Jon Boat To Bass Boat Conversion

[bucktailnick]

I have a Alumacraft 1432 jon boat and am looking to turn it into a small bass boat. My plan was either to make it a front/rear casting platforms or make it all the same height as the platforms. What should I do? Anyone here ever do a jon boat conversion? Thanks.

[00 mod]

32'' is very narrow for decks.  The higher you get, the tippier you get.  I would suggest doing lots of research before you invest too much money into a conversion!  I say 48" is the minimum for width as far as decking a jon boat!

 

Jeff

[Fishes in trees]

Wider is better.  If you're going to deck out a 14'  32" wide boat, you are probably going to have stability issues.  Tinboats.net has lots of information on this subject as well as lots of pictures.  There are guys on that site who have done what you're thinking about doing and report few issues.  I wonder if they had an issues if they'd write anything.  I'm in my 60's and I've been pretty clumsy all my life.  It wouldn't be smart for me to stand up in a boat that narrow for any length of time, and I'm sure that clouds my attitude about it.

 

I say do your research and then do what fits your budget.  If you end up with a foot control trolling motor and a chair up front, that isn't the end of the world.  In my last boat, I learned how to pitch setting down, it isn't that hard, but it is a different technique than stand up pitching.  Also, learn how to do one of those Jimmy Houston style side arm roll casts, a very handy cast to know if you fish setting down very much.

[J Francho]

Personally, I like the jons that do not have decks, but are nicely carpeted, with flat floors,  and have sensible seating. 

[bucktailnick]

The boat actually has a beam of 48". Will look into tinboats.net

[J Francho]

I think it's actually around 45-46".  I still wouldn't deck it.  It always feels like I'm a lot higher off the water in a decked jon than in my bass boat. 

[00 mod]

Bucktail......Check tinboats.net as it is a good source of info on your specific topic.  I have done a couple builds on tin boats myself.  Bottom width= stability.   I sunk a bunch of money into a 38" bottom boat, only to turn around and sell it because it was not stable.  If you are interested in my builds, here are some pics.

 

 

Jeff

 

 

[bucktailnick]

Jeff that is some nice work, will take that into consideration thank you.

[Team9nine]

I customized a 1648 jon 7 years ago this month. Still fishing out of it today. Posted a pic below, but you can get a lot more details here: http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/boat_project/

 

 

[SHaugh]

Like they say wider is better. But you can do it. I know a lot of people will call it a "sissy bar" but a simple waist high bar that you can grab makes all the difference to me. something like this:

 

 

Just having it there makes you feel 100% more secure.  You can also design a tray and other handy stuff to hang from it... like a cupholder...

 

they are easy to make from EMT conduit fittings like these:

http://www.ysbw.com/Canopy-Fittings-1-Inch-s/7.htm?gclid=CLrlwfabicECFVQV7AodoHoACg

 

You can also use the same fittings to create a canopy and other easy to remove accessories.

[Master Bait'r]

I customized a 1648 jon 7 years ago this month. Still fishing out of it today. Posted a pic below, but you can get a lot more details here: http://www.bigindianabass.com/big_indiana_bass/boat_project/

 

 

 

 

 

That link is a really great resource to someone looking to convert an aluminum boat on the cheap.  As a custom fabrication and metalwork guy, thanks for giving me my next big project!  

[papajoe222]

I added a front deck to my old boat with a narrow bow and fished out of it for almost twenty years. Granted it was a little tipsy with a pedestal seat, but as long as I was by myself, it wasn't a problem. The conversion itself wasn't all that difficult. I installed supports to the front 'step' or seat and built up the center seat to that height.

It was a short distance, so no other support was needed. Marine grade plywood and carpeting lasted until I sold it fifteen years later.

[scfox11]

I took a duracraft 1436 and added decks (front and back) and storage and all that, i will post pictures later.  It can be a little unstable but its nothing you can't get use too.  I mainly use it on ponds and small reservoirs.  Right now I have a bow foot controlled trolling motor and fish finder up front as well as a transom mounted trolling motor which I will upgrade to a 20 hp when I get the funds.  It will fish 2 people fine, but no more than that.  Mine is on a trailer and if push comes to shove and there is no ramp access, I can drag it off it and drag it into the water and out and put it back on the trailer, but that is very difficult, so naturally I like to drop it using a ramp.  I think if I had to do it over again, I would use thinner plywood and just fiberglass over it instead of carpeting, and use a nonslip surface paint like kiwi grip.  That might take more time but it would reduce a little weight and make cleanup easy, and hooks won't get caught in the carpet.

[scfox11]

 

Some of the images might be sideways and I can't seem to edit them correctly, they are in my gallery though.  Up front there was already a bench seat, so I riveted L brackets to them and cut 2x4's and used those for the bracing, I did the same thing on the other side of the bench seat, but riveted the L brackets to the cross beam on the floor, and made a frame for the storage containers.  (same thing for the back).  Then I used cardboard to get a frame for the deck and cut it out.  It was too big at first, so it took some cutting/fitting before it was perfect, then I screwed it on using deck screws and self tapping screws(to the boat).  I carpeted it before I put it on.  I added a couple of trolling motors, and bought another transducer for a Humminbird 597ci HD di I already had and mounted that on the bow.  I also added a bilge pump in the stern.  There are many ways to do it, just find what suits you and check out tinboats.  Also don't use treated wood if it will touch aluminum, you can treat it yourself or glass over it.