New Guy Intro looking for a Paddle Jon

[JP_in_STL]

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.

[Daryk Campbell Sr]

Welcome.   I have a 14' Landau.  Its tight with 2 adults and I preteen.  Many of us around St Louis.   I'm in Festus.   

[curtisce]

i have a 17ft voyager. Use it often without shuttle but I don't far very far and have to walk it through shallow areas  or stronger current. Run it with a 50# trolling motor. Problem with a padlle jon if you're wnating to run an outboard is the stern is raked so with an outboard the bow will run real high and the back will plow. Guess you could put everybody up front to hold it down. I ran it some with a longtail and it was fine.

[yowoodchuck]

JP--As it happens, I have a Blazer 18ft paddle Jon that I'm thinking about selling.  It has a spot in back for a motor, electric or up to 5 horse.  With the 5 horse it tends to rock up on the bow end, but I put my gas and tackle up front, which helped.  Most of the time I run it with a 50 pound thrust trolling motor.  It will fish three easy all day.  It is a Blazer model 1856--2009, the trailer is weak, but serviceable.  If you have interest, let me know.  I can send photos....I come into St. Louis every couple of weeks to see family and could possibly haul it over.

 

[JP_in_STL]

3 hours ago, yowoodchuck said:

JP--As it happens, I have a Blazer 18ft paddle Jon that I'm thinking about selling.  It has a spot in back for a motor, electric or up to 5 horse.  With the 5 horse it tends to rock up on the bow end, but I put my gas and tackle up front, which helped.  Most of the time I run it with a 50 pound thrust trolling motor.  It will fish three easy all day.  It is a Blazer model 1856--2009, the trailer is weak, but serviceable.  If you have interest, let me know.  I can send photos....I come into St. Louis every couple of weeks to see family and could possibly haul it over.

 

@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

[yowoodchuck]

JP--I will get you some pics later in the week with a price.  I'm going to did out the title today...I'm pretty sure it is somewhere around here!

[yowoodchuck]

22 hours ago, yowoodchuck said:

JP--I will get you some pics later in the week with a price.  I'm going to did out the title today...I'm pretty sure it is somewhere around here!

JP--still wrestling the state for a duplicate title...and now have a tile job slowing me down.  I will get back to you by the end of the weekend.

[Gavin]

I have a 17' Landau PJ...It works really well with a 55lb thrust TM. It will hold 3 to fish, 2 for an overnight with gear. It's really stable, but it doesn't hold any more than a 17' canoe IMO because the seats take up a ton of cargo space. Two small kids and two adults would be max...and only on day trip. It does make 20 miles into an easy overnight down river trip, plus its nice to be able to motor back up and fish a good run. Good luck with it.

[JP_in_STL]

On 3/1/2022 at 7:59 AM, yowoodchuck said:

JP--still wrestling the state for a duplicate title...and now have a tile job slowing me down.  I will get back to you by the end of the weekend.

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

[yowoodchuck]

JP--I have successfully battled the state and a dup title is on the way.  Weather up here has been a problem, along with our lake level.  I expect to be able to get photos of boat, trailer. seats and bonus 4 horse 2 stroke next week.  You will get them...hang on a bit, Thanks