JP_in_STL

MrGiggles I've seen the OnTheFly but I'm envisioning my teenager trying to run the throtlle, tiller, and the hand crank at the same time. The Troll Lever sounds similar, but what I remember was a long lever, longer than the tiller, that pivoted down and then locked in a notch. Run your riffle. Then release and lever back up to move the motor down. I made a shroud for the mighty Merc 3.3 that I run on my 18ft PaddleJon and the Grumman Square Stern. Saves on sheer pins. I may just make something for the 9.9 on his 14ft Jon boat.

We live 2 miles from Meramec Caverns. Kid is a fishing nut, ties his own lures. Worked for a Shimano Calcutta Conquest BFS that he's now got ceramic bearings in. He fishes every spare moment he can. He was gifted a 14ft Jon Boat with a 9.9 that has been sitting neglected, rotted carpet and deck but the bones are good. We are going to strip and rebuild. No way no how is Momma Bear going to let him out on the Meramec, but she'd let him get on the slow Bourbeuse. Before the Jet Lower Units became so popular, all the old guys (who are now dead and not around to ask) ran a manual jack plate. In the local skinny water, come to a shallow, lever down the arm to raise the motor, float through, then drop her back down. You'd see these on the Bourbeuse, upper Meramec, when I was a kid in the '80s (I'm 52) but not anymore. Gramps had one on his gigging boat. Kid thinks he need a Surface Drive or Mud Motor, but I think a jack plate would be better. So what is a brand name, something I can Gogole as I think we need 1 for the kids new boat. I can find electric, hydraulic, and all kinds of jack plates. But not the one I'm looking for with the lever arm. Dad (Me) is a decent fabricator, so worst case we can build something. But I need pics and ideas.

https://smokerbuildermfg.com These guys are in Rolla and can build you whatever you want. Frank Cox or Tom Heath is who I would talk to. Not sure what size you are thinking? Or how many you need to cook for at once? Myself I make some swanky firepits and have cooking options if you are interested in any of those.

Yes remove the ball. Probably a rubber trim plate that snaps into those slots on either side of the ball mount that you will need to remove as well. Then that add on receiver should bolt down in place. Just know that it is only rate for whatever your bumper is when it comes to towing. Plus that hitch extender is a really long lever so don't overload and keep things reasonable.

UHaul will be the cheapest. Not sure if you just want to bolt a 2in receiver onto the bottom of your existing step bumper? Or a full blown receiver hitch assembly that bolts to the frame? Neither one is terribly hard to do. The full blown receiver would have a higher towing capacity for a trailer? But for haul canoes, bike rack, etc might be overkill for your needs. Chasing threads to clean out the rust will likely be the hardest part of either getting installed. A ladder rack works really well for hauling canoes. You can get them that drop/bolt into the stake pockets on the bed or clamp to the top of the bed rail.

No rush on my end. Just send me some pics and a price.

@yowoodchuck I'm definitely interested, budget dependent. Shoot me some pics here or 314 three zero two six 500. I work in STL but live real near Meramec Caverns. I'm a decent enough welder so may be able to fix up the trailer too. There is a nice one that sits near Union MO in the driveway and never seems to move. Older guy, wife was outside one day and took my card. Thanks - JP

I doubt all 4 of us would be fishing. Fishing with kids and the wife means 3 at most "fishing" while Dad maneuvers, baits hooks, takes the fish off, etc. Ultimately this will end up being the wife, daughter, and me in the Paddle Jon and I'm sure the boy will end up kayaking. But for the 1st couple trips we will all have to be in it until Momma Bear gets a little more comfortable. The boy is 11 and has a sit on top, but we've not gone on any longer trips yet just paddled around in the same hole. As time goes on likely just me and the boy fishing in the Paddle Jon once teenage years hit. Blazer custom makes these, so I guess length is up to your wallet. But is a 20ft too long?

I think I want one? 2 Adults, 2 pre-teens, cooler, gear - for float fishing the Bourbeuse, Piney, and Meramec day trips. I have a Merc 3.3 for those long slow holes. Wife and I used to run a 17ft Grumman Square Stern before the kids but she's concerned about stability. We have multiple canoes, but the wife is not confident to run one on her own and the kids are not quite there yet either. Troutt and Sons would be my closest dealer. Pics and specs seem to be non-existent on the web, but I do know they are 080 thick and I've seen a couple pics. So what length do I need? 18ft? Needs to be long enough, but I also don't want a barge. The boy is 11 now so eventually he could move into a kayak solo. Seat Placement? Options? Motor Mount, etc. $2500 +/- sounds like the range I'm in after talking to Troutt. Steep, but I'm a fan of "buy once cry once" so want to get it right the first time. Also sounds like a 3 month lead time so I want to get moving on decisions. Suggestions? Who has one? Pics of your rig setup? Thanks!!!

New guy here. Mainly fish the Meramec, Bourbeuse, Piney for smallies, crappie, cats, etc. The wife and I used to go out in a 17ft Grumman Square Stern Canoe with outriggers and a 3.3hp. I modded the 3.3 Merc with an aluminum shroud around the prop so we did not shear as many pins. Did what we wanted to on the cheap. We mainly float and fish, the motor is just for those LONG SLOW holes on the Bourbeuse. We also used a SOAR 14ft Inflatable WhiteWater type canoe. It was great, but storage was not kind to it. Replacement would be about $2K so that's kind of the starter budget point. Then the kids entered the picture and the 2 of us have not been on the river much. She's now decided that we need something bigger for the 4 of us and a canoe is not stable enough. We are not Jet Boat types, too noisy. We also won't be on the water every weekend so dropping $15K+ on a larger rig is not in the budget. Then I heard about "paddle jons" and Google led me here. Blazer or building my own wooden version seems to be the options? I've seen some used Lowe models, but at 17ft I don't think will fit 2 adults and 2 pre-teens. I'm eager to see the "ozarkian" plans.