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Subject: "Small boat to bass boat questions" Previous topic | Next topic
PAHFri Jun-04-04 10:00 AM
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#2807, "Small boat to bass boat questions"


          

I've got a bunch of questions regarding small boats that are suitable for converting into a mini bass boat.

I've currently got a 12'3" welded aluminum boat - almost flat, 48" bottom width in the back, and a pretty deep V in the front. It seems like building a bow casting deck would have two undesriable features - instability with a buddy moving around in the boat, and pretty cramped due to the pointy bow.

So, I've started looking into buying a jon boat to modify. My space for storing the boat is pretty tight and fits a 12' boat perfectly. I might be able to force a 14'er into the space, but would prefer to stick to something closer to 12' long. I store the boat on the side of my house, and a 14'er would stick out to the edge of my front lawn, significantly increasing the redneck factor - I a computer geek, so redneck factor is not a plus in my book ;-)

Anyway, I heard somewhere that Jon boats can flip easily with two people moving around in them. I suspect this only applies to the skinny ones (e.g. 36" bottom width). Anybody have any comments on this?

Searching the web, the only wide 12' jon I could find was the Klammath "12' Jac W." It's 12'6" long and has a 54" bottom width. Other than that, it looks like I'd have to go to a 14'er and most of those are around 48" bottom width. The Klammath has a traditional Jon bow (blunt nose, no V), while many of the 14'ers have the modified V bow.

How wide is plenty wide for a Jon boat with two guys moving around?

Would a 54" bottom really be a lot more stable than a 48" bottom?

What are the pros and cons of a modified V bow?

Which would you prefer a 54" bottom, traditional bow or a 48" bottom modified V bow?

Also, I saw a couple plastic molded "mini bass boats." The most intriguing one was the Pelican Predator 114 (http://www.pedalboat.com/index.php/mn=menu4.inc/pg=plc/fb/predator.inc). It's a bit short at 11'4", but is pretty wide. The seat would be better mounted a bit closer to the ends, and it would be a pain to make mods, add wiring, etc., but it's fairly full featured. Has anyone actually seen one of these? Are they junk?

Thanks,

Pete

  

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Replies to this topic
RE: Small boat to bass boat questions, Sacto John, Jun 04th 2004, #1
RE: Small boat to bass boat questions, Phil, Jun 05th 2004, #2
RE: Small boat to bass boat questions, PAH, Jun 05th 2004, #4
      RE: Small boat to bass boat questions, Phil, Jun 06th 2004, #5
           RE: Small boat to bass boat questions, PAH, Jun 06th 2004, #6
RE: Small boat to bass boat questions, PAH, Jun 05th 2004, #3

Sacto JohnFri Jun-04-04 11:23 AM
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#2808, "RE: Small boat to bass boat questions"
In response to Reply # 0


  

          

I have had 4 10-12 foot jon boats of varring widths (one I named the surfboard) and had never felt them to be unstable when moving around. In fact I could stand on all of my jon boats and rock them side to side to the point where water was coming over the sides and still not flip them.

Jon boats are very easy to modify but so are V hulled boats. If you have never done any modifacations before check out this web site:

http://www.myjonboat.com/

Lots of good ideas to look at (you may or may not want to buy the book) Good luck, a modified aluminum boat is a good way to get on the water.

Lotta ins, lotta outs, lotta what have-yous

  

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PhilSat Jun-05-04 09:40 PM
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#2809, "RE: Small boat to bass boat questions"
In response to Reply # 1
Sat Jun-05-04 09:41 PM by Phil

          

Pete,

I have a Lowe 1448. The stability on this boat is great. I've had two people in it several times and never felt like it was unstable. I just had it in the bay where I hooked a bat ray and had no problems with both of us hanging over the side of the boat to un-hook it. The stability is so good that it's just not something I even think about.

As for the length... I would go with the longest boat you can get away with. Everyone needs a few redneck traits :) Especially if you plan on having two people in the boat often. My boat is perfect when i'm fishing alone. With two in the boat, it's comfortable, but a few extra feet would really help. I really think you would be happier with something at least 14ft.

Here's a pic of my boat I took on its maiden voyage a little over a year ago. And yes, the front deck is big. 6ft by 5ft to be excact. I figured i'd say that now since that's the first response I get from everyone who sees it for the first time.

http://www.calfishing.com/dc/user_files/883.jpg

  

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PAHSat Jun-05-04 10:50 PM
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#2810, "RE: Small boat to bass boat questions"
In response to Reply # 2


          

Thanks Phil,

I'm starting to lean toward a 14'er with at least 48" of bottom width. I've got a couple questions regarding your deck design:

At the back edge of the front deck, there is a sunken "step" in the middle. I presume this is where the middle bench is. Why did you maintain the full deck height at the sides over the middle bench?

I suspect you have some storage, livewell, or something under the deck. Do you have any photos showing this?

When you take a friend out, and you're going to go flying down the lake with the gas engine, where does your buddy sit?

Thanks,

Pete

  

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PhilSun Jun-06-04 08:48 AM
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#2811, "RE: Small boat to bass boat questions"
In response to Reply # 4


          

>At the back edge of the front deck, there is a sunken "step"
>in the middle. I presume this is where the middle bench is.

Yes, that is the middle bench. It also contains the livewell and supports the deck.

>Why did you maintain the full deck height at the sides over
>the middle bench?

Because the higher you are the better right? :)

>I suspect you have some storage, livewell, or something under
>the deck. Do you have any photos showing this?

Yes, I put hinges on the deck about 3/4's of the way back for storage underneath. The way the boat looks in the picture is usually the way it looks while i'm fishing. Clutter free. Just my rods in the back and the net on the front deck with me. Everything else is under the deck.

>When you take a friend out, and you're going to go flying down
>the lake with the gas engine, where does your buddy sit?

Where ever I tell him to :) Actually, he'll just sit on the middle bench. If I wanted, I could face the rods the other way and he could sit next to me, but that would look... um well, nevermind.

Hope this helps. I never took any step by step photos, so it would be hard to show excactly the way I built it. You live around here right? If you want, I could show you the boat one of these days and maybe give you some ideas.


  

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PAHSun Jun-06-04 09:13 AM
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#2812, "RE: Small boat to bass boat questions"
In response to Reply # 5


          

Hey Phil,

I live in San Luis Obispo. If that falls within "around here," then I'd love to take a look at what you've done.

Thanks,

Pete

  

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PAHSat Jun-05-04 10:45 PM
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#2813, "RE: Small boat to bass boat questions"
In response to Reply # 1


          

Thanks for the info. I've already bought and read "Hydrilla Gorilla." A lot of the info is pretty obvious, but there are also a lot of little details that you might not figure out on your own on the first attempt.

  

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