Don't be afraid to run that boat across lakes or wherever. Just always check the weather before going. I used to fish out of a 12/30 aluminum boat with just a troling motor 33lbs thrust. Didn't stop me from hitting up lakes and going as far as my battery would take me and back. WInd is your biggest enemy. If winds are down for the whole day... get after it!!

agree, but keep an eye on the weather while you are out there. Run for the nearest shore/safety if a storm approaches. Don't wait to see what's going to happen. Sometimes running toward the shore where the storm will come from is best- wave action will be the least over there.

Congrats,man. No,you do not want to take that little boat across,say,Ray Roberts. Be careful. Get a map of the lake you fish and look for the areas that are protected from the predominately South wind. Launch the boat as close as possible to where you plan to fish. If the water gets big,remember to slow down! Good luck with it.

I've got a 14 I use for shallow water with a 15 merc on it. I put that sumbitch on plane and haul [censored] right across Belton main lake in 15 mph winds! I won't do it with two people in the boat but when I'm alone I just throw some rocks for ballast up front and give her hell.

+1 on keeping an eye on the weather I constantly check from my phone if the wind starts to pick up. If you get stuck in some hairy stuff just run it up on the bank, better safe than sorry. Friend almost killed himself trying to plow through a storm, split the hull right in the middle of the lake .

I have owned several jon boats, 14/32, 14/48, and now I have a 16/42.

Love them, they are tough in the wind, a drift anchor is a good investment. Other than that, just always always always like everyone else has said...keep an eye on the weather.

Mine has a Johnson 25hp 1992 on it, and itll run close to 30mph, I have it decked front and back, bilge, livewell with fill and recirc. I fish tournaments in it.

You can see it in my sig.

Have fun with it, you can do alot in that little boat.

Thats a sweet looking rig! I think they only thing left to do is to get a electrons. The $50k bass boat guys are always upgrading their electronics so you should be able to get an second hand 898si easy enough. Just pack another battery to run it!

go fishing!!!!!...Rick

Great looking first boat! I'm sure you'll find many places to make some great memories for your kids and you!

Thanks for the comments.

Electronics are next! I'm really in the dark (literally and figuratively) when it comes to fishfinders. I'm doing the research now.

Suggestions? I'd like to spend $200-$400. Is that too little?

Check out the Garmin 300c, or if you're willing to spend some dough but want to stay below $300, the Garmin 400c with dual frequency transducer is what you're after. 1500ft depth, 500watt RMS, color, can hook up to gps/chartplotter, and 4" screen. After a ton of research I just bought said 400c

dicks sporting goods has/ had cuda 300 on clearence for 69.99+ 50 % off, bought 1 for $35 for my bass hunter. Today.

Did you get a fishfinder yet?