alumacrafty
Active member
I watched for a jon boat bargain for a long time. Finally saw a 2007 1648 Alumacraft with a 2002 25 HP Johnson short shaft tiller for way less than $2K. It came with a rough trailer, an anchor, one gas tank and two cheap life jackets. It runs and performs great!
Problem? I really wanted a console unit but I couldn't pass this one up.
So now I've added foam between the ribs and a flat floor and a friend gave me two OMC gas tanks and two pretty good boat seats which I attached to the benches. My son gave me a 40 lb. thrust MinnKota transom trolling motor.
Now I'm thinking of cutting a pass through in the middle bench seat. (I hate climbing over the middle bench when I fish alone). I would tie the remnants of the bench together with angle iron or aluminum to maintain a stringer connection from one side to another (I'm worried that I will weaken the boat when I disconnect the two sides). This work I can do on my own with my skillset.
Now it gets complicated and I have questions for you other members of this forum.
Can the 25 Johnson be converted to remote steer? Anyone know how expensive this is? I'm not very mechanical. If possible I would like a very small side console placed ahead of the middle bench so that the rear of the boat is available for two pedestals--either side-by-side or slightly offset fore-to-aft.
We only fish on the channelized Missouri river and the current is always fast so we only fish out of the back of the boat. It's hard to fish out the back from the driver's bench. I want equal opportunity for two fishermen to fish over the transom. I DO NOT want a bass boat-type elevated deck. I think a person is supposed to be IN THE BOAT not on the boat. (I can't swim and the Missouri River is unforgiving and yes, I did buy good life jackets and wear mine).
OR, should I just try to make a little money on this boat and shop for a console-steer? It took me two years to find this bargain and most console units have elevated decks, which I don't want.
I'm really looking for opinions from river-type catfishermen on a good boat layout.
I like the forum and am looking forward to other ideas/opinions. Thanks
Problem? I really wanted a console unit but I couldn't pass this one up.
So now I've added foam between the ribs and a flat floor and a friend gave me two OMC gas tanks and two pretty good boat seats which I attached to the benches. My son gave me a 40 lb. thrust MinnKota transom trolling motor.
Now I'm thinking of cutting a pass through in the middle bench seat. (I hate climbing over the middle bench when I fish alone). I would tie the remnants of the bench together with angle iron or aluminum to maintain a stringer connection from one side to another (I'm worried that I will weaken the boat when I disconnect the two sides). This work I can do on my own with my skillset.
Now it gets complicated and I have questions for you other members of this forum.
Can the 25 Johnson be converted to remote steer? Anyone know how expensive this is? I'm not very mechanical. If possible I would like a very small side console placed ahead of the middle bench so that the rear of the boat is available for two pedestals--either side-by-side or slightly offset fore-to-aft.
We only fish on the channelized Missouri river and the current is always fast so we only fish out of the back of the boat. It's hard to fish out the back from the driver's bench. I want equal opportunity for two fishermen to fish over the transom. I DO NOT want a bass boat-type elevated deck. I think a person is supposed to be IN THE BOAT not on the boat. (I can't swim and the Missouri River is unforgiving and yes, I did buy good life jackets and wear mine).
OR, should I just try to make a little money on this boat and shop for a console-steer? It took me two years to find this bargain and most console units have elevated decks, which I don't want.
I'm really looking for opinions from river-type catfishermen on a good boat layout.
I like the forum and am looking forward to other ideas/opinions. Thanks