I Need A Bit Of Advice

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Check on craigslist, I see them all of the time for around $200-$800. Be careful, for in MO if you get one and want to power it, (Even with a trolling motor), a title will be required. Alot of boats for sale on craigslist have no title.

I have a 10 foot little jon, it fits in the back of my Dodge Dakota. I have used it on the creek with paddles, and with a trolling motor. I can manuever it, but it is easier just to drift. On the stable side, i wouldn't call it the most stable, but I can stand an move around in it carefully.

[whetstone]

Old thread, but since it's at the top...

I ran across a guy who has 2 singles and 1 tandem canoe for sale. I think (would have to verify) that they're all Wenonah brand. He wants $450 each for them and would like to sell all 3 together if possible. He says the price isn't negotiable. Anyone interested let me know and I'll go get pics/details if you're serious.

[Al Agnew]

A 12 ft. johnboat will draft about the same as a canoe. It will feel more stable than a canoe. It will work for floating the streams you mentioned. But it definitely has drawbacks. Even a small johnboat is more difficult to cartop...you can do it but a trailer is better. But with a trailer, you are limited to using accesses where you can at least get the trailer close to the water. One person will have trouble with putting in or taking out even a small johnboat in places where you can't back the trailer into the water.

And an aluminum johnboat, like any aluminum craft, will be noisy and it will stick to rocks and even logs rather than sliding easily over them as plastic or fiberglass does.

And, of course, actually paddling one isn't as efficient as a canoe or kayak. It's especially bad if you need to get from point A to point B in a hurry, like when you suddenly realize you're two miles from the take-out and it's getting dark! Or when you come to a long, dead pool that isn't worth fishing and must be paddled through.

Bottom line, the johnboat is very usable, but not nearly as versatile as a canoe or kayak. However, for a person your size, there aren't many good choices in canoes and kayaks.

[Gavin]

Been looking for a good used paddle jon for years...they are not out there...figure a good new canoe runs $1500 these days...$2200 with a trailer doesnt seem so bad.

[OzarksRiverman]

Hey guys thanks for the response. Gavin, I don't know if I could get an approval (the wife) for a $2200 purchase to support my creek-hopping habit\ .I'm probaby going to settle on a 12 foot flatbottom jonboat.

If anybody's got an extra one laying around give me a holler.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Any 14'-16' jon with a 36" bottom will work pretty well on most rivers.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

I am not the one who is selling this, but I found this on Craigslist. http://stlouis.craigslist.org/boa/2986607437.html Might fit your request. As has been noted before aluminum will stick to logs, and shallow rock bottoms. It seems to be a v-bottom also, but for $100.00 it may be worth your time. The seller also claims to have the title.

Hope this helps you Ozarkfisherman, or anyone else for that matter. By the way DeSoto is about 1 hour south of St Louis, on Highway US67. Easy drive from Poplar Bluff.