These can't be REAL?!

[Mamba334]

My co-worker just told me he had $2,500 saved up, went to look at this Jon Boat that was listed for $1,500. He said the sticker said 1993. He asked the guy has it been in the water since '93, and the guy said yes and the motor ran good and everything. So he put it in the water and it sank! Really?! That's got me a bit weary now ... he told me that $2,000 will buy you junk. I guess I got to save more up.

[Mamba334]

https://bham.craigslist.org/boa/5591969250.html

And another one!

[Mamba334]

https://bham.craigslist.org/boa/5591654208.html

I am aiming to get something like this

[huntinslabs]

Do yourself a huge favor and dont even think about one with less than a 42" bottom. Personally I would never consider anything less than a 48" bottom.

[Mamba334]

Do yourself a huge favor and dont even think about one with less than a 42" bottom. Personally I would never consider anything less than a 48" bottom.

Thanks! So just ask them the width of the boat? And you say to shoot for a 48" bottom. Roger. Thanks for the heads-up on this.

[Mamba334]

According to Google, this is the info on this boat:

This Sylvan Marine outboard utility has a aluminum hull, is 14 feet long and 57 inches wide at the widest point. The boat weighs approximately 185 pounds.

[gone fission]

Best way is to ask seller to measure the bottom of the boat from the outside of transom (across the back where the drain plug hole is). A 48" bottom is ok but most folk prefer 52 or 54" as the gunwall height, horsepower, people / cargo capacity and stability usually increases too. Another clue for jon boats is : river jons are more narrow than lake jons. Titles are sometimes a problem, make sure they gottem in hand.
Yup, craigslist if fulla scams but I've also got some good deals too. Ask questions, use yer noggin n gut.

[Mamba334]

Best way is to ask seller to measure the bottom of the boat from the outside of transom (across the back where the drain plug hole is). A 48" bottom is ok but most folk prefer 52 or 54" as the gunwall height, horsepower, people / cargo capacity and stability usually increases too. Another clue for jon boats is : river jons are more narrow than lake jons. Titles are sometimes a problem, make sure they gottem in hand.
Yup, craigslist if fulla scams but I've also got some good deals too. Ask questions, use yer noggin n gut.

Thanks! Great tips! I'll be sure to ask and measure myself when I get there as well. Now that we got that out of the way, lets talk trailer. I know to request 2" hitch, but I'm guessing I need to find out how much the trailer weights as well when I look at the boats? Jon Boats at most would be what, 200lbs? About 100 lbs for the small motor attacked to it. My car has a towing capacity of 1,000 lbs.

Oh, and it will only be on lakes. No rivers. I'll be setting it up for Crappie fishing ONLY.

["G"]

This boat is a 1436....that means 14 ft. long and 36 in. across the bottom. Very narrow....going to be tippy. https://bham.craigslist.org/boa/5591654208.html

[gone fission]

Yeah 2" ball is most common nowadays. And don't forget about tongue weight on your vehicle. Some trailers you can unbolt and move the axle to adjust tongue weight. Most salvage yards will have a scale if ya wanna weigh the whole rig.