SteveH
Member
Hello,
What a cool forum! I purchased an old Sears 12' 32" bottom jon boat. My only intent was to have something more stable to change our pond filter. As an amateur wildlife photographer, it dawned on me . . . this boat would be perfect (?) for floating/trolling our smaller rivers and trolling around our local reservoirs and lakes. I am clueless though about how stable it is, I've been in boats only a handful of times in the last 15 years. The sides seem shallow. The biggest lakes I'd put it in (on a calm day) would be Pymatuning Reservoir and LaDue Reservoir, cruising the edges (I think Pymatuning is 17,000 acres, but lots of nooks and crannies) The other lakes are much smaller (Punderson, East Branch and the Grand River in NE Ohio).
It would be my wife and I, trolling motor, battery ( &spare battery?) oars, anchor, other small misc stuff and my camera equipment. I have no intention of standing up for photography. The boat is a Sears Model 61813, SN MA221003454, 12' long, 32" on the bottom, 46" at the widest point rail to rail, and the sides are about 12" high, 440 lbs. rated capacity. Once our pond melts (2 acres) we can get a feel for it on calm water but I have no idea what this boat can handle. Plus I don't want to find out the hard way with my camera and lenses at the bottom of the lake or get "swamped" by 6" waves.
Is there a boat that maybe more stable I should be looking at or this fine for fair weather? It seems we'll be right at the weight limit with the two of us, battery, trolling motor, etc. I welcome your experienced input.
Thanks, SteveH
What a cool forum! I purchased an old Sears 12' 32" bottom jon boat. My only intent was to have something more stable to change our pond filter. As an amateur wildlife photographer, it dawned on me . . . this boat would be perfect (?) for floating/trolling our smaller rivers and trolling around our local reservoirs and lakes. I am clueless though about how stable it is, I've been in boats only a handful of times in the last 15 years. The sides seem shallow. The biggest lakes I'd put it in (on a calm day) would be Pymatuning Reservoir and LaDue Reservoir, cruising the edges (I think Pymatuning is 17,000 acres, but lots of nooks and crannies) The other lakes are much smaller (Punderson, East Branch and the Grand River in NE Ohio).
It would be my wife and I, trolling motor, battery ( &spare battery?) oars, anchor, other small misc stuff and my camera equipment. I have no intention of standing up for photography. The boat is a Sears Model 61813, SN MA221003454, 12' long, 32" on the bottom, 46" at the widest point rail to rail, and the sides are about 12" high, 440 lbs. rated capacity. Once our pond melts (2 acres) we can get a feel for it on calm water but I have no idea what this boat can handle. Plus I don't want to find out the hard way with my camera and lenses at the bottom of the lake or get "swamped" by 6" waves.
Is there a boat that maybe more stable I should be looking at or this fine for fair weather? It seems we'll be right at the weight limit with the two of us, battery, trolling motor, etc. I welcome your experienced input.
Thanks, SteveH