Jon Yacht
In a world of $400 coolers and $80,000 pick-up trucks, sometimes we forget how affordable things can be if they need to be. Just because a brand-new duck boat costs $20,000-$40,000 + doesn't mean you have to spend that! Keep the objective in mind - safe and reliable-ish transportation on the water from point A to point B with a platform to stand and fish, preferably with room for a cooler. The solution is simple and budget friendly - the jon yacht. Your other two options are consumer debt or relying on a buddy with a boat. Springtime is nearly upon us and Facebook Marketplace is chock full of “one man's junk is another man's treasure” kind of finds. The lull between duck season and turkey season is the perfect time to take on such a project.
The lowly riveted-boat has taken a backseat in recent years to the better-built, less leak-prone, impact-resistant and more expensive counterpart- the welded hull. Unless you’re literally planning on hitting stumps at 35 miles an hour, the difference in performance and function is arguably negligible. A 1442 flat bottom jon boat, often with a trailer, can be had all day long for $750 or less. Any man eligible for social security likely has one laying around behind his tool shed or shop somewhere, and if you’re related to them, you may be able to sweet talk him out of it. With a little elbow grease and J-B Marine Weld, you’ll be well on your way. Sure, you might not want to cross Lake Martin on July 4th or Port St. Joe Bay with a north wind, but if you watch the weather and pick your days, you won't have a problem.
Outfitting your new jon boat with the right motor is a bit more tricky. If you’re mechanically inclined or have a really patient friend, you can save some money buying something a little older or that might not yet run but that may be repairable. My cousin recently purchased the cleanest 1993 Yamaha 40 I have ever seen for $300. Sure, it hasn't ran in 15 years, but 7 hours, a couple YouTube videos and a few choice words later it does. For a reliable, already running motor, you'll likely have to spend $1,500 or more. Figure out how big of a motor your boat is rated and get as close to it as your budget and/or wife will allow. No man has ever wished he bought a smaller, slower motor.
No jon yacht is complete without some unnecessary and inexpensive upgrades. Non-negotiables include cup holders, rod holders, radio, lights, astroturf (carpet if you’re fancy), fish finder, seats, etc. Just like a dog, boats tend to take on the same personality as the owner.
When you can build a boat for the same price as an iPhone, they start making more and more sense. Working on it, talking about it, and looking at it in your driveway is half the value anyway. It would be a crying shame to miss out even once this summer because your buddy didn't have enough room on his boat. Don’t rely on an invitation.
By: Benjamin Smith
