat.

Of course there are Yaks which are very effective fly fishing platforms too that's another story

Boats

[Salmo trutta]

Yea, after buying the 22'cc and the 14' John boat, I'm tempted to get rid of both of them and buy two sit on top Kayaks rigged to the teeth, GPS, fish finder, plenty of rod holders, milk crate, paddle leash, anchor,....... You could buy two set ups like that for $1500 a peace easy.

Keep checking craigslist for the power boat thing. Be prepared to drive for a decent deal and call and email to reserve a test ride. I have two power boats, two canoes, a SOT kayak and I still check craigs list for boat listings every day.

[Mattaponi]

Look for a used Carolina Skiff. Sometimes you can pick them up for a deal. They are almost indestructable and they go very skinny. The wide design makes them very stable and a get flyfishing boat. Any motor will push a 16' skiff. They are also "unsinkable". The nice thing is you don't have to worry about rivets, or welds, etc. :thumbup:

[Tissy Furnes]

Salmo,

You are boat-addicted and afflicted, my friend.

Sean, take a look at a gheenoe.

[Salmo trutta]

I don't think you could beat this deal.

16' boat, motor, and trailer package! (http://baltimore.craigslist.org/boa/380737167.html)

[SeanC]

Thanks for all the help everybody its been so nice to get some real answers.

I have thought about the kayak approach but I really want to fish in charleston and the tides would suck me out to sea there. Unless some one knows diffrently? I really wanted to do the kayak and still would if I could find a good kayak to purchase.

Are jon boats known for leaks? If so were/how do you get that fixed?

I am going to look into the skiff idea.

Also that boat on craigslist is awsome! That guy said he got 80 calls today, so if that thing does not sell tonight I probally will go over there tomorrow night and look/probally buy it.

Any tips about looking at boats before I buy? Will most people be willing to give test rides?

Thanks agian everyone!

Cpt Mike,

Thanks for the offer but I really cant go over 3000 at all; that is really the max and I cant even do that much.

[boats]

John boats have two basic construction styles. riveted and all welded. While there are some tough rivedted boats out there I would only go for all welded. There are enough used jons around you should not consider any that leak. They may look like good buys but it's not worth the trouble to fix one. Used I would look for the "names" Like Polar Kraft etc. Nothing made for one of the big retailers like Bass Pro. New they may be bargins but used look for the best you can find. They will not cost any more

Boats

[NNKjake]

sit on top kayaks are nice-- but you can't put a bunch of girls in it and go to red's or any other dock bar.

$3000 might be your limit---but think of the possibilities! Fishing is important, but so is loading up a boat with CofC girls in bikinis

having said that--i have a 14' polarkraft jon boat with a johnson 15 and i just put a cheapie trolling motor on it, great for flyfishing by yourself, a little cramped for two to fly fish at the same time. its a good setup for the money, but a skiff would be more comfortable in the chop.

[SeanC]

Jake,

Very true it a tight squeeze in a kayak with a pack of CofC girls but I think they are up to the challenge (i am).

I think my biggest concern is buying a used motor (cause that is all i can afford) and ending up stuck out in the middle of sinking flat (not a problem with the CofC bikinis).

I think i might just get the kayak and wait till i get more money for the boat.

Anyone know any thing about fishing kayaks?

[boats]

Kayak Fishing in Jacksonville, Florida (http://www.jaxkayakfishing.com/)


Everything you ever wanted to know about Yaks. Jax is the hotbed of Yak geeks, Me included. I keep 3 of them left in different places.

Boats

[Salmo trutta]

There is a kayak board on this site.

Check out Blue Ridge Kayak Fishing (http://www.blueridgekayakfishing.com/index.html) and the forum pages. Make sure you rig your kayak with tons of accessories asap. Don't wait to have more money or time because you'll just keep putting it off.

About used engines, you are always taking a chance but if you go with a Honda there's less of one.

Aluminum boats normally have rivets or are welded (stronger). They don't require waxing. Fiberglass can be reworked and patched but requires a lot of work to keep looking decent.

If you are looking at a used fiber glass boat, pay close attention to any cracks to the hull or paint and insist on a test drive to check for leaks.

Check out Boating & Fishing Forum - The Hull Truth (http://www.thehulltruth.com/) for boat questions.

[chrisdetweiler]

Sean,

I'm not sure how handy you are, but keep in mind that there are some add'l expenses to properly maintaining a boat and trailer. I was a bit naive when I bought my boat, because I've spent a significant amount of money maintaining the engine and trailer over the past 9 months. New swinging hitch, new wheels and tires + 2-3 services for the boat/engine/trailer. I've also spent money on assorted items for the boat. If you have the time and knowledge to do these things on your own, you can certainly reduce those costs, but tires cost money whether you put them on yourself or not. There are also taxes and registration costs. It adds up. I've probably spent a few thousand already, but the boat and trailer are in GREAT shape now!

Chris Detweiler
Harrisburg, PA

[SeanC]

THank you everyone for you help.

I have decided to go for the kayak. Probally going to buy it tonight.

I cant afford a boat, what was I thinking?

Any advice for accessories?
Anchor system
Paddle holder
Fly rod holder
carrying cart

Anything i am forgetting?

[CaptMikeStarrett]

How about a pontoon. Very fishable and dirt cheap at 199.00

http://www.creekcompany.com/products/920-a.jpg

I just got one to give away at CCA So MD Banquet..

I am thinking of keeping it instead..

Capt Mike

[chrisdetweiler]

Some of the higher-end pontoon boat have a mount for an electric trolling motor, which would come in handy where you want to fish. I've thought about getting one myself, but with a boat, a float tube, 2 kayaks and a canoe, my wife isn't very keen on the pontoon boat idea!

Chris Detweiler
Harrisburg, PA

[paxfish]

SOT Kayaks are great starter boats - you can learn the area, they are super portable, you can figure out how you want to fish.

The Cadillac of Kayaks are the Hobies with Mirage drives. You can cover a whole lotta mileage in those things. $1500 gets one fully equipped.

[wino]

Salmo,

You are boat-addicted and afflicted, my friend.

Sean, take a look at a gheenoe.

I just sold my 16ft Gheenoe for $500 it was in perfect shape.