Low Boat Budget Advice

[SeanC]

I am looking for a boat for around $3,000. No bells and whistles nothing fancy I aint looking to pick up any chicks (nor could I with that kind of budget).

I have seen a lot of used jon boats that have been affordable. I have also seen a few skiffs. I am on a tight college budget but I am ADDICTED TO FISHING and really want something.

I need something that I and a friend can fly fish with on lakes and back bays (like the flats of near Charleston harbor).

Can anyone please shed some light. What are somethings I might need to worry about? Are jon boats the wrong idea for fly fishing? What should I be concerned with?

Thanks

[cmacdol]

Why not , waders and a tube?

Les

[Wild Bill]

Sean-

Jon boats make great fly fishing platforms. Try to get as big a jon boat as you can for that money. You may be able to get a bare bones tiller motor 18' jon if the motor is not too new. Test it in the water to see that it runs and does not leak.

[CaptMikeStarrett]

I will sell you my Victory21 Gambler for a mere 800 more. Great boat..

Bmail if interested.

Capt Mike

[boats]

Before I had my Flats boat built I fished a Polar kraft 14' wide Jon Boat with a 9.9 Johnson. Only extra expense was a floor couple of fly rod holders and good push pole.

It was as good a single fly fisherman boat as the 17 foot tunnel hull I run now. If two fly fishermen longer is better just to keep each others lines out of the way. The 14 would get into shallow spots others could not.

I sold the Polar Kraft with trailer and all for 1800 to a buddy of mine who still fishes it, He added a trolling motor, No doubt in my mind thats the least expensive way to fly fish from a powerboat.

Of course there are Yaks which are very effective fly fishing platforms too that's another story

Boats

[Salmo trutta]

Yea, after buying the 22'cc and the 14' John boat, I'm tempted to get rid of both of them and buy two sit on top Kayaks rigged to the teeth, GPS, fish finder, plenty of rod holders, milk crate, paddle leash, anchor,....... You could buy two set ups like that for $1500 a peace easy.

Keep checking craigslist for the power boat thing. Be prepared to drive for a decent deal and call and email to reserve a test ride. I have two power boats, two canoes, a SOT kayak and I still check craigs list for boat listings every day.

[Mattaponi]

Look for a used Carolina Skiff. Sometimes you can pick them up for a deal. They are almost indestructable and they go very skinny. The wide design makes them very stable and a get flyfishing boat. Any motor will push a 16' skiff. They are also "unsinkable". The nice thing is you don't have to worry about rivets, or welds, etc.

[Tissy Furnes]

Salmo,

You are boat-addicted and afflicted, my friend.

Sean, take a look at a gheenoe.

[Salmo trutta]

I don't think you could beat this deal.

16' boat, motor, and trailer package!

[SeanC]

Thanks for all the help everybody its been so nice to get some real answers.

I have thought about the kayak approach but I really want to fish in charleston and the tides would suck me out to sea there. Unless some one knows diffrently? I really wanted to do the kayak and still would if I could find a good kayak to purchase.

Are jon boats known for leaks? If so were/how do you get that fixed?

I am going to look into the skiff idea.

Also that boat on craigslist is awsome! That guy said he got 80 calls today, so if that thing does not sell tonight I probally will go over there tomorrow night and look/probally buy it.

Any tips about looking at boats before I buy? Will most people be willing to give test rides?

Thanks agian everyone!

Cpt Mike,

Thanks for the offer but I really cant go over 3000 at all; that is really the max and I cant even do that much.