Double hull plastic jon boat?

[pauldconyers]

I'm in the market for a small plastic jon boat for me and my son. Saw one advertised locally saying it had a "double hull." I'm assuming this just makes it more durable, correct? Any real advantage or disadvantage to this design? Does it increase the weight of it a lot?

[fishnkamp]

Is there a reason you do not want an aluminum jon boat? They are usually light and durable and last a long time. I have seen jon boats from the 70's still in use on the Susqy river. 

[Hez]

Those older jon boats are great.  I had a 1963 Richline that was made with thick aluminum and used WWII aircraft rivet technology.  The thing was a flat out beast.  They don't make them like that anymore...and to even come close...you have to really dig deep in the pockets.  

 

 

[keagbassr]

25 plus years in my 10 foot jon 

[pauldconyers]

Hmm, that is a good question. I will have to reflect and post my thoughts and see if you more experienced boat owners can point me in the right direction. For now can someone educate me about the whole double hull situation?

[fishnkamp]

That probably means that they have an outer hull and the "floor" are not the same.  Similar to some aluminum jons that have a flat aluminum floor.  I am guessing but that would be my guess. 

[TOXIC]

I can say that my Bass Hunter was double hulled although I wouldn't categorize it as a Jon per say.  It's done for added strength and rigidity.  It also had flotation foam in between the 2 layers.   

[Dirtyeggroll]

I have a basshound 10.2 which is a 10 ft tri-hull plastic boat.

 

The floor is separate from the hull and it has an inner foam.

 

The thing is extremely stable and I even built a casting deck for it and mounted a foot controlled trolling motor to make it a mini bass boat. I feel comfortable on it in up to about 10-12 mph winds on the main lake of small (<400 acre) lakes. I have had two people in it crappie fishing on several occasions with no problem.

 

It is extremely heavy for its size (I’d guess close to 400 lbs with a battery) and really not practical to load in and out of the back of a pickup by myself and even difficult with a partner. So, I trailer it essentially losing all of the benefits of having a small boat. Additionally, the combination of the weight and the tri-hull really limits it for speed. I currently have a 5.5 hp outboard on it which is not enough to get it on plane and can do about 6 mph. It’s rated for up to a 7 hp.

 

All that being said, it is absolutely perfect for the small local lakes I fish.

[pauldconyers]

I never really got a clear answer to this. What is the advantage/disadvantage of a double hulled boat in this situation? Is it enough of a big deal to be more patient and seek a double hulled boat out?

[Brad in Texas]

1 hour ago, pauldconyers said:

I never really got a clear answer to this. What is the advantage/disadvantage of a double hulled boat in this situation? Is it enough of a big deal to be more patient and seek a double hulled boat out?

The advantage is it makes the vessel a bit more puncture proof, more structural rigidity if that is a required factor, too.

 

This vessel, in essence, has a bilge area between a floor and its hull bottom like larger boats.

 

The foam has absolutely nothing to do with improving the vessel's flotation other than if it were punctured by a sharp rock, there'd be less area in the "bilge" for water to encroach. The foam between the two plastic "skins" is intended to give the floor of the vessel some rigidity, else it might "oil can" and flex under under weight.

 

The plastic used for most small vessels, including kayaks, is HDPE of various qualities.

 

Lots of fun to fish from if you are getting one of the better brands!

 

Brad

[pauldconyers]

4 minutes ago, Brad in Texas said:

The advantage is it makes the vessel a bit more puncture proof, more structural rigidity if that is a required factor, too.

 

This vessel, in essence, has a bilge area between a floor and its hull bottom like larger boats.

 

The foam has absolutely nothing to do with improving the vessel's flotation other than if it were punctured by a sharp rock, there'd be less area in the "bilge" for water to encroach. The foam between the two plastic "skins" is intended to give the floor of the vessel some rigidity, else it might "oil can" and flex under under weight.

 

The plastic used for most small vessels, including kayaks, is HDPE of various qualities.

 

Lots of fun to fish from if you are getting one of the better brands!

 

Brad

Does this design/feature increase the weight of the boat much?

[fishnkamp]

Hell yes it increases the overall weight! There is twice as much plastic and also foam. Reread Dirtyeggrol's response.

His 10 foot boat weighs about 400 pounds and he says it is too heavy for him to lift in and out of his pickup by himself, even difficult with a second person. He has gone to trailering his.  No way you would need to trailer an aluminum 12 foot jon boat.  I used to move mine around on the roof of my old car using a foam block kit with straps.

 

[pauldconyers]

28 minutes ago, fishnkamp said:

Hell yes it increases the overall weight! There is twice as much plastic and also foam. Reread Dirtyeggrol's response.

His 10 foot boat weighs about 400 pounds and he says it is too heavy for him to lift in and out of his pickup by himself, even difficult with a second person. He has gone to trailering his.  No way you would need to trailer an aluminum 12 foot jon boat.  I used to move mine around on the roof of my old car using a foam block kit with straps.

 

So an aluminum/metal model would be a lot lighter than a plastic on?

[Dirtyeggroll]

According to he manufacturers:

 

Alumacraft 10ft Aluminum Jon Boat = 95 lbs

 

Sundolphin Bass Hound 10.2 = 160 lbs (I get around 400 for mine when adding casting deck, outboard motor, gas tank, battery and gear)

 

Pond Prowler = 138 lbs

2 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

So an aluminum/metal model would be a lot lighter than a plastic on?

According to the manufacturers:

 

Alumacraft 10ft Aluminum Jon Boat = 95 lbs

 

Sundolphin Bass Hound 10.2 = 160 lbs (I get around 400 for mine when adding casting deck, outboard motor, gas tank, battery and gear)

 

Pond Prowler = 138 lbs

[Brad in Texas]

13 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

Does this design/feature increase the weight of the boat much?

I see other responses. 

 

A Hobie PA kayak, some of the Native Titans, the large Old Town Predator and others of this size (all made of HDPE and have a bilge area) are all over 100 lbs., some well over that. But kayaks, like canoes, are narrow and most of us use customized carts to move the heavier ones around. So, something usually 3 and a fraction feet wide and 12 to 14 feet long in a kayak is usually 100 lbs. or more with a seat and pedal system. A Hobie PA 14 is half again that much.

 

So, I also have a Meyers Sportspal S-15, I think the world's greatest fishing/hunting canoe, and it is made out of alumnum and it weighs 67 lbs. It is about 38" wide not counting a foam boat collar and just over 15 feet in length. A single skin of aluminum, too, of course, no "bilge" area, no scupper holes. Owing to its shape and weight, these are easy to car top, to hand carry down to the water, etc. Rated for 5 HP, or a TM or just paddling.

 

Brad