Jon Boat Mods - Do's and Don'ts

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Flooring Department. I work in Hardware at Lowes, so I am not sure of the price.

[Gatorbassman]

The best thing I did on my boat, and I will do it on every build, is to buy a peice of an anti-fatigue runner from Lowes and glue it down under the carpet in the places that I will be standing the most. This has made those long days of fishing very comfortable.

where is this located in lowes? and how much does it run?

i need a few of these

thanks

Look around the plastic carpet runners. It comes in a black roll.  You have them cut it off for you.It is around 5 or 6 bucks a foot.

[samurai361]

Do's

1. Set a realistic budget, and stick to it. decide what you have to have, then work on the rest.

2. Make sure you reinforce the pedestal base mount. You're probably fatter than you'll admit.

3. Use the correct gauge of wires.

4. Use S/S fasteners.

5. If you install carpet use Marine carpet for boats.

6. Use glue AND staples (S/S ones) to secure the carpet to wood.

7. Buy the best materials you can get.

8. Use etching primer if you paint. And a good quality primer and paint. Expensive and worth it.

9. Plan your build and try to think ahead so you do things in the proper order. If you want to paint the boat, get the hull prepped, and paint it before you start installing things. Don't ruin new carpet with new paint.

Don't...

1. Not Get help. A fresh set of eyes are great and may spark ideas you didn't think of.

2. Borrow on the experience of others. Save money, time, and stress.

3. Deck to the gunnel on narrow boats. They will tip, you will swim.

4.  Forget to make the trailer part of the conversion.  The boat spends most of its time on it.  Do it right.

5. Forget that you will see every mistake or flaw. If you're a perfectionist, expect to spend a lot of time and money.

I enjoyed converting my boat almost as much as I like fishing from it. I'd do another one if it wouldn't cause my wife to divorce me.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

MY 12'

[T_Dot]

MY 12'

how long did this process take?  what mistakes did you make, and what would you do differently?

thanks

[JVM]

My buddy bought a 14' x 48" Lowe and we would like to deck it.  We want to leave the benches in and deck it at that level.  Is this to narrow?  We plan on adding a short pedestal seat so the CG is important.  We fish pretty calm waters.

We both are fairly set on decking it high if at all possible, at the same time I dont want to toss reason out the window.  Any and all advice is welcome.  If I can't deck it that high, how high can we go.  If we have to remove the benches to attain this, can someone run me through the process of patching the holes etc.

[fishbear]

You should be able to deck it to the top of the benches no problem at all....  If you are worried about CG then take it out, and both of you stand on top of the benches and cast,  If you feel fine doing that, then you will be fine.  However, remember, decking will add weight and some stability as it sits in the water.

[Pintail55]

I don't think thats to narrow nor would decking it that high be a problem. I decked a boat for one of my buddies right below the gunnal. The deck ran the entire length of the boat. It was a little weird at first running the motor and sitting so high (I didn't care for it) but It worked just fine. We fished some pretty nasty water and never once did I ever feel unsafe. I could be way wrong here (not very good at physics) but I wounldnt believe being higher in the boat would make it anymore unstable than sitting down in the boat. Like I said I could be wrong it just seems the weight would be the same, atleast It never seemed to make a difference in any decked boat I've been in. Have fun building a new boat, and don't forget to take progress pictures.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I wouldn't use bed-liner.  I like it where your feet rest and where the motors mount but NOT ON THE BOTTOM.  Didn't do it's job, added weight and DRAG and didn't last ( we have to drag the boat for a couple feet where we launch.  We now have a small portable, wheeled, set up we "roll"  it in with now.)

I would have chosen to go with a large 24v motor instead of multiple 55's

I would not have taken so much time to get all the glue off the floor (Orbital sander) had I realized that the floors cover all that (DUH!)

This year I am thinking of making a removable front deck w/ leaning post for when I fish alone.  I am still thinking of how to mount a small foot control motor on a front deck that is:

-Securable

-removable

-do-able without changing anything regarding the current set up.

-Very clean looking, I don't want it to look like an "add on" like it will actually be. I want to be able to lift it into place, lock it in and fish.

I can do it, I'm just giving it extra thought before I do.

[JVM]

Good point on standing on the benches and the extra weight adding stability also.  I certainly will take lots of pictures.  Thanks for all the help.

[HogHooker]

only problem with a jon boat is u cant put a large outboard on them. But they are cheap, easy to modify and work well for the average bass fisherman

[Catt]

What does a large outboard got to do with catching fish?  

FYI: Alweld builds a 28' long x 70 flat bottom Jon boat which is rated for a 200 hp.

[HogHooker]

I would rather cross the lake in a 30hp rather than a 10hp. But with size comes weight.

[bassboy1]

I would rather cross the lake in a 30hp rather than a 10hp. But with size comes weight.

I'd rather be in front of a reliable 10, than a questionable 30.  But with reliability comes possible lack of speed.....

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

I would rather cross the lake in a 30hp rather than a 10hp. But with size comes weight.

I'd rather be in front of a reliable 10, than a questionable 30.  But with reliability comes possible lack of speed.....

If I'm building a jon boat, it's most likely for an electric only lake.  I'll take a 101 on the bow.  With stealth comes fish   ;D

[snapperd1]

LBH,

 I believe Minn Kota makes a mount for bowmounts that alow the motor to be removed from the boat for storage.  A friend has one on his boat and it does not look to bad and holds up quite well to daily abuse.  He fishes saltwater with his boat.

TD

[bassboy1]

LBH,

 I believe Minn Kota makes a mount for bowmounts that alow the motor to be removed from the boat for storage.  A friend has one on his boat and it does not look to bad and holds up quite well to daily abuse.  He fishes saltwater with his boat.

TD

Mine comes off too.  Just takes a 1/2 inch socket, and wrench. ;D

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Thanks guy, but I was talking about the whole front deck being removable

[FishingBuds]

only problem with a jon boat is u cant put a large outboard on them. But they are cheap, easy to modify and work well for the average bass fisherman

Well I only have a 6hp I guess that makes me below average bass fisherman.

As some might remember I started on a 1436 flat jon in the beginning of summer but failed to complete it at all do to health issues. In a way Kinda glad I didn't finish it, more I realize I'd rather turn it into a all electric. I would have regreted My idea finish jon gas powered, The gas fumes made me sick and Only two lakes allow gas, the rest are electric, so hassle reasons would've sucked

Nothen better than pulling up-unload and take off fishen

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

only problem with a jon boat is u cant put a large outboard on them. But they are cheap, easy to modify and work well for the average bass fisherman

Well I only have a 6hp I guess that makes me below average bass fisherman.

Shoot, my freshwater boat doesn't even have a gas engine,....I must REALLY suck,lol

[JVM]

I live in Northern Virginia.  Can anyone give me an idea of where to buy aluminum angle at the best price?  Any other money saving tips would be great.  We need to buy some Olive Drab paint this week.  Thanks

-Josh

[brewfish]

Since I live in FL I couldn't tell you where to go. I know around here i called a few sheetmetal /welding shops and was able to find a place that actually sells metal to the public. Not quite as cheap as going striaght to the dealer but they sell by the ft. I don't need a 20 ft stick of aluminum angle, which will be what you have to buy from the metal supplier.

I did find an online supplier though before i decided to look localy w w w .speedymetals.com/default.aspx

[NHfroggin]

I want to put a deck on top of the seats on my jon boat. its a 14 foot 55 inch wide deep v. is it going to be unstable? also is there any way to attach a transom mount trolling motor to the bow?

thanks

      bassmaster6

[JVM]

bassmaster6,

I have heard that 55in is about the minimum width for decking a v-hull, although I can't personally tell you for sure.  As for the transom mount troller, Cabela's sells a mount for this.  You can probably find it online, if not, let me know and I will get you the specifics when I have them handy.

[backpain...]

A question while I am modding my jon.

I am planning on screwing 3/4" plywood to the tops of my bench seats. Will this be enough support for a 13" pedestel like the swivel-eze 3/4" seat posts and bases?