boat design

[jugging man]

i would like to purchase a small used, aluminum boat and use less than a 10 hp motor. the boat would be for just puttering around on a southern lake for recreation and occasional fishing. should i purchase a flat bottom john boat or a vee bow? what are adv. and disadv. of both?

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: boat design

Jon boats are better at planing, but rough water will pound you to death. V-bottoms would be the opposite. But with a 12', you probably wouldn't notice a whole lot of difference.

 

[jtexas]

Re: boat design

For many years I used a 6hp on various boats and my experience is that a 14' flat-bottom jon is optimal for less than 10 hp. The 14' seems to handle better and plane quicker than a deep-vee or even a shorter flat-bottom.<br /><br />Down-side is that if you see white-caps then its too windy, especially on a big open-water reservoir. But on a bayou or natural lake its perfect.<br /><br />jtw

 

[JB]

Re: boat design

Moving to Boats

 

[crab bait]

Re: boat design

small boats are unstable.. flatbottoms are more stable..