Buying a new jon boat and some input needed

[Mrmerck]

My 38 y/o Lowe 1442 jon boat has served me well but I think I finally deserve a new boat.

One of the things I dislike about it that I own a small Nissan Outboard 5hp and and Minn Kota Endura 55 lb transom mount trolling motor. The transom just isn`t wide enough for a gas motor and my trolling motor.

I`ve done a bit of research and have found a few options:
G3 makes a 1544
Alumacraft and Crestline offer a 1448

These boats are in my price range.

Do you think a 44 inch transom would be enough room for my 2 motors or would the 48 be a sure thing?

I realize there are advantanges to having trolling motor on front and gas motor in rear but I fish alone most of the time and dont want to buy another trolling motor.Plus, mine is less than 3 years old.

Is there any real disadvantage to having both motors on the back? I fish smaller reservoirs and never venture on huge bodies of water.

I`d love some thoughts..

[DockShootinJack]

Wider is better when it comes to boats in my opinion. If a fella wants the trolling motor on the front I would think you could turn the control head 180 degrees. I have done this before. Taking a screw out was all that was required.

[Ketchn]

the widest you can afford is your boat , no matter where you locate the motors from your description of how and where you like to take boat rides

[Chuck Adams]

Both Alumacraft and Crestliner are good boats. Get a 1448 is you are determined to stay with a 14 footer.
I am currently running a Crestliner 1754. At 68 years old it is very manageable and I also fish alone.
You may also consider a semi V hull for a better ride unless you just want a jon type.
Good luck


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[KokomoTerror]

Agree with others - wider the better for stability. Don't know and don't need to know your age, but the older we get, the less stable we become (I had shoulder surgery in Feb after a fall). I understand that you have both motors and don't really want to buy another one for now, but get yourself something that you can possibly upgrade later. A front trolling motor with a remote and spot lock would be fantastic addition in the future!! Spot lock has changed how I fish, with great results!

[happycaster58]

I had a 1448 and it was just wide enough for my old motor and TM. Get a 48 wide for sure- wider if you can swing it.

[Cane Pole]

I love Jon boats. I have owned lots of them over the years. Still have one too.

[skeetbum]

I’ve also owned a bunch of jons and own one now. Agree that the wider and longer, the better. Bad conditions make you glad you bought a little bigger and make it safer to get home. I currently have my third 1648 and will have it for years to come as it’s very close to new condition. I started out with my troller on the back but got frustrated with the nose getting blown around. Boat control was much more intensive and couldn’t turn away from it for a second it seemed. I was told that trollers were more efficient on the front because it spends less time correcting and keeps direction better. I fully agree after years of using them on the front. I fashioned a mount for the front of the boat to mount that troller on my ten footer and have never looked back, it works that much better. A switch and a momentary button was added so I didn’t have to handle it for every move. The switch determined whether the power to the motor went through the button or was full time for moving places. I fish alone about 80% of the time. I used transom mount motors with the heads reversed for many years before I got a bow mount. I now have a terrova with spot lock and all the stories are true. Once you learn to use it you don’t handle the motor hardly at all, so many automatic features, but they don’t fit everyone’s budget. Good luck in your decision as I’ve done it a few times myself. On YouTube, Richard Gene the fishing machine has three Jon’s that he uses. His new one is an 1860 tiller that looks like a dance floor with motors.

[jay the baptist]

If, you are fishing back waters with little traffic, and if you are not crossing major lakes like Guntersville then I would look at a 1548. I doubt that 5hp will put anything much on plane, so I don't think speed is needed. So if you are fishing by yourself or one other person in sloughs, creeks and small to medium rivers you will be fine.
Wear your PFD all the time. Even with the boat at rest. Keep the boat level and don't overload it.