Big man here looking for a new boat

Hello to all,

I am new around here been lurking for a while and picked up some great tips. I am looking for a new or used boat. I have been enjoying for the past 8 years or so a 14 foot 1960 something aluminum mod v hull boat. Problem with it is its not very wide and a bit tippy. Couple that with the fact that I am 300 lbs and 6'5" and that has me looking at options.

I am looking for something that would work for 3 to 4 people, I have two little guys who will be fishing with me in the future and would love to see grandpa on the boat with us(little ones are only 1 and 3 years old so we have some time yet). In general I fish with one other friend and at most two so with that in mind here is what I am thinking. 4 person capacity boat with at least 750 lb person capacity, I like the 14 foot length but have no idea how wide I should go. I fish mostly small lakes that you could row(enjoying the row too) or use the electric motor on...I also have a 6hp johnson (old and gettnig worn out but works) and a 15hp mercury that has seen little use and runs great. I would have no problem doing a modification on a used boat or buying a new boat and moding it too. I have a good trailer under the current boat so i can use that if I stay in the 14 foot length. I like the thought of a flat bottom jon or even a mod v but I am open to suggestions. I guess after all the above ramble what I am asking is what do you big guys who want a stable boat that you can fish from and have the kids out in look for from a length width, and depth perspective. Thanks for reading and I look forward to any answers.



Ross

Here is one that would work pretty well for your needs and still be able to be pushed around by a 15hp.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.akmining.com/boat/Hi_L1652MT.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.akmining.com/boat/lo16oj.htm&usg=__8dsEj07YnvH9xVYR8oqMT8AYjxk=&h=294&w=684&sz=28&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Y4ino9enB0sVxM:&tbnh=60&tbnw=139&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlowe%2Bolympic%2Bjon%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1260%26bih%3D779%26tbm%3Disch&ei=bS-3Ta2lNpGitgfnkOGhAQ

the smallest tracker Jon that will accommodate that kind of weight (person wise) is a welded1754. That is pretty large and pretty expensive. You can go with the guide V-16ft for about $3300. I am jsut usig Tracker as reference because I had the website open, I am sure all other makers are similar.

I would get a 1648 Mod V with kids the bottom width will make it more stable with kids. I fished in ours this weekend with my 2 boys, one is 6'7" 240, and the other is 6'6" 225, plus myself, and it was very stable even with one standing on the casting deck.

gillhunter said:

I would get a 1648 Mod V with kids the bottom width will make it more stable with kids. I fished in ours this weekend with my 2 boys, one is 6'7" 240, and the other is 6'6" 225, plus myself, and it was very stable even with one standing on the casting deck.

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I woudn't want to see that boat coming up behind me!!! What are you feedin those kids?! And at which univeristy do they play basketball?

Yea, Im with HonkyTonkin on this. What are you doing gillhunter? Raising a basketball team?

I would love to see the 3 of you comin down the creek!

I recently got a triton ambush 16, 75 inch beam. Super stable boat, (I hang off the side to take a ....). I dont have kids, but my dad is gettin a little older and has MS so stabilitly is very important to me. I have a 50 on the back and it does everything i need it to.

Thanks for al the info guys exactly what i was looking for was personal experience!!! and yikes...basketball team football team...I dont think anyone will be messing with your boat anytime soon.

Ross

Looks like all good advice given so far. I like the flat bottom jons like mine too. Flat bottom offers you more real estate on the front deck. Pros and cons to everything though

Also....Welcome to TinBoats rossr. Happy to have you here. Keep us posted with what you find, and of course any mods you make to it.

reedjj said:

Here is one that would work pretty well for your needs and still be able to be pushed around by a 15hp.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.akmining.com/boat/Hi_L1652MT.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.akmining.com/boat/lo16oj.htm&usg=__8dsEj07YnvH9xVYR8oqMT8AYjxk=&h=294&w=684&sz=28&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Y4ino9enB0sVxM:&tbnh=60&tbnw=139&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlowe%2Bolympic%2Bjon%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1260%26bih%3D779%26tbm%3Disch&ei=bS-3Ta2lNpGitgfnkOGhAQ

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How much does that boat cost?

I run a 1448 flat bottom jon. I normally just fish with me and a buddy (I'm 6'2" 240lb and he is 6'3" 250+lbs). The boat is very stable and with a back deck I think I could easily accommodate 3 big guys. With the motor that I have on there now (9.9 with 15hp carb) it will plane with 2 people and run about 15-16mph. With a 3rd person I would definitely want a bigger motor.


The person I bought the boat from had a 40hp tiller on the back. Now I think that's a little large but I would think a 30-35 would work great on it with a heavier load.

BaitCaster said:

reedjj said:

Here is one that would work pretty well for your needs and still be able to be pushed around by a 15hp.

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https://www.akmining.com/boat/Hi_L1652MT.jpg&imgrefurl=https://www.akmining.com/boat/lo16oj.htm&usg=__8dsEj07YnvH9xVYR8oqMT8AYjxk=&h=294&w=684&sz=28&hl=en&start=1&zoom=1&itbs=1&tbnid=Y4ino9enB0sVxM:&tbnh=60&tbnw=139&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dlowe%2Bolympic%2Bjon%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG%26biw%3D1260%26bih%3D779%26tbm%3Disch&ei=bS-3Ta2lNpGitgfnkOGhAQ

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How much does that boat cost?

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I think its around $1,400.00 Not sure. I posted that as an example. Maybe he can find something just like it but a few years old.

I also think the 1648 would be a good option. They are readily available and have lots of room. A 15HP would push it, but not very fast - which might be fine for you. With a couple big guys and gear in it, I'd guess minimum of 25hp to get up on plane and move at a decent clip.

If you really want room, look into the Lowe 1652 (I think the same one linked above). It would give tons of stability and loads of space. A darn good boat! It might be hard to find a good used one though.

As big as you are, I'd stick with a mod-V unless you can find a really wide and really deep V-hull. If you do go with a V-hull, search Craigslist for a late 80s or early 90s Bass Tracker V-hull. I really like those boats!

Thanks again guys, I am gonna get a look at a 1448 and a 1648 hopefully in the next couple weeks. If get the time I will snap a few pics of the current boat for everyones enjoyment. I think I am gonna look for a flat bottom jon with a mod v front. Liking the thought of stability

Fender thanks for the welcome hello!

Been looking around at various mod v jon boats, I think a 1648 is looking like the way to go for what I want!! Found a new alumacraft 20 inch mod v for just shy of $2000 in the 1648. I may hold out for a used one if one turns up. I did some measuring on my current boat and found out its only got a 48" beam and only a 40" floor..cant say I havent enjoyed it ! So for sure time for something bigger.

Still open to any suggestions as I keep up the research.

R

Still open to any suggestions as I keep up the research.

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I think you're looking in the right direction. For MY needs where I almost always have someone with me, and sometimes, the wife and2 kids....I wanted nothing less than a 1648. Ended up with a 1756 and love it.

rossr said:

Been looking around at various mod v jon boats, I think a 1648 is looking like the way to go for what I want!! Found a new alumacraft 20 inch mod v for just shy of $2000 in the 1648. I may hold out for a used one if one turns up. I did some measuring on my current boat and found out its only got a 48" beam and only a 40" floor..cant say I havent enjoyed it ! So for sure time for something bigger.

Still open to any suggestions as I keep up the research.

R

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I'm a big guy, and I just bought a tracker 1860 jon. When I first looked at it before it was in the water I thought the thing was HUGE, way overkill.

Since I've had it in the water I'm glad I didn't go any smaller. I could get by with a smaller one I'm sure but I'm still surprised by how much the boat moves when I move around.

It's not going to tip over by any means, I can walk right up to the edge of the floor and look into the water. I guess I was expecting floating dock or pontoon stability but it's not.

I was remembering the river jon boat when I was a kid and we fished on the mississippi. It didn't seem to move at all. Of course I was a lot smaller back then! lol

I have been using a minn kota 36lb transom motor and it pushes it just fine in the lake I fish the most but I am going to upgrade to a front mount 55 just because I want the i-pilot and I don't like the transom mount.

rossr said:

Been looking around at various mod v jon boats, I think a 1648 is looking like the way to go for what I want!! Found a new alumacraft 20 inch mod v for just shy of $2000 in the 1648. I may hold out for a used one if one turns up. I did some measuring on my current boat and found out its only got a 48" beam and only a 40" floor..cant say I havent enjoyed it ! So for sure time for something bigger.

Still open to any suggestions as I keep up the research.

R

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Is that the riveted Alumacraft 1648 mod-V NCS?


I have been looking at that one too. The price is great. Even though its riveted the Alumacrafts are made of thicker aluminum than the other manufactureres use on thier riveted boats, and the transom/ rear seat supports help to beef it up. The ribs are big and strong too.

If I don't get a good deal on a used welded one this is what I'm going to go with. I don't work for Alumacraft LOL. Some might thik I do as much as I reccommend them. I am just so impressed with the quality/durability/toughness of my 1542, that I don't hesitate to recommend them. Very good quality boats

Take a look at this one https://www.loweboats.com/showroom/riveted-jon/lowe-jon/l1852mt.php or its 16' little brother.

Mike P said:

Take a look at this one https://www.loweboats.com/showroom/riveted-jon/lowe-jon/l1852mt.php or its 16' little brother.

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I wish Lowe made them without center seats! I would love to have that boat and cut the center seat out of it, and turn it into center console. I bought my boat with the intentions of removing the center seat.... Got it home and just couldn't do it! No way could I cut the seat out of a boat as nice as that Lowe! Well..... maybe after I beat the heck out of it for a year LOL!

That Lowe is the ultimate in BIG riveted Jon boats!