Jon Boat Ideas

Chuck7

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
40
I'm always looking for good jon boat ideas..Here's my Polar Kraft jon with 4 HP .It's only 10 foot.I vbought it used for 100.00 20 years ago..I cut out 4 doors along the seats for storage...I've had 700 pounds in this boat before ,,it's very sturdy.

2wqrads.jpg
 

arks

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 7, 2002
Messages
1,929
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Nice looking rig, but 700 pounds is a WHOLE LOT of weight for a 10 footer! :eek:
I'm always looking for good jon boat ideas.
- Bilge pump
- Fish finder
- Nav. lights (for nights)
- Auxillary battery (if you don't already have one)
- Stick steering
 

Chuck7

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

That 's not my normal load LOL. It is a very sturdy boat..It's an alumiweld type with no rivots.
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,195
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Nice looking rig, but 700 pounds is a WHOLE LOT of weight for a 10 footer! :eek:

You removed the flotation from the seats? The name on the side is appropriate, you might get to see Him. At least wear those life jackets!!!!
 

Chuck7

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Actually I have seen him..in October of 1976...during a war game against the 82nd airborne..I had a vision after reading my New Testament.I was then sent to be part of the Honor Guard in Washington D.C. during the reign of President Carter.

I did remove the foam because 1/2 of it was eatten away by rats. I have my fish baskets, , life jackets and anchors in there.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

foam does not make it float better, it is actual weight. it is there to keep it from completely sink, if damaged.
 

cvtech1

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 16, 2009
Messages
277
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Chuck7, That is a nice Jon. 20yrs that's good, I have a 14ft Monarch that I have had about 3 200lbs people plus ice chest and gear and it handled fine. I need to add storage and steering to get rid of the tiller, but all in due time. Love the boat.
 

DECK SWABBER 58

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Aug 14, 2009
Messages
1,913
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Nice looking rig, but 700 pounds is a WHOLE LOT of weight for a 10 footer! :eek:

You removed the flotation from the seats? The name on the side is appropriate, you might get to see Him. At least wear those life jackets!!!!

foam does not make it float better, it is actual weight. it is there to keep it from completely sink, if damaged.
My 16' Voyager Jon inadvertently crashed into a dock, the stern went under and the boat totally filled with water but did not sink thanks to the foam. We baled like crazy and got it back on the trailer and pulled the plug. Nothing in the boat was lost. Not even the fish we caught!

I will NEVER remove foam from a boat.
 

saacmk1

Cadet
Joined
Dec 3, 2009
Messages
6
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Do you hunt ducks or bucks? You might try refinishing the boat in a camoflague motif. There's a fun idea that anyone can do. A camoflague pattern in flat makes up-keep easier too.
 

Chuck7

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

I hunt bucks and hogs..but not from a boat..I'll be sitting in a tree in the Green Swamp at 5:30 this morning..
Apprciate the replies,
C7
 

Dave Barnett

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
282
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Nice looking rig. Love the SEEK GOD painted on the side! Dave
 

Chuck7

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Apprecaite the kind words Dave..
I havn't been here a while..been busy fishin [ -;
 

GatorMike

Ensign
Joined
Aug 3, 2003
Messages
902
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Polk county license plates, Green Swamp Reference. My guess is the water you boat in is mostly old phosphate mines? Some of those are rumored to hold monster bass.
 

Chuck7

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 7, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

You guessed it [ -;
I fish old phosphate pits mostly. Most have islands to get out of the wind..various depths . I also fish the kind with no boat ramps..just back the 4 x 4 down the bank..push off and enjoy.

In the fall, I hunt the Green Swamp or Three Lakes WMA ..
I don't hunt ducks..only deer and hogs..rifle , black powder and archery

Enjoying God's Wonderful Creation,
Chuck7
 

RandyJ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Messages
808
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

I am confused as to what a Jon Boat is. I've got a small v-hull that has been called a Jon Boat and my son says his flat bottom is a flat bottom boat... I guess a Jon boat is just a small boat. I've got a 9.8 Merc on my v-hull and want to keep it light as possible. Tho', i've added lights and a trolling motor. Like you, I paid $150 for this old junker WITH TRAILER. I covered the wooden seats with carpet padding then stapled on some Naugahyde upholstery material. Rather than screwing the seats down I put screwed on pieces of wood underneath just to keep them from sliding around so I can use the seat supports for storage areas. This old boat never had any styrofoam for added flotation... I put my battery in one of the compartments and am actually considering adding floatation. Also, I'm considering some plywood and carpet so I can have a dry place to put my feet. For the wiring I'm using inexpensive old extension cords (the orange type) and added switches. I've also added a bilge pump.
 

Home Cookin'

Fleet Admiral
Joined
May 26, 2009
Messages
9,715
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

chastise chastise chastise
Now that we have that out of the way: Although there may be regional differences, in my view a jon boat is a flat-bottom square bow boat under 18'. If it's over 18' it's a big jon boat. I'm trying to decide if it has to be aluminum; I don't know that I'd call the small Carolina Skiff J series and its imitators a "jon boat." And I'm pretty sure it has to have, or was born with, dark green paint. Anyway, if you say "jon boat" that is what boaters will picture.

Nowadays you see people, such as on Craigslist, calling any small open boat a "jon boat." But it doesn't make it right, any more than referring to the "haul" of the boat or the "wench" on the trailer. Or "trailor."

PS if you don't have floatation, someone took it out. Put it back. Even a block of styrofoam with duct tape wrapped around the seat.
 

RandyJ

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 13, 2002
Messages
808
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Just so you know, the next response after this one will likely be someone chastising you for responding to an old thread. While you're waiting for that read this article. Very enjoyable and the closest thing you'll get to an accurate answer of your question. http://198.209.8.180/lochist/periodicals/wrv/V37/N3/w98d.htm

Daayyyuuuummm ... at's a lot of read'n!!!! Too... whatcha 'spect? I'm sitting here reading all these threads just looking for something to trip my response mechanism... besides, the dude asked the question but failed to say what day is the last day for posting replies... hehehe
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Daayyyuuuummm ... at's a lot of read'n!!!! Too... whatcha 'spect? I'm sitting here reading all these threads just looking for something to trip my response mechanism... besides, the dude asked the question but failed to say what day is the last day for posting replies... hehehe

Can't fight you on any of that, but would like to point out the following.

1. If you want to alleviate some of your confusion regarding what a johnboat is reading that article is the best way to do so. I thought it was pretty cool, but you're right, it is a lot of reading. I definitely wouldn't waste any fishing time on it. If you want I can summarize. You don't have a johnboat, but your son does.;)
2. There is a rule about responding to old threads. I didn't make it, nor do I care whether it's enforced. That's the mods' job.
3. Most importantly; TIGHT LINES.:cool:
 

lncoop

Vice Admiral
Joined
Apr 18, 2010
Messages
5,147
Re: Jon Boat Ideas

Oh yeah, one more thing.

4. GO HOGS BEAT BAMA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:p
 
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