DanCampbell Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hello, I have a novice question. How do Jon boats rate in stability? I rented a 14ft Jon last weekend and took in out on the lake for about 6 hours. It was proetty stable even when I stood up to give my back short breaks. I notice that some guys upgrade their Jon boats with flat decks and carpet, and they look really cool. How do they rank in stability? I have a 10 month old daughter and my wife and I are thinking of a small boat to take out on the weekends. Is a mod V better in stability? What would you recomend as the most stable type for a guy who is overly concerned with safety? (Is it best to just stay seated?) I really like your Jon boat conversions, thank you for any help you can offer. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WannabeeFishing Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Both boats (v-hull and jon) can be very stable. I'd suggest you decide on a style depending on the type water you will most likely use. If you plan to fish primarily small lakes and ponds such as pay-to-fish and electric-only, the jon boat will do fine. A good 12 volt hand controlled electic motor with a deep cycle battery or a small gas motor will suffice. If you are going to use larger lakes where you might encounter large boat wakes and wind-blown waves you would be better served using a v-hull. These also tend to have higher sidewalls that will contain the child better. And they will probably take a little higher power engine. Don't overlook the foam-filled plastic coated boats available at big box sports stores like Bass Pro, Academy & Cabelas. Walmart and Dick's Sports may also carry them. They are light weight and fit the back of a truck or SUV/Van. Jon boats might lend themselves better for modification due to the flat floors and bench seats. Clamp on seats and some coolers will make comfortable seating in most any of the small boats. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted July 1, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 Thank you for the information, I will keep my eyes open for a used boat. I really like the Jon boat projects. take care Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted July 1, 2008 Report Share Posted July 1, 2008 I would say the may factor in a jon boats stability is the amount of surface area it puts on the water. The longer and wider the better. If you are wanting to go fishing with a growing family, a 12 foot jon boat won't last very long; they are only rated to carry a little under 300#, is only 32" wide and is rated for a 3 hp engine. If you try to add a few creature comforts and you may overload the boat's capacity. Be sure you don't go to small. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Bruce & wannabe .. gave you some good advice. Just a little further .. I would not get one shorter than 14' .. Highest sides and width .. several Jon boat builders make a semi V and would look for one that the V extends to the transom .. speaking of transoms .. go ahead and get the deep one while you are at it ... this will get you a good platform to build on .. great in small or on big waters (big waters with caution .. depending on your skill ) Another thing that will cost a little more but more than save the difference in the long run and that is to get an all WELDED hull. ... Been there done that .. Love my Aluminum boats ... Hope this helps a little JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanCampbell Posted July 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 Thanks guys, I am new to boats and I know there is a lot to learn, I have been looking around. A guy down the street has a fiberglass bass boat tfor sale that looks new, he said he paid 14K for it and will sell it for 8K. He said it has 14 hours in the water (Lake Anna) Seems like a great deal but I do not have 8K, it sure looks nice though. Dan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike-A-Pike Posted July 2, 2008 Report Share Posted July 2, 2008 I agree with getting a welded construction boat. Go to the manufacturers site; look and read. You'll see that some build better boat and have been doing it that way for years, and that tells you what used boat to look for. You are going to be truly amazed by all the boat site and manufactures there are . Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miles Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 I have a 14ft Jon with a deck like a big bass boat and a foot controlled trolling motor. when i am fishing alone i love it! but when i bring a friend to fish out of the back it can get a little tough. If one of use moves a foot it will really move the boat. I haul mine with a Mercury tracer which is a really small 4 cylinder car without a problem. I work at bass pro and from what I have heard from people I should upgrade to a 16ft to solve the stability problem and be able to fish open water a little more(which I do a lot). Its great for ponds or small lakes which is all i really do. But bringing a friend makes it a hassle really quick. Hopefully that gives you a little bit of something to think about! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted October 14, 2008 Report Share Posted October 14, 2008 (edited) Miles it sounds like you have gotten a "narrow" 14 footer .. Low sides as well ???? You have to consider the width and the height of the sides all as part of adding up what will work the best ... Sounds like you have one of the narrower 14 footers. 14 and 15 footers wide and deep will handle a lot of situations ... for open waters get one with a v bottom (I am speaking of Jon Boats) not the v hull. A V hull will take the rough waters better but I find them not to be as stable as the "Jon" boat. Hope this was not confusing JSC Edited October 15, 2008 by JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedude Posted November 12, 2008 Report Share Posted November 12, 2008 14' jon can be very stable. Get a wide one! 48" floor and 72" beam (widest point across the gunwales). i use one this size for hunting and fishing and its very stable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Glenn Posted July 31, 2012 Report Share Posted July 31, 2012 (edited) I waited until I retired to buy this boat, what I should have done twenty years sooner. It likes one inch being eight feet wide in back and is 20' 3" long. I made the center console and boxes. It is a super stable jon boat. (Modified vee) Edited July 31, 2012 by Musky Glenn 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldenshinner Posted January 11, 2013 Report Share Posted January 11, 2013 here we go again. semi v john verses perfectly flat bottom jon. i find myself benifiting from a modified semi v to handle rough water bodies that have some shalllows. some of the older boats have semi v running from the front to roughly 1/3 way back and flat rear end. when you run them they plane out well in shallow water. I dont know about the "V-hul being more tipppy than a flat". if your in 4ft waves or higher either is going to be tippy. i would be more afraid to tip a flatbottom that has allot of top heavy weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Braided Line Posted January 13, 2013 Report Share Posted January 13, 2013 Hello,I have a novice question. How do Jon boats rate in stability? I rented a 14ft Jon last weekend and took in out on the lake for about 6 hours. It was proetty stable even when I stood up to give my back short breaks. I notice that some guys upgrade their Jon boats with flat decks and carpet, and they look really cool. How do they rank in stability? I have a 10 month old daughter and my wife and I are thinking of a small boat to take out on the weekends. Is a mod V better in stability? What would you recomend as the most stable type for a guy who is overly concerned with safety? (Is it best to just stay seated?) I really like your Jon boat conversions, thank you for any help you can offer. Dan A "small boat" and family are not a good fit. Length is the savior though. The flat-bottom boat has it all over the "V" type hulls. As far as stability in a small boat goes. "V`s " are better for rougher water than a flat bottom . Bass Pro sells a nice boat you might look at. I believe it`s the Bass Tracker. Have a look see. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 I would like to add on to this information. If you buy a boat that has a V bottom it will rock around in the water more but it will not wear you out as fast as a flat bottom boat if there is any chop. Every little movement of the water will be felt in a flat bottom boat. A V bottom boat when getting some water in it, becomes more stable because the water collects in the middle of the V bottom. It a flat bottom boat if water gets in it, the water will want to go to one side or the other of the boat from movement of people in the boat or the waves., and can become more unstable. About stability. The higher the sides the more reserve stability the boat has. A flat bottom boat has high initial stability but not as much reserve stability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gone2long Posted October 8, 2013 Report Share Posted October 8, 2013 I'm all in for a 14' or bigger semi v, the boat gets up and goes is stable can handle rough water unlike a flat bottom and in those time when the wind whips up you're more likely to stay dry I've had a semi v for 30 years 3 different ones and to be quite frank the flat bottom jons I've been in are noisy in chop so no sneekin up on the fish that day. Mine is referred to as a backtroller and I'm out on the mighty tidal Delaware river with large cargo ships passing by and can tell you stability is excellent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 Remember, a happy wife is a happy life. Nothing ruins a family outing quicker than wet, cold kids and wives. If you're taking your family/kids out in this boat, make the stretch and buy one with foam infill, so it's "unsinkable", and with a deep V and higher sides. If you're really smooth, you can use the extra safety as a bargaining chip with the wife to get a little bigger/better boat, and you won't be lying. And don't skimp on the motor. An under powered boat in windy/choppy seas is a recipe for discomfort, at the least, and can lead to disaster. Keeping the family dry and safe is too important to fool around. Build a project jon boat for duck hunting, not family fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 15, 2013 Report Share Posted October 15, 2013 Something I don't think anyone has touched on is the effects on the boat of running it in rough water. If the water your running in has a tendency to get rough it can lead to to leaking rivets or cracked welds. Especially on longer distances. It's not something that will happen in a trip or two, but gradually sneaks up on you over a number of outings. Another thing is how weight changes the running attitude of the boat. It's much more noticeable in an aluminum boat than it is in a big fiberglass rig. Proper weight distribution and knowing how to handle rough water goes a long way in making a good decision about what boat to buy. just my , Ben 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 Something I don't think anyone has touched on is the effects on the boat of running it in rough water. If the water your running in has a tendency to get rough it can lead to to leaking rivets or cracked welds. Especially on longer distances. It's not something that will happen in a trip or two, but gradually sneaks up on you over a number of outings. Another thing is how weight changes the running attitude of the boat. It's much more noticeable in an aluminum boat than it is in a big fiberglass rig. Proper weight distribution and knowing how to handle rough water goes a long way in making a good decision about what boat to buy. just my , Ben That's why my first bass boat was a welded hull Tracker. But the welds wound up failing, so I got it replace under the CA lemon law, when it was in the shop 6 out of the first 18 months I owned it. It actually was a dryer ride than my Ranger, because it sat higher in the water, but it was a sail in the wind. When I got rear ended and it got totaled by a hit and run driver on the freeway, I moved up to a fiberglass boat, and it's much easier to fish out of, but it is a wetter ride in rough weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayburnGuy Posted October 21, 2013 Report Share Posted October 21, 2013 That's why my first bass boat was a welded hull Tracker. But the welds wound up failing, so I got it replace under the CA lemon law, when it was in the shop 6 out of the first 18 months I owned it. It actually was a dryer ride than my Ranger, because it sat higher in the water, but it was a sail in the wind. When I got rear ended and it got totaled by a hit and run driver on the freeway, I moved up to a fiberglass boat, and it's much easier to fish out of, but it is a wetter ride in rough weather. A commercial catfishing friend of mine used to wear out an aluminum boat every year Mark. He had used both riveted and welded hulls with not a lot of difference. I asked him one day if he'd ever thought of having a boat built to his specifications. He ended up talking to some boat builders and had one built. He beefed up everything on it. The hull was 3/16" aluminum plate with 1 1/2" X 1 1/2" aluminum angle for the ribs with everything welded together. I asked him how it was working out and he said it was holding together really well, but that it was a heavy son of a gun. He went to the extreme on beefing everything up, but that is what it took to get something that would hold up to the way he used a boat in the waters he fished. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark poulson Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 Ben, I went with the Tracker because of their welded hull. I think I got the first year model, and all of the bugs hadn't been worked out. The welds inside the hull, attaching struts to the interior framework, were all done by hand, and they were brittle. And the keel welds, hidden behind a keep cap, were brittle, too. They all failed, one at a time. Tracker replaced my hull with a 2004 hull, and I never had a problem after that. I remember from Jr. High shop class that welding aluminum is tricky. My boats were't that light, but weighed 2/3's of what the same size fiberglass boat weighed, so they sat really high in the water. They caught a lot of wind and were a bear to keep steady in the wind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhahn427 Posted October 23, 2013 Report Share Posted October 23, 2013 I have a 16 ft 6 ft wide Grummund and 3 men can stand on the side and it doesn't move Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ravenlures Posted March 25, 2019 Report Share Posted March 25, 2019 Oh why not get a ranger 22' and pay it off and when you do you can start on your kids collage cost then when you retire you need a part time job to keep going. Wayne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cyberflexx Posted April 17, 2019 Report Share Posted April 17, 2019 (edited) I decked a 14 foot Alumacraft. It was too tippy. I sold it and got a Carolina Skiff J14. Here is a build log with a lot of pictures! https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=8876 Here is my Carolina Skiff Mod Page: https://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=27593&hilit=Skiff+1999 Edited April 17, 2019 by Cyberflexx adding link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
