v-hull boats in shallow water

[Jec]

Any idea how something like this would do in shallow water?

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=1886

Thanks

[randybenham]

my question would be how shallow, and how heavy is the motor you are using? if you are asking about 1-2 feet, i would say it will be iffy, and you will have to put your motor out of the water. I had an old v-hull boat once, and that dude sat real low in the water, and i had a 10hp evinrude on it. that motor would barely push it. If you don't have it yet, i would recommend a mod v hull weldcraft or something like it. you can still get to skinny water. I would also advise if you don't have it you might consider a jet prop. I have a friend who uses one for bowfishing, & he can get through water 6 inches deep with that thing. It's awesome.

[ceb]

I would recommend something along the lines of these..... 14' long 42-48" bottom. Almost all major manufacturers make these type of riveted jon boats fairly reasonable.

[sljames2]

if you like the tracker brand, take a look at their grizzly jon boats. they have either the flat bottom or the modified V hull that rides a little smoother. they are nice boats and you can run them in shallow water. same website you posted your pic from.

[Little Hog]

Any idea how something like this would do in shallow water?

http://www.trackerboats.com/boat/index.cfm?boat=1886

Thanks

Jec
I dont really know if you are wanting to fish both shallow (Little Red) and the bigger water (Greers Ferry?) or just shallow, but I dont know if you will find the perfect boat for both. If you plan on getting on Greers Ferry I would have to recommend something other than a john boat just for safety reasons. I have been on it many times in a 16 foot 40 horse and it can get pretty hairy. I have since graduated to a 18 foot Modified V and no longer "fear the lake". It requires approx 2-1/2 feet of water with motor trimmed in but I have never really tested it in shallow water. Maybe a wide-deep flatbottom would work for both, Just be sure you make a choice you will be comfortable with if you intend on getting on big water or your trips will not be enjoyable.

[jhook]

JEC - We fish the Little Red and larger lakes with a 16 ft Alumacraft flat bottom, 48 wide, 25 hp motor. It's perfect for shallow waters, though be careful with the motor. Run slow in the shallow water running position. On larger lakes, Little Hog is right. Greers Ferry, Lake Maumelle, all of them can get rough and scary in the blink of an eye. With the flat bottom, I don't go blasting across the lake. Follow shorelines and use common sense and it works great. Good luck.

[Jec]

jhook, is your alumacraft riveted or welded. I really like the 1442 alumacraft, it appears to be what I'm looking for, only its riveted. Its the right size, holds alot of weight, & has a 4 person capacity , yet it is lightweight and would be easy to handle by myself. I know some people don't mind rivets, others don't like them so I don't know.

Xpress makes a 1440, holds less weight than the 1442. Has a 3 person capacity and is all welded. Anyone know how much more stable a 40 inch bottom would be versus the 36 inch? Also, I'm only wanting to run about an 8 -9.9 hp motor (maybe a 2 stroke) so would this help the 40 inch bottom?

[ceb]

Don't mind the rivets, if you can get a better deal on a riveted jon boat. The skinnier the boat, the easier it will be to navigate the Little Red. However, a skinnier boat will also be less stable. Like Little Hog said, you do NOT want to get one of these skinny boats out on a large impoundment. If it were my decision, I would go with the 42" bottom. The wider bottom will allow you to be more diverse in the waters you fish. I would also recommend the 9.9 if you will be on the river most of the time. Be sure that you get a short shaft motor. CEB -

[Jec]

Here is what I'm kind of looking at if I buy new:


Alumacraft 1442--4 person/770lbs---riveted---weight of boat 190lbs-$1100

Xpress 1440-3 person/450lbs---all-weld---weight of boat 248lbs--$1399


I'd like to find a 1442 all weld with a 4 person capacity, but I'm having trouble finding that combo, at least with a dealership close by that actually carries them. I'm still hoping to find a good deal on a used one. I did come across a used 1442, not sure of the make, I'd have to look it over again.. boat only $1000, on a bad looking trailer that the place(dealership) wants $575 for. That seems steep when I've seen individuals with a boat, motor, and trailer for around $1000 or less. I guess I just haven't been at the right place at the right time.

[jhook]

JEC - I did more research on the rivited vs welded than I ever dreamed possible before I purchased my boat earlier this year. Here's what I came away with. Rivits are subject loosening and leaking. However, you can tighten a rivit youself. Welded aluminimum boats will leak also, though generally it is splitting of alumininum next to a weld. To fix them, they must be welded, which can be a hassel.

Each has it's advocates and naysayers. Welded are heavier, but for that reason cannot carry as heavy a load as rivited. Welded is also more expensive.

My personal experience is that I fished hard from a 14 foot alumacraft rivited boat that I kept on Lake Conway. I hit and slid over, I think, every stump in the lake. I never even had a rivit weep, much less leak.

I'm sure others have had the opposite experience. It's mostly personal preference.

CEB is right...nothing less than a 42 inch wide bottom. 48 is better.