small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

[pcrussell50]

considering a small aluminum, small/light enough to strap on top of a car, and plane out with my strong 9.9 evinrude.

thing is, i don't know the brands or web sites to search to look at pics and read specs and such. maybe i'll start with our very own, iboats right after i post this. anyway, any suggestions as to brands and/or web sites for small aluminums?

-peter

 

[bowman316]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

what will you be using it for?
The taller the transom the better,
the higher off the water the better.

The wider the better.

I don't think brand is a big factor.

 

[pcrussell50]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

i'd be using it in a harbor, and the relatively protected area just outside the harbor here in santa barbara. might do a little fishing for small stuff, light tackle, around moorings and under big boats. something with a little more v than a full-flat-bottomed jon boat, but still small and light.

started searching iboats new boats section. so far, alumacraft and alumawelds are too big.

-peter

 

[CATransplant]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Starcraft, Lowe, and others make v-hull aluminum boats. The 12' boats run around 120 pounds in weight, and a 9.9 is perfect power for them, letting you run fast, if needed, or troll as slow as you please.

I like Starcraft small aluminum boats. My 1964 12' model has never leaked a drop, and it's dead easy to move around. At 120 lb, it wouldn't be hard to cartop, and it rides like a cork in disturbed water.

Perfect for one guy.

There are lots of others. Bass Pro Shops has a similar 12' utility boat. Pretty cheap.

 

[bowman316]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Yea, you will want to put it in the back of a pick up, at least, or get a small trailer.

Any car could pull that size boat.

Also, look to buy a used boat, hardly anything can go wrong with an alumium boat. Everything on them are easy fixes.

I have one sitting outside my house right now.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Here's your boat! Go get it, then sell the outboard that comes with it. I'm serious...it's just what you're looking for:

http://santabarbara.craigslist.org/boa/1072335880.html

 

[bowman316]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Looks like a good deal.

And it should be cheap to get a hitch put on a car.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Yah...anything with four wheels and an engine can pull that boat. Besides, with the boat on a trailer, it'll actually get used. Car-toppers don't get used. Nobody wants a rack on the top of the car all the time, so you end up having to install the rack, put the boat on the rack, put the outboard in the trunk, along with all the gear you want to take. Then, when you get home, you have to reverse all that nonsense.

The boat just doesn't get used. With a little trailer, you hook up and go. If you store the boat in the garage, you're ready to go in five minutes.

I've boated in the harbor at Santa Barbara, and a 12' tinny is just fine, there, and can travel out into the water protected by the long breakwater there. Many fine halibut have ended up in my boat in those waters, along with lots of other fish.

The only rule I'd make is that you have to have a pair of oars in the boat. If the engine quits, you don't want to be sucked outside the protected area. You can just row to shore and you're safe.

 

[BWR1953]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Looks like a good deal.

And it should be cheap to get a hitch put on a car.

Looks just right. Get the owner to bring it to your home and post pix when you have it at your place!

-BWR

 

[Wee Hooker]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Yea, buy used. ( I've got 3 aluminums right now and have owned "allot". Buying , trying and selling little tin boats is a hobby for me.)
Watch the rating sthough. Generally the 12' aluminums designed for car topping are lightly built and arn't rated over 7.5 hp. ( and many are less.) On the flip side, most 14' aluminums tend to go over 130# which is starting to get heavy for lifting overhead.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Almost all v-hull 12' tinnies are rated for 10 hp. It's the jon boats that are more limited, due to their lower depth. I wouldn't recommend a jon boat for the use the OP mentioned.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

That craigslist add is the 1 you want , grab it quick and get a tow hitch if you don't allready have 1 yet .

I got a 9.9 Merc that planes out my 12' tinny very well , and pushes faster than the the old girl likes in the chop .

Forget the oars , just keep a paddle and get a good trolling motor and battery .

 

[CATransplant]

Re: small aluminum for a 9.9, shopping help

Trolling motors don't much like the briny deep, unless you get one designed for it. Other than that, I hope this guy goes and looks at that nice little 12'er on the trailer. I'd sell the Honda, since he has a 9.9 already, for $300 or so. Cheap boat and trailer. And it looks like it's in pretty good shape, too.