Jon Boat Suggestions?

[A.J.]

I'd greatly appreciate your advice.

I've had an Alumacraft 12' long x 36" wide jon boat for about 15-20 years. No complaints, but I'd like to get something bigger so I can comfortably carry more people, have a more stabile platform and can carry more junk. I'm thinking about a 14' x 48" wide or a 16' x 48" wide.

Considerations:

1. I normally do river fishing in Michigan and normally fish alone. (catfish, bass or whatever bites)
2. I always wade into the water to launch and the boat has to be somewhat light if I need to manhandle it.
3. I still need the ability to row from time to time.
4. I already own a 16' boat trailer.
5. I prefer not to have a center seat but can live with one.
6. I don't want any electronics, live well or any fancy crap.
7. I already own a couple small outboards.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[CLAYPOOL]

Bigger is "ALL WAYS BETTER". 2 - 4 feet more than you need. Wider is better also. You will "THANK GOD WHEN YOU GET IN TROUBLE", and you have a much larger boat. Try standing up in the middle of REND LAKE and water is higher than you all the way around you. 20 inch transom for outboards. PODS is a new thing that I am going for next. Balance all you can forward and bolt down. Self Inflating life jackets is next also. When you start getting 1 -2 miles off the bank watch what you and every one else are doing.

POLAR CRAFT...............

 

[CLAYPOOL]

20 - 24 inch sides

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Claypool knows his Jon boats. I'd recommend a 48" beam, UNLESS you can find one with a 60" bearm. If you, can live with a 16'er, I'd buy an 18'er. Bigger is always better with boats and gun safes.

 

[A.J.]

Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like you guys are pushing "bigger" over "smaller".

One interesting point on safety. I'm 53 years old and a swimmer from as long as I can remember. I still swim almost every day, even did a relay leg of a triathlon this Summer. Just received my very first life jacket ever yesterday. I've come to grips with the danger of water and that I'm not Superman anymore. When I'm alone on the river, I'll definitely be wearing it.

 

[Tom W]

Check with Bass pro shops... they have some good and sturdy boats.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

Let me just throw in one more thing. I'm not big on riveted boats. When I was in the business I did sell one riveted boat it was a Princecraft out of Canada, but wasn't a Jon boat. I much prefer welded boats and even more I like boats with a chine that are welded in a jig. But you buy what's available in your area.

Wear a life jacket Always. Even when you aren't by yourself. I've heard of people that ended up getting dumped out of their boats, all kinds of things can happen. You never know when. Trust me, you want every chance of survival.

 

[Bud0505]

When my late father in law was alive and living in Hillsdale Mi he was a Meyers boat dealer. Might want to check them out. If I remember correctly they are welded not riveted.

 

[coach]

Nothing against welded boats but mine is riveted and over 25 years old and doesn't leak a drop.

 

[Del J]

I have used Jon boats for close 40 years. The wider the beam, is better. The length the same, a couple feet longer than you think to did. I know price is always a factor, but safety should be first and foremost. I have a 14 x 48 at the moment. Only for ease of loading and unloading, plus I use it on ponds (quiet water) for recreation fishing. When I was a waterfoul guide, bigger was always better. The basics stated in your post, is my way of thinking. Less to go wrong. But others may not agree. Welded boats vs riveted, never owned a welded. I had a starcraft 16 ft seafarer made in 1963 was pulled over beaches and out of marshes with a pickup. Owned it for 14 years never leaked. A 16 x 48 jon would be minimum for me.

 

[A.J.]

I have used Jon boats for close 40 years. The wider the beam, is better. The length the same, a couple feet longer than you think to did. I know price is always a factor, but safety should be first and foremost. I have a 14 x 48 at the moment. Only for ease of loading and unloading, plus I use it on ponds (quiet water) for recreation fishing. When I was a waterfoul guide, bigger was always better. The basics stated in your post, is my way of thinking. Less to go wrong. But others may not agree. Welded boats vs riveted, never owned a welded. I had a starcraft 16 ft seafarer made in 1963 was pulled over beaches and out of marshes with a pickup. Owned it for 14 years never leaked. A 16 x 48 jon would be minimum for me.

I've never owned a welded hull either. My 12' x 36" jon is riveted. I also have a 1967 vintage 12' riveted v-hull boat that a buddy gave me. It's all beat to hell, but my wife and I fixed it up and it doesn't leak a drop and does a pretty fair job for its age. I'll probably end up going with a riveted hull but won't turn my nose up at any used welded hulls I see.

Either a 14' x 48" or a 16' x 48" will work for me. I'll keep looking. Not in any rush.

Thanks everyone for your advice.

 

[#1rugerman]

The company that made my Jon boat I believe is out of business. It was a 16.5 ft with slight V , welded not riveted, it was set up with a transom that required a long shaft motor. Before the aluminum floor was put in I had then put in a layer of rigid styrofoam to stiffen the boat and add floatations. It had a rear seat, middle seat had a live well and a small front deck. It was rated for up to a 40 horse motor, and with that it would fly. I used it mostly for shrimping (recreational trawl), fishing and dragging the kids around on ski and tube in the intercostal canal at Orange beach Alabama.

 

[A.J.]

The company that made my Jon boat I believe is out of business. It was a 16.5 ft with slight V , welded not riveted, it was set up with a transom that required a long shaft motor. Before the aluminum floor was put in I had then put in a layer of rigid styrofoam to stiffen the boat and add floatations. It had a rear seat, middle seat had a live well and a small front deck. It was rated for up to a 40 horse motor, and with that it would fly. I used it mostly for shrimping (recreational trawl), fishing and dragging the kids around on ski and tube in the intercostal canal at Orange beach Alabama.

Sounds like a nice boat. Putting a 40 horse motor on a boat like that could send it into orbit if you're not careful!

The boat I eventually purchase needs to be able to work mostly rivers where water depth ranges from 16 feet to just 6 inches. I also want to use it every once in a while on some of the inland lakes just to cruise around on and swim off of. Our dog (50 lb Airedale Terrier) absolutely LOVES to ride on anything that floats: canoe, kayak, pontoon boat, rowboat.

 

[RolandDeschain]

The company that made my Jon boat I believe is out of business. It was a 16.5 ft with slight V , welded not riveted, it was set up with a transom that required a long shaft motor. Before the aluminum floor was put in I had then put in a layer of rigid styrofoam to stiffen the boat and add floatations. It had a rear seat, middle seat had a live well and a small front deck. It was rated for up to a 40 horse motor, and with that it would fly. I used it mostly for shrimping (recreational trawl), fishing and dragging the kids around on ski and tube in the intercostal canal at Orange beach Alabama.

Sounds like a nice boat. Putting a 40 horse motor on a boat like that could send it into orbit if you're not careful!

The boat I eventually purchase needs to be able to work mostly rivers where water depth ranges from 16 feet to just 6 inches. I also want to use it every once in a while on some of the inland lakes just to cruise around on and swim off of. Our dog (50 lb Airedale Terrier) absolutely LOVES to ride on anything that floats: canoe, kayak, pontoon boat, rowboat.

Owned boats for over 40 years - currently still own 3 - this is my rig that I use for your application (i.e. shallow draft river boat - light - easily manhandled, stable, etc..) for the rocky rivers here in TN. 14 x 48 Alumacraft. Rated for 5 people. draws about 6 inches motor up. Floors and seats just lift out if you really want to go light. Super stable - can stand and fish no problem.

and this is forum member Gramps....

and what he usually catches..

 

[LAH]

My boat is a lot like Roland's. It is a simple Lowe 16X48 & I use a 25 Johnson with shallow water drive where needed in my beloved New River. This boat has 21" sides making it better to fish the lake where my camp is. It is very stable. I can stand on any seat area & walk to the very edge with no danger any of upsetting the boat. It will haul plenty of gear & go nearly any place. The empty weight of the boat is 275 pounds making it easy to handle & very fuel efficient. While mine is older it is much like the one in the link below.https://www.loweboats.com/jon-boats/l1648m-jon/

 

[A.J.]

Rah and RolandDeschain,

Thanks a bunch for posting photos of your boats. I showed them both to my wife. Once I sell my other boat, I'll start doing some serious hunting into one of these two configurations. Right now I'm in the planning stages. Your input was very helpful.

In the meantime... I'm gonna go out tomorrow in my 12 x 36 jon boat and explore a 16' hole in the river this guy told me about. His boat broke down in the middle of nowhere on the Grand River due to a dead battery. Mine was the only boat that had shallow enough draft to get to him and get his battery. In all, it was about 45 minutes out of my day. His Dad kept offering me money but I refused. I did not, however; refuse the location of his secret fishing hole! (He will regret that decision!)

 

[gramps]

Good pictures Roland! Well guys if the truth be known, Roland is the best fishing, and hunting guide in middle Tn.! Trust me! :shock: 8)
gramps

 

[WendyZXZ]

Fine pictures there and looking like a great time out fishing!

 

[Ale-8(1)]

This thread prompted me to do a little online research of various sources for jon boats. It pretty quickly shows the 16x48 type stuff is quite popular and practical across the board.

I'm familiar with inland waters boating, such as on the Des Moines River and Skunk River in Iowa, and boats in that range are very common for fishing, skiing, and just plain pleasure boating.

If I were contemplating a boat for similar applications I'd sure give those a close look.

JMHO