Need a few words of advice here. My boat went under last fall and since then I have been looking at aluminum boats to replace it. My previous boat was a V-Hull but it seems that most folks around here prefer flat bottoms. I fish primarily in calm creeks and occasionally poke my nose into the harbor. I was wondering what’s y’all’s opinions are when it comes to these two styles are concerned.
quote:Harbor 5% + creeks 75% + flats 20% = flat-bottom Harbor 25% + creeks 74% + flats 1% = V-bottom
Originally posted by Fishguy98…what’s y’all’s opinions are when it comes to these two styles are concerned.
A modified v instead of a straight flat bottom might be your best best
96 sundance 1900, 135 Johnson
a modified wide beam v hull, best of both worlds
I would ask how much shallow water you fish in? If you rarely go less than 12", then a shallow v-hull should work fine. If you get under 12" much, you need to lose some deadrise.
Honestly, no matter what size boat you get…you will always want a slightly bigger/better boat. My advice…get a bigger boat then find a cheap flat bottom jon boat for the skinny, calm stuff. The old used ones are cheap on Craigslist. I just sold one myself.
John
Pathfinder 23 HPS
Why Alu. why not try a Carolina skiff! Ride better than Alu. and will last forever with no upkeep! You can find the on CL. for about the price of jon boats.
quote:
Originally posted by boatpoorWhy Alu. why not try a Carolina skiff! Ride better than Alu. and will last forever with no upkeep! You can find the on CL. for about the price of jon boats.
I’m not so sure they ride any better or worse…both with a flat bottom and 0 degree deadrise. I just sold a 16ft Alum. jon and purchased a 16ft. Carolina Skiff (both had 25HP’s on them)…so the jury is out until after this weekend. The skiff is heavier, cooler in the summer and quieter, but the Alum is basically indesrtuctable. They both have thier advantages… as far as the price on CL…the Carolina Skiffs (at least for me) were harder to find than the same size jon boat with a 25 HP.
John
Pathfinder 23 HPS
Yeah I would love a Carolina skiff but they are too heavy for my storage situation and over my budget.
I’ve been thru a lot of alum. boats! I’m ruff on them (hit things and such and tore the up beyond use) Bought a J 16 new in 1990 and still use it after it been dropped off the tra. at 5o mph, gone up and down the rappids in the upper Saluda river for years chaseing striped bass, been to the Edisto 40 and caught tons of shrimp and fish! With a 25 hp Merc. with a 4 bladed prop it will out run my buddys alumacraft with the same motor. Cant say enough good things about this boat!!! Also have a other boats including a 17 whaler with a 115 but use the skiff as much as any of them both in fresh and salt!
quote:Yep... that J16 is certainly the exception. In general, the aluminum Jon Boat is lighter and shallower and better resale and less maintenance than the fiberglass boats. But, if you can find a good price on the "J"... GET it!
Originally posted by boatpoorI’ve been thru a lot of alum. boats! I’m ruff on them (hit things and such and tore the up beyond use) Bought a J 16 new in 1990 and still use it after it been dropped off the tra. at 5o mph, gone up and down the rappids in the upper Saluda river for years chaseing striped bass, been to the Edisto 40 and caught tons of shrimp and fish! With a 25 hp Merc. with a 4 bladed prop it will out run my buddys alumacraft with the same motor. Cant say enough good things about this boat!!! Also have a other boats including a 17 whaler with a 115 but use the skiff as much as any of them both in fresh and salt!
Be aware that all flat bottom boats will ride like a brick across the Harbor. They will also float like a upside down beer cap across a Dorchester Road bar top. 
I have had both Carolina skiff, 14 then 16, now have a modified v 16 alum boat. I like the aluminum due to weight. I keep in on top of my dock so it is easy to load and unload. Also I can walk off and leave it beached on an outgoing tide, and with a couple of pushes have it right back in the water. I can pack the aluminum boat with camping gear and still get it up on a plane. Also I can sheepshead fish the pilings and don’t worry to much about bumping oyster covered piles. by the way some vee bottom jon boats are very tippy!
Saw a J 16 with a 4 stroke 15 on galv. tra. on Greenville Craigs List for 2995.00 look bradnnew in the pictures might be worth a look!