which boat to mod

[JMLaceUp]

Hey everyone. New member here. Found this website through a different forum site and I'm pretty intrigued. I was originally shopping for a ready-to-fish boat but now I'm looking for a project. I know i want 14ft V hull. Question Is I guess manufacturer. Starcraft, sea nymph, mirrocraft, etc. Any difference? Any advice before finding my new money pit? I see a new project for sale on CL daily just not sure which one to take on. Thanks in advance guys and nice site ya got here.

 

[wwcenturion]

Fairly new myself, so I am not sure I can offer very much help. I have seen people on here start with hulls having large gashes and hundreds of holes to fix and make them into super boats. I didn't want to attempt anything this complex for my first build and like you was in the market for something already setup for fishing. However, after finding nothing but junk made of fiberglass in my price range, I decided to buy a V-hull and get to work. I had a $2000 budget and so far I am under it. I am enjoying my build nearly as much as fishing.

I understand this wasn't much help, but I wish you luck on whatever you decide to do and will look forward to following your project once you get started.

https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=30614

 

[JMLaceUp]

Thanks for a response. I will have something with 2weeks. Ill send an update on what I have and build plans

 

[bigwave]

I say Mirrorcraft... :lol: but it really depends on what your taste is......My recommendation would be to look at the one that has the best engine....this is probably the most important thing when buying a used boat IMO. I would look for the maximum HP for the hull your looking at too, unless it is a hp restricted area. As the previous poster stated, you can do just about anything to a used hull, providing you are willing to spend the money. I would search the completed mods to get an idea of what can be done. Good luck with your purchase. :WELCOME:

 

[lckstckn2smknbrls]

I would suggest a Wards Sea King from the early '70's. :roll:

 

[Badbagger]

What Big aka Kevin said and I'm VERY partial to SeaArks.

 

[bgeddes]

I lurked here for a long time before getting a boat. I actually bought a trailer first. It's hard to turn down a titled fully functioning trailer for $75. As far as a boat goes, it seems it doesn't matter much which brand especially since it will be the first one. Shop for a bargain, they are out there. CL, local papers, and ask everyone if they know someone selling a boat, that's how I found mine. A co-worker's father wanted it out of his yard.

It seems this community is formed around elbow grease. People will to work on their boats to make them their own. With that in mind, the starting point is just a blank canvas, so it makes little difference.

 

[DSdeZigns]

I'm still new to the boat world my self, have been on quite a few though and have recently gotten my own around a year ago and have just now really gotten into modding it. looking for a boat my first thing was what kind, alum. or fiberglass. my price range and with my love for duck hunting as well i went with the aluminum of course. then it depends on V or flat-bottom which both have the advantages and disadvantages. of course i see you have already decided on a V which is what i went with because it will cut through the waves with the smoothes ride and with duck hunting can push logs and brush out of the way instead of carrying it like flat bottoms. but it does have a lot more of a rocking to it when sitting still and even driving. when i decided all that i started my search, since it was going to be a tin boat i didnt care on brands because of money really. as long as it floated i was gonna be happy. if it had a motor it was going to have to run as good as the price that i was going to pay for it. i talked to some friends before ever really even getting into a search and that was how i found my boat right away. spent a year of just getting used to it and all and making sure the motor was going to be in better than good shape. and now i am finally actually working on the boat making the mods i need and want and doing it to where i'll still be comfortable with the way it drives and handles. I stay mostly on the Tennessee River (Kentucky Lake) so with my 14' mod-V a 25 hp Johnson is perfect for it. It's had plenty of power and speed and handles great and even after putting quite a bit of load on the boat she'll still move really good (that's after having 5 men with hunting gear and a dog all in it as well). I really doubt i would ever got over that size thought with this boat, when i'm by myself fishing i've got it trimmed so far as it is just to keep it from bouncing. i don't know if any of this will help but good luck. It's been a real fun past year for myself just owning my own boat and now the modifying has made it even more fun.

 

[steelerfan88]

Do like I am doing and go and get yourself a new jon boat and trailer and start with a nice fresh "blank canvas" and do it up right the first time. I got a new Alumacraft 1542 and galvanized trailer from Road King for $2200.00 out the door. I am now in the process of doing my custom work to it as we speak. Alumacraft, Lowe, Weldbilt, Xpress, G3, War Eagle would be my top picks when looking for a new Jon. I did a TON of research before buying and those were my picks. Alumacraft won my money due to the fact I had a local dealer and the price was right for my budget. Good luck in your quest =D>