Jon Boat Coversions

[BrandonDrew87]

hey guys I have a 9.9 four stroke merc. do you think it will push a 14/36 with floor and carpet and two men?

[tinboats]

@BrandonDrew87

Yup, that is a great motor and should move you along just perfect. No speed demon, but again it will be perfect. Join the forum(Its free) and post up pictures of your boat.

Jim

[Bishop0311]

Great video, great ideas, thanks for posting it. 

[TheFishingman13]

how do u get the deck to meet up with the side of the boat? PLEASE ANWSER!!!!

[7bassing]

how much did u havein it wen u got done

[noahcline100]

when u see love like this... just say yeah!!!!!! keep fishin brother..keep it smple..

[Phantasmos]

Could this be done useing aluming framing as well?

[tinboats]

@Phantasmos

Yes absolutely! I would recommend it if you an afford it.

[JAFZX1207]

These are awesome and inspiring. Woould love to tackle a project like this someday for my 14ft by 36" Job Boat. However, how much extra weight would all that decking and framing underneath "normally" add? Would hate to get carried away on such a project while the boat is in the garage only to be surprised at how low it ends up sitting in the water before I climb in!

[tinboats]

@JAFZX1207

IT does add allot, you also have to factor your weight, equipment, trolling motor, batteries.....On a boat like yours, a simple level floor to step on and some nice comfortable seats to fish off of is all I would do.

[JAFZX1207]

@tinboats I did see on tinboats.com numerous examples of guys with a 1436L like mine tricked out with elevated casting decks and under deck storage compartments, some even smaller than mine. Would you still recommend in my case sticking just to the flat floors and that's it? I sometimes wonder when I see these conversions how they do on the water. I don't see allot of feedback on how these conversions do on the water after they are done with these projects.

[tinboats]

@JAFZX1207

If you really want to try it and have the resources, get a piece of plywood and cut it out and lay it on top of your benches. Put on your life vest (please do this) then take it to the water. Go and stand on it and you will get an idea how stable it will be. Sitting? Grab a 5 gallon bucket and put it in the center of your temporary deck and sit. Feel how it rocks back and forth. Factor in weight distribution and from there you will have to take an educated guess. Good Luck!

[Steffent1493]

how can i do this with a fiberglass boat?

[analyzingfunny]

<major river rat...I want one with a single jacuzzi, a generator, an electric water heater, small dishwasher, and storage for all my camping gear. Sort of like a red-neck yacht.

[sundog63]

How do I become a member I'm about to start me project on my 1648 jon boat.

[sundog63]

How do I become a member I'm about to start me project on my 1648 jon boat. 

[WHFOutdoors]

Thinking about doing this to my 10 foot fiberglass jon

[spartansfan5]

How stable is this is it stable enough for two 14 year olds to do tournaments in

[hospersrider92]

if you go to scavenger mud motors out of iowa they have some more reasonable motors that arent fast but go through alot..i got one and with a little modifying it goes pretty good...you think a 9.9 johnson is enough to push 2 guys in a 14ft jon up a decent river?

[tinboats]

@hospersrider92

Hi,

a 9.9 will work for sure, but it will be working to get a full boat up a river, especially one flowing hard.

[matthewpaul0007]

4:55 i have same motor, runs all the time. no problems ever. i like the fact he mod a V, inspiring, considering not manys do

[schummiehugo]

REMEMBER JON !!!

ol the hard word, now hy rest....

[bassnager]

how did you rug the plywood?

[matthewpaul0007]

hey tinboats, at 4:37 with the v bottom and you have the seats, thoses metal arms going around the seat, did you make that? or buy it? cause i was thinking about doing something like that to my boat.

[acedog1001]

these are some nice boats

[MLKJRJR]

Thanks for the video. This was a pleasure to watch. Us fisherman are very innovative people. Thanks again for the vid 5 stars

[TheFrogMaster22]

okay i have a 14ft sea king v-bottom.. would it be possible to make a deck for that?

PLEASE HELP

[zeballenstarnes]

@TheFrogMaster22 Sure it is check out a quick video of a boat I had done a while back. I didn't get a real good shot of it, but it's a 14' V-Hull with a front deck and pedestal seat. I left the front aluminum bench seat in place to provide hull stability and based my deck off of it's hieght. I removed the center bench seat and then flat decked the floor. I carpeted everything and voila ! A nice fishing boat for lakes and rivers.

[TheFrogMaster22]

@zeballenstarnes was it stable on the water? and so you based the eck height off the front bench?

[zeballenstarnes]

@TheFrogMaster22 It was very stable. The only problem was that I had the fuel tank and the battery in the rear so when it was just me in the boat it was kinda light in the bow so I relocated the fuel cell to the bow, but I have had this boat in some rough conditions and handles rough water better than my 16 foot flat bottom bass tracker bass boat. With these V-Hull models the V cuts into the waves better and you normally have a lot more freeboard.

[zeballenstarnes]

@TheFrogMaster22 As for the front deck I used the existing bench for the base and made some upright supports in front of it and the same hieght. Laid a slab of epoxied 1/2" ply over that then carpeted it and bolted a pedestal seat base to it using self tapping bolts that went through the ply and then through the old bench under it. If I had it to do over again though I would use 5/8" ply. It's just so more heavier duty, and prolly wouldn't add more than 5-8 lbs over the 1/2" ply.

[chaumebleu]

good job ! nice !

[tinboats]

Just a hobby...............

[Goingpostal1000]

@tinboats Do you think a 16 foot jon boat with a deck on it will move with a 50 lb minn kota trolling motor?

[tinboats]

@Goingpostal1000

Sure will! Will not be a speed demon, but I had a 46# on my G3 and it moved it along ok.

[Goingpostal1000]

@tinboats Thank you for the reply! I want to get a long tail or mud motor for it someday but that is a lot of money. So I may be stuck with that trolling motor and a small outboard for awhile.

[atifirepro1]

@Goingpostal1000 Yes. Even up river at a fast walking speed.

[heathdspain]

so do yall do it for people as a business or ass a blog and people just showing off their nice boats ...

[HiWay69s]

this some redneck shit. half of them will sink with all that weight

[abolt2owner]

@HiWay69s Another internet expert, huh?

[HiWay69s]

@abolt2owner Yes i am actually. I would recommend these guys install a bilge pump

[ryanb788]

Great video! Really cool ideas to take a cheap boat and make it nice.......the possibilties are only limited to your imagination.

[chaumebleu]

nice job !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[FreshwaterAngling]

Amazing

[SALTWATERHOOKER]

does it weigh the boat down more with the deck? how much weight?

[johnrmistrot]

is it possible to power a 14 ft jon boat with a trolling motor?

[tinboats]

@johnrmistrot

of course, why not? Lots of electric only lakes exist.

[johnrmistrot]

@tinboats how much power would need to push a 14 ft jon boat through a bay or a river with current? just wondering cus i really dont want to be up shit creek with a paddle (in this case... lol)... most weight will be i'm thinking at the max 3 people plus a battery, sound system, and maybe a cooler or live well... plus small things that won't take up much weight...

[tavspop]

@tinboats Is the framing all marine grade lumber or are you sealing it and is just sealing sufficient protection?

[tinboats]

@tavspop Regular plywood with sealing!

[bull5574]

@johnrmistrot sure, i fish a small tourny circuit on a trolling motor only lake. I have seen 21 foot fiberglass bass boats with trolling motors only and when rigged properly they move farely well.

[tasteslikechicken76]

sweet, anyone know what a plain old hull would sell for?

[Fender66ch]

Best website in existence. I'm a member and love it! Great guys!

[MrTbollom]

out of all thoose = only saw a few people using light weight materials such as aluminum. 2x4 is way over kill and it just rots even with waterproofing it eventually. if you do use wood, go with smaller wood size to frame and fiberglass over it, even if only putting resin on top of it! i buikt a deck extension in my ranger 320v and its solid and Im not a small guy and it lifts out very easily and its lightweight. Thoose decks look very heavy.

[MrTbollom]

out of all thoose = only saw a few people using light weight materials such as aluminum. 2x4 is way over kill and it just rots even with waterproofing it eventually. if you do use wood, go with smaller wood size to frame and fiberglass over it, even if only putting resin on top of it!

[cjoIIProductionz]

Good Song, Good Boats, Good Video.

[KILLRLORD]

i can't figure out how to screw down the support beams to the hull of my jon boat at all, i plan on doing stuff like this to it and i can do all the construction to it with out any problems except for how to purt the support beams in w/o making holes?

[hardystyle1771]

You guys are awesome! How difficult, and how much money does it cost to custom put a Live Well in a Jon Boat?

[ATVKid32]

can u make a how to basics for how to do this

[tinboats]

@ATVKid32

There is a video being produced as I type this from a forum board sponsor. Stay tuned.

[Phantasmos]

recently got hold os 16 ft craft and am seking to modify - thanks - hope to upload some picks before the year is out.

[nobull60]

If I recall, treated wood is done with copper sulfate. And it may react with aluminum. These conversions look absolutely great. It shows what talent and a creative mind can do. It's like a car or gun or what ever it may be. It's your's and if it doesn't meet all your requirements, modify it to do so. Then it has a little bit of you attached to it.

Sentiment! Acomplishment! Originality! Bravo! Bravo!

[DCgolf013]

Thanks a bunch tinboat the sites great. Just became a member, can't wait to start posting my progress.

[DCgolf013]

just bought a 1977 sea king flat bottom but not sure how to build the frame to the deck and secure it to the boat? can anyone help

[tinboats]

@DCgolf013

Go to the forum and look under the boat conversion section. There you will see a ton of projects from start to finish. Also, the forum has a search feature(top right of the forum). Be warned, you could be there for hours! LOL!

[puckboy12345678]

what is that at 2:28? is that for the live well or bildge? or etc

[tinboats]

@puckboy12345678

That is a Bilge pump.

[jackbomberdp]

cool boat but how much weight does that add? to me the purpose of a john boat is to go where other's cant' and I think lugging around the extra weight might be tough

[cchanderson]

Is there a reason you don't use pressure treated (green treated) wood? Does in weigh too much or is it cost ?

[tinboats]

@cchanderson Pressure treated wood may react badly with aluminum. Better safe than sorry and just poly the cheap stuff.

[MayDayFishin3]

@tinboats Im about to build a deck in my 14' v hull are you saying it would be best to use just regular 3/8 or 5/8 ply and then fiber glass resin it? rather then buying pressure treated and fiber glass resin it?.. either way i planed on using the resin to stiffin it up and hopefully make it last even longer

[Northwestrebel]

Very nice.

[flathead2020]

Thats a great job guy. 5*****

[bgolden24k]

Sweet rigs! I tricked out a 10ft x 4ft jon. All decked out with carpet, including 2 swivel seats with cup holders. Real comfy to fish from. Standing up is not a problem, very stable. Who needs a $20,000 Ranger when you can get your boat the way you want it, for MUCH less!!!

[tekren6]

@bgolden24k How much do you weigh?

[justaflyguy1]

Nice boats guys. I'm sitting here with the neighbor and were trying to figure out what you cleaned the aluminum with before you painted it. Anybody have any suggestions? Anyway, great video and thanks for sharing...

[diyableguy]

I'm in the middle of stripping some really thick paint off of a salvaged 12' semi-v. Last week a friend recommended this stuff at Home Depot called "klean strip". You can get it for $22.50 a gallon in brush or spray on type, I'd definitely go w/the spray on type. WOW this stuff works! spray it on, wait 15 mins, and the paint almost falls off. I'm using scrapers & metal brushes. Be careful, this stuff is very strong, wear goggles and heavy gloves, it burns. Good Luck & ill post pics of my boat

[markmoore42420]

You guys gave me some great ideas, that I put into my jon boat mod... I hope you will check it out.

[TheBassBros]

that is inspireing.

i was looking to buy a 5,300 small bass boat but now that i see this i will probably just get a used jon boat and work on it. i love doing that kind of stuff. nice job guys!

[cisjohn2616]

I'm a fisherman myself and a builder, you guys do a nice job !!!!

[Vlaxitov]

I want a jon boat but need some advice before going to buy one.

My issue is that I'm a king kong of human being. (6' 3", never weigh less than 260) My brother is a big boy too and we need a boat we can rock this summer without tipping it.

If anyone has any suggestions, please let me know.

[tinboats]

1448 is the smallest I would go....Bigger if you plan decks, motors, batteries etc.

[tekren6]

@tinboats How long is 1448? I'm guessing 15'?

[Fellated]

@tekren6 14 ft long 48 in. wide

[devin95g]

@tekren6 its 14 foot long 48 inches wide... 1448

[redfishruler1]

nice boats

[catfishing1990]

nice boats i have a 12 ft. fish master jon boat i want to do some wrk to myself it needs some little things done

[withoutanoutboard1]

probably got 3 to 400 lbs of wood in the boat when your all done.

[IRJohny]

You guys should try framimg those out and decking withh 100% aluminum, Then rhino liner the works. it will last forever... I know a guy who did that to his bass boat about 10 yrs ago...and to this day it looks like new

[tinboats]

Some members do go the whole aluminum deck and frame if they can afford it. That would be my first choice.

[IRJohny]

Yeah, I forgot to mention it's alot more expensive to do it this way but rather than having to do it over again after a few years, I'd just as soon put the $ out and do it right the first time. I also have a friend who did it with wood and has been kickin himself in the ass ever since lol

[boatbros23]

Would you recoment a V hull utility boat. I want to put a deck in the front. I like all of your projects

[tinboats]

The Cheapest, Widest you can afford. Buy used on Craigslist if you can. Winter is coming and so are the deals! Good Luck!

[lonzom10]

Nice video Jim! Great job on your mods Tinboat memebers!

[hondaryder1994]

i am geting a jon boat an aluminum craft to be exzact and i was wondering do i have to bottom paint it to put it in salt water

[Moe7133]

Whats faster, 2x50lb or 1x80lb trolling motor? I'll be using this on a 16feet Jon boat.

[TheDragonfreak101]

that is some cool boats i have a john boat that i want to do that to i just have to get the stuff and paing it and put rhino lining in it

[crpbmx]

nice song, skynyrd ftw

[Miller4519]

I seen OSB used for one of the boats? Wouldn't start to break down easly once it started to get wet. I also seen cardboard to deaden the sound--what happens when mold takes to that--rip it all out and replace it?

[tinboats]

Carboard was used to trace the shape to cut out the wood. And I don't think any member used OSB. That is not the norm. Most use regular plywood and a few coats of Poly.

[TonySamuels]

you need to make vids on how you exactly make them, how much do ppl pay you to do that to there boat

[ruiztube]

when you fasten those wooden frames to the boat do you drill right into the side of the boat? Is there some "seal" on the other end? How does it not leak?

[TonySamuels]

this is sick you just do this in your spare time, and they are just like a ranger or tracker boat

[tinboats]

cool isn't it? Not everyone can afford a 50,000 dollar boat. The fish don't care either!

[xphonx]

nice video, who sing this song and what is it call?

[tinboats]

Thanks!

Simple man by Lynyrd Skynrd

[theorangeboat]

how do i join???

[gearsrock98]

those r awsome boats!,great vid

[thatorangeboat]

great vid! what kind of paint do you suggest?? to give it that glossy finish?

[thatorangeboat]

how do i join?? i whant my boat in there!

[Y0B0YCHRIS]

AWSOMEEE vid. i was wondering if i could join but all i have so far is a 12 foot flat bottom landu jon boat model 1044F with an older minn kota trolling motor with 24 pounds of thrust. if u could tell me how to join and where you guys meet at i would REALLY appericate it. i am only 14 but i hane some BIG ideas for my boat for the future thanks and awsome vid. again

[motormaker]

cool boats. All those add on's look really heavy. How much weight does the decking and related bracing add? How does it affect the draft and the stability?

[tinboats]

All the boats are different, the members try to stay under the weight capacity limit and now that we have a bunch of boat mods and experience it is easier to see that some boats just don't cut having full decks.

[lonestar1775]

That was awsome, got some great ideals but i have a flat bottom tin boat but it has a v front. Also i was wondering if i use plywood for the deck if it can still hold 3 people. It is 12ft long, 3 seats. Also can i join, i am only 15 but i would love to see all the projects.

[tinboats]

Of course you can join, its all free. You have to stay very close to the weight capacity of the boat (should be a plate somewhere on the boat)to be safe. Add the weight of the 3 people plus deck, motor, battery and fishing stuff and it could be trouble.

[tritty84]

great vid

[ariwite76]

Awesome, I heard that if you hit bottom, or a rock hard that the rivets will popout on the metal boats. So I got a 15 foot fiberglass v-hull/flat bottom and is rhinolined on the inside.Thanks to your video I got plenty of ideas - just got done carpeting the new deck. Can I still join if it's fiberglass? Being a tribal member we can spear chinook salmon. So my boat is kinda a drift boat / fly fishing / spearing boat. Excellent projects and thanks again for posting!

[tinboats]

Of course you can join! We have a few guys with glass boats and plastic boats too. The more the better.

[FVAproductions]

one of my friends recently paied my grandpa to redo the wood in his john boat and now my buddy wants to make it like a deck like the one at about 43 seconds into the video could you give me an idea of how much that would cost plesase reply

[tinboats]

I am not sure what his total cost was, but I know he did it twice to try two different thickness wooden decks. He actually posted his own videos on Youtube showing his work. I hear he might be doing another boat real soon.

[MLBRENIZER]

I just subscribed to your YouTube page after having watched your video on Jon Boat Conversions. Looks like some folks have done some pretty good work. I'll try & get ya some pics of the boat my Dad & I built. We used a composite decking. Its's equiped with 2 trolling motors, 1 being a bow mount we only use for launching during high winds. We didn't want to purchase an expensive bass boat, so what we came up with really suits our fishing needs.

[andyjoe975]

these boats look really good, all fixed up with floors and stuff.. but it defeats teh porpose of an aluminum boat.. its super light and can be toted to the pond by 2 guys to fish the impossible to launch ponds with the big lunkers!!

[tinboats]

I agree with you somewhat. I would leave mine plain as can be to drag it those honey holes with no access. But decking a boat like these guys have, makes a long day of fishing really comfortable.

[cmuller711]

Wow I thought I was the only one who did this, Best Tin Boat haven yet, can't wait to join your site, I turned my ole beat up johnny into a look alike bass tracker for little or nothing!!!

[baucojm]

Got a 10' Jon Boat from 1971 with a 1971 3hp sears outboard..no leaks looks great and hauls ass!

[4mulas]

Boats for 5 year life, then scrap

[performancewelder]

They last alot longer than 5 years if you take care of them.

[PrivateUnknown007]

Woo. Starting to get nice out. One question, the plywood on some of these, is it just pressure treated? Or is there such thing as Marine grade? As, my boat gets awful wet, all the time.

[tinboats]

Most get regular plywood and then a few thick coats of poly. No need to spend the extra coin on marine grade. Good luck!

[catjr5465]

wow thanks guys ive been wanting to put a flat deck in the front of my boat but have been told i was crazy that it would make it to unstable now i think those guys are going to eat them words

[tinboats]

Good luck with your mod!

[chevman4]

nice i have that same red boat trailer for my 10 ft jon boat thing works great

[eddiesautoworks]

Those things are sweet! I wish I could build a similar setup with my boat but it's a v-flatbottom.

With the "decked" boats, how do you evac the water out of the hull if it gets wet - bilge pump or are the plugs accessible? And when standing uptop, don't they want to rock over?

Very nice boats. I'm going to give your site a look!

[Brian500R]

nice work

[SRV32566]

true quality work man

[riccaswpq1]

Where are you located? If you would please e-mail me asap! I love your work,Thanks

[jonboatfisher]

Hey i would like to join the club so how do you join the tinboats club please let me know.

[jonboatfisher]

Also i have a 25hp evinrude that keeps missing and jumping out of geat at full speed only not at half or less. If anybody knows the cause or a way to fix it please comment and let me know.

[flashs6]

Make sure your not over reving your engine, might be hitting the rev limiter causing a miss. Also the clutch dog in the lower unit can probably be turned around so that the reverse ears are facing forward, they woun't be rounded off or worn, and you won't be going flat out in reverse to make it jump out of gear.

[jonboatfisher]

sweet video these boats are awesome. Just got me an alumacraft 15ft with a 25 evinrude.

[roweboat253]

Awesome boats. Im gonna join your club. I just bought one yestarday and want to fix it up like these ones.

[tinboats]

Cool man! The more people the better. We call it a club because it has that family feel to it. I think you will like it.

Thanks!

[dannymartin66]

hey whats that anchor set up you got there on that red boat is it store bought or home made? and I tried to join your club a few months ago but it wouldnt let me sign up

[dkruitz]

Some nice looking results but I think you should consider some things when you modify these boats. The hull designs are meant for you to be sitting on the seats or standing on the floor. With all the very heavy looking 2x4 and the 3/4 plywood (which is overkill) I'd be very concerned about how much weight you've added to some of these, how the center of gravity has been raised, and how folks are forced to use them from much higher positions than stock. It's your boat, but be careful!

[kekkobass]

no words except :"amazing"

[buttlord123]

thanks youve inspired me to fix up my jon boat, great video

[rednecknate08]

you have ALOT of boats!

[mishmosh2000]

Neat setups!

[dirtydodger]

peat shellops!

[captnkurt83]

nice vid. puts my jb to shame

[tinboats]

Never too late man, You can always fix them up somehow. A simple floor or a nice paint job...It's like new boat.

[captnkurt83]

yeah i got a floor i installed that does not look too bad but deff not on the level of these boats plus i dont got the money right now to re-build it. but hey im in the middle of painting it with my neighbor and he let the primer go all over below the water line so i was woundering do i need marine paint for the bottom? i got a very limited budget so i wanna do it low cost if poss. thanks

[dirtydodger]

my friend just got a little john boat and it is BEAT. we were just talking about fixing it up tonight while we replaced some rivets. olive drab looks cool as hell.

[IndyArmyVet]

Good stuff, I'm wanting to get a jon boat and fix it up to take the kids fishin.

[river3782]

Good set up in the boats

[hondafast2004]

Good Video I learned a lot me and my son just got a boat and want to fix it up.Thanks!

[dampeoples]

Killer video, gave me some ideas for mine.

[CTAngler481]

Thank you so much,gave me some good ideas!

[tinboats]

Thanks for the comments. We are neighbors, I'm form MA.

[Jffe123987]

Good Job on all boats..thanks for showing..

[tinboats]

Thanks!

[MovieMakerPro77]

nice boat

[ryrford]

Great video!! Well thought out plans. I'll check out your site.

Lynn

[tinboats]

Thanks!

The members are awesome and can/will help you with any questions you might have. It is an amazing group!