Jon boats are unique in their design and unlike regular v-shaped boats, the utilitarian structure of this boat allows it to venture through parts where not many other boats would go.
Additionally, the reliability of these boats made them excellent for calm, small lakes, which leads a lot of people to wonder “are Jon boats good for rivers as well?”
While the answer may vary depending on the size of the river and how choppy the water is there, Jon boats are generally considered a good choice for relatively calm rivers, they’re also one of the most popular vessels when it comes to river fishing.
In today’s guide, we’ll take an in-depth look into the qualities of a Jon boat and whether they qualify it to be used in a river. Let’s jump right in!
Are Jon Boats Safe to Use in Rivers?
Jon boats are characterized by their flat bottoms and remarkably shallow draft to the point that they almost ride over the waves rather than cutting through them like v-shaped vessels.
This unique design gives Job boats some advantages when it comes to safety in shallow and relatively calm bodies of water, such as easy streams and rivers.
In addition to being generally safe for use in small rivers, Jon boats can be surprisingly stable in these waters and even venture through parts where other boats won’t reach. But more about that in the following sections.
Why Are Jon Boats Good for River Use?
There are plenty of reasons that make Jon Boats a good choice for rivers. Let’s take a quick look at some of the aspects that qualify rivers as excellent bodies of water for Jon boats:
1. Excellent for Very Shallow Rivers
Unlike other bodies of water, rivers can be incredibly shallow that boats with curved or v-shaped hulls (boats with deep draft) can get through.
If you want to enjoy an uninterrupted ride through a shallow river, whether you’re fishing or enjoying some time under the sun, Jon boats are easily your best bet!
2. Rivers Don’t Have Intense Wave Actions
Since most rivers aren’t too deep, they rarely create intense waves, and even when they do, they come at a very low interval that a Jon boat can easily handle while staying stable in the water.
In calm waters like rivers, a ride in a Jon boat is remarkably stable and comfortable, which is great for long excursions and trips.
3. Rivers Are Mostly Protected from Heavy Wind Currents
Another factor that can cause problems for flat Jon boats is the wind, especially when it exceeds 15 to 20 knots.
Unlike very open bodies of water like oceans and lakes, rivers are usually protected by the vegetation and trees surrounding the stream in addition to buildings and civilization surrounding a river, which helps rivers stay calm, and therefore, become an even better option for Jon Boats.
4. Jon Boats Can Go Through Heavily Weeded Rivers
When rivers are too shallow, aquatic plants can grow their weeds higher than the water itself. These conditions can be difficult to navigate through with a regular boat.
However, the flat and rectangular structure of a Jon boat allows it to pass through these heavily weeded rivers with relative ease.
5. They’re Lightweight and Easy to Use
Last but not least, since Jon boats are typically made of aluminum, they’re usually lighter in weight than similar-sized boats made from some other materials. However, they’re typically spacious in comparison with other boats due to their flat bottom.
Moreover, the flat and light body of the boat makes it easy to control in water, so you won’t have a hard time maneuvering the boat, even if you’re using a relatively small motor.
Are Jon Boats Good for Fishing in Rivers?
While you can use Jon boats for a variety of purposes, many anglers choose to go fishing in some rivers on a Jon boat, and there are pretty good reasons for that. For starters, rivers are mostly calm and have a low rate of choppiness with little to no waves.
Since Jon boats are incredibly stable in calm water, it can be a great choice for anglers who want to focus on catching fish. The stability also means that it’s fairly comfortable on long fishing trips.
Additionally, the aluminum construction of the boat means that you don’t have to do a lot of maintenance work to keep the boat in good condition. Additionally, the boat is quite affordable to buy and even to operate.
Moreover, Jon boats have excellent accessibility to spots where fish like to hide and seek shelter, such as heavily weeded waters, which are difficult to sail through in some other boats.
Things to Keep in Mind While Using a Jon Boat in Rivers
Despite all its merits, Jon boats still have a few important points that you need to keep in mind while using them.
For example, since these boats have a shallow draft, they can easily capsize if you leave all your gear on one side of the boat, so you have to manage your weights and distribute them properly.
Additionally, the boat typically takes a maximum of 3 people but is mostly built for individual use, so it’s not the best kind of boat if you like to go fishing in large groups.
Lastly, even though Jon boats are great for most rivers, some rivers are quite bumpy and rough, which makes them unsuitable for use, so you have to avoid choppy river waters while in a Jon boat.
The Bottom Line
This wraps it up for today’s guide that walks you through everything you need to know about using Jon boats in rivers.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons why using a Jon boat in a river can be a pretty good idea, especially if the river is relatively shallow and calm.
Jon boats are also great for fishing in rivers because they give you access to incredibly shallow ones, especially calm and heavily weeded rivers.