First Boat Ever vs Spider Rigging

[flintcreek]

If the trailer axle is located right the 100 lb tongue weight should not be a problem...You might have to keep the battery in the back and run a long cable up to the front trolling motor. Pick the tongue up and see how heavy it is and how easy it pulls you should have a pretty good ideal. Johnson and Evinrude 35 and under 2 cylinders are very light for the HP and will help keep the overall weight down...a 16x48 all aluminum flat bottom with 35 hp tiller steering will not weigh much over 35 lbs more than a 14x48 with a 25 and matching trailer until you start customizing. Check out Tinboats.net and see what some people are doing to their Tinboats. Lots of good ideals.

[Mamba334]

Thanks!

[scout-j-m]

Hey Mamba, glad to hear you are getting a boat. I just bought myself a new Alumacraft 1648 NCS from a dealer in Cullman last week. This particular boat is riveted and Alumacraft lists it weighing 300lb in their specs. I'm not sure how much the trailer weighs but I would imagine a 1448 or maybe 1442 riveted boat would be a little lighter and have a good amount of weight to spare under your 1000 lb capacity with a solid trailer and motor and rigging.

IMO, an aluminum 1448 paired with an older 25hp Johnson/Evinrude is one of the best "utility boats" you can have. Reasons being that the boat will last forever if you take care of it, very light, very stable, most all are rated for 25hp which is plenty of power and a widely available used motor, can safely hold a couple of adults, and can be used on most bodies of water if the conditions are right. The only reason I chose the 1648 model was because it was rated for a 35hp motor, which I have already, and because it is rated for 4 people and a higher weight capacity.

To some of your concerns on flatbottom versus mod-v and wind...I have never noticed a difference between the two in how the wind pushes them when you are trolling or at rest. Maybe what you heard was in reference to mod-v's supposedly riding better in rougher water which is directly related to the wind. They are supposed to cut through the waves/chop better but personally I haven't ever noticed a difference from my experiences in both. If the water is bad enough to matter, it's probably unsafe for either type to be out.

Here's a few pics of my boat by the way.

[Mamba334]

Hey Mamba, glad to hear you are getting a boat. I just bought myself a new Alumacraft 1648 NCS from a dealer in Cullman last week. This particular boat is riveted and Alumacraft lists it weighing 300lb in their specs. I'm not sure how much the trailer weighs but I would imagine a 1448 or maybe 1442 riveted boat would be a little lighter and have a good amount of weight to spare under your 1000 lb capacity with a solid trailer and motor and rigging.

IMO, an aluminum 1448 paired with an older 25hp Johnson/Evinrude is one of the best "utility boats" you can have. Reasons being that the boat will last forever if you take care of it, very light, very stable, most all are rated for 25hp which is plenty of power and a widely available used motor, can safely hold a couple of adults, and can be used on most bodies of water if the conditions are right. The only reason I chose the 1648 model was because it was rated for a 35hp motor, which I have already, and because it is rated for 4 people and a higher weight capacity.

To some of your concerns on flatbottom versus mod-v and wind...I have never noticed a difference between the two in how the wind pushes them when you are trolling or at rest. Maybe what you heard was in reference to mod-v's supposedly riding better in rougher water which is directly related to the wind. They are supposed to cut through the waves/chop better but personally I haven't ever noticed a difference from my experiences in both. If the water is bad enough to matter, it's probably unsafe for either type to be out.

Thank you so much for the info! I'll be shooting for a 1448, paired with a 25hp. I only need a 2 person. I like it quite lol. Too many cooks in the kitchen spoiled the lunch! This is a beautiful boat man. Where are you going to put your seats? Going to be trolling? Let me know when you get done! I'm getting off of work now, heading to try my luck this evening at the lake. I hope no kids are jumping off the Pier again. I did meet someone in the Alabama board today, who hopefully we can team up soon and go Crappie Huntin'! I'll be getting my boat next January. I'm just trying to get everything right ya know. I ordered the towing trailer package and 2" hitch and ball today, so I'm getting the ball rolling!

[huntinslabs]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^THIS what Scout said! Look and listen to what he said. Spot on. 1448 or 1648 riveted whether its a Lowes, Alumacraft, G3, Crestliner wont matter. My old 1448 G3 with Mercury 2 stroke fished very good.

[Ken 59]

Just my thoughts but years ago my first boat was a new Tracker bass boat that I was so proud of with all the new shiny metal flake and all. My first trip was to lake wylie for a crappie fishing trip. Two older gentleman was unloading what looked like an old rusted bath tub, small motor (5 hp I think) at the same landing I was. I was so proud of that boat because it was as new and shiny and any boat on the lake. I fished around 4 or 5 hrs when I decided to call it a day. When I returned to the landing the two gentlemen was coming into the landing at the same time. I had landed a total of two fish but the bath tub had their limit in a cooler and i think at the time was 50 fish each. With all that being said any boat will serve your needs if you just look at what others have done with their boats you can adapt any boat to fish out of. Best of luck and GOD BLESS.

[catchNgrease]

Just my thoughts but years ago my first boat was a new Tracker bass boat that I was so proud of with all the new shiny metal flake and all. My first trip was to lake wylie for a crappie fishing trip. Two older gentleman was unloading what looked like an old rusted bath tub, small motor (5 hp I think) at the same landing I was. I was so proud of that boat because it was as new and shiny and any boat on the lake. I fished around 4 or 5 hrs when I decided to call it a day. When I returned to the landing the two gentlemen was coming into the landing at the same time. I had landed a total of two fish but the bath tub had their limit in a cooler and i think at the time was 50 fish each. With all that being said any boat will serve your needs if you just look at what others have done with their boats you can adapt any boat to fish out of. Best of luck and GOD BLESS.

I can relate to that story except there was too retired gentlemen in a bass buggy or sorts. The two seat things with trolling motor. I actually had to tow them in. I learned a lot about what I did not know that day. I would consider looking for a decent hull and trailer and stripping it down and reworking it. Then I would add a good transom trolling motor when I start fishing and long line out of the back. As time moves on I would add a REAL GOOD motor. If I had to do over I would own a 40Hp Honda. I have spent enough money on my 89 Johnson to buy one. Then start fishing out of the front. The words "budget" and "I-pilot" should not be in the same post. One of the best places to start is with a local boat mechanic. He will know who has boats just sitting around. Start with the end in mind and build towards a goal as money permits. You will have a better knowledge in the end and know how to repair stuff as it wears. And you gotta know that is gonna happen.