Best Jon boat mods??

[SonOfaFish]

Hey all,

Just wondering from experience what out there what are some of your favorite jon boat mods.

Built in livewell, pedestal seat, flooring, running/courtesy lights, anchor pullies, 24volts etc

If you ask the old timer that's paddling his jon boat,,  he'd tell ya you don't need any of that crap, just more time on the water.

"Can't catch fish if ur pole aint in the water boy!"  It's very true, I can't argue that.  But for the rest of us that like to build, whats worth putting a on a 12ft jon boat?

This has probably been my hardness decisions since starting the jon boat project. I haul my boat around in the back of the pickup, and drag the thing anywhere I need too, so I always keep weight in mind. I mean even life jackets take up alot of room in theses little jons. Definitely running lights to be safe and legal at night.  I made a kick @ss transom mount out of aluminum for the front and fitting some 1/4 Doug-fir for removable floor boards. The hull is on the shallow side so i can't add everything I want, I have to sacrifice some things over others.

Sorry if this is a  newbie question, we learn slowly.  

[NEBassMan]

I am just about done building my 11' Jon Boat.  I did not put decks because of the "tipsyness" of it.  I did put wood floors in it and also covered everything in carpet.  It really helped with keeping the noise down if i drop something or set something down.  I also won't be putting raised pedestal seats on it for the same reason as before.  What i bought are these brackets that basically "clamp" the bench seats with big metal arms and then mount some nice seats on those.  I found the brackets in Cabela's Bargain Cave for $13 a piece.  Very nicely made and very strong.  All i need to finish is a foot control trolling motor on the front and make a bracket to mount my depth finder on.  Good luck with your project.

Jason

[SonOfaFish]

Thanks Jason,

I'm with you on carpeting everything to keep the noise down! The bare boat is almost like a drum it you drop a set of pliers in it! I never even thought of using those brackets over the bench seat,, thank you!!! Hopefully I can finish soon and get some pictures up.  Thanks again for the input!!

Shawn

[c17Lat]

what make and model are ur jons? I've been really thinking about getting one that I could put on top of the car. I went to BPS yesterday and thought the tracker 1232 would be good. do any of you guys have problems with too much weight in the boat? If i get this jon it would be my first boat. I was thinking about getting a trolling motor, depthfinder, and carpet for accessories, but with 2 or 3 people plus the battery that i found to be pretty heavy at BPS yeseterday, it seems like there will be too much weight.

[SonOfaFish]

I have a 1979 Sear Gamefisher! This thing has many a miles on it.  It's rated for a 3.3hp so this thing can get easliy swamped.  I always slide it into the back of my truck, and I only put two people in it at a time. 3 sounds a little dangerous. I make sure everything is removable like the the floor boards, trolling motor, depthfinder, battery, livewell, anchors.  Even some of the carpetting. Believe when that stuff gets soaked, draggin the boat is a hell. Especially if your in those backwter spots where you gotta go up a small hill or down a path.

I've had it fully loaded with a 5 hp mecury on the back, 46# motorguide in the front, cooler filled for livewell and 350lbs of people weight. Thing still hauled but can only handle like 4 to 5 inch waves.

My buddy straps his Coleman Crawdad to the top of his Subaru which I think is nuts, but he gets to the water.

One thing I did notice, becasue I use the TM in the front and mount the battery in the back, it balances out nice when you start adding more gear and another person.

[NEBassMan]

I agree that weight distribution is key.  I also use a Sears Game Fisher, 1985 11' long.  When i go by myself, i use 2 70lb sand tubes to help even the weight out and make the boat ride level in the water.  Also, the extra weight helps to stabilize it more so that i can stand to fish and walk around a little bit.  Like Shawn, everything in my boat is removable, even the wood floors.  Makes for lifting it into the back of the truck so much easier.  Good luck to you.

Jason

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Jason, check out the pedestals on my boat, they are only 9". Perfect height. Not tippy and uncramps the legs.

[NEBassMan]

Thanks Russ.

I've seen some 7" ones that i thought about trying, but you have to bolt them through the bench, and i don't have any holes in the sides of the benches to get my hand and a nut on the end of the bolt.  I wasn't sure if just some self taping screws would be strong enough to hold the pedestal down and not rip out if i leaned back in the chair.  I might look into it some more though and see what i can figure out.

Jason

PS...quit braggin.  We all know that's the only reason you posted that picture.