Thinking About a Small Jon Boat for Crabbing

[dickt]

I just bought 30 recreational traps. I have a 19' center console, 135 hp. fishing boat, but I don't want to unduly trash it by using it for crabbing and it is an awfully large engine to use for a very low speed activity. Also, I do not have a vehicle large enough to tow the cc console boat with. I am thinking that the smallest jon boat and smallest outboard that I could get away with might be the ticket. I will use it mostly by myself, but sometimes with a second person, on small creeks and tribs on the Eastern Shore. I already have a trailer to use for a small boat. Any ideas on whether something as small as 10' with a 2.5 hp would be sufficient?

[rj]

30 traps, bushel baskets, assorted misc " stuff" safety equip, cooler, bait gloves, cull sticks, tongs, anchor , paddle etc, etc. with all the assorted "stuff" 10 ft can be a little small, even with just 1 person. I would like something a bit larger.. as far as hp, use whatever moves you along at a speed that you are comfortable with.
& yes crabbing trashes a boat

[crabby and son]

I would not go any less than 14 feet. 30 traps and gear will take a good bit of space. I would also like at least a 25 HP motor as thunder storms come up quick in the summer and you need to get in quick. No matter what size shed you build, it fills up quick! rj knows what he is talking about when he says crabbing trashes a boat..................Gary

[JB Crabs]

Gary, Gary, Gary, As far as RJ's boats you are thinking of his old rigs. Wait until he gets the new one on the water

[JB Crabs]

I'm sorry Dickt for not responding on your question

10' jon boat? I would look for a little larger jon boat. The guys are correct when they state that the boat will get a little crowded if you go with the 10' and invite another once and awhile. Motor, that's your decision as far as how fast do you want to go or get off the water. My thoughts are 14' but I also heard you on your towing capacity. Go with the largest you feel comfortable with. The last thing you want to do is purchase a boat go out and wish you would have given it a little more thought on the bigger boat.

What ever you decide, Have a Great Season

[crabby and son]

Gary, Gary, Gary, As far as RJ's boats you are thinking of his old rigs. Wait until he gets the new one on the water

Won't take long. Rich stores his boat in neck juice I got a tetanus shot after I saw his boat last year Can't wait to see the new one I hope he is recovered and ready!..................Gary

[bayhead]

AMEN to what Gary says!

Breakouts of the "black death" have occurred in certain southern maryland counties after Rich visits. Hah!

Bayhead (aka chuck)

Chesapaeake Crabbing Supplies, Inc.
2202 Conowingo Road
Bel Air, mad. 21015

410-838-1443

[dickt]

Thanks a lot for the quick responses!

Now, I have a related question. Suppose that I were a reasonable man (or a guy with a wife) who decided that I should limit myself to one boat -- the 19' CC fishing boat I already have. Any thoughts on what I could do, in the way of deck coverings, to keep the boat clean when used for crabbing?

[inshore-ance]

keep an eye on craigslist. you can pick up a good used 16'-18' center console for same price as some of these new jon boats.

[rob sasko]

i crabbed out of a 14ft jon boat for many years when i was younger, it did fine, you can worry yourself to much trying to keep your cc from getting messed up while crabbing, so if possible, i would get a jon boat, and use it for crabbing. a 14ft jb only weighs about 200lbs plus small motor so towing should not be a problem, also, if you are using traps, a jb sits real close to the water, and that makes it easier to reach over and snatch them when you are the only one on the boat