Jon boat

A jon boat (or johnboat[1]) is a flat-bottomed boat[2] constructed of aluminum, fiberglass, or wood with one, two, or three bench seats. They are suitable for fishing and hunting. The nearly flat hull of a jon boat tends to ride over the waves rather than cut through them as a V-hull might; this shallow draft – only a few inches[2] – enables the jon boat to operate in very shallow water,[3] but limits its use to calm waters. Jon boats typically have a transom onto which an outboard motor can be mounted. They are simple and easy to maintain, and inexpensive, though with many options to upgrade. Typical options may include live wells/bait wells, side or center consoles, factory installed decks and floors, electrical wiring, accessory pads/mountings, casting and poling platforms.

A jon boat in Florida
A small modern jon boat in the bed of a pickup truck.

Jon boats are available commercially between 8 and 24 feet (2.4 and 7.3 m)[2] long and 32 to 60 inches (81 to 152 cm) wide, though custom sizes may be found. The simple design includes an open hull, without a bilge, leaving the ribs exposed. Many users choose to cover the ribs, producing a flat, level surface.

The Wasserwacht branch of the German Red Cross has chosen jon boats for their civil protection units for use during floods.

History

In the late 19th century flat-bottom boats were found popular in The Ozarks, and were ideal for traversing the shallow waters in the Missouri Valley. "Float Boats" of this kind were originally made from pine and green lumber, the low cost of their construction allowing for disposal after a single voyage downstream.

One theory of the origin of the name comes from the use of jack pine in the construction of the boats, "Jack" becoming "John" over time (the former is a common diminutive form of the latter), and the boat coming to be called the "Ozark John Boat."[4]

These vessels were found useful for float fishing, duck hunting and carrying timber. Visiting tourists and travelers enjoyed the idea of flat-bottomed boats, as they could fish standing up and did not have to fear tipping over.

Jet Jon
An outboard jet on a small boat.

Jon boats with beefed up aluminum construction, and powered by jet-drive outboards are becoming more popular since they are capable of operating in extremely shallow water and thus are used frequently in rocky rivers and areas with submerged obstructions such as oyster bars and coral. The hulls are built specifically for shallow water and designed to work with the dynamics of an outboard jet. The jet foot sits at the same water level as the boat bottom, decreasing the amount of water needed to draft and navigate. With an outboard jet, water is drawn into the unit through an intake grill by an impeller driven directly by the engine driveshaft. This water is then forced at high pressure and volume through a nozzle directed astern of the boat. The velocity imparted to this mass of water creates an opposite force, and drives the boat forward.[5]

References
  1. Merriam Webster Dictionary
  2. "Aluminum Fishing Boat". Discover Boating. National Marine Manufacturers Association. n.d. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  3. "Shallow Water Boats: 7 Tips for Boating in Shallow Water". Discover Boating. National Marine Manufacturers Association. May 2017. Retrieved 7 March 2020.
  4. "Steve" (April 22, 2016). "What is a Jon Boat?". jonboataccessories.com. Retrieved August 18, 2016.
  5. "Outboard Jets". Outboard Jets. 2014-02-14. Retrieved 2017-10-08.


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