And if you're wondering if a flat bottom jon boat is a better choice for you over a V shaped hull, check out this video! ruclips.net/video/DG123pdYtYw/видео.html
I was looking for a small Jon boat with just a kicker for creek flounder , my beautiful bride of fifty two years chose me a new 18 foot aluminum boat with a 90 horse Suzuki four stroke and an aluminum trailer . Best move I’ve ever made , the perfect old man’s boat Small enough to fish most inland waters , big enough to slip out a few miles offshore on a clam day ,the 90 horse sips gas if I stay off the throttle , big enough that I can push 50mph to get in ahead of a storm . Life is good !
As a big water fisherman would have chosen twin 40 Hp engines. My nephew runs a 24 ft fiberglass panga with twin 40 Hp 2 stroke Yamaha. 1 hour runs to very far offshore grounds. Just reliable when way out there. No Sea Tow out here.
A 14’ boat on a trailer is a great package. The added length helps to offset the combined weight of you & the weight of the motor, the longer boat tracks straighter when trolling or running about. I’m running a 12’ boat & the weight of a 15 Yamaha four stroke is really noticeable in the way it squats & tracks . I’m running a SE200 sport fin on the motor & it really helps to get it on step very quickly. I added a bow roller & 20 lb pyramid river anchor & run a 3 gallon fuel tank up front to offset the weight of the motor & myself.
Great video. I have been watching your videos over the last 2 months as I was looking for a small aluminum boat. Just purchased a 14ft Mirrocraft v-hull. This video would have saved me some time as I thought I wanted a 12 foot john boat but realized it was too small when I saw it in person. Also, I like the shot in the water of the 2 boats floating. Really puts it in perspective with the amount of freeboard.
14 ft. aluminum Starcraft, 30 hp. electric start Johnson with hydrofoil fin, 3 padded swivel seats, marine radio, stereo radio/cd player with 4 speakers, bimini top, automatic bilge pump, flat, carpet covered floor, electric trolling motor, fish locator, depth finder, GPS, level floatation in seats, running lights, floor lights, spotlight, oars, just in case, rod holders, cup or bottle holders, top speed 30 miles per hour, (32 with tail wind) Had people remark that my boat is the best equipped 14 ft. on Lake Stclair. Trailer has side guides and non-skid walk out platform. No wet feet for me! LOL! I love this boat.
I’ve worked in the marine industry for over thirty years. I’ve built about every known boat type there is. I am now retired. My equilibrium is nowhere near what it was. Stability is crucial to me. I fish tournaments, as well as recreational. The v hull is for rougher water. The rule of thumb is simply this. Longer means faster. Aluminum boats are noisy. And have to be constantly monitored, for rivet tightening. Welds crack that has to be checked constantly as well. I’ve gotten rid of every boat I’ve owned. From Jon boats, kayaks, cabin cruisers extra. Up to thirty two feet. I won’t have a aluminum boat period, if I need something firm fiberglass is your best option. However expensive. I now have a twelve foot inflatable raft. It’s five and a half feet wide, flat bottom. Some modifications made . The floor is wooden sectioned in three pieces. I have every electronic a 100k bass boat has. 4hp outboard, and 32# thrust trolling motor. I get nowhere fast but , I get there around 12 mph but I get there. I can run 2.5 hours on a quart of fuel. A bass boat can blow past me full throttle, it won’t tip. I can walk around. No real need to, I’ve got control panels to turn on everything from my seat one front on rear. Everything breaks down to fit in the trunk of a Kia sedan. I have dolly made from pvc, four deep cycle batteries. And on board charging for batteries, cell phones ext. the boat’s weight limit is 1350 pounds. The reason I chose the 12 foot is because in my state anything over Carrie’s property taxes. It does have to be registered, because it’s motorized. It silent doesn’t spook the fish. And I can go into any water over a foot deep. Boat dolly electronics, both motors, seats floor( waterproof) I’ve got less than $1500 in it completely.
John, I would love to know what inflatable raft you are talking about. I am looking for a cheap simple fishing setup that I can stand in, and this sounds great. I would love to pick your brain. Let me know if we could email/text about it. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
@@rileyirving9079 intex five, ten ft long five feet wide. Made wooden floor, covered with marine carpet. Two storage boxes. Also wooden. With lazy Susan on top attached with wing nuts,to be removed and seats mounted. I went a bit overboard on seats high backs plenty of cushion attached flanges to floor front and rear with motor mounts 3hp outboard on aft of boat. Same in for but with Minkota trolling motor. Two Garmin cv and sv . Front transducer is mounted to trolling motor. Rear purchased a floor mounted transducer mount . Mounted it to drop along side the boat. Reduced turbulence from outboard. Boat is durable stable and easily packs into my Kia Forte. Has a weight capacity of 1300 pounds.running lights, deck lights a stereo. I have around $1500 in it all together.
Nice overview! A non-boater or newbie might think.. who cares? But in any size range (even our 41 ft sea ray vs the 38) 2 feet makes a BIG difference in every way!
I have a 14' aluminum boat on a dedicated trailer I have set up similar to a bass boat. Running an old Johnson 2 stroke I run up and down the Snake River here in Idaho and fish shallower water than everything larger. Great part is when I get off work, throw the boat on my truck and go fishing late afternoon.
I have a Lowe 1040 that I routinely overload. With a 35# thrust mini kota my wife and I enjoy fishing for pan fish fish and trout. I’m 68. It weighs 80#. I can throw it in my truck, and in the water no problem. The whole setup cost less than annual maintenance on my 25’ cruiser and trailer. It cost less than my hobie compass, and is more comfortable. I’m not encouraging anyone to exceed load capacity labels, but common sense can empower a lot of fun on small lakes and ponds.
My suggestion is that new boat owners on a budget should decide what they want from a boat and then "play the long game" to get it. I have a 14' Lund; it's a 44 year old hull, but doesn't leak a drop of water. It cost $1200 with a problematic rope start 30HP Johnson, trailer, old trolling motor, and old Lowrance fish finder. I bought it as a boat I could easily launch/recover solo and handle easily when fishing alone. Since buying my Lund over three years ago, I've gradually replaced the old outboard with a new 20HP Merc, new MinnKota trolling motor, ProNav trolling motor controller, new Humminbird Helix 7, refurbished decks/carpet, and Lithium battery. I have about $7K into this whole setup, but it's now equipped as a very nice boat for the small and medium sized lakes around me. Taking three years to spend that money meant that I could do this on a cash basis.
Great video WtBG, 14' alum. boat is perfect for me. I use a 6hp. Johnson to push it up the river and bay, and a 55lbt. Newport Vessel for most of the lakes I go to. I did add a wood floor with 2"x8"s oak. I mostly solo the boat out fishing the Susquehanna Flats, and rivers, lakes. That 2 foot makes a big difference.
Great video. I've been this route as well as many other people. My 12' semi v Lowe Sea Nymph was light and easy to move around BUT it was not too stable due to the round bottom and I hesitated to bring anyone else along with me. Then I fell in love with a 14' Amesbury Dory. 14' long, 65" wide, flat bottom, fiberglass! Super stable, unsinkable, great ride with an old Johnson 15hp. Heavy, needs a trailer but I don't care. Even my little Rav4 can pull it. Only drawback that I've run into is that the boat and trailer combo sinks into the ground when you get alot of rain as we have in the Northeast this Summer. I could no longer move it by hand and I hesitate to hook it up because I'll end up with some great ruts in the yard due to the softness of the wet soil. I'm praying for {normal} drier weather so I can use my boat. Happy boating. Keep up the great videos.
If your trailer tires sink (mine do as well) set them on some boards that are a bit wider and longer than the tire footprint. Like a two foot long 2x6 - then they seem to do pretty well!
Great video again! A great rule to follow is get the boat that satisfies your needs most (70%+) of the time you use it. At boat show I saw a guy getting serious talking to salesman about a $80K+ Phoenix tournament ready rig. .. I walked around for a bit and walked by again and his wife and 4 kids had joined him and they were looking at the Tahoe deck boat that seats 8 people:) Would of been funny seeing the tournament rig pulling around kids on the tube while the mrs is working on her tan laying on top of the live wells
I've owned boats from 8 foot to 23 foot and after 55 years of boat ownership, I now have a 1969 14 foot v-bottom, with a 1969 25hp electric start Evinrude and I'm satisfied.
The perfect 🎉12' or 14' boat is the Challenger 12 or 14. Got both of these (currently) and the 12 footer my dad bought brand new in 1967 with a 9.8 Mercury. I was 5years old and that was how I got the boating bug.
I had a 12ft aluminum v hull. If I were to buy another boat I would go with a 14ft. They have more capacity and draft better due to their displacement.
Great video yeah that 14' is the way to go.. Anything boating is expensive they call it a luxury I guess it is so they price it accordingly I love boats and anything marine its a different or even strange attraction if you think about it going back hundreds of years when sailors would take to the sea with limited food and water guided by the stars so anything out of the ordinary was a threat of running out of supplies .. Anyway I like the boat you ended up with
Rocking my 1972 sea nymph john with 3.5h 4 stroke mercury. Plate capacity is 375lbs. Myself, buddy, and equipment is around 600lbs. No issues and boat is far more stable. When i run solo, she is all over the place unless the pond is glass. And 12ft and below do not require title in my state.
Man. it's slim Pickens for a 14ft at a reasonable price in my neck of the woods, I wound up with a 12 Gregor, wide body all welded no leaks, and I got a 15hp Mercury EFI, works for me !
I got lucky with my first Jonboat purchase and ended up with a 14 foot modified V hull. Checks every box for me. Pretty much flat the entire bottom except for the front 2-3 ft where it goes to a V so it does decent on some of the bigger lakes. 25 2 stroke pushes it to nearly 30. Ended up being the perfect boat for me, and the most important feature was that it will fit on the trailer in a 1.5 car garage next to another vehicle for winter storage, and so that I can keep every bit of my fishing gear inside without worry. Being able to keep my boat fully set up was a game changer to making quick fishing trips much more accessible. To me that is one of the biggest factors, and if I could only fit a 12 foot boat then that's what I would have. Also putting a light weight deck system can really make an old johnboat feel premium and give comfortable walking space through the whole boat. I don't know that I would deck a 12 foot though because he would really start to you into gear and people capacity. If anyone's curious I did make a full video of my complete build on my channel. I love looking at other peoples ideas and mines a constant work in progress
Really injoy your channel!!! I lived in MD most of my life (Frederick County). I like looking in the background to see if I've been I'm same water...... keep on boatin!!
One thing that I also notice is that 12 ft boats sometimes have a hull that is not deep compared to some models 14ft boats. 14ft boats often have a deeper hull. With a less deep hull, that means it would have less passenger/carrying capacity, and also that it would be less suitable to handle rough weather. Also bigger boats I notice tend to be built a bit more heavy duty. But a light weight 12ft boat is really portable. I can even put mine on the roof rack of my car!
Great info, I’m now looking for a more serious boat to fish with…I currently have a pelican bass raider with a trolling motor which for the last 3 years has successfully got me off of the banks and land fish that would have been nearly impossible to catch from the shore…just from this video I can definitely say no to a 12 footer as it would restrict passengers and would always be worried about weight…now said that it’s either a 14 or 16 footer for me as I need a trailer regardless. Thanks I just subscribed! Been watching your videos for a while now and didn’t notice I didn’t subscribe
I’m glad you brought up the hull shape differences for V-hulls. The boats that are rounded in the back aren’t very stable, and are usually older boats. Newer V-hull boats square off towards the stern and are much more stable. They blend the attributes of Jon boats and V-hulls. I personally would stay away from the older rounded hull boats.
I started out with my first boat. A 16/52 polar craft.. Semi vee. Used to be a Missouri Conservation boat.. yes heavy. Very stable. It's a a 1971.. Was extremely cheap also. With a 9.9 not fast.. but gets there.
I won't do anything smaller than 16ft. I have a 17 aluminum v-hull and it's great but even with my size I still get pushed around by wake boats on the lake. Not to mention the sudden rainstorms that come in making waves that can go over the side of 12 fts. 16-21 imo is best.
Just got my first boat this spring! Had to think of the family. I fit me, my husband, mom, dad and 2 kids on the 16ft v hull w a 25hp 2 stroke johnson from the early 80s late 70s. And we rip! Got laughed at a bit for being like a clown car but it holds over 700lbs! I love it. Everything you need, nothing you dont. Cant wait to fix it up nice, love your channel! Got clip on seats and a trolling motor. Now I want to get cupholders, work on the trailer and make a deck up front, yea! Its name is Ridin High, but might paint and rename it Cloud 9 instead. Is it bad luck to rename a boat?? Do you name yours?
Myself I have a 14 foot Jon boat it works fine for me here it’s easy to get in rivers and small lakes I fish.. and the best thing is the wife and I have enough room to move around.. The most definite option was the cost of it I only payed 200 for the boat and trailer..
I had a 12 ft StarCraft and a 14 ft Mirrorcraft. The Mirrorcraft was huge in comparison because it was so deep. But for small ponds or tough access it was hard to beat the portability of the StarCraft.
Depends on the water and the hull design and what you are doing and how you move it on the water. Wind conditions are also a big factor and not because of wave action . Some light or more buoyant hulls can be a bear in light wind to control drifting or slow trolling. The bottom line is there are a multitude of variables to balance when buying an aluminum hull.
Great video ! Very good information that people don't usually think about. I have been going back and forth about this same discussion and I'm going to buy something at least 14-16 ft because of capacity and stability
If I had to pick between a 12 and a 14ft boat, I'd go for the 14ft. However, most 14ft boat don't have the capacity I need, both in weight carrying and HP. Lakes and rivers around here have a LOT of wake-makers (lots of tubing or jet skis), so a 16 footer is best as the wakes tend to be kinda big, 2 feet wakes is a regular thing. I drove a 14ft boat once and waves were crashing in in the boat all the time, only at the bow, but a 16ft boat doesn't seem to have that kind of issue nearly as much as a 14ft does. They tend to be able to "ride" on both waves (or almost), so they allow less of the bow to point downward and allow water in.
And, a 15hp is the bare minimum when the wind picks up, we were almost idling even at full throttle with a 15hp 4stroke last time I went on the water. 14ft boat are max'd at 20hp most of the time, or 15hp... a 16ft boat allows for 20, 25 or 30hp most of the time, which is better suited for here.
I wound up recently getting a 1436 flat bottom Jon for my first boat. Currently overhauling it and making upgrades. Got a new/oversized trailer for it so I can increase the boat size in the future if needed. About to add aluminum flooring and simple storage/and track systems for fishing. Then painting it. Got the hull for $500 (a 2018 model). Got the 5hp Mercury for free that is going into it. That thing is like new… but it was sitting since 2004. So I spent $100 in parts and tools to make it a 1-pull-to-start motor.
@@WayneTheBoatGuy For sure! I ordered my future seats from Amazon a few days ago… and spent more on the seats than everything so far (besides the trailer). They will be very comfy and light seats though! Very important to me.
I personally have a Seabright 230 7 foot inflatable which is perfect for the lakes with a Suzuki 2.5. It's small and light enough for easy storage and transport all by myself
Which would I choose? I have a 14'/4.3m with a 40HP 2 stroke and if I had the money I'd trade up to a 16'/5m boat with a 60-75HP... but as you said it's all about the use case. In my case I'm a saltwater fisherman so often have to deal with choppy waters. My 4.3m runabout is ok in 2'/600mm chop, and it can handle 3'/900mm chop if I'm careful, but a bigger boat will handle bigger waves. Also I often have 1 or 2 friends with me... so more boat means more comfort. 16'/5m is also the smallest boat I'd take over a bar into the open ocean. My little 14'/4.3m boat would do it on a good day, but good weather can turn to bad too quickly on the water, so my little boat stays in the bay.
This was really helpful! I'm looking for my first small boat and have been looking at 12' and 14'. What do you think of aluminum vs. fiberglass, all circa 1960s-1980s.
In my area the aluminum ones seem to be much more common and the old fiberglass ones have often been severely neglected. I also think the fiberglass ones might be heavier but also more solid feeling if you can find a good one. Happy hunting for your first boat!!
I have the perfect 10 foot vhull boat Perfect for my truck, for lifting, and storing I now have a brand new motor thats 2x the recomended size for my perfect boat! So now I have to sell it and fingers crossed for a small boat with a higher horsepower capability🤞
in my neck of the ocean, a 12 foot boat is much more sellable because of the larger live aboard community. Most Marina dingy docks have a 12 foot size limit!
i got a valco 12 foot a few days back i cant wait to try it out on the lake i put it in the bed of our truck pretty easily its a full deep V got it in a trade i definetly like it more than my 12 foot sears i had
My family bought a used 1979 Sea Nymph 12R (the R signifies a heavy duty version) Capacity 700 Lbs and a 15 HP motor We have a 1982 Johnson Seahorse 9.9HP engine Me and my wife, with all our gear, can still get this boat to go 30 KM (18.6 MPH). I would choose this model over a light weight 14 for bass fishing in weeds
One has to consider transporting. Can your vehicle tow a trailer? I've gone full circle by using a 10" rowboat as a kid to an18' Lund to a10' Zodiac with an electric because I drive a Mazda3 now. It suits my needs 99% of the time. If I want bigger and faster I rent.
Great video. Appreciate you sharing your insight. My wife and I (ok.... so it's really just me LOL) are thinking about a small boat and are debating between a jon boat, v hull, and small pontoon to wander some Florida salt flats. This vid gives me more to think about. 👍
Inflatable catamaran. Light (~40kg/88lb), easy to solo manage, very stable, swallow draft, load ~500kg (1100lb), open front for easy in climb from swim/dive, fold into car the trunk, ~$1kau ($650us), could buy a few vs 1 ali
Neither for me. I wish there were more open deep V boats that have ocean farers in mind. 14’ with more freeboard and a splashwell please. Only just a very few models out there. Been in a friend’s 12’ silverstreak open deepV with really deep sides and it handled the rougher waters very well.
If you boat in big water(Large resevoirs/lakes or ocean) you need some kind of V-Hull. With my very old 12 Starcraft, roamed the Ocean and big fresh water. When the wind picks up, it will go over a prety chop easily. 15 Hp about right with 4 Persons, Cooler and gear. Will plane nicelly. 14Ft, a 20-25 HP and a lot more of gear(Light load a 9.9-15 Hp enough) My 15HP Johnson would plane a 16Ft(with a bit of water in the botom) with 4 persons and gear
I'm torn between a Marathon Duke 10 and Duke 12, both of which handle more weight than similar wider jon boats. Your round bottom 12 is very suitable for squalls. I won't be getting a 9.9 HP motor unless I start handling coal barges.
i have an original coleman crawdad. for those not familiar with it, it is a 11 foot Plastic jon boat. it is very good for the small ponds that i go to (200) acres and less. i toss it in the back of my pick up and propel it with a 45 pound thrust trolling motor. the battery can last all day with my 300 pound self and my 200 pound son, even going through heavy lily pads. i bought it from a buddy about 10 years ago and have since bought a second one as a spare. they both cost me $200 each and i like to refer to them as a Fat Man's kayak...
Hey Wayne , not sure my deaf ear heard you right … we’re those prices INCLUDING the outboard ??? … my little homebuilt 12 foot wooden boat was just under $700 to build but the 6hp outboard was $1800 !!! … the outboards are insanely priced these days because there’s no American made competition to the dominant Japanese outboards !!!
Steve's Law - figure out the size that you think you need and add two feet. For example, if a 12-foot boat will do, buy a 14-footer. This will handle the "elbow room" factor. My name is Steve, that is my law and the reason I bought a Lowe 1467WT and Tohatsu outboard.
I believe Jon boats are more susceptible to following waves which can flip and sink them. This can happen in say Lake Erie in typical conditions. So what is the best boat for Lake Erie?
I would need to store it away from my residence, likely in a rental space. Given that, it would make more sense to go with a larger boat with a dedicated trailer.
14' I like capacity capabilities even if mostly alone...my gheenoe holds 675lbs 10hp and 3 people and I have the 20 Tohatsu on it because its the same weight. I can do 2 adults and small child safely in appropriate waters with outboard and trolling motor.
Question: you mentioned stability so it's more wobbly but not in a risky aspect ? Cause some people can stand on a kayak or 12ft kayak and figured the kayak wouldn't be as stable as the rowboat
Looking at purchasing a budget jon boat for fishing and scuba diving from in lakes with my dad and brother. So 3 max passengers. Based on the video I’m thinking 14ft V hull. Thoughts? I am extremely new to boating. This just sparked my interest a few weeks ago so any and all advice is highest welcomed and sought for! God Bless!
I’ve had 12’s and 14’s semi vee and Jon, they were all good but had limitations. I’ve got a 16 semi vee fishing with floor live well etc. now. It’s much more suited to how I use it but it’s on trailer etc.. It has seats that swivel and front casting deck etc.. Good on Michigans inland lakes that I fish. Not big enough for Great Lakes 👍
my 12 foot boat goes on the roof of my 4x4 my 4x4 goes to lakes that other fisherman can't get to then my 12 foot boat goes over the bushes into the lake without a boat launch i catch more big fish than a 14 ft boat
we are now in our 70's, getting rid of my 13.5 ft Sportspal canoe. we are limited to a 14' boat due to my gargae size. now another problem, is gigh winds we have to consider. on a heavier boat, we will of course trailer the boat, anyone have a make , brand recommendation?
two 20 foot shallow-V wooden boats are on the drawing board … gotta figure on taking ALL the grandkids out fishing not just two of them … 20 foot , Wayne !!!
If it's on a trailer there is no difference to launching a slightly bigger boat. It will be more stable and more comfortable. I had a 12 then a 14 and now a 16. I love the 16 even better.
Good Stuff, Wayne👋🏻….btw try being 50+ and still having to use both the metric system and U.S. Standard….In healthcare we have always used Metric….It wears my old brain out🤣
I'm in an interesting situation because I want a better boat but live in an apartment. I currently have a 12 foot cheapo aluminum boat that barely keeps my fat ass out of the water, and with my gf and dog in it, doesn't even plane off with my old Johnson 10hp. I want a deep v hull to get me higher out of the water but I still need it to fit in the bed of my truck and be light enough to move by hand by myself. I kept my current boat in the bed of my truck for 4 straight months last summer, which was a pain, but you gotta do what you gotta do
1. If the beam is similar, longer boat is more efficient. But they're almost always wider for stability and carry capacity. 2. Price consideration, 12 foot is always cheaper. The question is how much cheaper? 3. Weight might seems irrelevant but it is extremely important Conclusion: If you're boating alone, 12 foot is better. If you carry people often, 14 foot is better.
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
And if you're wondering if a flat bottom jon boat is a better choice for you over a V shaped hull, check out this video!
ruclips.net/video/DG123pdYtYw/видео.html
I was looking for a small Jon boat with just a kicker for creek flounder , my beautiful bride of fifty two years chose me a new 18 foot aluminum boat with a 90 horse Suzuki four stroke and an aluminum trailer . Best move I’ve ever made , the perfect old man’s boat
Small enough to fish most inland waters , big enough to slip out a few miles offshore on a clam day ,the 90 horse sips gas if I stay off the throttle , big enough that I can push 50mph to get in ahead of a storm . Life is good !
As a big water fisherman would have chosen twin 40 Hp engines. My nephew runs a 24 ft fiberglass panga with twin 40 Hp 2 stroke Yamaha. 1 hour runs to very far offshore grounds. Just reliable when way out there. No Sea Tow out here.
I had a 16 foot Lone Star V bottom and loved it. It had a 9.9 Mercury . The boat was made in the 1960`s.
A 14’ boat on a trailer is a great package. The added length helps to offset the combined weight of you & the weight of the motor, the longer boat tracks straighter when trolling or running about.
I’m running a 12’ boat & the weight of a 15 Yamaha four stroke is really noticeable in the way it squats & tracks .
I’m running a SE200 sport fin on the motor & it really helps to get it on step very quickly.
I added a bow roller & 20 lb pyramid river anchor & run a 3 gallon fuel tank up front to offset the weight of the motor & myself.
Great video. I have been watching your videos over the last 2 months as I was looking for a small aluminum boat. Just purchased a 14ft Mirrocraft v-hull. This video would have saved me some time as I thought I wanted a 12 foot john boat but realized it was too small when I saw it in person.
Also, I like the shot in the water of the 2 boats floating. Really puts it in perspective with the amount of freeboard.
14 ft. aluminum Starcraft, 30 hp. electric start Johnson with hydrofoil fin, 3 padded swivel seats, marine radio, stereo radio/cd player with 4 speakers, bimini top, automatic bilge pump, flat, carpet covered floor, electric trolling motor, fish locator, depth finder, GPS, level floatation in seats, running lights, floor lights, spotlight, oars, just in case, rod holders, cup or bottle holders, top speed 30 miles per hour, (32 with tail wind) Had people remark that my boat is the best equipped 14 ft. on Lake Stclair. Trailer has side guides and non-skid walk out platform. No wet feet for me! LOL! I love this boat.
That sounds like a nice set up!
I’ve worked in the marine industry for over thirty years. I’ve built about every known boat type there is. I am now retired. My equilibrium is nowhere near what it was. Stability is crucial to me. I fish tournaments, as well as recreational. The v hull is for rougher water. The rule of thumb is simply this. Longer means faster. Aluminum boats are noisy. And have to be constantly monitored, for rivet tightening. Welds crack that has to be checked constantly as well. I’ve gotten rid of every boat I’ve owned. From Jon boats, kayaks, cabin cruisers extra. Up to thirty two feet. I won’t have a aluminum boat period, if I need something firm fiberglass is your best option. However expensive. I now have a twelve foot inflatable raft. It’s five and a half feet wide, flat bottom. Some modifications made . The floor is wooden sectioned in three pieces. I have every electronic a 100k bass boat has. 4hp outboard, and 32# thrust trolling motor. I get nowhere fast but , I get there around 12 mph but I get there. I can run 2.5 hours on a quart of fuel. A bass boat can blow past me full throttle, it won’t tip. I can walk around. No real need to, I’ve got control panels to turn on everything from my seat one front on rear. Everything breaks down to fit in the trunk of a Kia sedan. I have dolly made from pvc, four deep cycle batteries. And on board charging for batteries, cell phones ext. the boat’s weight limit is 1350 pounds. The reason I chose the 12 foot is because in my state anything over Carrie’s property taxes. It does have to be registered, because it’s motorized. It silent doesn’t spook the fish. And I can go into any water over a foot deep. Boat dolly electronics, both motors, seats floor( waterproof) I’ve got less than $1500 in it completely.
That sounds like a neat rig!
John, I would love to know what inflatable raft you are talking about. I am looking for a cheap simple fishing setup that I can stand in, and this sounds great. I would love to pick your brain. Let me know if we could email/text about it. I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
@@rileyirving9079 intex five, ten ft long five feet wide. Made wooden floor, covered with marine carpet. Two storage boxes. Also wooden. With lazy Susan on top attached with wing nuts,to be removed and seats mounted. I went a bit overboard on seats high backs plenty of cushion attached flanges to floor front and rear with motor mounts 3hp outboard on aft of boat. Same in for but with Minkota trolling motor. Two Garmin cv and sv . Front transducer is mounted to trolling motor. Rear purchased a floor mounted transducer mount . Mounted it to drop along side the boat. Reduced turbulence from outboard. Boat is durable stable and easily packs into my Kia Forte. Has a weight capacity of 1300 pounds.running lights, deck lights a stereo. I have around $1500 in it all together.
@@johndeets6915 thanks John!
@@rileyirving9079 if I'm catfishing at night for big cats. I do keep a few. Car floor mats to drape over top. Just a precaution.
Wayne. I have a simple fun set up for fishing. It's an inflatable sup with a bixpy motor. Beach chair fishing rod Bluetooth and a blender😂
Nice overview! A non-boater or newbie might think.. who cares? But in any size range (even our 41 ft sea ray vs the 38) 2 feet makes a BIG difference in every way!
Yeah it's amazing how 2 feet on any size boat is so different!
searay 630 suñ sórt sundacer surfacé drives 54 mph
Searay 440 sundeck bes
I have a 14' aluminum boat on a dedicated trailer I have set up similar to a bass boat. Running an old Johnson 2 stroke I run up and down the Snake River here in Idaho and fish shallower water than everything larger. Great part is when I get off work, throw the boat on my truck and go fishing late afternoon.
I have a Lowe 1040 that I routinely overload. With a 35# thrust mini kota my wife and I enjoy fishing for pan fish fish and trout. I’m 68. It weighs 80#. I can throw it in my truck, and in the water no problem. The whole setup cost less than annual maintenance on my 25’ cruiser and trailer. It cost less than my hobie compass, and is more comfortable. I’m not encouraging anyone to exceed load capacity labels, but common sense can empower a lot of fun on small lakes and ponds.
I have deep V starcraft 16’ from the 60s .. yamaha 25hp and 23 kt on saltwater .. reinforced sides .. killing machine !
Nice!
My suggestion is that new boat owners on a budget should decide what they want from a boat and then "play the long game" to get it. I have a 14' Lund; it's a 44 year old hull, but doesn't leak a drop of water. It cost $1200 with a problematic rope start 30HP Johnson, trailer, old trolling motor, and old Lowrance fish finder. I bought it as a boat I could easily launch/recover solo and handle easily when fishing alone. Since buying my Lund over three years ago, I've gradually replaced the old outboard with a new 20HP Merc, new MinnKota trolling motor, ProNav trolling motor controller, new Humminbird Helix 7, refurbished decks/carpet, and Lithium battery. I have about $7K into this whole setup, but it's now equipped as a very nice boat for the small and medium sized lakes around me. Taking three years to spend that money meant that I could do this on a cash basis.
I bought a home made trailer and 16" Starcraft filled with leaves for $400. She runs good with my new 30 Suzuki.
Great video WtBG, 14' alum. boat is perfect for me. I use a 6hp. Johnson to push it up the river and bay, and a 55lbt. Newport Vessel for most of the lakes I go to. I did add a wood floor with 2"x8"s oak. I mostly solo the boat out fishing the Susquehanna Flats, and rivers, lakes. That 2 foot makes a big difference.
I'm now in the process of buying my third boat. I wish I would have saw this about 5 years ago. Good stuff good stuff.
Great video. I've been this route as well as many other people. My 12' semi v Lowe Sea Nymph was light and easy to move around BUT it was not too stable due to the round bottom and I hesitated to bring anyone else along with me. Then I fell in love with a 14' Amesbury Dory. 14' long, 65" wide, flat bottom, fiberglass! Super stable, unsinkable, great ride with an old Johnson 15hp. Heavy, needs a trailer but I don't care. Even my little Rav4 can pull it. Only drawback that I've run into is that the boat and trailer combo sinks into the ground when you get alot of rain as we have in the Northeast this Summer. I could no longer move it by hand and I hesitate to hook it up because I'll end up with some great ruts in the yard due to the softness of the wet soil. I'm praying for {normal} drier weather so I can use my boat. Happy boating. Keep up the great videos.
If your trailer tires sink (mine do as well) set them on some boards that are a bit wider and longer than the tire footprint. Like a two foot long 2x6 - then they seem to do pretty well!
Did it! Works well. Thanks.
Great video again! A great rule to follow is get the boat that satisfies your needs most (70%+) of the time you use it. At boat show
I saw a guy getting serious talking to salesman about a
$80K+ Phoenix tournament ready rig.
.. I walked around for a bit and walked by again and his wife and 4 kids had joined him and they were looking at the Tahoe deck boat that seats 8 people:)
Would of been funny seeing the tournament rig pulling around kids on the tube while the mrs is working on her tan laying on top of the live wells
At a boat show my wife and I can visualize ourselves on most of the shiny new boats!
I've owned boats from 8 foot to 23 foot and after 55 years of boat ownership, I now have a 1969 14 foot v-bottom, with a 1969 25hp electric start Evinrude and I'm satisfied.
That's a sweet and simple combo!
The perfect 🎉12' or 14' boat is the Challenger 12 or 14. Got both of these (currently) and the 12 footer my dad bought brand new in 1967 with a 9.8 Mercury. I was 5years old and that was how I got the boating bug.
I had a 12ft aluminum v hull. If I were to buy another boat I would go with a 14ft. They have more capacity and draft better due to their displacement.
Great video yeah that 14' is the way to go.. Anything boating is expensive they call it a luxury I guess it is so they price it accordingly
I love boats and anything marine its a different or even strange attraction if you think about it going back hundreds of years when sailors would take to the sea with limited food and water guided by the stars so anything out of the ordinary was a threat of running out of supplies .. Anyway I like the boat you ended up with
Rocking my 1972 sea nymph john with 3.5h 4 stroke mercury. Plate capacity is 375lbs. Myself, buddy, and equipment is around 600lbs. No issues and boat is far more stable. When i run solo, she is all over the place unless the pond is glass. And 12ft and below do not require title in my state.
proline 20 waljaround cabiñ driser beter
Man. it's slim Pickens for a 14ft at a reasonable price in my neck of the woods, I wound up with a 12 Gregor, wide body all welded no leaks, and I got a 15hp Mercury EFI, works for me !
I like the 12 foot Lund John boat you showed.
This is a great vid and comparison, if you want portability and capacity, look into inflatable boats with either a semi or full hard floor...
Bigger boat, I'm 6'6'' and 255 lbs or 1.98 meters and 115.6 kilogram. Thank you, that was a big help.
I got lucky with my first Jonboat purchase and ended up with a 14 foot modified V hull. Checks every box for me. Pretty much flat the entire bottom except for the front 2-3 ft where it goes to a V so it does decent on some of the bigger lakes. 25 2 stroke pushes it to nearly 30. Ended up being the perfect boat for me, and the most important feature was that it will fit on the trailer in a 1.5 car garage next to another vehicle for winter storage, and so that I can keep every bit of my fishing gear inside without worry. Being able to keep my boat fully set up was a game changer to making quick fishing trips much more accessible. To me that is one of the biggest factors, and if I could only fit a 12 foot boat then that's what I would have. Also putting a light weight deck system can really make an old johnboat feel premium and give comfortable walking space through the whole boat. I don't know that I would deck a 12 foot though because he would really start to you into gear and people capacity. If anyone's curious I did make a full video of my complete build on my channel. I love looking at other peoples ideas and mines a constant work in progress
Very sensible purchase and comment. Jons are extremely adaptable.
Really injoy your channel!!! I lived in MD most of my life (Frederick County). I like looking in the background to see if I've been I'm same water...... keep on boatin!!
One thing that I also notice is that 12 ft boats sometimes have a hull that is not deep compared to some models 14ft boats. 14ft boats often have a deeper hull. With a less deep hull, that means it would have less passenger/carrying capacity, and also that it would be less suitable to handle rough weather. Also bigger boats I notice tend to be built a bit more heavy duty. But a light weight 12ft boat is really portable. I can even put mine on the roof rack of my car!
Great info, I’m now looking for a more serious boat to fish with…I currently have a pelican bass raider with a trolling motor which for the last 3 years has successfully got me off of the banks and land fish that would have been nearly impossible to catch from the shore…just from this video I can definitely say no to a 12 footer as it would restrict passengers and would always be worried about weight…now said that it’s either a 14 or 16 footer for me as I need a trailer regardless.
Thanks I just subscribed! Been watching your videos for a while now and didn’t notice I didn’t subscribe
I’m glad you brought up the hull shape differences for V-hulls. The boats that are rounded in the back aren’t very stable, and are usually older boats. Newer V-hull boats square off towards the stern and are much more stable. They blend the attributes of Jon boats and V-hulls. I personally would stay away from the older rounded hull boats.
Great point!
I went somewhere in the middle with my 13' Boston whaler. Sometimes small boats are a lot more fun than big boats
Those 13 foot Whalers are quite popular and a very nice smaller boat.
yes indeed , seen those on the Intercoastal in Virginia Beach !!! … nice & unsinkable !!!
whaler 13 gise bahmas carolina skiff too
Master vhef whaler 13. 40 hp yanmar disel out b ard
My 14 ft old Gregor is stable and manages waves well. Suzuki 10 horse runs it. I’ve had a dozen boats and this works best for me.
I started out with my first boat. A 16/52 polar craft..
Semi vee.
Used to be a Missouri Conservation boat.. yes heavy.
Very stable.
It's a a 1971..
Was extremely cheap also.
With a 9.9 not fast.. but gets there.
My boat is 13.5’ just to settle the argument
I own a 13' Saturn inflatable boat and I love it. I can put a 30 HP outboard on this thing but am very happy with my 15 HP Yamaha 2 stroke.
Master chef has infateble yanmar 27 hp dissel outbard
I won't do anything smaller than 16ft. I have a 17 aluminum v-hull and it's great but even with my size I still get pushed around by wake boats on the lake. Not to mention the sudden rainstorms that come in making waves that can go over the side of 12 fts. 16-21 imo is best.
Just got my first boat this spring! Had to think of the family. I fit me, my husband, mom, dad and 2 kids on the 16ft v hull w a 25hp 2 stroke johnson from the early 80s late 70s. And we rip! Got laughed at a bit for being like a clown car but it holds over 700lbs! I love it. Everything you need, nothing you dont. Cant wait to fix it up nice, love your channel! Got clip on seats and a trolling motor. Now I want to get cupholders, work on the trailer and make a deck up front, yea! Its name is Ridin High, but might paint and rename it Cloud 9 instead. Is it bad luck to rename a boat?? Do you name yours?
Myself I have a 14 foot Jon boat it works fine for me here it’s easy to get in rivers and small lakes I fish.. and the best thing is the wife and I have enough room to move around.. The most definite option was the cost of it I only payed 200 for the boat and trailer..
Nice deal!!
I had a 12 ft StarCraft and a 14 ft Mirrorcraft. The Mirrorcraft was huge in comparison because it was so deep. But for small ponds or tough access it was hard to beat the portability of the StarCraft.
Depends on the water and the hull design and what you are doing and how you move it on the water. Wind conditions are also a big factor and not because of wave action . Some light or more buoyant hulls can be a bear in light wind to control drifting or slow trolling. The bottom line is there are a multitude of variables to balance when buying an aluminum hull.
Great video ! Very good information that people don't usually think about. I have been going back and forth about this same discussion and I'm going to buy something at least 14-16 ft because of capacity and stability
evolution 552 18 foot cabin cruser
whaleer ¹5
ploy çraft 530 cabin cruserr
I rock a 14 foot v haul aluminum and I also have a 16 foot flat back canoe for when a portage is necessary.
If I had to pick between a 12 and a 14ft boat, I'd go for the 14ft. However, most 14ft boat don't have the capacity I need, both in weight carrying and HP. Lakes and rivers around here have a LOT of wake-makers (lots of tubing or jet skis), so a 16 footer is best as the wakes tend to be kinda big, 2 feet wakes is a regular thing. I drove a 14ft boat once and waves were crashing in in the boat all the time, only at the bow, but a 16ft boat doesn't seem to have that kind of issue nearly as much as a 14ft does. They tend to be able to "ride" on both waves (or almost), so they allow less of the bow to point downward and allow water in.
And, a 15hp is the bare minimum when the wind picks up, we were almost idling even at full throttle with a 15hp 4stroke last time I went on the water. 14ft boat are max'd at 20hp most of the time, or 15hp... a 16ft boat allows for 20, 25 or 30hp most of the time, which is better suited for here.
Sounds like your boating conditions are more challenging!
evolutiñ 552 18.5 çôit cabin crusrr😊
The width of the boat is very important. That's where the stability comes from. I, myself have a 14ft v-hull with a 8hp. Gets me around fine.
I wound up recently getting a 1436 flat bottom Jon for my first boat. Currently overhauling it and making upgrades.
Got a new/oversized trailer for it so I can increase the boat size in the future if needed.
About to add aluminum flooring and simple storage/and track systems for fishing. Then painting it.
Got the hull for $500 (a 2018 model). Got the 5hp Mercury for free that is going into it. That thing is like new… but it was sitting since 2004. So I spent $100 in parts and tools to make it a 1-pull-to-start motor.
That's some good deals!
@@WayneTheBoatGuy
For sure!
I ordered my future seats from Amazon a few days ago… and spent more on the seats than everything so far (besides the trailer). They will be very comfy and light seats though! Very important to me.
I have a v hull 12 ft and just got a 14 ft v hull to take the family out
I personally have a Seabright 230 7 foot inflatable which is perfect for the lakes with a Suzuki 2.5. It's small and light enough for easy storage and transport all by myself
Which would I choose? I have a 14'/4.3m with a 40HP 2 stroke and if I had the money I'd trade up to a 16'/5m boat with a 60-75HP... but as you said it's all about the use case. In my case I'm a saltwater fisherman so often have to deal with choppy waters. My 4.3m runabout is ok in 2'/600mm chop, and it can handle 3'/900mm chop if I'm careful, but a bigger boat will handle bigger waves. Also I often have 1 or 2 friends with me... so more boat means more comfort. 16'/5m is also the smallest boat I'd take over a bar into the open ocean. My little 14'/4.3m boat would do it on a good day, but good weather can turn to bad too quickly on the water, so my little boat stays in the bay.
This was really helpful! I'm looking for my first small boat and have been looking at 12' and 14'. What do you think of aluminum vs. fiberglass, all circa 1960s-1980s.
In my area the aluminum ones seem to be much more common and the old fiberglass ones have often been severely neglected. I also think the fiberglass ones might be heavier but also more solid feeling if you can find a good one.
Happy hunting for your first boat!!
I have the perfect 10 foot vhull boat Perfect for my truck, for lifting, and storing I now have a brand new motor thats 2x the recomended size for my perfect boat! So now I have to sell it and fingers crossed for a small boat with a higher horsepower capability🤞
in my neck of the ocean, a 12 foot boat is much more sellable because of the larger live aboard community.
Most Marina dingy docks have a 12 foot size limit!
16' is about right, shallow v, built of something heavier than Ally, for stability, Because I do like to be beside the seaside !
i got a valco 12 foot a few days back i cant wait to try it out on the lake i put it in the bed of our truck pretty easily its a full deep V got it in a trade i definetly like it more than my 12 foot sears i had
My family bought a used 1979 Sea Nymph 12R (the R signifies a heavy duty version)
Capacity 700 Lbs and a 15 HP motor
We have a 1982 Johnson Seahorse 9.9HP engine
Me and my wife, with all our gear, can still get this boat to go 30 KM (18.6 MPH).
I would choose this model over a light weight 14 for bass fishing in weeds
One has to consider transporting. Can your vehicle tow a trailer? I've gone full circle by using a 10" rowboat as a kid to an18' Lund to a10' Zodiac with an electric because I drive a Mazda3 now. It suits my needs 99% of the time. If I want bigger and faster I rent.
Yeah the transporting is a big aspect!
I solved the problem. I bought a 13' Sylvan Alaskan side console. In a lake, it is fine for 2 or 3 people. Fishing in the LI sound. it's a PWC. 😄
That's a great way to cover your bases!
nice video I have always liked Naden aluminum boats there have 12 to 16 foot and are utility boats there where made in Ontario Canada
To me it's weight vs how big of water you can safely be out on. I'd take the 14' deep V to handle bigger chop.
Great video. Appreciate you sharing your insight. My wife and I (ok.... so it's really just me LOL) are thinking about a small boat and are debating between a jon boat, v hull, and small pontoon to wander some Florida salt flats. This vid gives me more to think about. 👍
What's better, a barge or a tug boat?
Inflatable catamaran. Light (~40kg/88lb), easy to solo manage, very stable, swallow draft, load ~500kg (1100lb), open front for easy in climb from swim/dive, fold into car the trunk, ~$1kau ($650us), could buy a few vs 1 ali
14' it is, then. Thanks for a great video. Liked and subscribed.
Thanks and welcome!
This might surprise you but boats are one of the very few things measured in ft even in metric countries.
True ❤ i'm Danish, we measure boats in feet 👍
Neither for me. I wish there were more open deep V boats that have ocean farers in mind. 14’ with more freeboard and a splashwell please. Only just a very few models out there. Been in a friend’s 12’ silverstreak open deepV with really deep sides and it handled the rougher waters very well.
If you have to put it on a trailer anyway, get the bigger one. I have a 16 V with a 30 Suzuki. It's comfy.
That's a nice combination.
If you boat in big water(Large resevoirs/lakes or ocean) you need some kind of V-Hull. With my very old 12 Starcraft, roamed the Ocean and big fresh water. When the wind picks up, it will go over a prety chop easily. 15 Hp about right with 4 Persons, Cooler and gear. Will plane nicelly. 14Ft, a 20-25 HP and a lot more of gear(Light load a 9.9-15 Hp enough) My 15HP Johnson would plane a 16Ft(with a bit of water in the botom) with 4 persons and gear
I'm torn between a Marathon Duke 10 and Duke 12, both of which handle more weight than similar wider jon boats. Your round bottom 12 is very suitable for squalls. I won't be getting a 9.9 HP motor unless I start handling coal barges.
wribg
scoyt 145 hybresd gwt go bamgas
i have an original coleman crawdad. for those not familiar with it, it is a 11 foot Plastic jon boat. it is very good for the small ponds that i go to (200) acres and less. i toss it in the back of my pick up and propel it with a 45 pound thrust trolling motor. the battery can last all day with my 300 pound self and my 200 pound son, even going through heavy lily pads. i bought it from a buddy about 10 years ago and have since bought a second one as a spare. they both cost me $200 each and i like to refer to them as a Fat Man's kayak...
nice!
whaler 11 veter
Had one many years ago. It was fun, but very heavy for it's size!
Hey Wayne , not sure my deaf ear heard you right … we’re those prices INCLUDING the outboard ??? … my little homebuilt 12 foot wooden boat was just under $700 to build but the 6hp outboard was $1800 !!! … the outboards are insanely priced these days because there’s no American made competition to the dominant Japanese outboards !!!
Those prices were without a motor!
@@WayneTheBoatGuy … OMG 😳
I miss the light weight portability of the old 2 cycle outboard engine
Yeah newer 4 strokes aren't very light.
Steve's Law - figure out the size that you think you need and add two feet. For example, if a 12-foot boat will do, buy a 14-footer. This will handle the "elbow room" factor. My name is Steve, that is my law and the reason I bought a Lowe 1467WT and Tohatsu outboard.
That's a good law!
Wayne, I love your channel.
Thanks - I appreciate that!
I believe Jon boats are more susceptible to following waves which can flip and sink them. This can happen in say Lake Erie in typical conditions. So what is the best boat for Lake Erie?
I would need to store it away from my residence, likely in a rental space. Given that, it would make more sense to go with a larger boat with a dedicated trailer.
14' I like capacity capabilities even if mostly alone...my gheenoe holds 675lbs 10hp and 3 people and I have the 20 Tohatsu on it because its the same weight. I can do 2 adults and small child safely in appropriate waters with outboard and trolling motor.
Question: you mentioned stability so it's more wobbly but not in a risky aspect ? Cause some people can stand on a kayak or 12ft kayak and figured the kayak wouldn't be as stable as the rowboat
Looking at purchasing a budget jon boat for fishing and scuba diving from in lakes with my dad and brother. So 3 max passengers. Based on the video I’m thinking 14ft V hull. Thoughts? I am extremely new to boating. This just sparked my interest a few weeks ago so any and all advice is highest welcomed and sought for! God Bless!
I’ve had 12’s and 14’s semi vee and Jon, they were all good but had limitations. I’ve got a 16 semi vee fishing with floor live well etc. now. It’s much more suited to how I use it but it’s on trailer etc.. It has seats that swivel and front casting deck etc.. Good on Michigans inland lakes that I fish. Not big enough for Great Lakes 👍
Yeah a 16 is a nice size too!
my 12 foot boat goes on the roof of my 4x4 my 4x4 goes to lakes that other fisherman can't get to then my 12 foot boat goes over the bushes into the lake without a boat launch i catch more big fish than a 14 ft boat
Is that factory? I’ve tried it and I don’t think I have it. 2023.
For me, if I wanted to go fishing on the nearby lake, I think that a 14ft boat would work better. It's a fairly large lake.
bay whaler 405 cibqwest
What did you 12foot aluminum Jon boat weigh? And weight on your 12 ft v hull?
I never weighed any of my boats - but the Jon boat was the lightest.
we are now in our 70's, getting rid of my 13.5 ft Sportspal canoe. we are limited to a 14' boat due to my gargae size. now another problem, is gigh winds we have to consider. on a heavier boat, we will of course trailer the boat, anyone have a make , brand recommendation?
Are you related to the late and great Norm Macdonald ?🤣
Was looking at 16 foot myself wish that was included
There's a lot more options and features with 16 foot boats!
Boston whaler 16
two 20 foot shallow-V wooden boats are on the drawing board … gotta figure on taking ALL the grandkids out fishing not just two of them … 20 foot , Wayne !!!
proline 20 walj ariun cabin xruserr beter
@@sharonbraselton4302… omg , don’t let AI choose your words !!!
Buy 2. Proline. 20 foit walk around cabin cruser
Thank you for the knowledge
As a general rule buy the smallest boat you can fit into.
Amazing video. Thanks!
I wish i saw this before i bought my 16ft
If it's on a trailer there is no difference to launching a slightly bigger boat. It will be more stable and more comfortable. I had a 12 then a 14 and now a 16. I love the 16 even better.
Yeah I think I would be pretty happy with a 16 as well!
Good Stuff, Wayne👋🏻….btw try being 50+ and still having to use both the metric system and U.S. Standard….In healthcare we have always used Metric….It wears my old brain out🤣
Current have a 10’ pond hopper, looking to upgrade to a 1448 mod v so that I can comfortably bring a buddy fishing or the lady out for a cruise.
I would have never brought my wife on my 12 foot boat, but she doesn't mind the 14
poly craft 4.8 cabin cruset
I'm in an interesting situation because I want a better boat but live in an apartment. I currently have a 12 foot cheapo aluminum boat that barely keeps my fat ass out of the water, and with my gf and dog in it, doesn't even plane off with my old Johnson 10hp. I want a deep v hull to get me higher out of the water but I still need it to fit in the bed of my truck and be light enough to move by hand by myself. I kept my current boat in the bed of my truck for 4 straight months last summer, which was a pain, but you gotta do what you gotta do
1. If the beam is similar, longer boat is more efficient. But they're almost always wider for stability and carry capacity.
2. Price consideration, 12 foot is always cheaper. The question is how much cheaper?
3. Weight might seems irrelevant but it is extremely important
Conclusion: If you're boating alone, 12 foot is better. If you carry people often, 14 foot is better.
Even boating by myself, I like the extra space and stability of my 14 footer.
Yup...😎👍
1k diff is alot when you can deck out the smaller boat with 1k
I went with an inflatable for my first boat. They weigh less and are much more stable.
Me: in a 15.5 foot canoe 😂
nice!