Jon boat trailers are cheap Charles. Why not go ahead and get
something a little bigger and fix it up to fish seriously? Just tkae
your time and add things a little at a time. The only reason I can
think of to limit yourself to a 12 or 14 light weight is if you plan to
fish some areas where you simpley can't trailer launch.

I really enjoy my Waco 2050-16. The trailer for it sort of fell in my
lap. I got it for free with an old wood boat on it that was rotted out
and falling apart. I agreed to haul off he boat for the trailer. I
circular saw and a cordless crew driver managed to fit that boat into
the dumpster in front of my office. A couple 2X6s and some carpet and
I had the perfect jon baot trialer with full elngth support.

You can start with a boat shell and add storage, decks, livewell, etc
as you have time and a couple extra bucks.

A 16 footer can be had for around $2K brand new. If you plan ahead
(20": transom etc) and a decent outboard falls in your lap you can
quickly have a minimalists full bass rig.

That all being said, I've got a buddy who fished a 14' Waco jon with
just a trolling motor for over 2 years and was quite happy with it.
Last year he started fishing tournaments and now he wishes he had gone
a little bigger. LOL. Now he's looking at that little Stratos that
sells for 12995 with the 50 horse Yamaha.

With the boats I have now I kinda wish my first one had been my 16'
Waco. I probably would not have bought any other boats. Sure I really
enjoy the 20' BassCat, but that 16' Waco with my home grown and
modified trialer is tournament legal, light enough to drag over a sand
bar with a little help and runs pretty darn good with the 50 horse Merc
I lucked into for it.

Bob La Londe
http://www.yumabassman.com