Wal-Mart Jon Boat

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Brento311

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jan 30, 2002
Messages
89
Hi, I just recently purchased a 14'x 36" wide bottom jon boat from Wal-Mart. I am only 17 years old, so I am on a limited budget, and the boat was still pretty expensive for me. When I got the boat, I was looking at the the title, and it said Smoker Craft, so I assume that is the company that made the boat. Is this a good boat? I am not familiar with Smoker Craft so I wasn't sure. The boat seems to be much more stable and sturdy than my old jon boat. I am planning on using it for fishing and duck hunting with my 9.5 hp Evinrude. Thanks<br /><br />Brent
 
JB

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Hi, Brent.<br /><br />You've got a good boat there. Congratulations.<br /><br />Do you have a question?
 
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Brento311

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jan 30, 2002
Messages
89
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Thanks for the reply! I am glad to know that it is a good boat, especially coming from a very experienced boater! I am thinking about selling my 9.5 Evinrude this summer, and buying a vintage Evinrude 18 hp(mid 60s or so). The rating on the boat is 20 hp, so is this probably a pretty good size motor? What exactly does the hp rating mean? The boat is fairly light, and it seems to me that a new 20 hp would make it lift out of the water and fly! Thanks<br /><br />Brent
 
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poolshark38759

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Feb 3, 2003
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155
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

wal-mart boat as in bought directly from walmart off lot/store??? :confused:
 
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poolshark38759

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
155
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

as in paid at the register??? :confused: <br /><br />or bought fromemployee..
 
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Brento311

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jan 30, 2002
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89
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Yes, I bought it from Wal-Mart last summer...right after they got the boats in. Why, is that a problem?
 
roscoe

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
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Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,753
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Not a problem at all. I think poolshark... was as surprised as I am to learn that WalMart is selling boats. It must be only in some of their stores, as they don't sell them here. Have fun.
 
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Brento311

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jan 30, 2002
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Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Oh ok, I thought maybe he was saying that something was wrong with the boats. I guess Wal-Mart doesn't sell boats everywhere. There are a few stores here in central MS that sell several different size jon boats...anywhere from 10 to 14 ft. I bought the largest size, and it was close to $1000. Thanks<br /><br />Brent
 
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tmcalavy

Rear Admiral
Joined
Aug 29, 2001
Messages
4,005
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Hey Brent,<br />The 20 hp rating on your boat sticker/plate is a recommended maximum horsepower by the manufacturer...Smokercraft. Most manufacturers use a Coast Guard formula to determine max hp motors that can go a a boat...given its size, hull shape, material its made of, etc. Its a safety thing for consumers/users (us) and an insurance/liability thing for them (boat makers). 10-20 hp will be about right for your boat....but you have to decide what is best by safely trying different hps under different conditions. In other words, try before you buy. Don't give up on your Evinrude if it is reliable and has enough power...evaluate hp needs when your boat is doing its regular job, and when it is doing more than you normally ask of it. But do this testing safely. Don't overload the boat, stick to the load recommendations on the sticker/label. Good luck.
 
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MrBill

Senior Chief Petty Officer
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Aug 4, 2002
Messages
710
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Brent:<br />Welcome to the forum, and good luck with the boat......regarding the motor....if it's reliable and suits your needs stick with it, just as others have said. But, if more power or speed is desired and you decide to upgrade, be sure to get something that you will be able to get repair parts for. Some of the old outboards were great little engines, but technology has come a long way since the 60's. My Dad's early 60's Merc registered more repair hours and starting problems than pleasure time, not to mention the mileage it got being pulled through the water with oars. Reliability = fun.....breakdowns = aggravation and $$$$. Have fun..........
 
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Brento311

Petty Officer 3rd Class
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Jan 30, 2002
Messages
89
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Thanks for the replies Tim Mc and Mr Bill! Getting parts is no problem for me. In my area there are atleast 3 places that specialize in selling parts for older OMC outboards. I am very familiar with doing work on outboards...last year I rebuilt the carb. and put all new ignition parts in my motor, and I am curently in the middle of doing major work on my friend's '62 10 hp Sportwin. I love those old outboards, and besides, I really don't have the money to go and buy a newer $800-$2000 20 hp outboard. Thanks<br /><br />Brent
 
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blifsey

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 17, 2002
Messages
769
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Welcome to the world of boating...Remember that an older motor maybe heavier than a newer one of same HP. This can make comparing older motors to newer difficult. Also, I believe sometime in the 80's or so, mfr changed from measuring HP at crankshaft to prop.
 
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poolshark38759

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 3, 2003
Messages
155
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Brent..<br /><br />i was suprised that wWal-Mart sold boats....one here in the cleveland area just sells some of the little two man type boats....<br /><br />dont know about smokercrafts....i people here say there good then they are from all the posts i have red.....these guys know their stuff..
 
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MrBill

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 4, 2002
Messages
710
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

Wal-Mart is particularly astute at carrying items in certain geographically areas according to season. During July I was surprised to see them selling SeaDoos (package deal on a trailer ready to go) in Northern New Hampshire lakes region. You'd be surprised how many heading up for a week or two would buy one..........
 
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rons boat

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 28, 2002
Messages
210
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

The rating change on motors from shaft horsepower to prop horsepower means an older motor (before the mid 1980s) has less actual horsepower than a later model motor with the same number on the cowl. An old 25 horsepower motor would produce close to legal horsepower on your boat but usually is much heavier than a later motor. An older 18 would produce about 15 hp according to todays standard and would be heavier than a current 15. A current 25 hp motor would be over the limit. Interesting, but maybe something you can use when considering motors. I have a boat that size and I use a 9.9 hp and sometimes a 15 hp late model motor. This little amount of trivia is only intended to point out that picking a motor by hp alone can be a bit tricky. Perhaps performance should be your guide rather than hp.
 
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smeeb

Recruit
Joined
Jan 19, 2003
Messages
5
Re: Wal-Mart Jon Boat

DUDE I owned a smokercraft alaskan for years. It was indestructable and a good<br />fittin rig. I used it in the Puget Sound. Straight of Jaun de Fuca, big lakes and <br />ponds I had to four wheel into. You will Have fun with that boat. I think I'll get one<br />because I miss the pond fittin.<br /><br />Sincerly, Smeeb
 
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