Better 16' project hull?

[BPsting23]

Hello all,

Technically Im new to the site, but I've been learning from your posts for several months. I am in the process of planning a small boat project. Im looking to convert a 16' jon boat into a customized bass boat. This will involve a casting deck, livewell, bow mount trolling motor, and possibly a bilge pump. Two project hulls that I have my eye on are very similar, but fundamentally different. One is Aluminum, one is fiberglass. Both are the same price, same length, same v-hull shape, and both owners claim no leaks. Thanks to all of your posts, I feel relatively comfortable with taking on an aluminum hull, but I have no knowledge of fiberglass. My question is:

How does one go about securing a deck to fiberglass? And how does this process stack up with customizing an aluminum hull? (cost per modification, durability, functionality, etc)


When I settle on one, if you all are interested, I will surely post pics of the process and what I come up with.

Thanks for any advice

Ben

 

[oops!]

Re: Better 16' project hull?

hi bp......welcome to iboats.

glad you are thinking of a project.....we are all suckers for a good project.

ok....you want a bass boat....

so you are looking at a jon boat style......the two dont jive.....the jon boat will not reach the speed of the bass rockets.
but.....if you dont care of the speed, and just want a good fishing platform to kill bass from. that is different.

you did not hear this from me.....but go tinny for the fishing platform.
the costs are far cheaper.....the repairs are a no brainer. tin....reevits and gluevut.

the above post suggesting a tinny did not come out of my mouth.....i copied it from another thread....yeah...thats it...i copied it...


if you want a bass rocket fishing platform.....then find a different hull.....you need a very shallow v glass boat...
long is fast.
wide is stable......the bass rockets have both.

the tri hulls are very stable....but will beat the stuffings out of you on chop.

depending on the glass boat.....it can cost as much as 2500 to get on the water...(no motor)
tinnys are substantially cheaper to repair.....but more expensive to buy

 

[BPsting23]

Re: Better 16' project hull?

hi bp......welcome to iboats.

glad you are thinking of a project.....we are all suckers for a good project.

ok....you want a bass boat....

so you are looking at a jon boat style......the two dont jive.....the jon boat will not reach the speed of the bass rockets.
but.....if you dont care of the speed, and just want a good fishing platform to kill bass from. that is different.

you did not hear this from me.....but go tinny for the fishing platform.
the costs are far cheaper.....the repairs are a no brainer. tin....reevits and gluevut.

the above post suggesting a tinny did not come out of my mouth.....i copied it from another thread....yeah...thats it...i copied it...


if you want a bass rocket fishing platform.....then find a different hull.....you need a very shallow v glass boat...
long is fast.
wide is stable......the bass rockets have both.

the tri hulls are very stable....but will beat the stuffings out of you on chop.

depending on the glass boat.....it can cost as much as 2500 to get on the water...(no motor)
tinnys are substantially cheaper to repair.....but more expensive to buy

Thanks for the information! You're right, Im more interested in a platform to fish from. Financially speaking, I will have to live without the rocketship for now. Chop is a major concern for me as I will mainly be fishing the Potomac River, which can get pretty rough at times. This has ruled out flat bottom jons, and thus would also rule out the tri-hull. I am definitely leaning towards aluminum. From what I have read/heard they are much more durable and resistant to impact. On the Potomac, in addition to the chop, you'll come across a lot of floating debris and submerged laydowns, so this could prove to be essential to a first time boat owner who doesn't have a lot of experience looking out for these things. While Im willing to live without the rocketship for now, I would still like to get as much performance as I can out of this boat. I work in construction so I am moderately handy with a wrench, so to speak, but Im afraid my experience with engines is quite limited. So I have another question.

In shopping for a used outboard tiller, what are some red flags/deal breakers to avoid and watch out for? Is there a particular brand/model/style that you would reccomend either for workability or durability?

Thanks again for all of your help,

BP

 

[Teamster]

Re: Better 16' project hull?

I would be looking for the max HP for the hull it is going on,......................