jon boat vs kayak... no motor paddling only

[ThatDudeThere]

Hello,

I just bought a 14' jon boat. I was debating between a kayak and jon boat, and the boat won for the room to take my family sometime.  I plan on only paddling.  When I picked it up the guy was saying it is hard to paddle.  I don't know if he just had the wrong paddle, or what.  I'm thinking a long kayak paddle would be perfect for it.  It got me thinking to buy a kayak also, for fishing solo.  I would rather not spend the money though if there is not much difference.  Can anyone give any insight?  I would want a Vibe 130 Sea Ghost.

 

Thanks!

[Catt]

Paddling any type boat is easy... controlling is not!

 

To control a boat by paddling one needs to paddle on both sides of the boat, something that can be difficult depending on the beam.

 

If your family members can help that would make control easier.

[BrianinMD]

Jon boats are a pain to paddle, try to go against any wind and be prepared for a big workout.

 

Why not get a trolling motor to help get around?

[B-Dozer]

If you are going out with your family, especially with a child (life jacket at all times, please) a john boat is best.

Not the greatest in wind, but a flat bottom is nice. two paddles are better. 

but for solo trips, you might be able to find a used kayak cheap. better in wind/current, easy transporting. 

[Scott F]

With a jon boat, I’d think you’d be using oars instead of a paddle. 

[Troy85]

A long Kayak paddle would probably get you where you needed to go, could be a hassle at times though.  Those jon boats can be a pain to paddle if there is some wind.  Mounting oars as someone suggested would probably work the best on the jon boat.  The best would be a trolling motor though.

 

For fishing solo, I'd recommend the kayack, the handling on the kayack will be so much better than the jon boat when fishing solo.  Its easier to control, less effort to move and maneuver, and quieter.

[Fishing Rhino]

Jon boats are harder to paddle, simply because they do not "coast" like a kayak or a canoe.  I had a 12 foot jon boat and a sixteen foot wooden skiff.  Over a distance, the skiff was easier to row because of its weight.

 

There are several types of boat hulls.  There are displacement hulls, planning hulls.  The old boats were generally displacement hulls, long and narrow.  They were not fast like today's planning hulls, but they move along smartly with little horsepower.  If you've ever seen how fast the rowing skulls move, they do so because there is little drag.  With a ten horsepower motor, a jon boat will skim the surface at a pretty good speed.

 

Cut the throttle and it will slow quickly.

 

The first stroke of the oars will get the jon moving quickly, but you need to keep paddling to maintain that speed.  The relatively large flat surface creates a lot of drag once the power is not applied.

 

 

[CroakHunter]

Wouldn't ever consider paddling a job boat. A trolling motor and deep cycle battery can be had for very cheap. That's my opinion. 

[J Francho]

8 hours ago, ThatDudeThere said:

I plan on only paddling.

You want oars.  Plenty of people up here have rowboats on the restricted reservoir system (water supply for NYC) some even have two sets of oar locks welded in, so two can row at once and be more efficient.

[Darren.]

Absolutely agree concerning oars. You don't want a 

kayak paddle. I can't think of one that is long enough

given the width of a jon boat.

 

As well, are you looking for paddling because you 

cannot use an electric trolling motor where you fish?

 

For around $100 you can get a MinnKota C2 30 trolling

motor, and you can find a good deep cycle battery 

for less than that. Would make dealing with wind a 

little better.

 

I've done the oar thing with Jon boats and *much* 

prefer using a trolling motor for the ease.

 

My 2 cents....

[ThatDudeThere]

Thank you everyone!  I never considered oars.  I figured a 260cm/102 inch kayak paddle would work, but I wasn't sure how practical.  I think I'll go for the kayak and decide if I'll keep the boat.  

[B-Dozer]

1 hour ago, ThatDudeThere said:

Thank you everyone!  I never considered oars.  I figured a 260cm/102 inch kayak paddle would work, but I wasn't sure how practical.  I think I'll go for the kayak and decide if I'll keep the boat.  

"oar" keep both. kayak for solo days, jon boat for family days

[Hook2Jaw]

I have a 1436 Jon boat with a 9.9 on the back and a 40# on the front, as well as a Hobie Outback and a Hobie Pro Angler 14.  I only touch my boat when my girlfriend or mother wants to to fishing.

 

The Vibe Seaghost 13 is an awesome platform if you want to paddle, but a used Hobie can be had for a grand on craigslist.

[Yakalong]

get a trolling motor, makes life a lot easier.

However, kayaks are great and very easy to maneuver, so that would be an option as well. 

[BrianSnat]

You definitely need oars for a jonboat. It should alreadly come with the hardware for oars. Just make sure the oarlock  pins on the oars you buy fit in the holes. They need to fit snugly.  If they are too thin for the holes they will pop out frequently and make rowing a chore.  If they are too thick, they won't fit in the holes.

A canoe paddle is not sufficiient for controlling it.  A double kayak paddle? You won't find one long enough to use in a jon boat and if you do it is still far from ideal. A kayak or canoe will coast for a bit with each stroke. The jon boat won't. If you are fishing, a jon boat is a much better platform than a kayak. You can move around, carry more gear and people too.  You can trick it out with comfortable swivel seats.  You can turn it into a perfect fishing platform.

But as others mentioned, get an electric trolling motor.  You can find a halfway decent Minn Kota new for about $150. Cheaper if you look for a used one.

If you are still looking for something else and want to bring the family sometimes,  consider a canoe. A 16- 18 ft tandem canoe will provide room for the family and most tandem canoes paddle well enough solo if you flip them around and paddle from the "front" seat  That will  move you forward when solo and provide more control.  Or buy a drop in seat that you can put towards the the center when paddling solo. A canoe probably fits your stated needs far better than a kayak. 

[AggieBassin10]

First of all, fishing in a Jon boat is wayyyyyy different than a kayak. You can stand and fish pretty handily and that's 100% am andvatage. However (unless you want to spend close to 4 figures) most of your kayak fishing will be from a sitting position and that takes a lot of getting used to. Hook sets, casting, identifying cover become a little more tricky, but it can be REALLY rewarding. 

 

Secondly, unless you have the arms of a body builder, you're gonna struggle to paddle  a 14 foot Jon boat with a long kayak paddle. Paddling a 12 foot kayak becomes a chore after a long day on the water. I would suggest getting oars or investing in a small outboard (around 4-10 hp depending on where you are fishing) or even a nice trolling motor. All three are solid options for small lakes and rivers. 

 

Hope this helps!

[Hook2Jaw]

8 hours ago, AggieBassin10 said:

First of all, fishing in a Jon boat is wayyyyyy different than a kayak. You can stand and fish pretty handily and that's 100% am andvatage. However (unless you want to spend close to 4 figures) most of your kayak fishing will be from a sitting position and that takes a lot of getting used to. Hook sets, casting, identifying cover become a little more tricky, but it can be REALLY rewarding. 

 

Secondly, unless you have the arms of a body builder, you're gonna struggle to paddle  a 14 foot Jon boat with a long kayak paddle. Paddling a 12 foot kayak becomes a chore after a long day on the water. I would suggest getting oars or investing in a small outboard (around 4-10 hp depending on where you are fishing) or even a nice trolling motor. All three are solid options for small lakes and rivers. 

 

Hope this helps!

 

You won't spend four figures for a stand-up capable kayak.  More like 500 bottom end.

[Ratherbefishing75]

I have a 15.5 foot  canoe  And I use a trolling Motor not that I’m lazy but being able to just slowly troll around and cast while dragging something behind me is a nice advantage  so puttin a small motor on the John boat would make your life a lot easer Especially if you’re going to bring your family out with you 

[Brad in Texas]

I suppose I have mentioned this before, that the world's greatest fishing canoe would be a Meyers Sportspal in either a S-13/S-15 or S-14/S-16.  The 13 and the 15 are square sterns, ready for mounting TMs and small outboards. But, if you have no expectations of ever adding power, the double pointed 14 and 16 would work great and you can side mount a TM.

 

An S-13 weighs 57 lbs. and two large men can fish in one and stand at the same time. I mention it because it'd be a dream to car-top to any destination or throw in the back of truck. In my S-15, photo below, I often leave my boathouse, paddle standing up (280 CM paddle) out about a mile, then back. The other photo has me out with one of my grandsons. 

 

I might sit down to put on a fresh plastic or drink something. Max speeds? I can go about 3 MPH; but, for certain, an aluminum kayak is a chore in wind so you have to learn techniques to handle it. I prefer a long stake-out pole that I run through the ring on an anchor trolley. It works great and for the depths of water I fish in.

 

I think the capacity of mine in 705 lbs. so you can load a wife, friend, kids AND camping gear.

 

Oh! It comes with oar locks!!! I have never used mine just preferring a long paddle. The S-15 is rated up to a 5HP outboard but I'd go down to a 2.5 HP as that is all one would need, if not less.

 

I could go on and on about the virtues of these vessels. It'd be a great choice for anyone struggling with the kayak vs. jon boat issues since it bridges the gap.

 

So, it may be too late for the OP but others might want to do some research on these canoes.

 

Brad

[LonnieP]

Get a 36 lb minn Kota for a little over 100 bucks. Less time paddling and more time fishing.