Jon boats are among the most popular utility boats out there. Thanks to their flat hull, these have a unique set of features that makes a lot of anglers and boat lovers consider buying one. So, are Jon boats worth it?
With their shallow draft and flat bottom design, Jon boats offer an excellent utility boat that is remarkably stable and affordable. The boat is excellent for fishing in difficult areas but can also be used for other purposes. All in all, they’re considered a good idea if that’s what you’re looking for.
If you want to find out more about Jon boats, including their advantages, drawbacks, and costs, keep on reading this guide.
What Makes Jon Boats Unique?
The special thing about a Jon boat is its construction. Jon boats have a flat bottomed hull and a rectangular bow that is quite different from conventional boats that have a curved bottom and a v-shaped bow.
This difference in design gives the boat some unique abilities, such as having a very shallow draft.
This allows you to use these boats to cross extremely shallow bodies of water among other features that we’re going to discuss in further detail through this guide.
What Are the Advantages of a Jon Boat?
In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some of the benefits and unique aspects that make a Jon boat a great choice to consider. Let’s check them out:
1. Highly Affordable Boats for Beginners
A lot of beginners would like a boat that is generally easy to use while not costing them an arm and a leg to own and maintain. In that case, a Jon boat would be a great option.
These boats come at a reasonable price for hobbyists and anglers, which makes them an excellent choice to start your boating experience with.
2. Remarkably Stable in Calm Water
As previously mentioned, these boats are characterized by their flat bottoms and rectangular design.
This construction increases their area of contact with water when compared to boats with a curved bottom, allowing them to be incredibly stable to get in and out of, especially when you use these boats to venture in calm water with little to no wave action.
3. Can Go Where Many Other Boats Can’t
Thanks to its shallow draft, you can use a Jon boat to cross very shallow waters. This design also allows the boat to push through heavily weeded rivers with relative ease.
Since many species of fish like to hide among these weeds, Jon boats can allow you to go fishing in spots that other fishing boats, such as bass boats, can’t.
4. Modifiable and Easy to Maintain
While they can be made of wood and fiberglass, Jon boats are mostly made of aluminum. This material makes these boats very easy to maintain and repair, so you won’t have to worry about corrosion, especially if you use them exclusively in freshwater.
Moreover, aluminum is a practical material that allows you to optimize and modify the boat easily.
For instance, there are plenty of guides online that show you how to turn it into a bass boat, or even make one from scratch!
5. Wide Hull When Compared to Its Size
Thanks to the unique hull design, Jon boats are usually wider than most other boats of the same size, giving you more horizontal space to keep your gear and tools well organized without having to scour through your pile of gear, which is usually the case if you’re using a kayak.
What Are the Drawbacks of a Jon Boat?
Despite all these advantages, Jon boats are not for everyone. If you prioritize any of the following aspects, a Jon boat may not be the best option for you:
1. Not Suitable for Choppy Water
Despite being one of the most stable options when it comes to calm and shallow bodies of water, Jon boats aren’t the best when it comes to choppy water.
The shallow draft of Jon boats makes them ride over waves rather than cut through them. This makes them very uncomfortable and easy to tip over when used in very open lakes, oceans, and seas, especially if you stray far off the shore.
Yet, an improved Mod V Jon boat with a v-shaped hull can be a bit more stable in choppier water than a regular one.
2. Can Be Difficult to Handle in Bad Conditions
Jon boats are also lightweight, can’t handle powerful engines, and are quite difficult to control if the weather turns, which is why you always need to check the weather forecast before taking one into water.
3. Limited Storage and Weight Capacity
While Jon boats have a relatively wide hull that is great for comfort and gear organization while using it, they still have a relatively limited weight capacity.
For instance, a Jon boat has a capacity of about 9,00 to 1,000 lbs, which is relatively less than the weight capacity of a similar-sized bass boat (around 1,500 to 2,000 lbs), so a Jon boat is more suitable for light packers.
How Much Do Jon Boats Cost?
Jon boats come at a wide range of prices, which can vary depending on various aspects such as their brand and model, their size (can vary from 12 ft to over 20 ft), materials used in construction (aluminum, wood, fiberglass, and polymers).
Ideally, a small boat that is made from affordable polymers can start from less than $400 while a higher-quality material or a larger size boat can set you back a few thousand bucks!
Final Verdict: Are Jon Boats Worth It?
With that said, you now have a brief overview of Jon Boats, what they are, and what you can use them for.
As you can see these boats have a unique design that allows them to go into hard-to-reach areas, such as very shallow lakes and heavily weeded rivers.
This makes them quite a worthy pick or a fishing boat, especially for a beginner angler that is looking for a stable and affordable option to use in calm waters.