Jon boats are one of the least expensive fishing boats. They’re light with nearly flat bottoms and squared-off bows. Jon boats are popular because they’re maintenance-free and easy to clean. They’re also available in different designs.
However, people face problems when stabilizing Jon boats. Stability is a safety measure, it’s a source of deep concern. In the article, you’ll get to know what causes this instability and how to make a Jon boat more stable.
What Makes Jon Boats Unstable?
There are several reasons why your Jon boat may be unstable.
Some of these reasons are usage-related. The other reasons go back to the design of the Jon boat.
Let’s check them out.
1. The Design
The design of Jon boats with their flat and nearly flat bottoms makes them very efficient. This design is very useful when it comes to fishing in shallow and narrow areas. The issue of stability is more occurring in smaller Jon boats than larger ones.
Small Jon boats are very light that minimum wrong movement on the boat can ruin its stability. Because they’re lightweight, the wind quickly pushes Jon boats across the surface of the water.
2. Overloading
Overloading your Jon boat, whether with people or with gear, is likely to make it unstable. The number of people on your boat and their weight is an important factor. Their ability to control their balance and movement in a boat is also very effective.
Someone who’s used to boating is more likely to understand how to move in a Jon boat than someone who isn’t or a child, for example. The weight of the gear and the equipment you take with you when boating also affects the overall stability of your boat.
3. Overpowering
The motor you use in your Jon boat may have something to do with the stability issue. Your motor’s horsepower highly affects the stability of your boat. Exceeding the maximum horsepower limit of your Jon boat will cause your boat to become unstable, and so the speed renders useless in such a case.
You also have to be aware that Jon boats aren’t made for reaching far distances and long voyages. The main purposes they’re made for are fishing, hunting and short-distance transportation. All of these activities don’t require motors at high speed.
How to Make Jon Boats More Stable
To make a Jon boat more stable, you need to first identify why it isn’t so you can address the issue correctly. Some of the solutions listed below are usage-related, and others may require adding accessories or changing some features in your Jon boat.
1. Load Measuring
Before loading your Jon boat consider how much legroom there is in it. It’s essential to consider the space you have in your boat and how many people it can take. There should also be space left for the equipment you may carry with you.
The weight limit of your Jon boat depends on its type. Each Jon boat has a different weight capacity. It’s very important to measure load in number as well as in weight before you take your boat out in the water.
2. The Right Motor
The horsepower of the motor is related to your boat’s length. It’s essential to use a motor with horsepower within your Jon boat’s recommended maximum.
Consider the weight of your motor as well, as it adds to the load put on the boat. Some people tend to use powered foot control motors to help manually control instability caused by wind and waves.
3. Understanding Your Jon Boat’s Limitation
Jon boats are made for shallow water and fishing, as we mentioned before. If you use them in deep open water or for long voyages, you have to expect some limitations and take extra measurements.
Put in mind the weather conditions before you start boating. That’s because wind and waves significantly affect the stability of the boat.
4. Adding Buoyancy
Adding buoyancy to your Jon boat means enhancing its floating ability in the water, which improves the stability of the boat. Buoyancy helps decrease the effect of the heavy load on the boat.
However, there are specific ways to add it to your boat. For example, buoyancy is effective when added on the outside of the boat not on the inside to help with the floatation.
There are many options when it comes to adding buoyancy to your boat:
Floatation Pods
Flotation pods can be added to increase stability on your boat. They’re easy to install and don’t add much weight to your Jon boat. The pods can also be removed later to be used on other different kinds of boats. Here’s a great pair of float pods:
Some people can consider making DIY floatation pods. It’s important however to take the right measures and use the needed material for it to be effective
Outriggers
Outriggers are also used for the floatation and stability of boats. It’s an old method of adding stability to many different types of boats. Here’s a fantastic set of outriggers:
The size of the outriggers you choose will depend on the design and the size of your boat. Outriggers can also be permanent or detachable, which makes them a safe option to experiment with.
5. Changing Your Jon Boat’s Width
Some people prefer to change their Jon boat’s design and width in order to fix any stability or load issues. This might be the most challenging and expensive method as it needs professional intervention.
Some people attempt to change the boat’s width without professional help. However, it’s a huge risk without enough knowledge, skills, and the right equipment.
Final Thoughts
Making your Jon boat more stable is acquirable and can even end up enhancing your Jon boat’s abilities. In order to do that, it’s crucial to understand what Jon boats need and how they function to be able to address the issue in the right way.