12 ft Jon Boat

[fatdirtycat]

I am thinking about buying a 12 ft alumicraft jon boat. I want to put it in the bed of my f150. It will stick out about 4 ft. I saw where you can buy these seat clamps and install some boat seats. Do yall think buying a jon boat like this and using a trolling motor is a good idea? I was going to use it on Lay Lake in AL.

[Wishing2BFishing]

FDC, regarding the idea of clamp-on seats, be very careful. Last year I purchased an aluminum V-Hull with basic "rowboat seats". I intended to purchase the clamp-ons but ran into some problems:

1) The clamp sold by Bass Pro Shops wasnt' big enough to fit on the "rowboat seat"

2) Cabela's clamp-on was recalled so the didn't have any left for me to purchase.

[bass kicker]

it tells you right on it what size benches it will fit and it is an awsome idea about buying a small boat just got my self one last spring

[Wishing2BFishing]

Basskicker, I am not telling him to avoid purchasing the boat, just to be cautious when purchasing the clamp-ons. I remain curious as to why the brand that Cabela's sold recalled their seats.

[bass kicker]

they did not warn them about using pedistals and they were breaking the base

[Wishing2BFishing]

Good to know . . . Did they improve the base or just insert warning instructions?

[bass kicker]

i think they put instrutions

[lovinfishin9]

I have a 12 ft jon boat but i havebt been able to do anything with it yet cause i have to get it from georgia first

[Christopherkeene9]

I a friend I fish with in the River (saltwater) uses clamp on seats and a trolling motor on his CANOE!!

[JB]

Ya going to mount a trolling motor and battery on it or row?
first thing I'd do is put a flipping platform on it, but be careful not to fall in!

[Marty]

Do yall think buying a jon boat like this and using a trolling motor is a good idea?

Absolutely.

My partner Jeff, who's a member here but doesn't post too much, has a 12' john boat powered by a trolling motor. We have fished from that in many ponds and in one large lake where the area we want to fish is close to the launch. There is some excellent bass fishing in small ponds that either do not allow gas motors and/or are not accessible to larger boats and having a boat like that can greatly expand one's horizons.

[bass kicker]

i do that exact same thing there is a creek that has aamazing fisherie that no one fishes from a boat because you have to carey it to the water and we do and fill our boat every time

[WTL]

Fat and Dirty,
Trolling Motor is essential...especially if you are gona be out on lay lake.

Two solutions for the seat dilema. 1, you can get pedestal seats and have the pedestal welded or bolted to the benches. If its bolted use big $%$ bolts and big $^$ washers cause you will put a lot of torque on a little bench seat when you lean back sitting in the chair.

Or, you can go with the little plastic seats they have at walmart that already have a base. Drill out the holes on the bottom so you can fit some stainless band clamps through them, and tighten those band clamps all the way under and around the benches.

Either works. 1 gives you a high seat, the other one sits right on the bench. For my boat we have the pedestal seat up front for fishing, and the back one is done using the band-clamp method. Both can break under severe stress, and the band clamps wear out over a long time - but they arent expensive.

When you fish Lay with a trolling motor, concentrate on creeks that already have ramps. Don't really bother covering much water, it can't be done with a battery - when I used to only have use of a trolling motor I ran out once at g'ville, I think I had gone 5 or 6 miles - that was stupid of me. Eventually if you can get a little outboard as it would do you wonders. Even a used one. 9.9 is a good size, it would allow you to cover all the water you need.