One acre pond, maybe 15 feet deep at deepest point but probably 5-10 feet deep on average. Was stocked with channel cats and a few bass, turned over last summer and pretty much killed everything in it. It's time to add aeration, restock, and maybe build a floating pier, maybe drop in some structure. But first things first -- to accomplish this I am convinced I need a "maintenance boat". Don't plan to fish from it, don't plan to spend a lot of money on it, I just want a stable platform to work from while I measure depth and drop aerators and such. I'm thinking a 10 to 12 foot aluminum jon boat, and a pole to move it around seems adequate. I'm not a boat guy. Advice and recommendations for a maintenance boat would be much appreciated.

Thanks & Blessings
Jeff

I use a 12 foot semi-V aluminum boat with a trolling motor just because that's what I have . I flat bottom would be better for stability. If I had my choice, it would be one of those Pond-Tini's with a complete flat deck on it, but that would mean spending money. Make sure to fit it with an anchor of some sort. It really comes in handy when you are by yourself messing with diffusers especially with a breeze. I think you will find navigating any boat with a pole to be rather cumbersome, so, keep you eye open for a good used trolling motor.

Welcome to the forums!

Thanks, Quarter Acre. Anchor and trolling motor are useful tips.

Yes, the Pond-Tini's are nice. I can see the advantage of the flat deck. I may try to cobble something together out of dock floats and plywood for now... I ought to be able to re-use the floats in my pier when the time comes.

Blessings!
Jeff

I have the same size pond and have a ten ft Jon boat. It is adequate.

QA - I have a 14' semi V bottom. It will turn on a dime as you know. If you haven't already build a simple fixed rudder that you clamp on the back! It'll stay straight easy!

https://youtu.be/dg15V5o6QQ8

I use a canoe for those things, works just fine.

I use a canoe for those things, works just fine.

Another question is why not fish from it, a little flat bottom boat with a little ft controlled trolling motor is what Ive been using to fish farm ponds for 25 yrs, after doing that, fishing from the bank is a punishment, I guess it is still better then not fishing at all.

I use a 9' jon boat in my 2 acre pond... it's nice because it has a flat bottom for stability and fits into a pickup truck bed with the tail gate up or down... The only downside is that when I take the wife and dog out in it and try to paddle around it can be a bit on the small side but we manage OK..

Around here in east texas and between the 2 largest lakes in Texas...old fiberglass bass boats are available everywhere. I have bought them for $100-$200 and that includes a trailer. One of them had a Johnson outboard motor on it I sold for parts. Made enough to pay for the whole rig and made the trailer into a utility trailer. A good paddle will work for you better than a push pole. I mounted a $50 garage sale trolling motor on the BACK of my 16 ft boat and installed a floor mounted step on/stepoff button on the floor. Ideal for me and the wife fishing or working in the pond. I moor it next to my pontoon boat dock. I have electricity to the dock so I keep a 110 volt bilge pump plugged in and setting in the back of my little bass boat. After a rain I can just flip a switch and pump any water out of the little boat. Just what I do. Good luck. Personally, I never liked standing up in a flat bottom boat!!

I recently purchased a Field & Stream Sportsman 12 jon boat from Dicks Sporting Goods (same exact thing as a Sundolphin American 12).

My pond is only 0.4-0.5A, but it works very well for getting out and putting around and I can pile in myself, wife, two kids and the black lab.

I was going to get a 40lb Minn Kota Endura transom trolling motor (oars are in VERY short supply right now as seemingly everybody bought a canoe or kayak during the Corona lockdowns), but think I'll probably just end up getting a drill paddle instead.

Keep your eye on craigslist and facebook marketplace for a used trolling motor.

Mrs. Augie came home one day with a 55lb thrust MinnKota tiller steer, battery, and battery box for $100.

It was out of the box, but it looked like it had never been used.

You can almost ski behind my 12 footer with a 55 thrust MInnKota strapped to it...ITS COOL!

Yes indeed. 55lb thrust moves my 12' semi-V at a good clip. It will cut donuts fast enough to make the wife dizzy(er). lol

Hi there. I've been a lurker for awhile but registered to respond to your post. We have a half-acre small pond that is about 4' deep at the deepest point. I too decided this summer that I needed a jon boat for "maintenance." I found mine on OfferUp, a 9' aluminum Duratech Pramline that was built in the 60s. Great flat bottom boat, remarkably stable for standing in too. As someone mentioned above, this size fits right in the back of a pickup and weighs less than 50lbs. Paid $200 for it.

I too thought I could use a pole to navigate, but a pair of oars made a world of difference. Well worth springing for them and much faster and easier to move around the pond - I paid about $25 each from First Choice Marine online if we are allowed to name retailers here. If not I will edit. Lowe's home improvement stores also stock oars for around $35 each for another fair priced option.

This setup has been great for helping clear out cattails. I use a Redmax reciprocator for this, which slices through them below the waterline. I find it's easier to use from inside the boat versus standing in waders too.

Owning a small boat is fun for the kids to putz around with out there too. Not many fish in our pond, although we see there are a few little ones here and there. We have more frogs and turtles than anything.

Bill's homemade boat .