Hey folks, I am a new member here and have enjoyed reading through the various forums. Several years ago I was doing some general housework for a guy and he mentioned selling his jon boat. We quickly struck a deal. Work for the boat. No big deal. In exchange for my skills, he sold me a 1436 polarkraft jon with a small trailer and a 1993 johnson 9.9 with electric start. All said and done i got it for 800$ The problem was that I almost never used it. I sold it later that year due to a financial crunch. Jumping forward several years, I started duck hunting and fishing. :x now I have no boat and a very strong desire to get one. I won't have anything solid for a few months, but I like to plan and overplan. That's enough about the past.
Now, I've been cruising through all of the jon manufacturers and I think I have found something that will work splendidly. The Alumacraft 1542. It is the right size and has the right capacity. Any opinions of them? I am thinking that it would be only slightly less stable than a 1448 due to the extra foot or so of hull contacting the water. This boat would only haul more than 2 people in an emergency. Main occupant (me) is 275# and the other would be about the same. The lake I live on is a large lake on the slow and murky Tennessee River. The boat would be for short hops around the lake to get to the honey holes. You think the 1542 would be a good choice for a dual duck/fishing boat? I would deck the front at about bench top height and run a 15-25hp motor (rated for 25). Most of you obviously have more experience with these than I do so I figured I would let more experienced people give their knowledge.
On a side note, I am very happy to be a member of this board. I hope that in time I too will be able to post pics and share my knowledge. Thanks all.
Now, I've been cruising through all of the jon manufacturers and I think I have found something that will work splendidly. The Alumacraft 1542. It is the right size and has the right capacity. Any opinions of them? I am thinking that it would be only slightly less stable than a 1448 due to the extra foot or so of hull contacting the water. This boat would only haul more than 2 people in an emergency. Main occupant (me) is 275# and the other would be about the same. The lake I live on is a large lake on the slow and murky Tennessee River. The boat would be for short hops around the lake to get to the honey holes. You think the 1542 would be a good choice for a dual duck/fishing boat? I would deck the front at about bench top height and run a 15-25hp motor (rated for 25). Most of you obviously have more experience with these than I do so I figured I would let more experienced people give their knowledge.
On a side note, I am very happy to be a member of this board. I hope that in time I too will be able to post pics and share my knowledge. Thanks all.
