Help Me Rig My New Boat!

[dwb]

Hi guys. New member here. First post but a long time lurker.

Here is the question. I finally bit the bullet and bought a new boat speciffically for the region in which I now live. Formerly I owned a Lund Deep V but after moving to Missouri I found it pretty impractical for most of the places I could go to fish. So, after some research, I just purchased a new Alweld 1448 flatbottom Jon.

Now here is the question...how do I best rig it out?

First let me tell you a little about my rationele and how I intend to use it. I went with Alweld simply because of their great reputaqtion and the 1448 because it was the biggest thing I could fit in the back of my truck (width wise). I did not want to fool with trailors anymore--just pull my truck up and slip my boat in. Most of my time will be spent on small to mid sized rivers cat fishing but occasionally I would like to visit the bigger rivers (Mississippi and Missouri) or even the lake.

So how should I fit it out? What type and size of motor? Size matters as I will be lugging the thing around. Will planing out be a problem? I'm a big guy (6-5 350#). Seats? Safety?...everything...

I know there is a lot of knowledge on this board and can not wait to hear what you all have to say. I promise to post pictures as I rig this puppy out.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[Jim]

:WELCOME: Dwb!

Thanks for joining! :beer:

If your not going to trailer it and just throw it in the back of your truck, I am going to assume you don't plan on doing the whole deck/storage thing.

Are you planning on a gas motor or all electric? If only electric, 12 or 24 volt (1 battery or 2).

Jim

 

[alumacraftjoe]

Welcome aboard! I say if you are going haul it w/out trailer I would keep it as simple and light as possible. Maybe some nice rod holder set ups for catfish and if night fishing maybe light her up. (LED's and maybe some black lights). You are opposite of me, I spent many years hauling around a 12' jon in the back of a pickup and I will NEVER do that again!

 

[b1gluke56]

Welcome fellow Missourian. what part of Missouri are you from? I live in the Kansas City Area

 

[Zum]

I know it seems easier to throw the boat on back and go but I wouldn't rule out a trailer.Time you throw boat,motor,gas tank,anchor,cooler,bait,fishing gear,any little mods,etc.in the back of the truck.It not only gets to be heavy but a pain in the butt;motor moves a bit breaks a rod,gas spills out now its in the bottom of the boat etc.,etc.You are going(physically) to be able to do it but it gets to be a pain.Just my opinion though,tried it for a year.

 

[dwb]

Thanks for all of the replies so far. To answer a few questions, I am planning on going gas not electric and the motor it probably the biggest part that I need help with.

Most of the places I plan on putting this rig in won't even have suitable boat ramps so the back of the truck it is. I'm sure it can be a pain at times but I think if I keep things simple I'll be ok.

So wrt motors...would a 9.9 2 stroke get me on plane? What about custom reed valves? I have read that you can put in after market reed valves and nearly double the hp of small motors?

 

[FishingBuds]

welcome aboard mate

Your out of my league on what ya want, That is way differant when your not planning on trailering it for me, the only time I trucked a boat was my old 12' that had a MG trolling and battery that was it, I understand tho if where you plan to go and the ramps suck :wink:

your at the best place for the answeres'

 

[bassboy1]

If weight is the reason you are deciding to get the 9.9, go for a 15. With Johnnyrudes, and some other makes, the 15 is the same block and lower unit as the 9.9, and often within 5 pounds of the 9.9. But, a 15 is probably about the smallest you would want to put on a boat that wide.

 

[Waterwings]

Well, I'm only a couple days late.......................Welcome Aboard! 8)