How much money?

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winddriven1

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Joined
Aug 2, 2010
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8
I'm still looking for that perfect rig for the River. A nice little 17' jon boat/trailer with bimini with a 4-stroke 15 or 25 with trim/tilt, electric start and all rigged to a side console. Now you'd think you could find that anywhere all day long, right? Nope! Not around here in Florida. Ugh. Then I start looking to mate up an attractively priced 4-stroke engine with all the right specs to a jon boat that might fit. Now the questions start. How much to rig up a side console steer AND the throttle box which requires electricals and the fwd/rev cabling too? I suspect that's where some very expensive activity may crop up. Any ideas on how much cost here? Or should I just be patient and keep looking for that perfect rig for the River?
 
H

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: How much money?

when you have your mind set on a popular small boat, you find that while there are a lot of them out there, most people would rather keep them than sell them. And those who do sell, can do so instantly by word of mouth or a street sign. Meanwhile the market is flooded with crap boats--for the same reason. Put up some "wanted to buy" signs at marinas. Look for fleet sales.

Consider 15-25 to be on the small size for a 17. Also a side console lets you get bigger.
You don't need electric start on a 15 and a lot of people don't have it on a 25. Makes things a lot simpler, and therefore more reliable.
 
Thad

Thad

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Jun 8, 2009
Messages
1,028
Re: How much money?

commander315 said:
I foung a 17 foot boat with everything your looking for bimini, side console, its got power tilt and steering, electric start......http://whaler.com/Page.aspx/pageId/29594/pmid/190021/170-Super-Sport.aspx lol probably not the direction you wanna go in though
Click to expand...

That is not a bad lookin' boat at all. Kinda cute. That would be nice to have sitting at the dock just to go out and play with the kids for a couple hours or even just let them take it out.

I'm saving that site for future reference.:)
 
W

winddriven1

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Joined
Aug 2, 2010
Messages
8
Re: How much money?

Thank you all for your timely comments and suggestions. Commander: Nice boat, a whaler. But way too much for my humble needs. I'm just in need of a simple tin jon boat for river only useage, minimal power, but some conveniences like a bimini, starting, tilt, and side console to allow for untwisted yoga pose steerage. The aluminum hull tends to be a bit lighter than the fiberglass rigs. I know that from experience. Incoop: Thanks for the thought, but the ad was pulled already.

Since I don't live right on the river, I will have this one on a trailer to run the 300 yards to the river and plunk the rig in the water. Easy, quick, zoom, I'm outta there and on my way.

My original post was merely asking if anyone could ballpark an estimate of how much money would be incurred to hook up a motor/jon boat marriage? After researching throttle boxes and various sundry cables and accessories, it appears to me to keep my money in my bank account and find what I really need.

But thank you all for your insights and suggestions. It's always a pleasure.

Thanks
 
Thad

Thad

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Jun 8, 2009
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1,028
Re: How much money?

winddriven,

I have been partialto the G3 boats. Ever since the first time I saw one. They have several styles to choose from and you can always put an after market bimini on. I do not use my fishing boat enough to justify buying something better...but if I ever do it will be one of these.

I don't know about down your way, but up here you can find really good used ones that are 4-5 yrs old in the 16'-17' range for around $7,500.
Add another couple hundred for a top and you're in business.

http://www.g3boats.com/GatorToughDeluxeJons/?m=1756SCDLX#model
 
lncoop

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: How much money?

Those G3s do look nice. I don't know anything about them but a local dealer I've traded with for years and really like and trust sells them. I did a quick browse yesterday on Boattrader in your area and saw a couple rigs that came close to what you're looking for, but you may have a little trouble finding exactly what you want just because most people aren't going to put the motor you want on anything longer than 16'. However, it would be worth checking with dealers if you haven't already, because they have inventory and thus the ability to mix and match. That may end up being your best shot. As for the bimini, as Thad mentioned that's an easy after market addition if it comes to that.
 
S

Steve Mahler

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 10, 2006
Messages
361
Re: How much money?

To answer the OP question, I have seen various sized bolt in steering consoles on Ebay; and I would think you could mount a simple console (no guages needed etc) and teleflex steering for $500 (used parts) if you hunt well. I swear I saw a console for a couple hundred recently.

I have a wide beam 14' starcraft row boat; to distribute weight better I sit in the middle, use remote throttle/shift control and a tiller extension. But I recently bought an old side console bass boat that I am refurb-ing...better layout.
 
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