Jon boats are quintessentially American—they can be seen on the backs of trucks and trailers across the country, and when you own one with a motor you’re always ready for an adventure. This type of boat is big enough to carry a family or couple of friends and supplies, but maneuverable enough to be launched into small ponds and lakes. Despite their ubiquity, most people don’t know how to build a jon boat themselves. If you want to build a jon boat all on your own, here is how.
Learning how to build a jon boat is a skill that’s worth having. Jon vessels vary greatly in terms of their construction requirements, the type of materials that are used for building, and the method in which they are built.
How to build a jon boat
A jon boat is a flat-bottomed boat with a shallow draft and sharp sides, which makes it ideal for working in shallow water or over shallow obstructions. It’s also great for fishing, as it can be maneuvered into tight areas where larger boats can’t go.
A jon boat typically has an open deck and no cabin, although some models have a small cabin for storage or shelter from the elements. The most common size of jon boat is 16 feet long by 6 feet wide and less than 3 feet deep.
The first step to building your own jon boat is to pick out the right materials. You’ll need 1-inch-thick plywood that’s at least 4 inches wider than your desired length, plus 4×4s or 4×6s for framing and 2×4s for bracing. You’ll also need screws to hold everything together, along with paint and varnish if you want your jon boat to look good at the end of construction
Jon boats are small, flat-bottomed boats that are typically used for fishing and recreational activities. They are designed to be lightweight and easy to transport. If you’re looking for a new boat, or want to build your own jon boat, here’s how to do it.
Get the Parts
You’re going to need some basic parts before you start building. These include:
A kayak kit (or other kits) – This is a collection of plywood sheets that come with predrilled holes and all the necessary hardware for assembly. You can find these online or at local boating shops. You’ll need about 100 square feet of wood for this project.
Caulk – This is an adhesive sealant that will help keep water out of your boat once it’s finished being built. You’ll also need some silicone caulk to fill in any gaps between seams in the woodwork as well as between seams on your decking panels.
Nuts and bolts – Any bolts used in construction must be galvanized steel or stainless steel, as these materials will not rust over time like regular steel does when exposed to saltwater environments or high humidity levels like those found on many freshwater lakes and rivers where jon boats are commonly used
A jon boat is a simple and inexpensive flat-bottomed boat that is easy to build. The design is based on an old wooden canoe with a flat bottom and pointed ends. The jon boat is often used for fishing or hunting, as well as for pleasure. It can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common ones are wood and aluminum.
In order to build your own jon boat, you’ll need:
Jig saw or table saw with 10″ blade
Drill/driver
Clamps (2)
Square (1)
Hammer
Hacksaw (1)
How to build a jon boat deck
The first step in building a jon boat is to lay out the frame. The frame is made up of two angles, which are cut in half lengthwise. Each side of the angle has one leg of the angle cut at a 45-degree angle (to form a corner) and one leg at a 90-degree angle.
Cut the angles from 1-by-4s or 2-by-4s, depending on how wide you want your boat to be. Make sure that the cut pieces are as long as possible so that you have plenty of wood left over for making other parts of the boat; these extra pieces can be used for reinforcing joints later on in the project.
You will need four angles for each side of your boat’s frame, so make sure that you have enough wood for seven or eight sides if you plan to build a small jon boat like this one (see Resources below).
Lay out your frames according to the dimensions shown in Figure 1: One frame should be 6 feet long and 4 feet wide; another should be 7 feet long and 4 feet wide; etc., until all seven frames are complete.
Trim off any excess wood from around each frame to make them flush with each other on all sides except
1. First, you need to determine what size you want your boat to be. This will depend on how many people you want to carry as well as how much gear you plan on bringing along.
2. Next, determine the materials that you will need to build your jon boat. You should consider the following:
Wood – Wood is a great material for building a jon boat because it is strong and durable. However, it can be tricky to work with and can cost more than other materials.
Fiberglass – Fiberglass is another good option for building a jon boat because it is lightweight and easy to work with. In addition, fiberglass can be easily molded into various shapes and sizes depending on your needs.
Plastic – Plastic is another popular choice for building jon boats because it is inexpensive, lightweight and easy to work with It also comes in many different colors so you can choose one that matches your preference or design scheme