Coleman Crawdad or Jon Boat (10-12Ft)?!?

[Maine-Rider]

I'm looking into getting a boat to be able to bass fish in the smaller bodies of water. Whatever I get will be equipped with a Minn Kota 40lb thrust. I don't want to go any bigger then a 12ft boat because I want to be able to toss it in my pickup by myself. I'm looking at a 11ft Colman Crawdad or 10-12ft Jon Boat. I'm planning on making a small platform to go on the boat I get. Which one do you think I should go with? What boat is more stable? Which one will I feel more safe in? And finally what will be lighter/easier to get in my truck?

Sorry for all the questions! 

[bilgerat]

A Crawdad weighs in at well over 100 lbs, any aluminum jon in that length range will not be very light either. Been there and done that. If loading/unloading the boat yourself is a priority, you might want to consider a kayak. There are many yaks designed specifically for fishing that are very stable.

[sammychris]

When I am haveing a lazy day and I don't feel the need to hook the trailer up to the truck I just slide my 10 ft Jon in the back and I'm off. It has a 36 pound thrust minn Kota and I can move it just fine weight wise the crawdad a but heavier but it also a little bit more stable. But if your decent with balance you can stand up on a 1032 Jon all day and fish

[Donald Garner]

I've had both types of boats earlier on.

I'd go with a 12ft jon boat.  You got more room and a stablier platform for standing.

As long as you don't go modifying the boat to much you shouldn't have any problem hauling
and getting it in and out of your truck.

[Maine-Rider]

Am I better of to get a 12ft or 10ft? I will be going alot my myself.

[skeeter90]

12ft will be a bit more comfortable

[RC]

have you thought about a third option, like a pond prowler or bass raider ? 

my father has the 10' pelican version and loves it.  its super stable, very light and with his 40lb thrust electric motor, he has the fastest boat on the lake

[Maine-Rider]

I found a 10ft Lowe Jon boat. He told me he could tell it to me for $225. It comes with swivel seats and 4HP motor. He doesn't know if the motor currently runs because it needs a new gas line and adaptor to go from the tank to the outboard. Also hes unsure what year the boat is. Anyone have an idea what year the boat it? Does it look to be in good shape? Should I try to get it cheaper and just have him keep the outboard? I have a 40lb trolling motor Ill be using but wouldn't mind having something bigger to get me from point a to b. Anything I should ask him about/look for? Last but not least do you think I should keep looking or does this look like a good find?

Thanks

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[Maine-Rider]

couple more pictures

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[Maine-Rider]

Any input?

[Donald Garner]

From the pictures the boat seem to be in good shape.  I don't know what boats cost up in your area
but the price you mentioned seem pretty reasonable for the motor and boat etc.

I'd keep the small engine and have it repaired if you that what you wanted. 

A 10ft boat there's not a lot of room in them once you get your tackle boxes and rods in.

As you can see in the picture its pretty crowded and there isn't any rods or batteries for the trolling motor
in the boat yet.  Are you going to have a foot operated or hand held trolling motor installed?

Are you going to install a depth / fish finder?

[Bassinkorea]

Donald makes some very good points as far as the size of the boat goes, but for that price, I would snap the guys hand off. The motor is a good bonus especially if it works.

I don't know how big you are, but I am 6' 3" and I fished solo out of a 10 foot boat for 2 or 3 years and enjoyed it. I now have a 12 foot boat and enjoy it more.

I say, buy the biggest boat you can afford (or haul in your case) and don't just buy the first boat that comes along, you will regret it later on.

[Maine-Rider]

Thanks guy! I'm planning on mounting a hand held trolling motor on the front. Also I was going to make a platform for the front that goes from the tip of the boat to halfway to the middle bench. I would put the battery, life jackets, etc under that. No fish finder or depth gauge. All the stuff shown in the boat except the paddles will be gone. Usually the only thing I bring with me when I go fishing is a backpack with my tackle box(s), jacket, water, food, etc in it.

BTW, I'm only 5' 9" (kinda small for almost 18yrs old, haha) Any he said he would take $200 now. He really needs it gone.

[zim]

for $200 that boat should be sold by now.
Easy check for leaks- fill it with a few inches of water  minor leaks would be an easy fix (silicone)

If you're not gonna trailer it think long and hard about adding decking- it's more weight than you realize , especially after a long day on the water

[Donald Garner]

Good luck with your boat for that price its a steal.

[screwballl]

wow maine..... something like that down here would start around $1500 used, even if it doesn't run...

[Team_Reeder20]

If you get it, get rid of that black paint on the inside, I had black primer in mine when i bought it, and you will burn up on a warm sunny day on the lake, it feels like you are standing in an oven!

[Maine-Rider]

Its truck bed liner. I guess I could go right over it and I would still have the grip. I was going to do the rest of the inside with bed liner but you brought up a good point.

[Team_Reeder20]

it wouldn't be bad in just the floor, but all over the inside like that would be really hot. I ended up painting over it with OD green and it made a huge difference.

[pegleg]

I'd sure jump on that deal. My buddy and I used to fish,frog gig and gator hunt out of one just like it. We built a small polein platform on the back of it. We didn't have a outboard but we did finally buy a trollin motor for fishin Rodman & Orange Lake. We had a ball with that little boat. Would proly still have it but my buddy had it in his pickup and it blew out the back and a log truck ran over it.

[Lipripper]

Hey pegleg good to see you again