Jon Boat Transporting

[swarrin4]

Been thinking about getting a 15 foot jon boat. I just have been trying to figure out how to transport it. I have a F250 extended cab with 10 foot bed. I am not sure if I could just lay it flat in the back with the gate down or not. Open to any suggestions just not a trailer as I have no room to store a trailer. Thanks.

[00 mod]

Trailer. Other than killing your back it is your only option. Also might consider a "pelican" style boat. Very stable and much lighter in weight for ease of transporting!

Jeff

[tnriverluver]

Many moons ago I use to carry a 14ft in a little Ford Courier! (very small truck) Secure in bed and tie a red flag to the overhanging bow. As above poster has said, find a trailer and life will be easier. Storage lot not possible??

[BKeith]

I think my 14' jon weighs 190 pounds with nothing else. Removing everything from it and taking the motor off everytime you need to load/unload really gets to be a PETA. Especially with it having to go in transome first, also, don't forget to double check the width. If nothing else, I would go to Northern Tools or some place similar and get me a cheap trailer kit. It doesn't take a whole lot of trailer for a small jon.

As for strange tow vehicles, you ain't seen nothing. When I was in high school (many, many moons ago) I bought a new, 14' Glass Master with 65hp Merc and towed it with a VW Karmann Ghia

[swarrin4]

Is weight really that much of a problem? I always fish with my father or a friend. I'm 180# and my dad around 230. So was hoping two people could carry it. Where we usually fish doesn't have a place to back up to the water. We travel pretty light when we fish. Just a small tackle box each and 2 poles a piece. Other than that would mostly just be a couple waters, no cooler need as we don't keep fish. And obviously oars not planning on a TM.

[BKeith]

Two can load it, no problem. However, double check your truck bed numbers. I've never even heard of a F-250 that had a 10' bed. Most have a 6 1/2' bed that gives approx 8' with tail gate down. The long beds are usually 8' and give approx 9 1/2 of support with tail gate down. 14' would be the max I would want to transport in a short bed, actually, a long be either.

To carry it, might consider dragging it as long as it's not on a paved surface.

[swarrin4]

It's an F250 super duty but I will double check.

[Fishing Rhino]

There are several types of wheeled carriers that can be used for wheeling canoes, jons, kayaks to the water's edge. The bigger (diameter) the wheels, the better, and easier they will roll over natural terrain. On soft sand, balloon type wheels are better.

Set the boat on the carrier and secure it with a strap. Most carriers come with a cam locking strap. Replace it with a ratchet type strap/belt to adequately secure the boat to the carrier. Cheap investment and will positively prevent the boat from shifting on the carrier on bumpy ground.

[swarrin4]

Doubled check I guess it is ten feet with gate down. Would it still be ok to do?

[tnriverluver]

Will work fine but by law you need to put a red flag on the boat overhang. I did it with a much smaller bed and had to put a lot of weight in the transom to keep the boat from flipping out LOL. I probably had 7 feet hanging out the back!!

[200racing]

if you stand the boat and trailer on end it only takes up about 4 sq ft. got something in the yard you could prop it on.

how do you have room for a boat but no trailer, would a simple folding tongue fix the problem

[sickboy12]

I have a dodge ram 1500 short bed and I throw a 12 foot aluminum v and and 14 foot canoe in the back all the time. Just strap 'em down. I will tell you the 12 foot is a pain in the butt if you're going to use a TM + Battery. I actually skipped fishing this Sunday because I was too hung over to load all the crap in the truck to get to my pond a mile away and then unload it, just to do it all over again in a couple of hours. But the 12' is a lot nicer to fish out of.

[rb56]

a long time ago i owned a 72 f-150 swb and owned a 14 ft. sears flat bottom and the trailer was just plum worn out. i'd load it by myself and unload which was usually at a landing. i'd back down far enough that with the over hang, the bow almost touched the water. i got to where i untied the boat on the landing and tied a rope to the boat so that i backed down and would stop quickly and the boat slid out. then i'd pull up till the boat was at the bank and free it from the truck. i know there's a lot that can go wrong there. i use a rack now for my canoe which is different being much lighter. trailering is the way it's done, but to use the bed can be done.

[k4phd]

Hi, I have a 14 Foot jon that I hauled it on a short bed F150. It went in transon first then I used a rope to go through the eye on the front of the boat and back to the corners of the bed. The bed was a 6 i/2 foot and the tailgate down made it 8 feet.It hauled very well. Later I went to Northern Tool and bought a trailer kit for it. I extended the tongue and also put guides on th help with loading. It works great. I would look on Craigslist. I have seen jon boat trailers there priced very reasonable that would have suited my needs without all the work. Good luck.

Jim

[Gotfishyfingers?]

Jon boats come in different thicknesses of aluminum. Find one with a thin hull and it will be a lot easier to transport and carry. I know you said, you dont have room for a trailer but harbor freight sells a trailer that folds up. You might be able to convert it into a jon boat trailer.

[senile1]

Buy yourself a truck bed extender.