14' Jon Boat Stable?

I am looking to purchase a 14' flat bottom jon boat and was wondering how big of waves you could take a boat like this out in. Also is the boat stable enough to allow people to stand while bass fishing?

Re: 14' Jon Boat Stable?

Depends on how wide it is.

Re: 14' Jon Boat Stable?

Standing is probably not something you would want to be doing for a long time in open water.

Re: 14' Jon Boat Stable?

Jon boats aren't generally very happy in heavy chop and waves, but they're very stable for fishing on lakes, rivers, creeks. The longer and wider, the more stable it will be. My jon is an 1870, or 18' long and 70" wide at the transom and I can stand up fishing off any corner easily. If you're going into water with waves and chop consider a modified V or "MV" jon with a few degrees of deadrise. Mine is an MV with 6 degrees of deadrise at the transom, and it helps some with waves and chop. There's lots of different variations of the aluminum jon boat now and if you study up on these then you can pick one that suits your needs the best! Good Luck!

Re: 14' Jon Boat Stable?

Also, check Sea Ark Boats and Express Boats web sites for lots of info and photos to help you get familiar with these type boats!...

Re: 14' Jon Boat Stable?

we have a Lowe wide body at our hunt club and it is very stable--for a 14' jon boat. And i think a square bow is more stable than a V.

With any boat, the key to stability is a low center of gravity, which is why sitting on the floor of a kayak is very stable. I see that fresh water fishermen like to install high chairs on their boats, and shudder when they bring them out to the bay. If you want "people to stand fishing" you need a bigger boat. By yourself, flat water, OK.

As for waves, that's seaworthiness. the problem with jons is that by design they are low freeboard flat water boats. They easily fill with water and don't drain fast and swamp and roll. A skilled driver can take them through rough water. Some don't shed water well; look for the ones with a "pipe" running all around the rail.

If you want to safely stand and also handle waves, look at a 14' Carolina Skiff J series instead. extremely stable, safe, light, flat and good freeboard. great floatation. Easy to rig how you want it. A surf rider.

The most important thing is to know your limitations. During winter fishing, the jon boats are the most likely ones in fatal or near fatal mishaps. One rolled just 200 yards from the ramp; one guy drowned (3 people, 14' jon, winter waters although flat).