The jon boat is one of the most versatile and popular small boat designs in use, widely used by recreational and commercial boaters alike. Whether you are taking the kids for a bucket of panfish, getting to & from your duck blind or pulling crab pots chances are there is a jon boat that meets your needs. The question is, given your specific needs, which hull shape is best? Flat bottomed, v-shaped, or modified v?
In general, flat bottomed hulls will be optimal for shallow water conditions where you need a low draft, but will provide worse handling in rough water. V-shaped hulls are better for cutting into waves and staying controllable at higher speeds, though they have a deeper draft and can’t go as shallow. Modified v hulls are a good in-between but as such share some of the downsides to flat bottomed and v-shaped hulls.
In the following few paragraphs we will discuss the varioustypes of jon boat designs, the available construction materials, the advantagesand disadvantages of each. In the end our goal is to provide you with theinformation necessary to decide how each will meet your specific needs.
Hull Types
Jon boats are generally available in any of three hulltypes- the flat bottom, the v-bottom and the modified or utility; a combinationof both the flat and v-bottom designs which, as the name suggests, is common onwork or utility boats. Each design has its own advantages and disadvantages.Although often interchangeable there are situations in which one or the otheris better suited for the task at hand.Let’s take a closer look at each.
Flat Bottom
The flat bottom is one of the most common jon boat designsand one of the most versatile. The basic design combines a wide beam (width)and flat keel which translates to a an extremely stable platform. It is thisincreased stability that makes this design so popular with sportsmen. Anglerscan stand to cast and hunters can move about to shoot or retrieve gear withoutfear of capsizing.
The flat keel also makes this design best suited for shallowwater. It can navigate rivers by running over top of riffles and boulders withvery little water needed while also transiting the muddy flats where otherboats would soon be stuck. Plus, they can be pulled close to shore for loading& unloading without fear of damage as well. Users can take even greateradvantage of this feature when they outfit their jon boat with a shallowrunning jet drive outboard.
A final advantage is that the flat bottom translates to agreater amount of deck space as well. This means you will have an increased areain which to store gear or move about without interference. This is especiallyattractive to those who use the boat for commercial purposes as well assportsmen.
The flat bottom jon boat does include some disadvantages.One, it exhibits very poor handling in rough water and at high speeds. Thelimited keel means that the boat will ride on top of the waves and this resultsin bouncing from wave to wave, or worse, dipping into water between waves. Ineither case the occupants are in for a wet, rough trip. Likewise, when operatedat high speeds the hull will slide or skip when turning, making it difficult tonavigate with precision.
The users will find this design best for calm waterincluding large lakes, ponds and even rivers if the weather and conditionscooperate. It is especially well suited for those who need to access shallow orrocky areas or those who need a stable platform to perform tasks likely toinvolve standing.
V-Bottom
This design incorporates a sharp v shaped keel, like thoseyou would see on most row boats, while retaining the wide beam and a flatstern. The greatest advantage this v-shaped hull provides is the ability to cutthrough the water, rather than glide over it as the flat bottom design does.This means that the boat will provide a smoother, safer ride when confrontedwith waves. As this design generally incorporates high transom height it willalso reduce the amount of water that enters the passenger area during use inrough conditions.
A secondary benefit of the v-bottom design is the increasedmaneuverability, especially at high speeds. At higher speeds the flat bottomdesign will slide or skip across the water when you attempt a turn, as there islittle or no keel to grab the water’s surface. The v-bottom on the other handincludes a keel that runs the length of the hull, meaning continued contactwith the water. Again, you are cutting through rather than riding on top of thewater.
The v-bottom does however have a few drawbacks. First, the shape does not allow users to access shallow or rocky areas as easily as other designs. Second, it is more prone to hull damage due to hitting rocks or other submerged objects. Third, the interior shape limits available space. Even if a flat deck is installed it will be narrower than that found in other designs, resulting in a loss of total area.
Finally, while the v-bottom is more stable when operated in waves or rough water it is less stable than the other designs when sitting still. Standing is not as easy and even leaning over the side can cause instability in smaller craft.
This combination of features makes the v-bottom jon boatbest suited for use on deep water or those areas prone to frequent wave action,although you should avoid rocky or shallow areas. Smaller designs are wellsuited to rowing and larger models are often able to be fitted with smalloutboard motors. While not as stable at the flat bottom when stationary itsincreased stability when underway allows it to be operated at high speeds whichmakes it a better option when getting from point A to point B is your focus.
Modified V, Combination, or Utility Hull
As the name implies this design is a combination of the flatbottom and v-bottom designs, with a sharp v at the bow which quickly morphsinto a flat area from near mid ship and rearward. As the name also indicates itwas most likely first developed by those who used the boat for work purposesand needed the advantages both designs provided. The result is a compromisewhich allows the boat to be used in a wider range of conditions but alsoincludes a combination of the drawbacks as well.
By having the deep v shape at the bow, you can cut throughthe water, achieving a superior ride in a variety of water conditions,including waves. The flatter surface in the remainder of the hull allows theboat to still maintain a shallow draft, although not as shallow as the flatbottom, meaning it can be used in shallow & rocky areas with ease.
An additional advantage of the modified hull is the wide variety of final designs that can be built using this principle. Watermen who need room for crab pots, oyster bins or fishing net have used it to develop an extra wide hull that more closely resembles a flat bottom. Although the limited bow v allows operation is less than ideal conditions it relies on the wide hull and low profile for stability while retaining usable deck space.
Anglers on the other hand have leaned more towards the v-bottom for their preferred combination design. In this case the bow has a much steeper shape, which also extends further back along the keel. The remainder of the hull although flat is much narrower, which allows for greater speed and handling.
To compensate for the lack of space and stability this design will have higher transoms and the bulkheads will flare outward rather than be straight up & down. The deck will be built higher within the hull to allow a more practical area when it comes to moving about or storing gear.
Disadvantages of the modified are also a combination of both other designs, with a nod to both the flat bottom and v-bottom but more modest. It is not as stable as the flat hull but more so than the v bottom. While it can access shallow and rocky areas much easier than the v bottom it still falls short of the flat bottom in this aspect. The list continues.
Faster than flat bottom, not as maneuverable as the v-bottom. More deck space than the v-bottom but less than the flat bottom. It is in other words a middle of the road design in most aspects, but by being better in some areas and not as bad in most it excels overall.
As far as uses, the utility hull is suited for almost any use one would choose either a flat bottom or v-bottom for, although some consideration would need to be given to the specific features of the individual boat selected since there are so many variations available. This is probably the most popular design among sportsmen, especially anglers, due to its ability to be used on a wide range of waters and various conditions with confidence and safety.
Construction Materials
Hull design is one on consideration when deciding which jonboat is best for you. It is also important to consider the material from whichthe hull will be constructed. The material used in construction will affect notonly the overall life expectancy of the boat but also the required maintenanceand ability to withstand damage. Let’s explore the most common materials usedfor jon boats and how they will impact your decision.
Wood
Wooden boats are as old as man’s need to float on the water.Because wood is naturally buoyant it only makes sense that it would be used forthe construction of early boats. It’s ability to be worked in many differentmanners, strength and durability are why it is still used today.
Wood is especially popular with those looking to build theirown jon boat as it is cheaper and easier to work with than most othermaterials. Although it does require some basic knowledge and a few specializedtools it is not nearly as complicated as other options such as fiberglass andmetal. It can also be shaped into almost any design desired, even warped toform curves.
Another advantage of wood is its overall strength. Althoughnot as resistant to damage as fiberglass or composite materials it is muchharder to penetrate than metals, especially aluminum. More importantly, it isfar easier to repair than almost any other material. This is important becauseif you boat long enough you will eventually run around, it a rock or even bestruck by some clumsily approaching the same dock. When this happens, it isnice to know that repairs will not cost more than the boat is worth.
Wooden hulls are also generally very sturdy, although thisdepends greatly on the type & quality of wood used in the construction. Ifthe proper wood is used and fitted correctly a wooden hull will be solid and unlikelyto flex, bend or become misshapen under stress. Wood will usually maintain itsoriginal shape until the point of breaking.
The biggest disadvantages of a wooden hull are the requiredmaintenance and weight. Wood requires far more maintenance than other materialsincluding regular painting, sanding and repainting. Depending on the design youwant need to caulk the joints as well. If the hull is not maintained properlyit will be subject to waterlogging, which will eventually lead to rot, mildewand even invasion by boring insects. All of which spells a greatly reduced lifeexpectancy of your boat. The weight ofthe boat will again vary depending on the specific wood used in constructionbut will generally be heavier than one constructed of aluminum and comparableto one built of composite.
Metal
A variety of metals have been used in the construction ofboats, including steel. However, the most common metal used in the constructionof jon boats is aluminum as it is lighter in weight and lower in cost thanother options. When one thinks of a modern jon boat chances are they envisionan aluminum hull as it is the most popular among recreational boaters.
The greatest advantage of using aluminum is the cost. Notonly is aluminum cheaper than many of the other materials available it is alsoeasier to work with, resulting in reduced production costs. Where wood needs tobe cut, sanded & and fiberglass must be laid in multiple time-consuminglayers aluminum hulls can be stamped out and welded or riveted together in afraction of the time. The reduced cost can be passed along to the consumer vialower purchase prices.
Next there is the matter of overall weight. By constructing a boat of a low weight material such as aluminum (see “Average Jon Boat Weight: 33 Examples”) the boat will be easier to handle and can be towed by a wider range of vehicles. This will also allow those who wish to outfit the jon boat with an outboard motor to achieve top performance with lower horsepower engines. The reduction in weight will also result in increased speed and reduced draft, meaning these boats are generally more adapt for use in shallow areas.
Most of the problems associated with aluminum concern its durability (see “How Long Will a Jon Boat Last?”). Aluminum is not a naturally strong metal and can be easily pierced and bent, as anyone who has ever seen a soda can knows firsthand. This means that these boats will be subject to damage from hitting rocks or even crashing from rough waves if not properly braced during construction. Frequent inspections should be made to check for loose rivets or broken welds and any leaks should be investigated immediately (see
Composite
Fiberglass as been used in the construction of boats fordecades, although a wide range of similar composites are starting to beutilized either alone or in conjunction with other materials. Like the utilityhull design fiberglass is a combination of features found in wood and metalachieved by layering cloth like material made from extremely strong glassfibers & resin.
Fiberglass is an excellent choice for boat construction asit allows for a one-piece hull design, which virtually eliminates thepossibility of leaks as there are no joints, welds or rivets. Plus, this alsotranslates to an extremely rigid platform that will withstand stress from wavesand the use of outboard motors as well as any material available.
Fiberglass is heavier than aluminum and can be heavier thansome woods. However, this increase in weight is often overcome by the fact thatmolded fiberglass hulls are extremely buoyant and often include additionalfloatation in voids. Some of the more popular fiberglass jon boat designs areso buoyant that the manufacturer claims they will continue to float even whencut in half. This increased buoyancy means that you the user often benefitsfrom an increase capacity allowing for more passengers or cargo to be carriedin a smaller boat.
Fiberglass also requires very little maintenance. Most hulls will rarely require painting or refinishing but will benefit from regular cleaning and polishing (see “How to Clean a Jon Boat: The ‘Why’ Might Surprise You”). Fiberglass is very durable as well and unlikely to be damaged by day to day operation, however, the exterior shell, or gel coat, can be chipped or dinged when striking hard objects. Small repairs can be made with DIY kits available at most marine supply stores but damage to larger areas or that has gone unnoticed for extended periods will require professional assistance, which can be more costly than repairs to wood or metal. A well cared for fiberglass hull can last for many years, even decades, without fear of deterioration.
Conclusion
Now that you have the basic when it comes to hull design andhull materials we hope that you will be better prepared to select your very ownjon boat, the jon boat that best suits you.
