How do you inspect an older wooden Jon boat?

[hraustin3794]

I'm on a tight budget and found an older wooden 12' jon boat ( picture http://s800.photobucket.com/albums/yy285/hraustin3794/?action=view&current=jonboat.jpg )
How would I go about inspecting it to see if it is worth my time? What problems to look out for? It is much cheaper than the aluminum jon boats for sale.
It is not in the water....if it leaks is that relatively easy to seal? It won't be staying in the water
Is it important to paint it to seal it seeing it's condition?
I was going to put a 3hp. outboard on it to fish...I'm assuming it would push it ok for short distances.
Is wood that much heavier than an aluminum jon boat?
Thanks for your help and ideas??? Inexperienced....

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: How do you inspect an older wooden Jon boat?

I built a 12 ft jon boat out of exterior plywood. You want to make sure the bottom edge seams are sealed and it would be nice if they had fiberglass tape applied. at the very least they should have some kind of heavy duty sealant applied to them i.e. PL or Liquid nails etc when the bottom and sides were joined. the entire boat should have been sealed with epoxy resin or again at the very least been soaked with a water sealant i.e. thompsons water seal and then given several coats of a good exterior paint. The interior seams of the boat should have been filleted a well to ensure a watertight interior. I would also check as best as possible for any Soft spots any where in the entire bottom of the boat.