Hey guys I'm looking for a small boat to hunt divers on the larger sloughs in my area. The waters I'll be hunting don't ever get rough (no swell or waves) just a bit of chop on the windiest days. There are no boat launches so whatever I get, will have to be dragged to the water's edge, then manhandled out through the muddy and mucky shore to enough water that the boat can float. So, I'm thinking a G3 (Yamaha) 1232 Jon which is rivetted and rated for 5hp, with a 6.5 mud motor on it. I am currently looking at 2 or 3 different 'light' mud motors that I've heard are decent.

My question is- what kind of performance can I expect with this rig? Am I foolish to even bother with such a combo?

It will just be me (200 lbs) about 4-5 doz decoys, gun and ammo in the boat, no dog. I'll hide the boat with fastgrass sheets and bungee cords.

All I've heard about the small rivetted jon's is pretty much negative-

But, looking at the G3 1232 at the local dealer, it seems 'okay' and the price is right.

What could I expect in terms of safety, speed, propulsion and ability to plow though mucky, weedy shallow water?

Where I plan to hunt is sort of the edge between the open water and the mucky stuff that gathers parallel to the shore. It's a few feet deep but like I said, quite weedy, but there is definitely water there and the boat should float... Wading is not an option! The sloughs around here all have a false bottom, like quicksand....

thanks!

10-12 maybe by yourself, maybe. Add all your wait and I would figure 6-8. The problem is, is that it would be a longtail only and your speeds will never be enough. I think it would definetly get you to where you want but not real fast. Safety would be all how you handle the boat, we all have done dumber things!

What do I really know though, I am drunk as I type this!

im running a 6.5 GDLT on the same size boat. with me in it around 10 mph. with 2 people, dog, and gear about 4-5 mph (about 200 lbs over rating). really like the small boat but it sucks to get passed by bigger boats with a SD. if the trip is short and no one to compete with id go with it. long drive and competition i would go a little bit bigger. if your floating should be able to go thru about any type of mud

I run a 6 GDLT on a 1432 riveted jon and the most I have ever gotter out of her is 9-10mph, small load, (me 150lbs + 85 dog) and 2 doz. dekes, around 5-6

IMO I think something like a momarsh, layout, skid boat would be more useful. But $$ is $$ and it don't grow on trees.

Thats a tiny boat, I rolled a 1432 Polarkraft once the last day of the season while I was picking up. Same situation, kept it hid in the marsh and drug it out, but that was a long (broker) time ago. Like Pontiac said, wider is better. Maybe a really light weight 1248? Be better for that many decoys too.