Minimum boat size and engine size for Charleston?

Fishing Clubs
1

I don’t know much about boats but I’m trying to get a Jon boat that can navigate rivers about the size of the Inner coastal waterway. What are the minimum requirements to be safe out there? Thanks!

2

I run a 13 whaler with a 30 on it and its perfect for anywhere inshore. A 15 with a 40 hp or something would be perfect

3

How much does an engine like that typically cost?

4

I bought my tohatsu 30 new (Tiller) and all in it was around $6,200

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5

A 14 ft aluminum boat with a 15-25 hp tiller steered outboard is kind of the staple for beginner Jon boats for this area. It allows you to do a lot in the marshes and creeks and is simple to operate and maintain while burning very little fuel in a day. I have had a few and thoroughly enjoyed them.

For a bait catching/selling/commercial creek boat boat, I would look at something larger and more stable that could hold a few different live wells with a decent capacity in each. Plastic 55gal drums work well for this. I would expect a medium to large 20-25’ Carolina skiff with a larger engine to be the minimum I would want for commercial fishing and bait selling. You could also consider picking shellfish commercially in the winter when bait selling is slow to use the boat to make money . That is certainly hard work though.

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6

How much money are we talking about spending on a starter bait boat?

If it were me, and I were you, this is what’d I do.

This was almost the twin brother of the boat I started out with. I don’t know about this particular boats condition, it may have be shot, but there are a ton of these out there for not a lot of money.

The engines are really easy to work on and if you take out the seats there is a ton of room.

its as stable as a pontoon boat, well, almost.

Those guys in the link have a huge lot of used boats and motors, really, like 20 acres. Call them up, tell them what you are looking for and what you are looking to spend. If you haven’t ever been around boats much or don’t have someone to look at a used boat with you just forget everything I just said, lol

good luck

7

Thank you dude. I’ll look into something like that. Any motor recommendations for around $1000?

Edit: sorry didn’t see the first question. I’d be happy spending around $2000 for the boat and engine.