Boat Advice

[RyanMac14]

So seeing all the posts from the mugger, the fast eddie express, the mamba etc. has put me over the edge. I need a better boat than my tiny 9 foot jon boat. So just looking for any and all advice in terms of motor. I am in central jersey (matawan) so not many gas options around me. I do like to hit spruce so should I just get a 9.9? Is that what most people have in order to be allowed on the limited lakes? Also, I know as long as you have your gas motor up and not connected to a can you never really have a problem, but i just cant find the actual law on it. Any other advice is greatly appreciated whether it be suggestions, tips and maintenance advice etc.

[ScowardNJ]

So seeing all the posts from the mugger, the fast eddie express, the mamba etc. has put me over the edge. I need a better boat than my tiny 9 foot jon boat. So just looking for any and all advice in terms of motor. I am in central jersey (matawan) so not many gas options around me. I do like to hit spruce so should I just get a 9.9? Is that what most people have in order to be allowed on the limited lakes? Also, I know as long as you have your gas motor up and not connected to a can you never really have a problem, but i just cant find the actual law on it. Any other advice is greatly appreciated whether it be suggestions, tips and maintenance advice etc.

The Mugger is a 14' Sea Nymph with a Nissan 9.8 2-stroke and 55lb thrust 12V Minn Kota bow mount with spot lock. I have had it on pretty much every lake in north Jersey between Round Valley Reservoir and Greenwood Lake. Also The Delaware, Hackensack, Passaic Rivers etc...I fish a lot of horsepower restricted lakes and electric only lakes. You can keep your motor down in electric only lakes, i often use the 9.8 as a tiller to steer with my bow mount in trust when putting around lakes like Wayway or Merrill.

Pros - I can fish every freshwater spot in NJ that allows boats and has access. It's super efficient, i fill the 3 gallon tank up like 4 or 5 times a year. It's light and easy to tow. It's cheap to maintain and the hull is built like tank. It's a basic original set up that hasn't had any decks or crazy mods. I often fish alone and its a snap loading and unloading by myself. The rig fits in a garage. The bow mount trolling motor with spot lock is the most essential part of the whole rig for what i do.

Cons - I can fish with 2 people fine but if my passenger is over 225ish lbs the boat is a slug and doesn't plane and it limits us in covering water. There is no room for a 3rd person. It gets wet in chop. It gets owned in wind. Heavy current is the top of its limit. It's a 3 bench style boat and I'm getting tired of jumping over the middle bench to get to my trolling motor, especially at night or in cold rain/ice/snow with gear all over the place. It's a matter of time till I end up overboard. More speed would be nice to cover water faster but i can fish all of Lake Hopatcong on a spring night with little problem.

I'd say a 14' - 16' aluminum hull w/9.9hp and electric bow mount TM is the most versatile rig for fishing all NJ freshwater. Of course a 15hp with good 9.9 camo is even better. A 20' Lund with a 200 ob and 9.9 kicker w/36V bow mount is a nice choice also but certainly not necessary.

[AndyS]

I just sold my 14 ft. Grumman with trailer for cheap !! Most lakes can be fished with a good trolling motor. I sold the 2 hp Yamaha with the boat that took me far enough at Round Valley to be on the fish. If you plan on lots of Spruce Run, Lake Hopatcong, Round Valley and Skunksville you may want to invest in a 9.9. The world is your oyster once you own a boat, then again look all the fish caught using kayaks also.

[NJSquatch]

if i could do it over again i would get a 14-16' vhull with a 9.9 for all the reasons Scott highlighted.

A bigger boat requires a bigger tow vehicle, with a small boat you can get away with an SUV. I see people towing 16'ers with RAV4s. Storage is also a pia with larger boats.

My 17' deep v with a 90 hp is nice for flying around LH but there are very few lakes in NJ I can run it in. Places like RV or Spruce Run are just too big to fish with only a trolling motor. The motor is also pig and guzzles gas. On a 2 week vacation in Lake George fishing almost everyday i burn through about 30 gallons plus a half gallon of 2 stroke oil and I am not logging that many miles.

before you buy make sure the boat and trailer have a title. I have read horror stories of people trying to get them registered without titles. also get the engine checkout by a mechanic since that is essentially what you are paying for with a used boat.

too bad you missed out on Andy's boat that was such a steal i was thinking of buying it.

[RyanMac14]

Thanks for all the info guys. Sorry I must have missed out on your post Andy. Would have definitely given it a look. I've actually been looking new as I hope to make this boat last my lifetime (not that a used one couldnt do the job). I also just feel more comfortable knowing that it hasnt been abused or has had spotty maintenance since I really have below basic knowledge especially when it comes to the motor. I have been looking at the tracker Pro 160. It is a 16 foot mod V. Would it be difficult on places like the valley and manasquan reservoir not having the deep v? Will also take any and all advice on motor preventative maintenance after outings, off season etc. Thanks again guys

[NJSquatch]

the v hulls have higher gunwales and are better at taking on waves (ie boat wakes) and keeping u and your stuff in the boat..i have been in mod v's where the wakes have come right over the bow....really only a concern if you are fishing big water and taking on 20'+ cuddy cabins...

what type of fish do you plan on primarily targeting?

[Mikey topaz]

The mamba is a deep v... you’d be fine. I get it in and out all over the place with very little problem it is sitting on a roller trailer which helps. The only downfall I have with the deep v I noticed is for a lot of the trolling I do it cuts through the water with ease, that being said the boat goes at a fast speed even with my 9.9 kicker just in gear... so most of the time I troll with the electric motor which eats up a lot of batteries especially if your lookin to fish a good chunk of the day. Motor wise and maintenance my mercury 9.9 four stroke is a great motor as long as you use it in freshwater you really don’t need to flush it after every use. Basically you throw gas in it as long as you don’t let the gas sit too long you really won’t have too much a problem. When these motors mess up usually it’s a dirty carb very easy to clean out and rebuild if need be. Change the engine,new plugs once a year, and a impeller every 3 yearsish... great motors keep your eye out and if you really needed a hand a hand I’d be happy to walk you through how to take care of it and do the maintenance good luck,

[RWole]

I have a Tracker Pro Angler , its 16.5 long and is powered by a 9.9 4 stroke.
I bough it brand new in 2004 and its a fishing machine. Can I fly around NO
does it allow me to fish on ALL N.J. waters? Yes! Ifish alot of electric lakes and Reservoirs, Round Valley, Spruce, Cranberry, Hopatcong once in awhile, Monksville and not a problem at all. If your a recreation fisherman in NJ a 9.9. is the way to go. I have so many freinds that have 35 H.P. and bigger motors and they are dust collectors that get towed around.

[Flygaff]

I have a 16 ft deep Vee with Twin 9.9 engines I converted to 15 HP. Not really legal to use them both but no one has bothered me in many years. I also have a 55 lb minn Kota.

[Jersey Charlie]

Go with an aluminum 16 ft deep V with a 9.9 and elec trolling motor. This time of year lots of opportunities for used boats. Like someone said be sure it has paperwork. The 9.9 on the other hand is where you need to shop for a new one. Matawan area means it was used in salt and that’s a problem. Same with electric, unless it’s a salt water electric motor, your area could be problematic.
Know what you want, example: electric versus pull start, electric tiller with remote. As for a trailer I recommend bunk not roller again be sure it has papers.
Just my 2 cents
Charlie

[huntcountypussbuck]

i have an older 14ft mirrocraft that has taken a beating at rv / spruce camping and still doesn't leak. got dents and lots paint missing. aluminum is king for taking abuse. make sure boat has title for sure. don't want to mess around with trying to get a HIN seach from Nj state police. i did it twice . it wasn't fun. registering trailer as home made can be pretty simple in NJ depending on mood of the worker you get at dmv so don't turn down a nice rig if trailer doesn't have a current reg. i have a 2 smoke yamaha 8 hp that i can get on plane with hundreds of pounds of camping gear and 2 people. 4 stroke much heavier but no need to buy/mix oil is a bonus.electric motor and good battery. get something you can handle loading / unloading / operating by yourself. friends and family are always around to go.

[RyanMac14]

Thanks for the advice. So how does everyone store during and off season? Wouldnt have a garage big enough. Any advice for finding a boat besides craigslist?

[NJSquatch]

Thanks for the advice. So how does everyone store during and off season? Wouldnt have a garage big enough. Any advice for finding a boat besides craigslist?

FB market place and ebay. Use nada guides (https://www.nadaguides.com/Boats) to get a sense of value. Take someone that knows boats when looking. I am sure some folks here would tag along.

i store mine outside under an A frame..see this thread (https://www.njfishing.com/forums/showthread.php?t=105181) my pics are on page 2

[Jersey Charlie]

Winter storage depends on what you have in the boat. I have a 14 ft aluminum that I can strip down; batteries, motors etc. keep in the garage, the boat in the back yard covered. Mice can be a problem when storing so I keep several boxes of moth balls in the boat during winter storage. They will eat the seats, wires and make a mess.
You should be able find something on line, this is the time when people need to let go.
Good luck,
Charlie

[TomKaye]

Some great advice here RyanMac. Especially about the salt.
Over the years, I once owned a 14' Mirrocraft w/ a 15hp Merc, and a MinnKota 36-48 ? I forget.
The deep V was great. On numerous North Jersey lakes as well as Raritan Bay, I often launched/retrieved by myself but when on limited hp or electric only, wish I had more thrust.
I sold that boat in 1999. Can't believe it's been 20 years .
I'm thinking too of getting another. 9.9 is where I'll probably go.
Will be checking this thread as well.
Thanks guys for all the input

[Charlie B]

No one boat size or type is ideal in every situation. But a 12-16 foot aluminum boat is at least useful in most of the waters in NJ and even ideal in many waters. If you find it is not quite right for you selling it should be no problem. As for motors it all depends on where you intend to use it but a 9.9 or slightly smaller and a good electric with a good battery or two and a good charger should have you covered. I think the battery and charger are at least as important or maybe even more important to be good than the motor.As far as new or used on the boat itself I think used is the better bargain. On the motors you might get lucky and get a great motor at a good price or you could be getting a problem. If you can have a mechanic look it over so much the better. Or take your chances if the price is low enough. Anyhow now is the best time of year to find a bargain on a boat. Good luck...Charlie

[logs22]

Thanks for the advice. So how does everyone store during and off season? Wouldnt have a garage big enough. Any advice for finding a boat besides craigslist?

I store my boat at spruce run. It’s about $250 for summer which runs April-Nov. it’s super convenient having the boat stored right next to the launch. They also have winter storage for the same price however once stored for winter you don’t have access to the boat until Spring.
Only downside is the lack of security so you can’t leave things like a trolling motor or batteries on the boat. I learned that the hard way.

[Flygaff]

For winter storage of my 16 foot Sylvan. I used $20 worth of 2 inch PVC pipe and built an A frame that sits in the boat. I use 3 straps over that and cover with a heavy duty tarp. I tie it down everywhere. Works great. Never had a problem with animals getting in. The straps keep the cover rounded so no water or snow collects on the cover. Total cast about $50. I have gotten 4 years out of it so far and everything is in good condition.

[briansnat]

I agree with most of the ideas here. A 14-16 ft V hull aluminum boat with a 9.9 outboard is a good boat for NJ. Fairly light, so you can tow it with anything (I have an old RAV4 that I tow mine with). Small enough to store.

I used to keep mine in the driveway and made a frame similar to what Flygaff mentioned above, along with the cover that came with the boat when I bought it. The boat has a 1" thick marine plywood floor and carpeting so it has to be covered. Too heavy to flip over without a 3-4 friends. If a major snowstorm was coming I would put a small electric heater inside so the snow would melt on contact.

Now that I live in a condo, it is in a storage unit where it fits with room to spare. No more worries about covering it or winter snow.

I previously had a 14' Sea Nymph and I could flip that over by myself and leave it on the trailer for winter storage.

That 9.9 can get me up on a plane with 2 people and an average amount of gear. I've hit 20 MPH solo on flat water with a slight breeze at my back and about 18 MPH consistently when alone. With a partner, about 16 MPH. That's plenty of speed to get you around most NJ lakes. I also have a 55 lb thrust Minn Kota that moves me around well.

Something to think about. My first boat was 14 ft Sea Nymph with the usual bench seats. I got tired of having to climb over them, so I sold it for a boat with a flat floor. It makes it so much easier to move around the boat.

Here is my baby. Not the prettiest boat but it does what I need it to do
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5sj5KfaeJmW_0ifFhXv_LXFg1IW2_ZgcSLXW0YixczEcUE9PVh 0YabSBYu_Aqz0LLv5aBEnrValPa5trB_aP4rdfygvWXw98V3ds zJqYbRt3b4HSN_n00mPsgG4AH_w7Ic11cEhVR_HuDLPAQYJLqK i5GNHGo61CVCgL0B_80Z_W5a27WMxcUDXjWPIhO3L-PqqLpqvHlaSpRcgFy-jiICNRndj_2MBnbcPwbcslegIVeSwi_uWVA_0IuTwdv6CVeWM1 krl6Ud1XGiquycYoLSgC4knwEsQ5jSeZ25gjSRw4VUNVv9MKYx sCbV_B61kOKgbES34TDMOyzmj65dPV5ujAZgFhJOl8OLjJXDpp 48lWTAzzMZ_OHXPv-xjY3erC24P94Y5w-72iePlLoLW2QovFAQWVAO_NXhwoEZUBoETJgvNOlMqlhkGX4yZ VcASlDRCeaA8rLKxjepA4tdr06DYSP0rGeP0IEYZ0kxF1xrqsi fWV6q3fgswC3FaCP2EqOLcLjB6K08vx-kM8RR3mJaR3132_giadTGuS3yQxVQo7f1GDVLqnFz8OObbRrzY 6Ch8QHEXrYwRGcW7yRPNRZXf2MGoPIsKsIw06sC8s6uUy69gO0 _bepFd3K_nUhNJck5nWWtLQjhA1RPcQ7apz_ZquZmJ8y9Vx7by Ikk8OJjo8vcfHTv3b4Hs=w911-h576-no

[Deepdeckhand]

Andy’s boat is very happy in its new home....It will be coming back to NJ in a few weeks to continue the salmon smack down 🐟🐟🐟

[RyanMac14]

Thanks for all the advice guys. Im gonna keep my eye out through the winter and see if I come across something like this. If you see anything by chance and happen to remember me, i would appreciate you sending it over. If come february I havent come across anything I think I've annoyed my wife enough that she'll just want yo shut me up and I'll buy something new haha. Thanks again gentlemen.

[Blackfishhead]

If you need someone to go along with you to look at a boat give me shout I’ll tag along. I live close by and have owned a few boats over my lifetime.
Currently two and a kayak. I’ll pm you my #.

[Castaway]

Go with an aluminum 16 ft deep V with a 9.9 and elec trolling motor. This time of year lots of opportunities for used boats. Like someone said be sure it has paperwork. The 9.9 on the other hand is where you need to shop for a new one. Matawan area means it was used in salt and that’s a problem. Same with electric, unless it’s a salt water electric motor, your area could be problematic.
Know what you want, example: electric versus pull start, electric tiller with remote. As for a trailer I recommend bunk not roller again be sure it has papers.
Just my 2 cents
Charlie
Why do you recommend bunks instead of rollers? Every boat I’ve owned from a 16’ Lund up to a 25’ Parker had rollers. I love how easy it is to slide the boat off the trailer.

[Capt. Lou]

The float on type trailer allow u to get on an off faster , it much better for trailering big rigs that have weight ! The bunks offer good seating on trailer !
Most I’ve owned never required a winch, drove on self locked , one man operation ! In my opinion much easier to use , that being said need ramps with water, need to submerge trailer up to front V for best operation !

[catfishonthelake]

I had a roller trailer with my 14 footer and loved it. I could get into any body of water no matter how shallow, but somtimes I did have problems with steep launches. I just upgraded to an 18-footer with a 95 inch beam the boat came with a bunk trailer. I thought it was going to be a pain to launch and load by myself but it's actually easier. If you put 1/2 to 2/3 of the bunks in the water and drive right up, the bunks catch the boat and it pretty much sticks. A few taps with the throttle then the winch can do the rest, super easy.

Probably a matter of personal preference more than anything.

One suggestion, buy as much as boat with as much horsepower as you can afford. You can fish out of 14 footers with another guy, you can be comfortable and fish with 2 or 3 out a 16 and you have a ton of room to fish with 3 on an 18. For the little bit of extra hassle it is having an 18-footer with a trailer as wide as a tractor trailer, goddamn it's suite once you're on the water. Also, unless you're really going to only fish elec only or 9.9 lakes, you can NEVER have too much power. Obviously never go over what the boat is rated for, but get as a close to it as possible. People talked me into going from 40hp up to 70hp on the boat I had made and I would have shot myself in the foot had I not listened. I can cruise 30+ fully loaded with the 70hp and if I had anything smaller it'd be tough to make 15 mile runs in the places I've been fishing.

[RyanMac14]

Thanks for the advice catfish. In central jersey there are basically no lakes where i can use more than 9.9 but even that is rare. Looking at the state motor regs page there really arent that many lakes. Besides the cong, budd, pompton and cranberry what else is there really? Greenwood is too far and even those 4 are a bit of a trip

[RWole]

Ryan
Your right on it. Most lakes in N.J. are electric or 9.9 limit, so in most cases you will not need a big motor, just more weight to kill your batteries on the electric only lakes. Like previously stated if your not heading out to out of state lakes and staying local a big hp motor will not be needed. Another thing to remember by staying off the unlimited hp lakes you avoid all of the idiots ripping around and will enjoy a peaceful day fishing.
I have a 16.9 tracker pro angler with 2 electric motors, 9.9 4 stroke, I do just fine on the sheds, swartswoods, round valley, spruce, monksville, cranberry,
and pompton and yes i do enjoy not getting waked while fishing. I certainly do not break any speed records but I catch fish. I used to go to Hopatcong but got tired of being anchored perfectly on a point , than the wahoo rips by and screws everything up.

[eview326]

I'm selling my Mirrocraft 16' Deep V fishing boat Sending you a PM now its the perfect NJ fishing machine!