First, thanks to everybody who has helped me figure out the best configuration for the river I live on. I searched around a lot and ultimately settled on a Mirrocraft MV 448 with no center seat. It's 14' long, 48" base, 70" beam. It was made, I think, the last year Mirrocraft made jons, in 2009, and had been sitting on the lot at the boat dealer all this time, so they were ready to deal. Got a good price on it. It was between this one and an Alumacraft 1648. Both were very close in size and shape except that the MV 1648 had a really long stretch between the bench and the casting deck, more than I felt I needed.
The boat is bare bones, so I'll need to wire it up, add in lights, bilge pump, and trolling motor receptacle. Should be a good learning experience.
Between the boat, trailer, and trolling motor (Minn Kota V2 bow-mount 55 lb thrust), and quick-release plate, it was an expensive first day! One major thing to go. I found a good price locally on a Nissan 9.8 HP 4-stroke that I ordered and should be here next week. What remains is to pick up lights, bilge pump, receptacle, and wire, and probably a harness so the wires make a neat journey from the front to the back of the boat. There's room in a gap along the ribs, so placing it should be easy. I also need to get one of those risers so the trolling motor clears the lip along the front of the bow.
As I go along, I'll keep a little photo journal here. Wish me luck!
The boat is bare bones, so I'll need to wire it up, add in lights, bilge pump, and trolling motor receptacle. Should be a good learning experience.
Between the boat, trailer, and trolling motor (Minn Kota V2 bow-mount 55 lb thrust), and quick-release plate, it was an expensive first day! One major thing to go. I found a good price locally on a Nissan 9.8 HP 4-stroke that I ordered and should be here next week. What remains is to pick up lights, bilge pump, receptacle, and wire, and probably a harness so the wires make a neat journey from the front to the back of the boat. There's room in a gap along the ribs, so placing it should be easy. I also need to get one of those risers so the trolling motor clears the lip along the front of the bow.
As I go along, I'll keep a little photo journal here. Wish me luck!