8' Jon Boat
Ive got this 8' Jon boat Ive been using that I've been thinking about doing some bass boat type mods to. I've seen Jon boats on here but nothing as short as 8 foot. Anyone using and 8' boat?
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by escapadventures
I would probably put some outriggers on before I thought about putting a deck on an 8ft jon boat. Whatever you do make sure you are always at center of gravity and don’t make any sudden movements. I think a 12 ft would be the minimum to do any bassboat converting.
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by kak-47
Yeah exactly what I was thinking. I was curious to see if anyone pulled it off.
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by escapadventures
Dont exceed weight capacity
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by MentyMutanto
Who sells an 8' Jon? Exactly what I'm looking for. Smallest I can find is a 10'.
I worked for a man who sold boats at his gas station/bait shop. He asked me to try out a 10' Jon boat before selling them. My fishing buddy had a small outboard motor so we headed for the lake to fish. I sat in the front, as there was only room for two. When he opened up the small outboard the front end raised into the air and the back end was so far down he panicked and cut back on the power, at which time the front end dipped violently and the boat almost became a submarine! When I hollered my friend again goosed the motor, I rose up again and he was almost in the water! This happened rapidly a few times until we finally realized we were not going anywhere fast and were never fishing in a 10' foot John boat again!!! I ended up on the floor and we went slow. When I reported our experience to my boss he thanked us and said he would not sell them. I have fished in a 12' Jon boat many times with no problem. I can only imagine what an 8' Jon boat would be like. I will never find out unless someone tells me because I won't be in it!
Thanks for the input. My thoughts are at 75 years old, I can slide a aluminum, 8' Jon boat in and out of my pick up by myself. Thoughts were to use an electric trolling motor. Nothing high speed, just keeping an old man fishing. I welcome ideas and suggestions. Using my canoe right now and find it a little difficult loading on top of my truck and don't dare stand up in it.
I am 80 years old. I have outlived many of my fishing companions and fish solo most of the time, By Choice! I know many who want to get up early, leave at 7 AM, arrive at 9 AM, fish until 12:30 PM and go home. OR, ALWAYS be home by 5 PM for supper. I many times leave home at 5 PM., arrive at 6 PM and fish until 8 or 9 PM in the summer when the wind has died down and the fish are attacking the flies I fish pan fish with. I do not use a fly rod anymore, instead a spinning rod with a torpedo float to deliver the fly and leader a great distance. Consider a 12 foot fishing boat and trailer. You can find a used one cheap. I have a 14' extra wide and deep Sea Nymph boat and trailer and 9 1/2 HP Johnson Outboard that I acquired for $125. If you buy a 12' fishing boat and trailer and use a small outboard and/or electric trolling motor you can pull that with a car or light truck and should have no trouble handling it. You can probably buy a 12' boat motor and trailer used for what a Jon boat will cost. A small fishing boat is very easy to launch and crank back onto the trailer and would be safer than a small Jon boat. Good luck and good fishing!
Find a 14' or 16' jon on a trailer you'll never regret it or the extra room
In my life time I've probably had a dozen boats, most of them on a trailer. Dealing with a trailer is getting to be a bit much for me, when the days were younger and I had more get up and go the trailered boat idea was the way. Too much to deal with now. Looking for something light and easy now. No gas and oil, no parking problems, no winterizing,. no taxes and registration. If a little 8' Jon doesn't work out I would just sell it and keep looking for something that fits. I always got the bank. I thought getting old would take longer. But still...…...who sells an 8 footer?
If you are set on a short boat that you can handle and carry in your pickup, consider what I have but seldom use anymore, a plastic 2 seat Bass boat. This is very stable, short and wide. It can handle a small outboard and/or electric motor. It has 2 comfortable seats and I have a double paddle. It has space on both sides for rods and paddle and the seats are the plastic bucket style but comfortable. Here in Minnesota we have to license anything over 9' so I don't have to license this. If you are alone you will have more space for carrying things. This will fit in your truck and you will avoid the licensing you wish to avoid. I have had this in my storage shed for years now and I think I paid about $350 for it when new but that was many years ago. By the way you said you are ONLY 75 now? I am 80 and have no problem with the 14' Extra wide and deep boat, motor and trailer behind my Toyota Camry Wagon. Unless something changes drastically I will stay with what I have. I got rid of larger boats years ago because they are too hard to launch at many local lakes (or not at all) and too hard to anchor. I prefer my present system. I don't remember the brand or name of the Bass boat I have and have actually never seen another like it but would think something similar is available out there. I carried mine in a trailer behind my Toyota Station Wagon. Look on line for what you are looking for. Maybe Craig's List? Google something like, "Where can I buy a used 8' Jon Boat or Bass type boat" and see what comes up. Good Luck!
Good suggestion. Trailers are definitely out. Just want to keep it simple.
Thanks for the reply
Okay. I took time to search online for you. It does NOT appear that anyone manufacturers a Jon Boat in 8' length. There is a NEW Sun Dolphin 8.5 foot Sportsman Boat which is 2 man with removable seats and is pre wired for an electric motor. It is made from Polyethylene - UV stabilized for fade resistance. There are 99 reviews with over 4.5 out of 5 stars. The biggest complaint is the seller (HOME DEPOT) did not give the paperwork needed to licence the boat. Make sure you get a bill of sale and whatever is needed where you live to make this craft legal. This is listed NEW for $484.36. I saw it elsewhere for over $600. You might want to search Ebay or Amazon and try to find it cheaper, or look for a used one. A 77 year old man said he had no problem lifting it into the bed of his pickup. I did not see anything else listed that was 8' or under EXCEPT inflatables and tubes. Good Luck!
Many thanks. Really good of you. I saw this advertised at Home Depot and am for sure considering it. I would need a bill of sale as anything here in this state that is motorized needs to be registered (and then taxed) so I assume it would have to be delivery to the store not to the door. No big deal. 8' alum. Jon's were made by ??? at one time but I cannot find a listing or a used one. With a short bed pick up 8' seems to be ideal. We'll see. All I know is I'm gonna keep fishing til I go to the other side of the front lawn.
Thanks again
Here you go!!! I just returned from a short fishing trip, 5 PM to 8:30 PM and limited out on 20 nice sunfish, one crappie and one bass. All caught on the spinning outfit and a torpedo float and leader and fly. Much fun but the wind came up instead of going down and the boat traffic was horrible with pontoons, speedboats and jetskis providing constant waves with the wind. No fish surfaced because of the surface disturbance but my sinking fly with maggots did the trick!
I just saw that there is a Bass Raider 8' for sale by Walmart. No price was given. On line there are 3 used Bass Raider 8 boats for sale. One in Denton, Texas includes the trolling motor and battery, fish locator, anchor and rope and life jackets and updated seats. The asking price is $700 or make offer. It states this unit has been advertised for over 60 days so the owner may be ready to sell it for less. You can see pictures of this one and the other two at
www.smartmarine guide.com/L49016872 . There is no number listed but a place to send him your name and phone number so he can contact you. This one is supposed to be 8 ft. long so should fit inside your pickup bed. If not just leave the tailgate down and add a red flag. Good Luck! Don.
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