Blazer Paddle Jon Owners?? Pics please!!

[Gavin]

Welcome to the forum. I own the 17' Landau paddle jon you probably saw on google search (Bought it from a forum member in Springfield). I don't use it much for family floats. You have to tow it, and I tow a travel trailer on most family trips. It's great boat for two people to cover allot of water on an overnight to 3 day down river float. Its rated for 6hp, but I use a a 55lb thrust trolling motor. Very stable, pretty light for its size....120lbs or so Dimensions are 17'x47" with a 32" bottom. Rake at both ends, and a raised transom in the back. Blazer and Lowe used a plate instead of the raised transom. Really comfy when you put the swivel seats in. I put some NRS oar towers & locks on it and it will row like a drift boat (but my 7.5' oars take up a ton of space), even have a rowing seat for it. Good duck boat too.

 

[curtisce]

I have a voyager 17x32"  can't remember the thickness put it is thin. Bad part if not careful, like me your'e going to bang it up maybe put a few holes in it which I have.But it is light, 130# so you don't have to get the trailer in the water to unload it. I have paddles in the boat and use them occ. but I depend on the trolling motor for most of the manuvering. It works well for 2, trying to fish 3 or 4 out of it would be a circus.

[curtisce]

Here's a pic of mine loaded. Both mine and @Gavinhas the raised transom which is key if you are going to mount a motor of any type on it.

[moguy1973]

1 hour ago, curtisce said:

Here's a pic of mine loaded. Both mine and @Gavinhas the raised transom which is key if you are going to mount a motor of any type on it.

Ok, you have to explain the bike.  Did you find in the river it or is that to ride back to your tow vehicle?

[curtisce]

That was an overnight I did by myself. floated down and then shuttled back to my truck with the bike. We float a section on the James often and it is actually quicker to shuttle with a bike than a vehicle and you only need to take one truck.

[JP_in_STL]

6 hours ago, curtisce said:

I have a voyager 17x32"  can't remember the thickness put it is thin. Bad part if not careful, like me your'e going to bang it up maybe put a few holes in it which I have.But it is light, 130# so you don't have to get the trailer in the water to unload it. I have paddles in the boat and use them occ. but I depend on the trolling motor for most of the manuvering. It works well for 2, trying to fish 3 or 4 out of it would be a circus.

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?

[Terrierman]

9 minutes ago, JP_in_STL said:

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?

If it was me doing the ordering it would be at least 18' and would give lots of consideration to 20'  The longer boats will draft less water with the same load and there are times and places that's important.

[fishinwrench]

1 hour ago, Terrierman said:

If it was me doing the ordering it would be at least 18' and would give lots of consideration to 20'  The longer boats will draft less water with the same load and there are times and places that's important.

A 18-20 footer means that somebody is gonna be playing "Guide" all day.   I guess that's cool if your main objective is showing OTHERS a good time, and forsaking your own personal enjoyment.    

There's so many easier ways to make money, and/or make friends. 

[riverrat]

It depends on how it is set up. I have a 1832 Blazer paddle john with a foot control bow mount and transom mount trolling motors, and no one plays "guide". I'm looking for good fishing buddies-worth their weight in gold.  Friends are a dime a dozen.

[Gavin]

A paddle jon owner get together might be fun! Let’s do this weekend!😀