sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

[leserz]

ok i go for about 280 lbs looking for a small used boat for fishing with me only. so is a canoe or a 6-7' inflatable out of the question ? or am i better off with a 14 ft jon boat ? i want something small light to tow or throw on top of my mini van or in it. with a canoe don't want to be in it with the front end pointing straight up LOL or could i move the seat forward 3 ft or so and still track ? i could use your help.

 

[Neverhome]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

First I would say don't always plan on being alone. Sooner or later someone will want to go with you. Of all of your choices, I would recommend the 14' jon boat. An inflatable in the 7'-8' range is really much smaller in the part you would be sitting in. The measurments usually include the tubes aft of the transom which can be a foot or 18" long.. Secondly, way too easy, in my opinion, to put a hook into the inflatable. A canoe would work, just make sure when alone, you sit in the wider seat and keep the narrow seat at the bow. Otherwise you are going swimming if you get waked or hit some rough water or weather. (This is the voice of experience speaking). There are boat and canoe loaders available that fit into the receiver hitch of your car and allow you to pivot the boat up onto the roof racks. I have used them an they work very well. If you were to get one of those I would recommed a deep vee hull over the jon boat as they are much more stable and handle rough water a lot better. Which ever you choose be sure to wear a life jacket. It is probably the least expensive and most important piece of equipment on your boat.

Neverhome

 

[leserz]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

i had a 15' alum vee once i regret getting rid of it. i had a 14' x 36" wide jon boat used it one time it was fine once you sat down in it. any other time getting and out of it darn near fell out of it 3 times in one day that was the only time i used it . had a for sale sign on it the next day. i do not think i will go back to fiberglass boats again. not going to replace a floor again. the 15' vee heck i could stand up in it in the rear with out a problem. thanks i might go that route again. i ran that boat on the mississippi river with a 12 hp with out a problem. can get a simple used trailer for $100.00 +-

 

[nimmor]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

Whatever you decide on it should have a weight limit labeled somewhere on it. Remember to include all the gear you will be carrying into the weight factor. I would say the 14ft flatbottom will be your best bet. Like mentioned you might have someone else tagging along and the extra room will be nice. Another option is something I believe is called the water hound. It is a small two man plastic boat that has wheels built into it to roll across land. If my memory serves me right it's weight capacity is either 650 or 750.

 

[ebry710]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

ok i go for about 280 lbs looking for a small used boat for fishing with me only. so is a canoe or a 6-7' inflatable out of the question ? or am i better off with a 14 ft jon boat ? i want something small light to tow or throw on top of my mini van or in it. with a canoe don't want to be in it with the front end pointing straight up LOL or could i move the seat forward 3 ft or so and still track ? i could use your help.

Sporting 280 is not usually a problem unless you are out of shape. Only us with durability would understand what that means.

Unless it is a zodiak-type with rigid bottoms, inflatables seem more like toys.

If the boat is rated correctly, balance and crampness are the key. I like room. I like to be able to move around in my boat.

I hate standing up on a canoe to get out on the dock. I lack balance and strength. That is where being in good shape comes in. If you can lift 200# there is not a problem. I do think though you can get use to it over time. Plus paddling is great exercise.

I like jon boats. A jon boats can be stable even if slightly off center. Flat bottoms make a huge difference. You can also go to the front of the boat. Row is good exercise. Trolling motors can be added when rowing is no longer fun. Easy load car toppers can be purchased. I don't even think you need as big as 14'.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

at 280lbs, it doesn't take much to get out of balance in a small boat, splash, or worst falling and hitting something in the boat. my suggestion is the wider the better. the little 12-14 foot 3 ft wide john boats are really for small lakes, where it does not get rough. they are unstable, when standing.
take a 4 foot 2x6, put a piece of 2 inch PVC under it. now stand with you legs spread on the board. can you keep you balance. this is like a 3 ft wide boat.

 

[Bondo]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

Ayuh,.....

I believe you'll find that a reasonably Flat bottomed Canoe, at about 16' will be More stable than most 12' rowboats....

For proper Weight Balance in a Canoe,....
You sit in the Bow Seat, facing the stern+ use the Canoe Backwards......
That puts your Weight more Centered....

 

[Bamboo]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

Have you looked at the Gheenoe? Sounds like one of these might be worth looking at. Google it if you are not sure what they are. Very popular for fishing in Florida, and very stable (although they don't look like it!). You can hang some real horsepower on the back end, too!

 

[leserz]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

thanks gang lots of good tips.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

I saw the title of this and just had to chime in. I am a bigger guy (5'5", 230) and I have a hard time fitting through the walk through windows to get to the open bow of my 14' mfg... I really have to suck it in and go through sideways...

 

[External Combustion]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

Have you looked into the innertube type floats? They are extremely popular around here for single fishermen. Light weight, easily portable and will let you get to the gunk holes that would kill a prop.

Just an idea.

 

[leserz]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

i was looking at the float tubes. thats would be ok for warm waters. but i plan on moving to AR there are some cold water streams and rivers there. white river is if i remember right 42* year round. thats coooooooold ! i may go back to a bomber style boat. there cheep and do not cost much i have bought them for less than 300 with trailers. but there very stable even for a klutz like me.

 

[External Combustion]

Re: sm boat for fat guy. canoe , inflatable ?

The White river is good fishing. If you get the hankering you can follow it all the way down to the Mississippi. The Buffaloe is also good fishing but you will have to look out for the occasional kyakers and canoeist. Have fun with your move.

PS: When it is 110 F outide the water will feel good for an hour!