When it comes to selecting oars for your Jon boat, there’s no magic formula. Most people power a Jon boat with a trolling motor or small outboard motor. However, it’s always a good idea to keep an extra pair of oars onboard. In case your motor fails, you don’t want to be in the middle of the lake paddling with your hands back to shore.
On the other hand, if you’d like to keep things old school, you can use oars as your primary means of power. Not to mention, this is a great way to get in an arm workout while you’re out on the water.
Here’s a quick list of our top picks for the best Jon boat oars:
What to Consider
Before making a purchase you’ll want to consider what type of oars you’re looking for, how often you’re going to be using the oars and whether or not you want a certain material. These could range from wood to aluminum, and plastic oar options.
The Best Jon Boat Oars
These are our favorite Jon boat oars for those of you who want a good set of paddles while out on the water.
Intex French Oars
These Intex oars are perfect if you just want a small extra pair to toss in your boat. For occasional use they get the job done. They’re lightweight and sturdy enough to use in a pinch. However, if you do plan on using your oars more often, you’d be better off looking elsewhere. These are not designed for heavy and constant use.
Pros
- Good value
- Easy to fit onboard
- Perfect for occasional use
Cons
- Somewhat flimsy
- Basic
Caviness Marine Oar
For those who want quality wooden oars for use with their Jon boat, these are the ones to get. Even with extremely heavy use every weekend, these oars hold up. Their long length helps for navigating in tight places where you may get stuck only with a motor. Do keep in mind this is only one oar, so you’ll need to order two if you want a pair of oars. This is one of your only options if you’re set on getting wooden oars due to limited selection.
Pros
- Durable
- Wooden material
- Long oar length
Cons
- Heavy
- More expensive
Shoreline Marine Paddle
The Shoreline Marine paddle features a telescopic design which means it extends in length outward like a telescope. This helps for saving save onboard and for pushing off of tight areas when you need to. This is a must-have if you’ve got an unpredictable engine in the middle of the lake.
Pros
- Telescopic (extends in length)
- Sturdy, lightweight
- Boat-hook on ends
Cons
- Not built for rough rivers
- Short when not extended
Oceansouth Heavy Duty Oars
These Oceansouth oars are built with quality in mind at a more premium price point. The two-piece design makes it possible to split them apart for easy storage when in your Jon boat using your motor. Not to mention, these oars also come with oar-locks for simpler paddling, rowing, and use without sliding or dropping them in the water. For the money, they’re a great pair of oars.
Pros
- Two-piece collapsible for easy storage
- Sturdy
- Lightweight aluminum
Cons
- More expensive
- Be careful with the ring lock, as it’s prone to break if not mounted properly
Intex Boat Oars
Intex’s dual-purpose oars work both as individual oars or connect to be used as a single kayak paddle. Most people do find them to work much better as a set of oars than the as a kayak paddle with the somewhat weak connector. For the price, you really cannot beat them. At this level of quality, they’re a solid set of oars that get the job done.
Pros
- Good value
- Lightweight, sturdy
- Aluminum shaft
Cons
- Weak connector as a kayak paddle
- Prone to minor denting
Conclusion
As you can see there are variations of Jon boat oars on the market. If you’re looking for durable, age-tested oars, that have some more premium features, then the Oceansouth aluminum oars or Caviness wooden oars are recommended. But, if you want some more lightweight oars for occasional use, then Intex has a few solid options you may want to consider.