Hey I'm new can I have some help here

[Bcrazy]

I was thinking of making a job boat into a center console I will be going thru the intercostal most of the time actually all the time so I just need suggestions that would be fine I have no boat atm still thinking of getting a jon boat and doing a ton of modifications to have it the way I would like it

 

[stevesecotec02]

Its been done before and several manufactures make center consoles for jon boats. I wouldnt go any narrower than a 60" bottom so you have plenty of room to walk around the consloe. I would aslo reccomend a mod v instead of a flat bottom especially for big water. You will probably also want the taller transom. Look around for a good used 1860 or 2070 mod vee. If your willing to buy new plenty of manufactures build a aluminum center console that would meet your needs.

 

[bobberboy]

So for a guy from the heartland, could you describe the Intercostal? I've seen some of it on maps and understand a little but don't big-assed ocean going ships also use it? If so, don't those ships make big-assed wakes and don't you need a pretty big boat to deal with that? I used to live in Duluth, MN on Lake Superior and there were often ocean going ( I think they called them salties) vessels in the port. I wouldn't take a jon boat anywhere near one of them. Thx.

 

[ggoldy]

bobberboy » 21 Jul 2014, 05:33[/url]"]So for a guy from the heartland, could you describe the Intercostal? I've seen some of it on maps and understand a little but don't big-assed ocean going ships also use it? If so, don't those ships make big-assed wakes and don't you need a pretty big boat to deal with that? I used to live in Duluth, MN on Lake Superior and there were often ocean going ( I think they called them salties) vessels in the port. I wouldn't take a jon boat anywhere near one of them. Thx.

This is the intercoastal waterway I fish. I'm sure they are all along the pacific, atlantic, and gulf coasts. Any coast, really. Hope the link works.

https://www.google.com/search?q=santa+rosa+sound&client=browser-ubuntu&hs=Nkd&sa=G&channel=fe&hl=en&tbm=isch&imgil=szY0GEJJfum6jM%253A%253Bhttpss%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTeQLnJ75Inc1rSdLSV8cYZUEgPxK3SS7M7ub6PKKCVQacBwpsgwA%253B542%253B390%253BeAH-D5set8er1M%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Ftides.mobilegeographics.com%25252Flocations%25252F1926.html&source=iu&usg=__GKA0J_T_yEBOERqwyXGSlRd9-N0%3D&ei=h0zNU-iqNczdoATuyoKYAg&ved=0CCsQ9QEwAg&biw=1311&bih=671#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=szY0GEJJfum6jM%253A%3BeAH-D5set8er1M%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.mobilegeographics.com%252Ftideimages%252Ftidesta1926.png%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Ftides.mobilegeographics.com%252Flocations%252F1926.html%3B542%3B390

 

[ggoldy]

Searched a little more. This is more accurate. I live and fish here....My piece of paradise.
https://www.google.com/search?q=santa+rosa+sound&client=browser-ubuntu&hs=Nkd&sa=G&channel=fe&hl=en&tbm=isch&imgil=szY0GEJJfum6jM%253A%253Bhttpss%253A%252F%252Fencrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com%252Fimages%253Fq%253Dtbn%253AANd9GcTeQLnJ75Inc1rSdLSV8cYZUEgPxK3SS7M7ub6PKKCVQacBwpsgwA%253B542%253B390%253BeAH-D5set8er1M%253Bhttps%25253A%25252F%25252Ftides.mobilegeographics.com%25252Flocations%25252F1926.html&source=iu&usg=__GKA0J_T_yEBOERqwyXGSlRd9-N0%3D&ei=h0zNU-iqNczdoATuyoKYAg&ved=0CCsQ9QEwAg&biw=1311&bih=671#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=J17hGwVxbaavkM%253A%3BgmZQ0RLn4uAjsM%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.floridagreenlodging.org%252Fnorthwest%252Fecosys%252Fokaloosa%252FOCEC%252FLiza%252520Jackson%252520Park.jpg%3Bhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.floridagreenlodging.org%252Fnorthwest%252Fecosys%252Fokaloosa%252FOCEC%252Fliza07.htm%3B826%3B513

 

[Bcrazy]

thank you guys so you wouldnt recommend building a center console with a jon boat from craigslist?

 

[Bcrazy]

i want something like this it doesnt have to be center console anymore

 

[waterman]

You can go with a narrow boat but you might have to put the console to the front.

 

[Natedog57]

Crazy,
If you have some fab skills/tools it's definitely possible, but if it's not well build it probably won't hold up under "rougher" intracoastal conditions.

The size of boat totally depends on your comfort level, but I'd reccomend a welded hull, no shorter than 16'. I've built consoles for two 16'48" boats (one was purchased off Craigslist) and they work well. I made them 18" wide, so theres still adequate room to get around the sides.

I've also installed an AK McCallum console in an 18'60" which turned out nice as well.

 

[BigRedObsession]

It'd be cheaper and easier just to buy a used boat that came with a console from factory. I fish on the intercoastal in Georgia and my 1448 side console is fine. Biggest boats I see are pleasure yachts and they don't make that much wake.

 

[Ranchero50]

Either or, Find one that's done or build one yourself. I welded my center console to the back of my middle seat. It works well and is structurally sound. The handrail loop makes wandering around the boat much easier.

I think the most important thing is finding a good donor and getting it on the water.

 

[Bcrazy]

thanks all you guys i was just thinking maybe a metal boat was cheaper than fiberglass and highly customiziable like metal

 

[huntinfool]

Customizing a boat to your needs is a blast. Getting everything like you want is just that much more enjoyable.
Just know, aluminum boats don't last too long in salt water, unless you keep them hosed down. You'll want a v bottom or a mod v to help cut through the waves.
After that, its up to your imagination.

 

[Zum]

Harborcraft, black lab marine, many custom alloy boat builders, use aluminum exclusively for salt water.
How long is " don't last to long"?
The only problem I see with smaller aluminum boats in the salt, is their weight...sometimes being to light is a bad thing, like a cork.