Big guy in a small boat?

[Scott Rickard]

I hope this is the right forum for this question.

I've been looking at 14-16' small aluminum boats (w/trailer and small motor) for some time now and am ready to pull the trigger on the right one. I just can't seem to figure out which is the right one!

My price range is under $2k, so I'm definitely buying used and probably limited to riveted boats. Also, I'm a big guy (300 club), so stability and, um, water displacement are concerns. I'd almost always be fishing solo, though. Primary use will be on the Willamette.

Given the above, any thoughts on what I should be looking for? Jon? V-hull?

Thanks,
Scott

[Tinman]

The problem will be too much weight concentrated at the stern. To correct this, consider an old-style 2-stroke motor instead of a 4-stroke. The 2-stroke will be 30% lighter. Go for a rope-start model to save the weight of a starting battery. You can run your fishfinder from a lightweight motorcycle battery.

Also consider keeping your gas tank in the bow to even out the weight distribution. Rig up an extra-long fuel hose to accomodate this.

[Scott Rickard]

Thanks for the quick reply Tinman - very helpful. I had no idea the 4 strokes weighed that much more. Any thoughts on flat bottom vs. moderate V?

[Tinman]

Thanks for the quick reply Tinman - very helpful. I had no idea the 4 strokes weighed that much more. Any thoughts on flat bottom vs. moderate V?

Scott, the Willy is too big a river for a flat bottom such as a Jonboat. A moderate V will take the chop and boat wakes much better.

[Scott Rickard]

Thanks again - that's exactly the help I was looking for. And now, back to looking at those boats... :)

[veilside180sx]

I'd look at the larger end of that range. A V-hull like an Smokercraft or similar is going to be pretty tippy on the smaller side. A jon will be considerably more stable, but have lower sides to keep the water out.

I personally side with a higher sided 1648 welded jon or a 16' Alaskan split seat.

[honker1]

Go to Portland www.Craigslist.org (http://www.Craigslist.org) and do a search in the boats section. Type in Starcraft and see what pops up. I had a 16' Starcraft I sold 5 years ago for $2k and I believe it had a weight total of 1450 lbs. You should come in under that. Also the older "73 and older had higher side walls.:twocents:

[veilside180sx]

Go to Portland www.Craigslist.org (http://www.Craigslist.org) and do a search in the boats section. Type in Starcraft and see what pops up. I had a 16' Starcraft I sold 5 years ago for $2k and I believe it had a weight total of 1450 lbs. You should come in under that. Also the older "73 and older had higher side walls.:twocents:

That's a great recommendation for a boat as well. Older Starcrafts are great boats.

[Scott Rickard]

Outstanding - I'll be sure to add the Starcrafts to the shortlist. Thanks!

BTW, I'm a big fan of craigslist. We bought our house off a craigslist ad.

[TundraIII]

Another vote for Starcrafts....great boats.

[shorthair]

Scott while I had it I often fished the big C in my 14' jon but pick your days & be willing to go home or to a lake if its too rough, & on amsller water it would be me the wife & two 70-85# dogs so weight wise you'd probably be OK.:meme:

[Doc_Rhen]

Check out the Older Gregors if you can find them, I have a 12' that I got used in the early 80's (I think that it is a 63) Nice stable platform to fish from and with an 18 hp evinrude I have even kneeboarded and skiied behind it. Weight distribution would be your biggest obstical, Gas up front is a great point. I have had around 600# of people and tackle in that 12' boat and never felt unsecure except when a sudden squall brought up 3' whitecaps. (that was a change your shorts moment). 14 or 16' Gregors should fit your bill very well and they are welded very well.

[AlseaAssassin]

That's a great recommendation for a boat as well. Older Starcrafts are great boats.


I second that!

[Flipcb]

I am close to your weight and bought a 13' 4" Gregor with a 63" beam last year. I use my bigger boat very seldom now. I only fish myself and one other or by myself. I put a battery for my electric motor in the bow area and use a sand bag on the bow seat when by myself. It is very stable. I fish fall tidewater and regularly fish the bay on good to moderate days. I don't make a habit of standing in it. I got this one and have seen many others of this size or 14' for under $2000. I have an 8 hp and love it. It will only go about 15 mph with me. Most people would want a 15 hp.

[gordy]

When I re-floor my boats I always toss the seat pedastle and replace the drivers seat (console model obviously) with a movable fishing seat.
This allows me to sit a bit more towards the center of the boat when driving or at anchor.
Too much lard tipping a smaller boat is no fun for anyone.

[fishorgolf]

I would look for a used 16 ft Drift Boat with 8 hp

A Fishing Machine

I have other boats but I will always have a Drift Boat.
Fished Many years on the Willy in mine, Great high lake boat where motors are not alowed. Keep looking you'll find one thats right.
Starcrafts are good old boats too, I think there are more older Starcrafts
on the water than any other older boats, I see them every trip out.
Have Fun and Be Safe

[Scott Rickard]

Thanks for sharing all the great tips and thoughts - what a great community here at ifish. :applause:

What do you think about this custom welded aluminum 14' hybrid? Looks like it's part driftboat, part flat-bottom. I'm thinking about going to look at it this weekend...

[gordy]

That flat bottom is gonna beat the bejabbers out of you on a choppy day on the Big C. but if the majority of your time is on the Willamete it should float ya just fine.
The stability of the flat bottom will be noticeable for us guys that just can't quite fit back into our prom dresses any more.

[Mtnbd]

I just saw that boat on Craig's list myself. I'm in a similar situation, but probably won't buy anything until my son is old enough to go with me. Will you be fishing the Willamette near Salem? If so, be carefull about the gravel bars, they'll ruin a prop pretty quick.

[StickFish]

Take a look for boats East of the Cascades. Guy I know got a 14' Greagor for a song.

[soulrider]

Take a look for boats East of the Cascades. Guy I know got a 14' Greagor for a song.
Which song? LOL sorry!!
I am a big guy as well, with all the boats these guys have mentioned, and someone posted it as well, but work out your weight distribution and the long fuel hose is a great idea. another thing is you can build up a small box to fit in the front so you can stow gear in (adds weight) that is what I have done, although I have a fiberglass trihull with an open deck plan LOTS of room to move around.

[Scott Rickard]

Gordy - You have a way with words and remind me of a Gordy I used to work with in MN back in the day. You weren't a chemical/ag terminal manager, were you? ;)

Mtnbd - You found it too, eh? I'll let you know If I check 'er out.

Stick and soul - good ideas - thanks!

[Hawk JJ]

Scott, i saw this on http://medford.craigslist.org/boa/1056864123.html


Best O Luck with your search pard...............................:D

[gordy]

Gordy - You have a way with words and remind me of a Gordy I used to work with in MN back in the day. You weren't a chemical/ag terminal manager, were you? ;)

Mtnbd - You found it too, eh? I'll let you know If I check 'er out.

Stick and soul - good ideas - thanks!

Not me Scott...I was a chippendale dancer for years and years until my dunlop covered my g-string.
Yeah..Yeah, that's it!!! I was a Chipendale dancer.

[shorthair]

Not me Scott...I was a chippendale dancer for years and years until my dunlop covered my g-string.
Yeah..Yeah, that's it!!! I was a Chipendale dancer.

NO NO NO PICS I already can't get that vision to go away.

[Scott Rickard]

I'm happy to say I'm no longer boatless.:meme:

After looking at about 12 boats this past weekend I went a completely different direction and pulled the trigger on an old 15' tri-hull with a '76 Merc 850 (blue). (I had what I thought was a deal on a 17 footer, but that's another story).

Just needs a little bit of work around the drain plug flange (a dab or two of RTV) and she should be ready for the Willy!

Keep a lookout for this tan and white beast. :D

[Tinman]

Congrats Scott, may you harvest many fish together

[Scott Rickard]

Thanks!

[hunteraholic]

congrats on the boat. My dad had a 16 foot trihull with a 70hp on it. Looked very similer. We spent many nights on that boat even crossed the bar once on a very very flat day. A very stable boat. I wish he woundn't have sold it. HA

[wsuweston]

Congrats on the boat. See you out there:excited: