Building a Jon Boat

np307

np307

Happy to be here.
Joined
Feb 1, 2017
Messages
1,330
Location
Davidson County, NC
Rating - 100%
6   0   0
Has anybody here ever built one? I'm looking at doing so right now. I've got some rough plans in mind, and have read quite a bit. Also started pricing materials last week. I'm thinking about a basic plywood design. Maybe 13'6" by 40". I want to keep it under 14ft to avoid extra fees associated with that. Just looking for advice from anybody here. If I start to go through with it, I'll try to post updates in this thread.

Right now my biggest question is about the plywood. I know some sources say to use marine grade, but that's nigh unto impossible to find around here. Many others say exterior grade will work, but I wasn't impressed with what I saw at Lowes in the range of exterior grade stuff. Lots of gaps in the ply around the edges. There's a local hardware store that I've had some bad run-ins with, but I might be willing to run down there if I think they'll have something suitable for the job.
 
Go with the marine grade. Even if ya have to get lowes to order it for you. In a couple years you will be glad you did. When I lived in Mobile no one would build a john boat without it. In fact many would even soak the marine grade in an oil seal before building. Its not just the water repellent qualities the marine grade that has benefits..
In marine grade the core has no voids like an exterior plywood.. Exterior grade when submerged will absorb water into the voids and literally rot from the inside out.
Exterior grade can be exposed to some weather / and soon drys out. It will not stand up to being submerged in water. The thickness of the marine grade will depend on the style boat you build. Boats with lots of ribs/crossmembers can use thinner wood. It's all a matter of where you put the weight and strength. In the ribs and crossmembers or in the hull. And of course use Stainless screws.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Ive never heard a Wood boat called a Jonboat. I guess if its a flatbottom its a Jonboat. Thats got to be heavy. I have visions of a vintage Chriscraft Jonboat in my head now.
 
Lafayette Gregory;n89821 said:
Go with the marine grade. Even if ya have to get lowes to order it for you. In a couple years you will be glad you did. When I lived in Mobile no one would build a john boat without it. In fact many would even soak the marine grade in an oil seal before building. Its not just the water repellent qualities the marine grade that has benefits..
In marine grade the core has no voids like an exterior plywood.. Exterior grade when submerged will absorb water into the voids and literally rot from the inside out.
Exterior grade can be exposed to some weather / and soon drys out. It will not stand up to being submerged in water. The thickness of the marine grade will depend on the style boat you build. Boats with lots of ribs/crossmembers can use thinner wood. It's all a matter of where you put the weight and strength. In the ribs and crossmembers or in the hull. And of course use Stainless screws.
Click to expand...

I'm obviously not arguing with experience in the area, but I still find it hard to believe that exterior plywood with properly glued seams, and a good paint job would be so susceptible to water. I'm not talking about a boat left in water, just one that gets used for the day and then pulled off the water.

But like I said, I've never built one before so I'm just asking for input, which I appreciate.
 
I would suggest a Pirogue made from marine grade plywood as the exterior grade just wont be strong enough to flex without cracking. I would also suggest glassing the hull instead of paint.
 
Don't design your own. There are lots of great plans out there. Luann is actually a very good plywood for boat building. Plan to glass the outside of the hull. Plan to encapsulate in epoxy. If you shop around you don't have to get $70 a sheet Okume plywood. SYP is pretty sturdy, if you can find some void free.
look here:

http://bateau.com/categories.php?cat=28

http://www.bertaut.com/boat.html

http://www.bertaut.com/gatorboats.html

https://www.boatdesigns.com/mobile/Outboards/departments/10/

I have patterns and plans for building a Hunky Dory from glen-l, and the Swamp boat from bertaut.
 
You're going about this the hard way..... look on Craigslist or cruise any neighborhood and scan the backyards and you'll find more small aluminum johnboats than you can shake a stick at.
Building a boat sounds like a great idea in theory but when put into action has a LOT of drawbacks.
And what is this "under 14' rule" you make reference to?? Size doesn't matter (contrary to popular belief) if it's human powered, no registration, if mechanical powered registration is needed......
 
trcubed;n90295 said:
Some of those look like bathtubs...
Click to expand...

I was looking at them thinking I could make a fortune on my YouTube channel with a couple of them dorys.
Wonder what my boat to water dwell time ratio would be?



About the fees.
Last I checked it's $90 for three years. Rowing a boat is great.....Until you do it for about a mile. If you get a boat to just paddle around, it won't be long before you will wish you could get in a bigger piece of water, cover more area etc, unless you just drift down a river. You will want at least an electric motor pretty quick.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Peterd

He's away skiing in that blizzard of Vermont. He's been making his own boat for the last few months and will have lots of insight on this one. Granted it's not quite a Jon boat, but it's definitely a boat...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Just to clarify, I'm not rowing this thing. I've got a good trolling motor looking to be mounted on sonething. That's why the under 14' comes into play.

Also, definitely looking at a Jon boat profile, not a canoe hybrid or anything else. Also not one of the one sheet bathtubs.

I've looked on craigslist and everybody thinks they're selling a yacht, for a basic boat.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
np307;n90494 said:
Just to clarify, I'm not rowing this thing. I've got a good trolling motor looking to be mounted on sonething. That's why the under 14' comes into play.

Also, definitely looking at a Jon boat profile, not a canoe hybrid or anything else. Also not one of the one sheet bathtubs.

I've looked on craigslist and everybody thinks they're selling a yacht, for a basic boat.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
If your looking for wood, Lumber River outfitters down the road from me, which has been out of business for years, still has 18 Cyprus strip boats starting at 800 some dollars left that he built back in the 90's. Still new never used. Wood is heavy, and a 14 ft or 13' 11" Aluminum John Boat 1436 can be had for 600 something new. I see them around 500 on craigslist for a plain riveted. Nothing thick. wide, or fancy.

I've got a Jon boat I'll sale you PM me if interested.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Rogue_One;n90508 said:
If your looking for wood, Lumber River outfitters down the road from me, which has been out of business for years, still has 18 Cyprus strip boats for 800 dollars left that he built back in the 90's. Still new never used. Wood is heavy, and a 14 ft or 13' 11" Aluminum John Boat 1436 can be had for 600 something new. I see them around 500 on craigslist for a plain riveted. Nothing thick. wide, or fancy.

I've got a Jon boat I'll sale you PM me if interested.
Click to expand...

Got any pictures of said cyprus boats?
 
Unless your intended boat falls into one of these categories it will need to be registered, regardless of length.

1. Vessels that are unused and kept on dry land do not need registration in North Carolina.

2. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts moved only by oars, paddles, or the current do not need registration in North Carolina.

3. A vessel used only on a private pond does not need registration in North Carolina.

The minute you put any mechanical propulsion on it and use public waters it needs registration, $30.00 per year. Triple that for 3 boats and you're now in the same situation I am..... The increases 2 years ago has hampered a lot of small boat owners.
 
Bailey Boat;n90577 said:
Unless your intended boat falls into one of these categories it will need to be registered, regardless of length.

1. Vessels that are unused and kept on dry land do not need registration in North Carolina.

2. Rowboats, canoes, kayaks, and rafts moved only by oars, paddles, or the current do not need registration in North Carolina.

3. A vessel used only on a private pond does not need registration in North Carolina.

The minute you put any mechanical propulsion on it and use public waters it needs registration, $30.00 per year. Triple that for 3 boats and you're now in the same situation I am..... The increases 2 years ago has hampered a lot of small boat owners.
Click to expand...

Yep has to be registered, but you don't have to pay a Title Fee under 14' and have it titled. Saves about 60 dollars or so upfront if it's non titled.
 
Down east us redneck make a single person boat for one person out of 2 sheets of exterior plywood. They are ow side boats, great for slow or still water. Caulk them up and put 5 coats of oil paint on them. Take a ladder back chair and cut the legs off short to sit on. Small cooler for fish and another for drinks. You have to paint each year and they lats 5-8 years.

If you want bigger/ last longer, you will need to get into stitch and fiberglass
 
Some of you Jack holes are gonna have me foaming at the mouth if you don't SHUT UP AND LET HIM BUILD A BOAT!
:p:D
 
Rogue_One;n90843 said:
Go to shop, then bubba boats. For some reason I can post a direct link.
Click to expand...

That's what I did. Those are some great looking boats, but I couldn't find a price anywhere. Not that I could afford one...
 
TSheaffer;n91090 said:
That's what I did. Those are some great looking boats, but I couldn't find a price anywhere. Not that I could afford one...
Click to expand...

He had them listed on Craigslist starting at 800 something.
 
Rogue_One;n91738 said:
He had them listed on Craigslist starting at 800 something.
Click to expand...

Which is a great price. I'm just broke. Haha.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom