New 14ft boat replacing 12ft

[fishndirk]

Just a basic question for any jon boat guru's out there: I'm currently buying a new alumacraft 1442 ncs to replace my Valco U12. My Valco is a V bottom, 12 feet long, 64 inch beam and I run a 20hp Tohatsu 4 stroke on it. It will do about 26mph with a light load and 22mph with a heavy load. The hull weighs about 130lbs. I will be using the Tohatsu 20 off this boat on the new alumacraft 1442 ncs flatbottom. The al 1442 is about 230lbs. Can I atleast expect similar performance with the new setup? Will the 100 pound difference even be a noticeable factor in terms of performance? I'm not trying to set any speed records but as long as it will cruise along atleast as good as my old boat ill be happy

 

[dlngr]

Re: New 14ft boat replacing 12ft

You'll notice a little difference,but in the flat bottom you probably won't want to go that fast anyway[rough noisy ride]

 

[fishndirk]

Re: New 14ft boat replacing 12ft

We do over 30mph in my friends 14ft flatbottom. But he has a 25hp 2 stroke on his. Its never an issue in a flatbottom as long as were in the calm waters of a river which is where I do 90% of my fishing anyway. I know the flatbottom will be more stable to move around in while fishing I'm just wondering if my top end will really be affected by a noticeable amount

 

[lncoop]

Re: New 14ft boat replacing 12ft

Performance will be great with that combo dirk. A fourteen foot john and 20 horse is a match made in Heaven. Speed should be comparable at worst, maybe even a tad better since you're switching to a flat hull.

 

[fishndirk]

Re: New 14ft boat replacing 12ft

Thanks Incoop, that's the basic just of what I was wondering about. I run about 20-30 miles on an average night of fishing different bait lines so 1 or 2mph difference would not be a big deal, 5mph would be however. Sounds like the 20 will be just right. The rpms run preaty high on the 12 footer too so maybe the added weight of the 14 footer will help to balance it out a little.