14 ft boat which I assume doesn't have flotation isn't a good way to go on Texoma. I lived on the lake for a year and the wind can go from calm to 4 ft rollers in a hurry. Especially dangerous during the cooler months when the water gets below 60. I guess if you hug the shoreline you would be OK.

No need to winterize a boat in TX-there will be good weather days in the winter when you'll want to go out. Just make sure the motor is in the water on days below freezing or theres no water in it to freeze up.

There used to be a couple of deaths a year on Ray Hubbard due to jon boats getting caught in super choppy waters. I've also seen one's so loaded with people, they are barely above the water line. Once water fills them, they're going to the bottom. Unfortunatly, Texas has very little tree lined cover on major lakes that block wind from churning up lakes and creating swells.Work at a Marina part-time and we would not rent jon boats if any white capping of water.

Inflatable Pontoon has it's issues for sure. Just bite the bullet and get an Aluminum V-16 with a breakaway tongue. The boat payment and storage and inessentials will approach 4K a year. That's about as low cost as it goes for that type of boat.

Good luck to you and stay safe and dry.

Your cheapest and best freedom option is, divorce
You'll get to move from the"Joneses neighborhood.
No more HOA.
No more HOA ripping you off everytime you hand them money to commit robbery for being lawn, anti-boat nazis.
Less stuck up neighbors.
Better boat
Cover more lake
Better fishing.

Lowe FM165 will fit into your garage and will handle Texoma on most days.

Guys he's not talking about going into the middle of the lake in a 14' johnboat, he said that he'll be fishing coves and creeks. He'll be perfectly safe in those areas and he certainly won't be out there in 20 mph winds. I use my float tube out there regularly and have not even come close to a dangerous situation yet.

I used to do it in my old job boat. It was a calculated risk and you have to be smart about it. I have a lot of Jon boat experience and think I was mostly under control most of the times I did it. That being said, I never felt truly safe doing it either.

I'm looking at a Jonny boy that has flotation in it , and yes I will be fishing coves , marinas , and creeks...kinda weird saying this but I would fish open water in my yak if I had to do it, and the only thing I would do is jig by the dam.