Jon boat recommendations

Here lately I've been thinking about picking up a jon boat. Nothing fancy, just something I can hang a trolling motor off the back of and hit some creeks and small rivers. I looked at some of the flat bottom ones at Basspro the other night, and am thinking seriously about getting one like this one:
[img]http://media.trackermarinegroup.com/tracker/images/TUTOP14OH0267_OH_07_500.jpg[/img]

Here is my only concern. When I look up the info on it online, they claim a max person weight is 325lbs, and the max weight capacity is only 425lbs. Does this sound right to you guys? Seems to me that would make it hard to put 2 grown men in it and not push the weight limits. Are they just putting those limits on there to cover their backsides, or are they for real?
Would you guys recommend something like this, or something else? I just want something fairly light that can go through some shallow water, and not cost a fortune. The one listed above is only $600 new.

Don't know about the weight restrictions.... But I had one like the one on your link. I took some plywood and made casting decks that attached to the boat and covered them with outdoor carpet. Made the back area into a section that could be lifted out and accessed for the gas tank and battery compartment. The middle section had another storage section made into a dry box for storing life jackets and anchors and what ever else i needed in the boat. In the front area I made another door that opened up for extra storage and this is where I had my fuse panel located. All wiring was done before the plywood and carpet was attached as info. Next thing was I cut a hole in the side of teh boat just below the water line and hooked up a bilge pump to bring water into the Live well I made out of a Igloo Cooler, plus another hole in the bottom of the boat for the drain plug so I could empty the live well. I thne added pedestal poles and butt seats to the casting decks, 1 pedestal Pole Base Plate, 2 Pedestal Poles and the Butt Seat, was exactly the right height to lean up against for fishing. Bought a 50 Lb thrust foot control trolling motor for the front and off to the lakes I would go. I also had a 9 hp outboard on the back to move to area's faster when needed. I bought the boat for $800.00 which included the 9 hp outboard. Then when I bought my new boat I sold the entire outfit for $ 1,600.00. Was well worth every penny, and was rather a joy to build. Ok I'm done ranting on about my homemade boat project but it did keep me busy all winter....

David,

I did not check out your link, but the limits sound about right for a 12' jon boat. I used to have one, and I am a big guy... really big. With me, the TM, battery, and a small tackle box, the boat was really unsteady, and if I moved around much, it took on water in the back.

I'd love to have another, but it will be no less than 14', and possibly 16'.

I know my last boat would hold me and my wife, but we had to be very careful as it set very low in the water.

Good luck,

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

Thanks for the quick replies guys. It's definitely appreciated.

The one in the link is a 14'. It sounds like it could work out nicely, but I'm just afraid I'll get it and then won't be satisfied. I'm probably around 230lbs myself, and any of the people that would be going fishing with me in it could range from 150-250lbs. That would make it over their recommended weight limitations. I just want to make sure I get something I'll be satisfied with.
Do you guys think that it would be worth the additional money to go ahead and get a v-hulled one instead of a flat bottom one? They're rated for a bit more weight, but they also weigh more themselves. I'm also afraid a v-hulled one would sit deeper in the water, which could make some of the shallow sections in streams a bit more trouble.

I'd go with the V-hull if you're looking to get on some bigger water. Also, the trick to getting into shallower water with a V-Hull is to put more of your weight/gear in the front. The back end will drag bottom first, mainly because it's the widest and therefore the heaviest part of the boat. I duck hunt with a 16' V-Hull and get into water ankle deep, and that's with a 35hp motor, two batteries, a fuel tank, and an onboard charger all in the back. However, there's times when I'd like to have a wide flat bottom because it is more stable, but I like the way the V-Hull cuts through the waves, especially when Ky Lake turns into Ky Ocean!

I'm not really looking to get into any bigger water. Mostly going to be using it on some creeks close to home, and occasionally some ponds.

Unless you just want to buy something new, maybe check around the used market for a Crestliner or Polarkraft. I used to own a 16' Tracker and have nothing aginst them, they're fine, but they're just not put together as well as some others. I've owned Tracker, Lowe, and few other aluminum boats, but my favorite one was an old '14 Crestliner made in the late 50's. That thing was built like a tank with nice thick gauge aluminum. I sold it years ago, but I'd bet money somebody's still out there fishing in it. You can take the same $600 and buy a used jon built better than a new tracker, and for prolly not too much more money one with a motor on it too.

I owned a 14' Lowe "Big Jon" for years. Very stable boat. I would not go less than 14' or less than 15HP. The 15HP would take me about 20MPH with just me in the boat. If I had to do it over again I would get at least a modified "V" hull. The flat front WILL beat you to death. Trust me. You may start out thinking "Oh, I'll just take it out into creeks and ponds", but once you have that boat, it's hard to resist the temptation to hit the lake. It's great going downwind, but you got to get back to the ramp. Good luck no matter what you decide.

Thanks for the replies guys. I appreciate it.

I'm not at all worried about getting one for bigger water. We've got a fish and ski to cover that duty. I'm just thinking about the creeks and rivers close to home, and maybe doing some frog gigging from it in some friends ponds.

I'm not going to be in a big hurry to buy anything right now. I think I'll watch the classifieds, and maybe even check out several models at the boat show at the end of the month.

Thanks again.

We've got a few left-overs from 2003-2005 similar to that. Call our store at 866-9-PLAPPS for a great deal.

Matt