I have a Carolina Skiff JVX16 center console that I use for brackish marsh and calm bay fishing, so I'm covered there.

Right now, I'm looking to get a small, basic Jon boat to use on small lakes and bayous fishing for crappie and bream, or recreational crabbing in the marsh. Easy and fun fishing trips with my son is my goal. I don't want to use my 16' fiberglass boat for obvious reasons in these shallow and unknown waters.

Anyway, I'm looking for something really basic that I won't mind banging against weirs and beaching on shell shores.

This will be used for myself, 190lbs, and my 4 year old son 90% of the time. My wife, 125lbs, may join us occasionally. Gear is basic fishing equipment with an ice chest, pretty minimal.

Like I mentioned, I want to keep this setup simple and inexpensive. Academy has an Alumacraft 12-32 for $620 and a 15-40 for twice the price, $1250. I'll be adding a tiller, 9.8HP -20HP, depending on which Jon I get.

So, do you think a 12-32 with a 9.8HP will suffice on smooth water with 2 people? Or should I spend twice as much for the 15-40 and almost another grand for moving up to a 20HP motor?

Thanks for your opinions.