I could use some advice… I've never done this before

[SFC Hall]

I am brand new here and brand new to boats and boat building… so when you reply type slow, so I can understand…

I am going to build my very first boat. Now, the river I fish on is rocky and has some very shallow spots. My bud and I have been using a canoe, but what I really would like was a Jonboat. I’m in the Army with a kid in College and another going to start soon, so a Grand for a boat is out of the question.

I started research on building my own Jon… and it all seems pretty straightforward, I shouldn’t have any problems with the boat itself. But, as in all things, I have been finding myself as I read wanting more and more.

I may end up with a simple Jon…. BUT, what I really want is a scooter, I have a 50hp in my barn doing nothing, and I could fish off the flat deck. I think it would be more versatile in that with a 4-5” draft I could run the river, but could also take it to the lake and open it up a bit… have fun.

However, I may be overreaching here in that this is my first boat project. The Jon seems easier and more practical at this point.

So, on the Jon… I would still like the flat deck with raised seats, one front on back. The question is… how wide and how long should I make the boat? I have a 10hp for going and a 30# trolling for staying….I want a stabile platform at seat level, one in the bow and one in the rear. Open to the floor in the center to put the cooler and tent and tackle.

So what do you think? ANY advice would be greatly appreciated. And remember, type slow, I am a newby to all of this…

[JimD]

Welcome to the forum! For starters if you have a trailer or a budget for one then I'd say build something on the bigger side. The extra room is nice to have. But if you've been car topping the canoe and plan to continue car topping then you're running into some serious size and weight limitations.

[Thorne]

As a first-time builder, have you considered building from plans? There are a lot of free plans on the Internet, and many low-cost ones available from designers.

You **usually** get what you pay for with plans, sometimes including a limited amount of support (via phone or email) for the commercial plans.

I'm sure that others will post with links to various plans / designers. Might be easiest to check them out, particularly those rated/built for a 10hp outboard, and then start comparing details for more specific decisions on size, weight, cost, etc.

Here's what a quick web search brings up -

http://www.unclejohns.com/jonboat/building%20plans/default.htm

http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/bittersweet/wi73b.htm

http://www.common-sense-boats.com/jon_boat_v.htm

http://www.vintageprojects.com/boats/jon-boat-plans-build.html

http://www.glen-l.com/designs/canu-row/mrjohn.html

[whitebd]

I built a jon boat from plans off of svensons.com about 3 years ago. Used plain ol' yeller pine and bcx plywood. Painted the heck out of it. Installed seats from academy and use a 50lb thrust trolling motor. Is it pretty - no. Can I drag it through the rocks and not worry about it - yes.
I use it in Lake Travis and the Colorado river.

www.svensons.com (http://www.svensons.com) has a bunch of free designs (reprints from old magazines.