momule

I agree in part with the pro discount thing but so many ma and pa resorts use the Yamahas and don't get a volume discount on the 5-20 outboards they operate. Those I've talked to all across the country say they'd used Mercs and OMC and (LOL) ETECS but get better, more reliable service year after year from their small HP Yamahas. I operate 2 of them myself and both are high use and abused, one a 25 and one a 40/30 jet, and if I remotely thought I'd be better off with an Etec I would own one. So overall I will happily agree to disagree.

Anyone who makes across the board statements like the one that "fishing wrench" made: " Everybody's 4-strokes are crap (Yamaha included)." is full of it themselves. If 4 strokes are crap why do you see so many marinas using them on rental boats, so many guides using them, and so many fishing related fishing shows where there are Yamahas on every boat that you see. Perhaps Mr Wrench (remember that it was he who gave himself that name) has had bad luck fixing the ones that he's worked on, maybe he believes in buying only American (and is there really anything that is truely made in America anymore?), or maybe he doesn't see many Yamahas because there is never any that need work. Regardless, I would never trust the word of someone who makes blanket statements about products like he did and that is why I pay no attention to what he posts - ever.

So, do you catch any fish in 100 degree lake water and if so is it pre-poached? Sounds CRAZY...

I fish Mark Twain regularly like you do on your lake...have for some years now. I read the lake and the shore and fish where experience tells me fish will be holding considering weather conditions etc. I do pretty good. I do not own a fish finder. $350 will buy me about 5 of the Abu Garcia or Pflueger reels that I use or two of the rod and reel combos that I like. As you could probably sense, I will advocate spending time fishing and less time looking at a video screen in your boat and you will certainly be rewarded by a sense of accomplishment and more fish. Of course I also operate a 14ft jon boat and spend my time fishing rather than speeding 5 miles to some imaginary "better" place on the lake. Not feeling better than you.....just sayin...

If you're mechanical do the refresh yourself but...I'm about half mechanical and I would never buy a boat like that without taking it to a certiied mechanic for an estimate of work needed. You will absolutely need work done if you want to have a successful first, second etc trip out on the water. I would let the mechanic replace the gas (he'll also be able to stick a camera in the tank to make sure there aren't problems there), you will need to replace, as has been said, all rubber parts that the fuel has sat on for the last year, the carb will need to be taken out and rebuilt in order to make sure that all gas passages are clean, new water pump impeller, new fuel lines and filter, and yes, the compression test to make sure your valves and rings are good. If you don't do this completely the chances are pretty much 100% that your motor will not run properly or at all when you take it out. You should also have the mechanic look at the other systems in the boat such as electrical, bilge pump and ventilation, transom in good condition. On boats small things add up quickly. These comments and those of others are no reflection of your ability to buy a boat but rather words of wisdom from people who've been there. done that. Good luck !!!

I suspect your 4 year old will be just fine with an off the shelf Walmart selection. Who are you buying the rod to satisfy anyhow, you two or her? Keep the rod and buy a Zebco underspin reel. The reels are fairly bulletproof and the rod will still be fine for her. After all, she is only 4 years old and having a rod made for her is, at least in my opinion, an indication that her parents are losing sight of the big picture.

This is my first post on here as a newbie to the forum. I'm a local Washington, Mo guy with a mixed bag of experience and a lot of years fishing and floating our little and big rivers. Been working the kinks out of a new to me project boat that I'm finally putting in some skinnier water...which means getting out of the Missouri and into the Gasconade, Meramec and others. I'm retired and will be out on the weekdays so that I can learn without getting in the way of too many folks. Spent the day today on the Meramec putting in at Robertsville State Park and running up to the Bourbeuse. Water was a perfect depth to provide a small amount of challenge and a lot of room to enjoy the day. No fish caught but we didn't try too hard. ("We" is me and my gal Susie). My boat is a 1448 Big Jon with a 4 stoke Yamaha 40/30 jet. It's apparently one of the smaller rigs on the river from what I've seen but it seems to run well...I have absolutely no business in anything bigger at this point in my learning curve. Hope to meet you folks out on the river !! In the meantime we'll be learning by doing as often as possible and picking up tips by reading the forums here and on some of the other online resources. One this I know for sure is that I should've gotten myself a jet many years ago...beats the hell out lots of other ways to spend time.

I've been a river rat my entire life and do understand the "issues" as stated by both sides of the jetboat vs canoeist debate. In my younger years I've been the guy who paddled the pools and pulled the riffles with my canoe tied to my waist and my pole ready to go. I always tried to find waters away from motorized boats and went as often in the middle of the week as possible just for quiet water and calmer fish. Now, in my 60's with a bad leg I own a 1448 jet boat and I fully intend to use it on any of the waters that I can get on without tearing up my equipment. I'm not able to paddle all day anymore or walk the riffles but I am able to fish. If I'm merely driving my boat without a fishing pole I have a right to do that too. Having learned how obnoxious jet boats can be I am not going to be one of "those guys" but I am going to run my boat, as is my right. I enjoy meeting all the people out on the river with the exception of the rude or drunks. If my engine annoys you I'm sorry, I get it, but the river is a resource for all to enjoy. I assure you that I'm not out there merely to annoy you. I have small patience for huge collections of canoes and tubes leaving beer cans and debris in the river, playing loud music of any kind, and getting in my way but I just pass them and move on. They have a right to be there too. And, if I see the law being broken and have a signal you can bet that I'll be calling the sheriff. With so many people out on the water these days this might be the first year that I include my 9mm as part of my boating equipment. My tolerance level for stupidity seems to go down while my age goes up. We all would have a better time if we took the word "hate" out of our thoughts or at least left it in the truck back at the ramp.

Thanks for the excellent article Al. If you notice any significant permanent changes to this due to flooding etc and you have the time, please update.

New to the forum and also to OB Jets. Have a 1448 Lowe with a 40/30 Yamaha 4Stroke. So far have only run it on the Missouri out of Washington just to get used to the boat but this summer will be venturing into the Gasconade and Osage. Am a bit concerned about the .072 hull but ya run what you have and learn as ya go. No plans to be a skinny water hero because the funds aren't there for major repairs. Looking forward to learning my boat and meeting you all out on the water.

Been using these manufactured 2X4's for over 6 months now with no issues. There is no bowing or sag and with 4 bunks I'm finding the hull is supported very well. I'd do it again without question. Boat is currently out at Troutt's getting some work done but when I get it back I'll take some pictures and post. Check out this site for the product I'm using: www.ultimatebunkboards.com Pricey but permanent.

Friend of mine uses Trek and has had absolutely no trouble. I use bunk boards made of polyplastic (recycled milk cartons) and they are very strong, very slippery, and permanent. The only potential downside is that it is almost possible to push a boat off a trailer with one hand on a flat surface using those boards. The Trek product has the same tendency. The important thing to remember is to not unhook the winch unless you are totally ready to have the boat off the trailer. I've been using boat trailers all my life and between those bunks, led lights, and bearing buddies my trailering is absolutely trouble free.

Hello Ozarkians...I'm new to the forum here in April 2015 but have been fishing and boating Missouri Ozark waters since childhood...many years ago. Recently bought a new-to-me 14' Lowe flat bottom with a 25 HP Merc and I'm ready to get out again. If you see a boat like that on the Missouri River around Washington, Mo with an older couple on board, stop and say hi cause that would be me and my gal Susie. Nice to have these forums since they deal with the stuff I've always loved. Retirement is wonderful...getting old isn't.