Jon Boat- Semi V Vs Flat

[frantzracing0]

Im going to pick up a jon boat in the next few weeks for going up and down my local river (susquehanna)

 

I found an awesome deal on a 12 foot semi v, but how stable are they? Would a flat jon be better?

 

I plan to put a 7.5 to 10 hp outboard on there

[5dollarsplash]

Depends largely on the waters you fish.  If you have waves and wind the semi v will handle it better.  On flat calm water, a flat john will be more comfortable.  I like my 14' semi v for most waters I fish, just wish I could build a better casting deck without getting too unstable.

[jerzeeD]

Fishing a river with currrents is where a semi-v is optimal. Flat bottoms excel on calm surfaces and do better in extreme shallows than semi-v's do.

[J Francho]

Id rather a flat bottom jonboat in current, and on the Susky, it would be better too, with its shallow draft. Semi v hulls are better in lakes with chop, they are also easier to row. The trade off us usable fishing space. There's a lot more room in a flat jonboat than a semi v of the same length.

[DrNip]

How stable are they depends on how wide they are. My 12' is 48" wide.

[00 mod]

48" wide is the absolute minimum I would go for an aluminum boat.   If you can't get that, save your money and wait until you can!  Wider the better!

 

Jeff

[Jeff H]

I've ridden in both flat and mod v's and either one will make you tick blood after a wind run.  I couldn't tell much difference in the ride.  I have owned a semi v Alumacraft for many years and while a little better, it's nothing to get excited about.  For a river boat, either flat or mod-v jon is definitely the way to go.  I'm gonna get me one in a few years so I can fish the river after I park my Champion at the end of each season.

[EvanT123]

I used to fish all the time out of a flat 1236 on the Mohawk Riverr. There where many times where once the current started it up things would get very squirrelly. Once we went camping on a lake and the only way to get to the campsite was by boat as my friend was transporting people too and from in the boat by himself the bow was bouncing 4-5 feet in the air pretty scary stuff. Not to mention two guys trying to cast 6ft plus rods was always interesting. Say birds nest much? We did it for years was it worth getting out on the water absolutely at the same time we were young enough not to know any better. My advice save your money or stay home when's there's chop on the water.