Whether you’re into boat finishing or you like to enjoy your time outdoors, having a Jon boat is always a great idea! These small vessels with aluminum hulls are rugged and reliable in many situations. But are Jon boats good for lakes?
Jon boats are a good choice for lake use, especially when it comes to relatively small lakes with calm water. In addition to the size of the lake, there are some other factors that can help you determine whether it’s a good choice like climate patterns, the purpose of use, type of Jon boat used, etc.
If you want to find out more about Jon boats and whether they’re a good choice for lakes, keep on reading this guide!
Are Jon Boats Suitable for Lakes?
The answer to this question depends mainly on a variety of factors, such as the depth and wave actions of the lake.
This is because Jon boats have a shallow draft and flat bottom that rides over the waves rather than cutting through them.
This gives the boat an advantage over regular fishing boats in very shallow water bodies, such as small lakes.
However, when it comes to larger and more turbulent bodies of water, the safety on the boat may vary.
Factors That Affect Jon Boats Safety in Lakes
In this section, we’ll take a quick look at some of the aspects that can impact your safety while using a Jon boat in a lake.
1. The Size and Depth of the Lake
The size of any given lake is, by far, the most critical aspect regarding safety while using a Jon boat. The problem here is that Jon boats have a very shallow draft and almost float completely above water.
This design makes them quite unstable when used in a relatively large lake due to various reasons.
For example, a larger lake will usually go deeper, and deep waters tend to be a little choppier than shallow waters, which creates turbulence that can make the boat a little unstable, especially if you don’t have enough experience using a Jon boat.
2. Type of Jon Boat Used
Back in the day, almost all Jon boats out there would have the same design, which is a flat bottomed boat with a very shallow draft.
However, newer Jon boats can either use this design or opt for a different one called “mod v boat”, which is a Jon boat with a modified hull that is slightly curved in order to handle the choppiness of water a little better and deflect waves with its slightly pointier bow.
These modified Jon boats can handle choppier water just a little better than traditional ones, making them suitable for use in a wider range of lakes.
3. Wave Action and Wind Pattern
As previously discussed, one of the main reasons that Jon boats are only suitable for smaller, calmer lakes is that they tend to be less turbulent than larger ones, as Jon boats are very sensitive to waves and ride them rather than dampening them.
For that reason, you should also consider the interval of waves and not just their height.
In other words, even if the waves aren’t that high and your Jon boat can handle one pretty easily, if waves keep coming one after the other with little time to settle in between, the boat will be incredibly unstable and your ride won’t be as fun and relaxing as it should be.
Similarly, wind patterns and changes in its direction and speed can affect a Jon boat to the point that navigating a motorized boat becomes a little challenging.
Ideally, a Jon boat can handle non-frequent waves of up to 4 feet, which can be created if the wind speed exceeds the 20 to 25 knot mark. You can easily measure the wind speed using an anemometer.
4. Boat Load
Every boat has a maximum weight capacity that you shouldn’t exceed. Since Jon boats’ hulls are made of aluminum, they typically have a low load capacity.
Loading too many items on a specific side will put the boat at the risk of capsizing, and since it’s a very light boat that is affected by wind and waves, your gear might end up falling in water during any disturbance, so Jon boats aren’t recommended for heavy loaders.
5. Purpose of Using the Boat
Based on the previous point, you can see that the purpose of using the boat is also quite essential.
For example, if you’re a simple angler who likes to fish in calm waters, a Jon boat will be great for you. However, if you’re into drift fishing or looking for larger species of fish, such as deep-sea fish, a Jon boat isn’t ideal for you.
Things to Keep in Mind While Using a Jon Boat in a Lake
Now that you know that Jon Boats are suitable for a specific type of lake, here are some tips to keep in mind to stay safe while using the boat:
- Always Keep Safety Equipment in Your Gear: This includes always wearing PFDs, such as life jackets, signaling devices, anchors, oars, etc.
- Look for the Safest Spots in the Lake: Always investigate the lake and learn about the safest spots around it, such as coves. If the weather starts changing, it’s better to navigate towards these spots.
- Check Weather Forecast Before You Go: Checking the weather of the area where the lake is can save you the danger of being stuck in the middle of a huge lake when the wind and waves pick up the pace.
Wrap Up
There you have it! A quick guide that shows you whether Jon boats are good for lakes. Technically speaking, the flat bottomed hull of job boats rides the waves rather than cutting through them like a regular fishing boat, which makes them excellent for calm water.
For that reason, Jon boats are excellent for calm lakes with no wave and wind action, such as small and relatively shallow lakes.
If you’re planning to go fishing in a relatively deep and large lake, you might want to consider some alternatives to ensure your safety.