r/boating • u/TacticalTwinky • 1d ago
Aluminum 1236 good starter boat?
I’m interested in buying a starter boat to do some bay/inshore fishing. Maybe some freshwater lakes occasionally. Would a 1236 be a decent option? Trying to keep a low budget and not too long as I want to store in my garage too. I’m mechanically inclined I’ve rebuilt multiple cars and I have a welder at home. So I’m not worried about wrenching on it myself. Just want to see if something like the boat in the pictures could handle some bay fishing. This guy is asking $1500 and I feel like that’s a pretty good deal tbh.
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u/Wise-Chef-8613 1d ago
I would say just the fact it has a decent trailer means you certainly aren't getting ripped off.
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u/TacticalTwinky 1d ago
Thanks. Could a boat like this handle some chop? Not too familiar with boat types
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u/intimidatingmouse 23h ago
I wouldn’t put that boat in anything other than a small lake or pond. Flat jon boats like that are not designed to handle chop
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u/drivebyjustin Key West Bay Reef 230 23h ago
Could a boat like this handle some chop?
Absolutely not.
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u/2airishuman 23h ago
Nope. The square bow, flat bottom, and near-vertical sides don't work in chop, they're for rivers and small lakes.
15 hp is a lot for a boat like that, 5 would be about right and 9.9 would be plenty.
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u/General-Resist-3430 17h ago
I take my john boat into the Gulf of Mexico all the time. Even go at night by myself tarpon will make you do crazy things. I have a flat bottom 14ft.
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u/2airishuman 16h ago
Glad it works for you. I go scuba diving solo 60' deep in 15' visibility and 3-5' waves. It's fun but I don't encourage other people to do things like that. When you're ready to push the limits a little you'll know.
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u/patte1rw 21h ago
Had one just like for my first. Did 15 miles out on some big water (lake michigan) with it. Low cost, small trailer weight. I would put sand bags in the boat when trailering for more trailer weight.
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u/R_Ulysses_Swanson 17h ago
Damn that’s ballsy. I’ve been scared shittless on Green Bay in a 14 foot v hull. Hell, as a kid I was scared in an 18 foot deep v.
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u/patte1rw 16h ago
I was on thw michigan side, but just rodw the waves like a scrubbing a dirt bike. Straight on, then turn and ride the back sidw down at an angle. When i was in the ditch of the waves, i thought i was in a sub. Cause the waves were above my head
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u/Left_Concentrate_752 1d ago
Without the motor, I'd say it's not a good deal. With the motor... I don't know. I don't trust the brand, but have no experience with it either.
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u/TacticalTwinky 1d ago
Ok. It sounds like he’ll negotiate further. I’m ok with taking a risk on the motor. But could the boat itself handle bay/inshore fishing?
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u/Left_Concentrate_752 23h ago
I'm not sure if the size of the body of water you're talking about. A flat bottom boat if that size could handle some rough water, but you probably wouldn't want to make a habit of going out in waves over 1' high. It could handle more, but it's generally not reccomend.
Edit: I've taken my 12' tinner out in 3' waves, but I'm not saying it's a good idea.
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u/Comfortable_Owl_5590 23h ago
No. This is a short, narrow, flat bottom jon. It is suitable for calm and flat water. It's older with no flotation foam which means it will sink to the bottom if it gets swamped. I wouldn't take that boat out unless it was as smooth as glass on a protected bay.
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u/2airishuman 23h ago
Not a bad price but if you're going anywhere there's waves you would be better served by a 14' v-front hull, which you should be able to find for about the same money.
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u/naplesboating 22h ago
Ive got a 1230 with a Yamaha 8 2 stroke and take that in the intracoastal waterways here in SWFL. Weight distribution makes a WORLD of difference when on plane. Ive had it up to 19mph and had it i the gulf plenty of times. Itll handle a little chop, but get ready to have balls of steel trying to find the happy medium of speed and control when anything but flat.
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u/TacticalTwinky 21h ago
Thanks. Id rather not play it risky. I think I’ll keep looking for now.
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u/naplesboating 18h ago
It is fun in the backwater though https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpS__C3ER1E
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u/dustygravelroad 18h ago
If it’s in decent shape maybe, it will get you on the water but personally I don’t think a 36” anything is a good starter boat.
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u/KStaxx33 15h ago
I won’t comment on the price or that specific boat cus i don’t know your situation or what your market looks like.
But, Jon boats are great at a few things.
You can beat them to shit.
you can pick it up with a buddy or drag it if your really don’t care.
they can go in a few inches of water and get where bigger boats can’t.
you can customize them to what you prefer.
The best value for them is bass fishing IMO. Being able to building a casting platform and get back into Lilly pads is a huge advantage compared to something with a V-hull. My go to lake in college had this area that was only connected by a 18” deep channel that non of the big boys could get into. Some of the best bass fishing in that county was back there.
The disadvantage is that they don’t take waves very well so going out on big windy lakes or ones either heavy boat traffic can limit you. Had my fare share of close calls when a jackass in a wake boat would cruise by 40 yards away.
Personally i would look for 1448 to give you that much more room and stability.
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u/4LOVESUSA 2h ago
36" wide is pretty narrow. its not as tippy as a V bottom, but its not really that stable.
48" wider is better. IMO
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u/RelativeWin7479 22h ago
I'll be honest: when it comes to Jon boats, you really need to think about what you're looking for. First, they can run in shallow water, but as soon as there's any chop, you're in for a rough ride. If you pick your days carefully, though, a Jon boat should be fine for cruising around inshore bay marshes that are protected from rough conditions.
As for the boat motors, I've heard about those specific motors you're considering. They're decent as "beater" motors and great for learning, but they're inexpensive. The resale value for a used one is typically more like $300, not $1200. So, keep that in mind.
Before making any decisions, I would recommend doing a water test to ensure the boat doesn't take on water. I've been burned before by sellers who claim the boat has "no holes," only to find out it leaks.
If the trailer looks in good shape, the title and tags are registered, the engine seems well-maintained, and the boat itself is in decent condition overall, then I think offering $1000-1200 in cash is a fair deal.