Still Water Boat

[Birddog]

Any suggestions on a 2 man still water boat? currently own a pontoon but with a bad back need to stand up and stretch, any body use Jon boats? are they good in rougher waters/

[Simpson]

depends what you mean by rough.. I have never had any issues.

 

I have 12'....36" floor Crestliner, love it. I would definitely get a 36" floor, 32" is not enough in my opinion. Extra 4" helps with stability. I usually fish in my boat alone as doing the two rod chronomid dance in BC.. with that said 2 guys can be done, just a little tight with gear. If you are going to fish with two in the boat majority of the time I would consider going to a 14'... you are however of course adding weight which can be a downside. Something to consider if you are putting on the roof of your truck or have a trailer.

 

Either way best way to still water fish, you won't be sorry if you pick one up

[fishinglibin]

And dont forget to put in a carpeted floor.

[BrianR]

I presently fish outa a Spratley 10' wide.Cadillac of small pram boats imo.They make a 12'-0,heavy all weld const.Get the widest boat that you can afford..brian

[murray]

Brian, I was waiting for you to chime in. Al, I saw the boat that Brian is talking about, it looks to be the perfect 1 or 2 man flat bottom boat. Might be a tad heavy to be moving around by yourself though.

 

Murray

[Hawgstoppah]

If you can trailer the boat instead of having to put it in the back of a pickup or on a topper / rack, I really strongly suggest a driftboat. Get a used low profile (for lake wind) and it'll be the most comfortable thing you've ever fished from. Plus if you rig a double anchor system you can position the boat just exactly the way you want it for casting to weed beds, etc

[Tungsten]

A drift boat?Really?

 

As for Jon boat this really depends on motor size.Flat front and a 20 hp on a 14' boat will knock your teeth out in a 1' chop.Slow the boat down say with a 4hp and its not to bad a little slap.Also when anchor you get the slap.If you plan on getting up on plain then a modified V hull is the better choice.Still rough in chop but a lot less then a flat bow.

 

If its something that your just going to row around in or use electric then look for a boat that is more open or isn't full of benches .Pole seats with the ability to walk around in and a deck up front for sight fishing is the shizza when it comes to still water fishing

[bcubed]

I would never recommend a drift boat for lakes. I have used mine (a LP) for lake fishing numerous times, and they are hell, plus damn dangerous in a big wind. I hate taking my drifter in lakes, and rarely bother anymore. Not worth it

 

They're comfy, but super inefficient in lakes.

[ericlin0122]

drift boat on lake is pretty lame. Spratley +1

[Taco]

I'd give serious consideration to one of these http://www.springcreekprams.com/

[Swede]

I've used my XL Hybrid on lakes many times and love fishing out of it. I set it up with a front anchor mount from Hyde and pyramid anchors on both ends and have comfortable fished in high winds no problems. I Hardly even notice the waves in my Hyde and I've fished in 50 km/h winds a few times lol.

[Villageidiot]

I would never recommend a drift boat for lakes. I have used mine (a LP) for lake fishing numerous times, and they are hell, plus damn dangerous in a big wind. I hate taking my drifter in lakes, and rarely bother anymore. Not worth it

 

They're comfy, but super inefficient in lakes.

 

Really? Mines fine.

[bcubed]

It's fine, but not comparable to a proper lake boat by any means. I just use my raft now if I'm doing pike fishing and stand on the seat. Let the wind push me around

[Villageidiot]

Similar to green drake, I own the XL low profile, outfitted with anchor systems on the front and back, along with a motor mount, and powered by a minnkota 80lb thrust. I also own a 10' Harbercraft fly fisher. While i wouldn't recommend the drift boat for one man, i would take the drift boat for multiple people any day. I have fished out of 1236 jons with 2 people and hate how unstable they are. Then you're next boat is the 1436-1442 and then you likely have to trailer it... yadda yadda yadda, drift boat always wins IMO.

That being said, for one man boats, i like a short pram in the bed of a truck. More then one person, i'll take a properly rigged low profile drift boat any day.

Keep in mind... welded vs riveted... towing a riveted boat on a trailer down a gravel road is a good way to ruin your boat. Lots of leaks in no time. Riveted is way lighter, and perfect for small boats to drop in the bed of a pickup, or roof rack, but not so good for towing down bumpy roads. Welded will be heavier and more expensive and hard to handle by yourself, unless its on a trailer. But far less prone to leaks and even usable in rivers... provided it is set up correctly.

[monger]

Lots of 12ft Lunds with 15Hp motors in the group I fish with. Good boat in big wind/waves. Many have built a platform in the front end, throw a carpet in the middle

[fishinglibin]

I had 2 - 14 ft jons w 15 hp short shaft, w carpeted floor and deck. Loved em. Now have a 16 ft, great for the river, not bad for lakes. Very stable on the waves though,.

[cgyguy]

I agree! I have a 1648 with a 30 hp jet and have used it in bC on lakes like Whitetail, Premier and Whiteswan Lakes. I find my boat very very stable on the flats. Easy to stand up in, not a lot of wind resistance, and overall comfortable. Only thing is you need a trailer and its always nice to have someone to assist you putting in and taking out. River fishing is awesome in these boats as well.

 

My 2 cents worth...

 

Cheers

Cgyguy