Jon Boat transport

[melk]

Hi,
I'm not sure this is the right place to post this, but here goes. I will be getting a 10', 12', or 14' jon boat in the spring. I have a Subaru Forester than will be needed to transoport it. Now, how to do this? I can get Thule adapters for the load bars to use. I have a one person boatloader that could be used. Any thoughts out there?
Thanks,
Mike

[Lotech]

I used to have great upper body strength, but no more. So, I use one of those kit trailers for going to the dump or hauling my 12' jon boat. Works great and does highway speed very well.

[Rawthumb]

A short narrow jonboat is a good device to find invent new ways to drown and entertain spectators.

I won't get in one less than 14' and at least 48 in. width, the wider the better for stability. It's easier to cast a flyrod standing up, and width helps in the rocky and tippy department. Life is much easier traveling with it on a trailer, and if you get into the safe size of boas, you won't want to be lifting and putting it on top.

[Normand]

jus a thought

[jeremy.badgett]

I was going to mention a trailer and it seems that several others have already. the trailer that LOTECH has pictured is a good trailer, I have one that is similar if not the same, folds in half for storage and paid about $350 total for it plus the lumber and plywood to finish it. I purchased the trailer from Harbor Freight and it made a cross country trip from Idaho to New York just fine hauling about 900lbs doing free way speeds. as for a john boat, I have a john boat on steroids, 18ft with a 90 horse jet on it. wider is better for stability as mentioned above and put a false floor in it so you can walk easier. the false floor also helps with permanently mounting storage boxes in it.

[Lotech]

A short narrow jonboat is a good device to find invent new ways to drown and entertain spectators.

I won't get in one less than 14' and at least 48 in. width, the wider the better for stability. It's easier to cast a flyrod standing up, and width helps in the rocky and tippy department. Life is much easier traveling with it on a trailer, and if you get into the safe size of boas, you won't want to be lifting and putting it on top.

It's OK rawthumb. I don't stand up in my boat because I can't stand up & nobody is invited to ride along. I only fish from my boat alone. It's a great way to access still waters when float tubes and pontoons aren't enough.

[DaveP63]

I got an old motorcycle trailer that I bought for $25 bucks. I invested another 100 for some more tubing and now I've got a trailer for my 14 foot boat for about 125-150 bucks. Trailering is the only way to go!

[sagefisher]

Mike,

If you had a full sized pick up with an 8 foot bed, you could gat away with using that. However, for you, I strongly suggest using a trailer, as others have suggested, it is the best way to go.

Larry ---sagefisher---

[Uncle Jesse]

Way back I cartopped a 12 ft. jon boat and could load and unload it alone. I had a easily removed seat on the front and a fold-down seat on the rear bench. At that time I was barely in my 30's and capable of doing lots of this easily that require more preparation now. I now have a 14 ft. on a trailer and connects to the hitch on my pickup bumper.

I think to really entertain and drown spectators you need a canoe.

[melk]

I knew I came to the right place! The trailer idea is what I'm going with. I can justify it to do brush to the dump, get the snowblower to the repair place when needed, haul stuff,OH and most important - use it to transport the jonboat and the kayaks. Since my upper strength is now in my lower body, this should work. I suggested a pickup with an 8' bed, but the CFO shot that down!! Trailer is cheaper, maybe not as much fun, but cheaper. Hmmmm, I did buy one the Bazillion $ lottery tickets yesterday!
Thanks all!
Mike