Jon boat purchase question?

I currently have a very old (1980 ) 14 ' Lowe brand aluminum jon boat that has served me well for 40 plus years now. Lately the age of the boat is showing and I find I`m constantly fixing leaks. I`m to the point the boat needs to bee replaced.

With Covid mess I`ve learned there is a shortage of Jon boats, or at least here in Virginia.

My local dealer has one Jon in stock and its a G3 12 footer.Mine is a 14 .Do you think I`d notice a huge amount of difference if I downsized from a 14 to 12? The boat is primarily used for local fishing in reservoirs.

All replies appreciated.

That is quite a bit smaller. For one person you may not notice it as much. For two I believe you would. You could always mark your boat with tape 2 foot shorter to get a perspective

I have a 17 ft and a 12ft. Yes...when I use the 12 I am wishing I had more space. Most noticeable is no room for a cooler when keeping the catch. Is it doable... yes. My partner and I fish a local lake with a 10hp limit a lot. If you know that you need to stay seated and don't try to walk around it works ok for us. In order to maintain a safe casting distance from each other the very front seat and very back must be used. Hope this helps.

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If the 12 foot boat is narrower than the 14 you might not like the lack of stability. I used a 12 jon boat as a pond hopper boat in the 1980s, wore out a few 36-48 thrust trolling motors.. Stability was not too good but I was in my 20's so it worked good for me, no way would or could I use it now.. I sometimes used a 9.5 Johnson out board. Maybe check Craigslist for a good used boat??

RobertFL makes a good point. Please check this on the 12. My 12 is also a Lowe. It is classified as a Lake Jon and is wider than the usual car topper jons thus more stable.

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Width is my concern, I’m 64, 6’2” and 240lbs. I have no business in a small skinny Jon anymore. I do fish from a 1648 almost exclusively nowadays and while I could cut it down to 14’ and still be comfortable, I wouldn’t buy one skinnier than 42”. Most 12’s I see are 36” at best but I’m told some are wider. I was spoken to by acquiring this boat, a long story, but the main point was that it was given to me when I was on the fence about another canoe or a kayak. Please err on the side of stability and safety.

A lot depends on the layout of the boat, and if you fish by yourself or with others and a lot of gear. If its just you, and minimal gear you will probably notice the smaller size but get used to it right away. Thats about 20% smaller 'deck' space. As others have said, stability and safety is paramount!

wider is better , its all about the width , like stated .....canoe johns are tough to fish out of

I would rather fish out of a wide 12 footer than a narrow 14 footer. Having said this a wide 14 footer would be the best option. Those extra 2ft really makes a difference.

I’ve owned a 2472,2072,1860, and now a 1754. I wouldn’t consider any smaller.
1754 is just right for me and lakes I fish. I might add, all have been modified-V models.
Been a long time since I’ve fished out of a true Jon boat.
Chuck


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I would say it's going to be too small. However, if the market is that scarce you may be able to buy it and try it for a while and if it doesn't suit you, possibly sell it and recoup your money.

I have a 1248 with a 15hp that I use when the river gets to low for my 16 stick steer. It’s a 1979 Fisher. When it’s just me it’s perfect but can get cramped really quick when I got a passenger. I would not want anything narrower, I’m not as nimble as I used to be.


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Might be to much of a drive but check Tri - cities craigslist there are several jons , some with trailers on that site , cannot vouch for condition but might be worth a look

for got it is tri-cities Tennessee craigslist

Bigger is better. I'd wait until I found what I wanted.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Speckalator

Bigger is better. I'd wait until I found what I wanted.

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I think you’re right. When spending that kind of money get what you want - within reason of course:Rofl
Bob

I’ve got a 14 ft Lowe that is also aged. 1981 model that my dad bought new. It shows its age like yours, but it’s a solid boat if you store it outside the water. My advice is hang onto your boat if you’ve had it for 40 yrs. you will miss it. Dad always kept his because wasn’t worth enough to bother selling and here I am 40 yrs later fishing it. My humble opinion is 12 will feel very small. My buddy has a 12 ft and every time we go out he comments on bow much bigger my boat is lol.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Slab Apprentice

I’ve got a 14 ft Lowe that is also aged. 1981 model that my dad bought new. It shows its age like yours, but it’s a solid boat if you store it outside the water. My advice is hang onto your boat if you’ve had it for 40 yrs. you will miss it. Dad always kept his because wasn’t worth enough to bother selling and here I am 40 yrs later fishing it. My humble opinion is 12 will feel very small. My buddy has a 12 ft and every time we go out he comments on bow much bigger my boat is lol.


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That's a great point. I'd hate to get rid of something that had served me well for 4 decades - you may regret it shortly after for sentimental reasons.

You can overload a 12 ft jon boat before you know it.

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The layout of the boat means alot.
A 12’ boat with no center seat would offer alot more room than one having one.
I have a 1442 jon with an open layout, no seats except the one at the stern.
I would rather have a 48” beam but the 42 poses no problem with stability either.
I can stand up and walk around in it with no issues.
I did install a plywood floor so im not tripping on the ribs.
I looked at alot of used boats before buying the one i have about 2.5 years ago now.
I ended up buying a new but leftover 2018 model in order to get what i wanted.
The boat was built by Alweld in AR. and im completly happy with it.
The 20 horse motor runs forever on very little fuel, and the 50# thrust electric will go several trips without charging if needed.
As for your old boat, would a coating on the hull like Rhino liner or Line X be a solution?

They make some epoxy paint that should seal it it up well.

the john on my list to come home home with me is an older wide one and they rhino lined it to make it water tight and non slip .