flat bottom Vs. V shape

I'm looking for a little "jon boat" for some small lake fishing, in canada you almost only see the v shape hull, where as I'm finding while im down here in Texas, that they are mostly flat bottom, is there an advantage to either?
My thoughts would be that the flat bottom is sturdier..?

I might as well also ask if you prefer gas or electric motors? My friend has an electric, and it's nice and quiet, but the batteries die within a few days.

Thanks

 

The flat bottom has a more open and stable design that drafts less water, the v-bottom is better in rougher water. Ive always liked the flat bottom better and Ive had both. The flat bottom is usually squared on the ends and fits in a truck better too.

 

Well....Flat bottoms can float shallower...If that is a factor for you. They are more noisy, but it's a jon boat so I wouldn't worry.

The V's can take more chop without getting you wet..But will take a bigger engine-Not too much bigger but maybe a little bit.

The flats are nice because there seems to be a little more space to throw things down on.

Hope this helps!

 

Dang it. You beat me to it!

 

well both opinions are good, thanks guys!
I'm trying to find a boat near b.c that I can pickup on my way home from Texas, not sure if it's gona be much work to bring it into canada or not though...

I think I'll try a flat bottom, it seems like it will be a bit more stable when people are moving around trying to get lines in and change flies etc, and I never even thought about it fitting in the truck, that will be nice.

 

Are you a flyfisherman? I hope so!

 

you bet! I'd like to get a spinning rod just for certain lakes, but I like the fly rod, it eve works well when trolling with the floating line.

 

I'm nowhere near Canada. I saltwater flyfish in Chalreston,SC.
I keep a couple spinning rods in the boat just in case, esp. if it's a rainy day.
Do some trout fishing in NC and TN, but nothing up where you live. Seems like a fun place to go though

 

yea it's a pretty beautiful area, I couldn't live anywhere else now!

do you use an electric or gas motor?

 

Well we have a 17' Maverick Flats boat..90 HP Yamaha. So all gas.

My Jon Boat has a 25 Johnson. With an electric motor down here I couldn't get anywhere.

 

hmm, the lakes I go out on are usually pretty small, but it might be nice to have gas and not worry about running out of power

 

True. Either one would be nice for a small lake. Electric is tons quiter. But can probablly run out of batteries.

But little 8hp and below take almost no gas.

 

yea, I'll see what I can find

 

in my opinion, the snoother the water the more a flat bottom is better, and the rougher the water the more a v hull is better. most flat bottoms have shallow walls and they dont sway with the waves (however small or big they are) which allows it to take on water easier. the v bottoms will move with the waves and make it alot harder to allow water to come in. when im on the missouri river or a small lake, i prefer to use an 18' flat bottom, and when im on a big lake, i prefer to use a v bottom.

 

I have a 14' aluminum V w/ a 15h evinrude. Have had it all over from the Thessalon River, Ont., to Lake Guntersville, Al., and everywhere in between. Gets me anywhere I want to go. Also have a 10' john w/ a trolling motor for small creeks.

 

Cool, It's gona depend on what comes up when it gets closer to home time!

 

yea thats the reason I was thinking of going with an electric, A good electric with like 50lbs of thrust would do the job just fine I think..

 

Flat is fine, even on somewhat rough water. As said it is easier to stow gear as well as transport and move around in. On anything like or bigger than large lakes though I would go V.

As long as its in the back of the truck it should be no issue. If they ask at the border you bought it in Canada. If it is on a trailer that has US plates though it could be an adventure.

 

Learned my lesson not to lie to them at the border

I'm thinking it should be fine as it's used, but if I have to leave it and drive back after paperwork goes through, thats no problem.

 

Meh my Dad got a boat shipped in from England (don't ask) and customs took a month to clear the dammed thing. I would rather dodge the whole issue, tell them I took it across with me in the first place and be done.

How did they catch you?