***We're looking for a boat to basically use as a moving raft in small
lakes. Not concerned about speed or fancy design but very concerned
about stability and room (mostly stability). 90% of the time it will
just be the two of us in the boat.

***We've been looking at a G3 1448LW flat bottom jon boat and think it
might be the solution to our particulat boating needs. It has a 70"
beam, a 48" bottom width, 21" side depth, 16" transom and a rated total
capacity of 820 pounds on a boat that weighs 233 pounds. The quoted
price of the new boat from the dealer is $1550 + $600 for an EZ-Loader
trailer making the package w/o motor a total of $2150.


***We understand that G3 has a good reputation for building solid
boats. Also understand that with our limited use a riveted jon will
suffice and there's really no need for the extra expense of a welded
boat.


***Finally, we are thinking of putting a Briggs and Stratton 5hp
outboard on it for two reasons. 1--You can't beat the price and 2--do
we really need more to shove that square, square front jon around the
lake at 5-10 mph?


***Now comes the important part of this post....HELP!!! Opinions,
personal experiences, etc. are welcomed and appreciated. Whaddya
think?


-KCB

Those motors are loud, compared to conventional outboards.

Capt. Jeff

On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 21:12:10 -0700, kcb559 wrote:

***We're looking for a boat to basically use as a moving raft in small
lakes. Not concerned about speed or fancy design but very concerned
about stability and room (mostly stability). 90% of the time it will
just be the two of us in the boat.

***We've been looking at a G3 1448LW flat bottom jon boat and think it
might be the solution to our particulat boating needs.

Sounds like you're on the right track with a jonboat. Sounds expensive to
me, though: I can build one (out of plywood) for under $300. They're not
fancy.

You might like the B&S - it IS a simple engine. But it's also loud,
air-cooled, etc. I disagree with others that say it's crap - B&S put out
reliable, long-lasting engines. It seems like a good deal FOR THE PRICE
(ie don't compare a $500 B&S with a $2000 Yamaha!)

If speed is not a concern, you might consider electric. A Minn Kota
Max55T would push that boat at many 5-6mph tops, and it's SILENT: great
for sneaking up on things. And $500 would get you one complete with
battery.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Dave" Walker Bay 8 c/w Max40T

Lloyd wrote:
On Thu, 20 Oct 2005 21:12:10 -0700, kcb559 wrote:

***We're looking for a boat to basically use as a moving raft in small
lakes. Not concerned about speed or fancy design but very concerned
about stability and room (mostly stability). 90% of the time it will
just be the two of us in the boat.

***We've been looking at a G3 1448LW flat bottom jon boat and think it
might be the solution to our particulat boating needs.

Sounds like you're on the right track with a jonboat. Sounds expensive to
me, though: I can build one (out of plywood) for under $300. They're not
fancy.

You might like the B&S - it IS a simple engine. But it's also loud,
air-cooled, etc. I disagree with others that say it's crap - B&S put out
reliable, long-lasting engines. It seems like a good deal FOR THE PRICE
(ie don't compare a $500 B&S with a $2000 Yamaha!)

If speed is not a concern, you might consider electric. A Minn Kota
Max55T would push that boat at many 5-6mph tops, and it's SILENT: great
for sneaking up on things. And $500 would get you one complete with
battery.

Lloyd Sumpter
"Dave" Walker Bay 8 c/w Max40T

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A lot of the focus in the responses have been regarding the Briggs and
Stratton motor. I only meant for that to be a part of the post. Just
as important, or maybe more so, is the issue of stability, room and
safety of the jon boat that is 14' long with a 48" bottom width. I
would appreciate opinions of individuals who have actually owned and
used a similar sized jon boat and therefore would have some first-hand
input on the issues of stability, room and safety.

-KCB

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:
On 21 Oct 2005 23:12:37 -0700, wrote:


A lot of the focus in the responses have been regarding the Briggs and
Stratton motor. I only meant for that to be a part of the post. Just
as important, or maybe more so, is the issue of stability, room and
safety of the jon boat that is 14' long with a 48" bottom width. I
would appreciate opinions of individuals who have actually owned and
used a similar sized jon boat and therefore would have some first-hand
input on the issues of stability, room and safety

That should tell you something right off the bat - the rest of your
decisions are fine - the engine isn't.

Specifically, a 14' boat with a 48" beam is going to be fairly stable
under most conditions. If you load the boat out with everything on
the starboard side, then it will list, but if you keep the balance
fairly level and even, then you will be ok.

The major concern with boats of this size and type is freeboard - how
much freeboard do you have available and are you using the boat in
heavily traffic or just pond jumping for fishing? Three people with
gear and six inches of freeboard isn't super duper, eight inches would
be much better.

You obviously aren't looking for speed, so the ride, which can be
problematic in a jon boat, won't be an issue.

The G3 is a good boat, built in a production facility in Kansas where
a lot of aluminum boats are made for different manufacturers. The
rivets/weld issue nowadays is a mute one as the sealants used when
riveting the boats are practically as sound as a weld.

And stay away from the Briggs and Stratton - it will be the worst
mistake you make in this purchase. Go used two stroke first if you
have to.

*****************************************

Thanks for the input regarding stability and safety. 90% of the time
the boat will only be occupied by two persons with a combined passenger
weight of 395 pounds. The G3 1448LW shows a total capacity of 820
pounds.

Since the Briggs and Stratton 5HP motor at $699 has not received great
reviews and since budgetary considerations keep the motor expenditure
(and we prefer new, not used) to $1000 or less, what do the pros think
about a smaller 2 or 4 stroke outboard for this particular boat since
speed is not a top priority.

In my research, I've seen some prety fair deals on the following.
Would they be sufficient to drive that 14' square front flat botton
barge at any speed from 0 to 15 mph?

1--Mercury 2.5M = $650
2--Mercury 3.5M = $875
3--Yamaha 2.5 = $730
4--Honda 2.0 = $768
5--Yamaha F4 = $999

Anyone out there with a flat-bottom jon that has had experience with
one of these smaller motors?

Also, regarding "freeboard," how would one determine sufficient
freeboard in a boat prior to purchase. In this particular jon, the
side depth is 21", the weight capacity is 820 pound and the total
weight to be carried in the boat, counting people, would be
approximately 475 pounds and one of the above-mentioned small outboards
would be around 50-70 pounds.

-KCB