Jon Boats Basics

[hoosierbass07]

 I hate to say it but after getting a fishing kayak and loving it I know want a Jon Boat to tackle larger waters and take more people.  I figured I would never want one but it's been so much fun being out on the water I've been thinking the next step up is a Jon Boat. 

 

 I don't know anything about those boats though.  Are there good brands and bad brands?  How much is a new Jon Boat?  I see so many of them being pulled around that I wonder if it would be best to buy a used one. 

 

 Also, are Jon Boats very durable?  I belong to a local chapter of the Izaak Walton League and the club has four ponds/lakes.  At the club/chapter, people leave their Jon Boats out by the shore chained up, out in the open to the weather.  There are lots of Jon Boats there just sitting, chained up exposed to the weather.  That has me thinking - do they last a long time when you store them like that?  

 

 I have been looking at Alumacraft boats online and I see some for around $700.  Is that brand any good?  

 

 If I buy one I want one that can hold three adult men, fishing gear, a nice sized trolling motor and nice sized marine battery.  

 

 Thanks! 

[Jim Mac]

To get an idea of new prices, check out the Tracker boats at Basspro.com. I recommend you buy a used one, if possible. They don't come up for sale very often though. At least by me they don't. If you see one on Craigslist, you have to act fast. For 3 men to fish from, you need at least a 16 footer.

[slonezp]

If you do get a used one, fill it up with water and check if it leaks. Alumacraft is a good brand as are many others. The wider the bottom the more stable. As far as toughness, there are people who beat the hell out of aluminum boats and they still float  

[CJV]

Friend of mine just bought a new 17' grizzly from bass pro shops I went and picked it up with him this weekend. He bought the boat brand new with the matching trailer. The grizzlies are all welded you don't want rivets. He probably spent close to $6k however I think he said the boat and trailer was a little over $4k he also bought a new 24v minn kota, 3 optima batteries, lowrance elite7, misc items. You can find these kind of boats used on CL but it's rare and like the other guy said you have to act extremely fast or there gone before you know it. Goodluck

[hoosierbass07]

  I'm not looking to spend over $2,200.  I looked online and found a bout dealership that sales 12 foot Alumacraft Jon Boats for around $800 and another $800 for some kind of bear trailer.  

 

 Why are rivets bad? Do they go bad/leak over time?  I'm not sure what kind of Jon Boats are at the Izaak Walton League but next time I go over there I'll take a closer look.  

[Jim Mac]

What's the problem with rivets? My Landau jon boat is a 1976, and I've never had a problem with any of the rivets.

[slonezp]

If rivets are bad I'd better return my Lund.

[BrianinMD]

The only problem with rivets is they have a higher tendancy to leak if they are hit into a rock. A dent may open the hole the rivet goes thru allowing water in, a welded seam will bend with the dent and not leak.

[slonezp]

Welds crack and welded hulls have been known to warp. OP, I really wouldn't get caught up whether it's riveted or welded. Riveted jon boat hulls are generally lighter in weight and called "car toppers" because people have been know to haul them on car tops and pickup beds. They can be then put in or taken out of the water by one or two people. Welded hulls use thicker aluminum in the manufacturing process because it's easier to weld. Welded hulls ar heavier and would need to be transported and launched from a trailer. 

[A-Jay]

 

 

I want one that can hold three adult men, fishing gear, a nice sized trolling motor and nice sized marine battery.  

 

 Thanks! 

 

 

  I'm not looking to spend over $2,200.  I looked online and found a bout dealership that sales 12 foot Alumacraft Jon Boats for around $800 and another $800 for some kind of bear trailer.  

 

 

A 12 footer would most likely be fine for you & perhaps one more angler.

 

However loading 3 humans (especially full frown ones) and associated gear / tackle in a 12, the boat might be a little undersized.

 

I'd recommend going a little bigger, something at least 14 or 15 feet. 

 

You may get a better idea what you'll want / need by looking at the boats in person rather than on line.

 

Good Luck

 

A-Jay

[Dyerbassman]

Keep an eye on Craigslist. The boat section AND the garage sale section. I got my Alumacraft at an estate sale for $200. And I got one of my trolling motors for $40. There are a lot of places here in Indiana that are perfect for a good tin boat.

[Crappiebasser]

There is nothing wrong with rivets. Yes they can loosen under a lot of flex but welds can crack too. Find a good used one. I do highly recommend at least a 48" bottom if you stand up to fish.

[Dave P]

You'll want at least 14 foot for 3 people. Preferably 16. I have a riveted Jon boat that's 30 years old. I've had to do some maintenance on it (aluma-weld on some of the rivets and I put bottom sealer on it just because) but now if I see water, I know the plug isn't in tight enough.

[Jim Mac]

I would never fish 3 people in a 14 footer. I don't even like fishing with 3 in a 16 footer.

[hoosierbass07]

 Yeah, I might be stretching it by wanting to take two others with me.  A two person Jon Boat would suffice too. 

[zachb34]

I have a tracker 1542 IMO 42" bottom is plenty stable I can have two people standing on bench seats moving around without an issue I would get a riveted boat just for the weight and price I think I got mine tax tag title and trailer everything registered for under 2,200 at bps

[BigmouthForever23]

I don't mean to hijack your thread OP, but I was wondering what kind of kayak you have. Reason being is I just bought a house that has access to a private lake but they don't allow any trolling motors. Instead of opting for a small boat, some on the forums have recommended kayaks. I thought you could help since you have one. I'd like to be able to troll in whatever I happen to be using, if that would even be possible in a kayak.

[Jim Mac]

Yeah, I might be stretching it by wanting to take two others with me.  A two person Jon Boat would suffice too.

With 2 people, a 14 footer would be fine. And it will save you some money also.

[Jim Mac]

I don't mean to hijack your thread OP, but I was wondering what kind of kayak you have. Reason being is I just bought a house that has access to a private lake but they don't allow any trolling motors. Instead of opting for a small boat, some on the forums have recommended kayaks. I thought you could help since you have one. I'd like to be able to troll in whatever I happen to be using, if that would even be possible in a kayak.

You can troll if you paddle fast enough. The best type of kayak for fishing is a sit-on-top kayak.

What is your budget?

What is your height and weight?

[BigmouthForever23]

^^Sorry, I should have been more clear. It's not very common, but I learned a technique growing up with my dad where we trolled very slowly for bass with a plastic worm. So I wouldn't need to go very fast at all. Budget wise, I don't know what prices I'm looking at so I'd say anything in the middle range would be good. I don't want the cheapest stuff but I don't need the top of the line either. I'm about 6 foot and 160 pounds.

[Jim Mac]

There's quite a range in kayak prices. You can spend anywhere from $200 to $2,000. You should start a new thread.

 

Check out the Perception Sport Striker at Dick's. It's a good starter kayak.

[Christian M]

I don't see anything wrong with rivets, I think it's more an issue of how well the boat has been taken care of. I've fished from plenty of riveted brands mentioned above and they were all solid boats. My buddy has an old riveted 14' Landau and it doesn't leak a bit. As far as fishing 3 people out of one boat, you're going to want to go 16' and up. I have a 17' boat and its really tight with 3 people plus gear.

[hoosierbass07]

 When you buy a used Jon Boat and trailer, is it best to get a tittle for both?  

[slonezp]

Depends on what your state requires.