12 foot jon rebuild

[dad's boat]

I have this 12 foot jon boat. I like it because it can go in shallow water, but I just don't like the thre bench seats, anybody hav some experince with this small boat or shoud I go for a larger boat like 16 foot. This little boat has only been out once and to be honest it seems a little tipsy

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 12 foot jon rebuild

12 footers are a really unstable boat. and narrow. you need a longer wider boat. you can stay with the jon style, for the shallows.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: 12 foot jon rebuild

A buddy of mine has an older 12' jon boat, and I would not even consider adding any raised seats, I have a pair of clamp on seats from Wally world and a trolling motor, that's it. It is what it is, a basic boat for fishing calm shallow water. Most of the 12' jon boats I've seen can barely handle two people, let alone tackle, a trolling motor and battery. This one here is almost at the water line with two guys and a trolling motor. I can't even sit in the rear without it taking on water if I am by myself. It's great for getting back into the creeks and streams and marsh areas, but it pushes hard and there's no room weight wise to add a larger motor. A 3hp motor barely moves it with two guys, but a 6hp would sink it. It's not a shallow sided model either, it has nearly 18" tall sides, it's just way too narrow. Its just a little better than a canoe.
I've been watching out for a good affordable 14 to 16' version myself.

 

[dad's boat]

Re: 12 foot jon rebuild

I guess I will start looking for a larger boat, but I'm going to keep this one for ponds. wife might kill me because all the neighbors might think a family of hillbilles live next door but she just don't understand need for differn't boats for differen't things. so solong my freinds see you in boat heaven, because use men know who the boss in the house really is.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 12 foot jon rebuild

"because use men know who the boss in the house really is"

i don't have that problem, the boats were here before, and will be here after, and she understands that.

 

[dad's boat]

Re: 12 foot jon rebuild

I run a 6hp evinrude and with two people it is leveal in the water, with 5 inches to spaer all the way around, that's with two guys at 220 each. I do agree with you bogs, lagons and stuf like that are perfect. I think I will just get a troll motor for it and use the 6hp for something else. and a got set of oar locks just in case the wind is blowing

A buddy of mine has an older 12' jon boat, and I would not even consider adding any raised seats, I have a pair of clamp on seats from Wally world and a trolling motor, that's it. It is what it is, a basic boat for fishing calm shallow water. Most of the 12' jon boats I've seen can barely handle two people, let alone tackle, a trolling motor and battery. This one here is almost at the water line with two guys and a trolling motor. I can't even sit in the rear without it taking on water if I am by myself. It's great for getting back into the creeks and streams and marsh areas, but it pushes hard and there's no room weight wise to add a larger motor. A 3hp motor barely moves it with two guys, but a 6hp would sink it. It's not a shallow sided model either, it has nearly 18" tall sides, it's just way too narrow. Its just a little better than a canoe.
I've been watching out for a good affordable 14 to 16' version myself.

 

[GatorTom]

Re: 12 foot jon rebuild

I've got a little 3hp yamaha that I was thining about getting a little 12 ft jon for. I thought it would be great for some of the little bass ponds that are on my inlaw's farm. I could put it in the barn there and have it to use anytime I fish the ponds. Then I went out in a 1232 jon on Saturday. Man, was that thing rocky. I didn't dare stand up. So now I'm thinking about a little bass raider or something like that. I don't know. I may just get rid of the motor. Does anyone have any suggestions on a stable small pond boat? I would like to be able to stand up in it.