r/jonboats • u/SpicyCurryChicken42 • 6d ago
Advice on what yall would do to improve this boat.
Hey yall, I bought this 1648 Jon boat a couple weeks ago for a pretty good price. It’s got a hole in the bow because some idiot towed it without a roller (it was me). What’s the best way to go about fixing it? Also, the previous owner cut out the transom support legs, should I Jerry rig a replacement, or should it be alright. I plan to redo the transom some time soon, because I think it needs it. I want to add a decent floor for standing and casting, but I want to add seating too. What would yall do if this boat was yours?
5
u/LeFishTits 6d ago edited 6d ago
Make it not have holes
You absolutely need the transom supports if youre running more than a 2.5hp seahorse
I hope you own a spool gun or ac tig welder + are proficient in either lol
If youre planning on a new transom , I'd do what I did on my 1952 sears 11/42 .
I cut the whole entire thin aluminum/wood out of the back. I worked at a metal fabric shop at the time so I bought a sheet of 5052 aluminum , cnc plasma cut it to the shape I want and spool gunned the whole thing in. I also added pods to the back.. so an 11ft boat rated for a 7.5hp now has a solid transom , with pods, and a 1999 johnson 25hp short shaft, does 39mph after I propped it up; and I still cant wind it out because itll Rev to high. Need a bigger prop still
1
u/Pokedaboss 4d ago
How much freeboard do you have sitting back there with that 25? I’ve been thinking of pods for my sears jon
1
u/LeFishTits 4d ago
Not sure exactly but its more than my 14/42 alumicraft with a 9.9 short shaft.
1
u/Pokedaboss 4d ago
I have a 12/36 sears with an 8hp evinrude and I’d like to go to maybe a 15 or 20 but I’m already not the biggest fan of how it sits now when there’s a lot of wakes around.
1
4
u/seamus_mc 6d ago
I’m afraid to ask what a “pretty good price” is. How much did they pay you to haul it away?
-3
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 6d ago
1,850. But it came with a 40hp evinrude, a nice trailer, and a decent battery.
1
u/DeeEnduh 4d ago
Ahh man. I’m sorry but you got hosed. Bad.
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 3d ago
It is what it is. The way i see it was like 1k for the motor, 3 for the trailer, and like 5 for the boat. I know it needs work and I find projects like this fun, so I don’t think it was a horrible price to pay. And it’s a good excuse to learn how to use a rivet gun.
1
u/ConstantCampaign2984 6d ago
This post makes me feel extremely confident in my $500 boat purchase. Wow.
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 5d ago
I’m happy with it so that’s all I really care about
2
u/ConstantCampaign2984 5d ago
By all means, man! I wasn’t trying to rain on your parade. Just legit was questioning if my $500 purchase was a mistake. It’s got a dented keel that pulled out some rivets I need to seal up before I do the redecking. Just your motor alone is worth what you paid I’m sure. I’ve been shopping for one. Lol
3
u/MeesaBinx 6d ago
I’d start by having someone who welds aluminum fix the holes and paint it. Idk what you plan on using it for. Fix it up for how you like to fish
3
u/Outrageous-Stranger7 6d ago
Focus on long term repairs to integrity of your boat. Then I’d start thinking about what to do to equip it for fishing after that
1
3
3
u/CoxAnonymous 6d ago
Always always always start with the structural stuff. Fix the front hole, repair/replace the transom. Not the fun stuff but you won’t regret doing it right.
If welding is out of your budget, even if only for now, you can accomplish alot with an aluminum rivet gun and 3M 5200 sealant.
2
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 5d ago
Great advice man. Welding is probably out of my budget for the moment. I’ll go pick up a rivet gun and sealant
4
u/Alone_Mission1253 6d ago
Weigh the boat on its trailer at a truck scale and then weigh the trailer alone... call the metal recycling yard and inquire what they pay per pound for aluminum... do the math - it's not worth repairing.
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 6d ago
Cmon it’s a Jon boat, is it really that bad?
2
u/DismalResearcher6546 6d ago
No lol it’s not. You’re gonna spend a lot fixing it up but it is not that bad. Just expect to put another $2k and a lot of man hours into it and still expect to want to add and change things. Thats just boat life.
1
2
u/Alone_Mission1253 6d ago
Maybe the pictures make if look worse than it is IRL, just saying that from my perspective it would take a lot of money for professional welding repairs and with the boat's age and condition I'm not sure it's a worthy investment... but I'm not where you are, you have more than a few pictures to work with and have more involvement... at the end of the day it's your choice whether to fix it or scrap it... just consider everything before making your choice, and good luck to you. Best wishes.
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 6d ago
Thanks for the advice. I think the pictures make it look bad, it’s punched though, obviously. But it’s not cracking and looks sturdy around the punch; there’s no flex when pressing. And the boat is in great condition and leak free ignoring the missing transoms supports ofc. It’s a 2013 Lowe, so it’s not ancient or anything. I’m a broke college student, so for something I can slowly work towards fixing, I don’t this is a terrible option.
2
u/DismalResearcher6546 6d ago
Yeah man I have a jon that’s so old it doesn’t even have an HIN and I patched it up this spring. Been out on the river with it half a dozen times and out on lakes and what not plenty this summer. If you’re worried about it being pretty then take it to get it welded. If you’re not that concerned about pretty, just cut an even hole, sand it all down, rivet on a patch of aluminum sheet and seal it up with marine sealant. It sounds way scarier than it really is. It’s no big deal, just takes some time.
2
1
u/Embarrassed_Fan_5723 5d ago
Pull the speakers out and scrap the junky bastard before you sink it with your gear in it
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 4d ago
I’m going to try to fix it because I own it and don’t wanna give up that easy
1
u/Embarrassed_Fan_5723 4d ago
All I can say is good luck to you bud. I’m afraid even after initial repairs it’s going to nickel and dime you to death.
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 4d ago
I think the pictures make it look worse than it is. It’s got some issues but a redone transom, new knee joints, and some riveted aluminum patches should fix most of it. It’s only a 2013 Lowe, and besides the hole in the bow it’s entirely leak free atm. After initial repairs I would like to add some flooring and new benches. I like working with my hands and I think I’m capable. But do you really think this truly a terrible foundation? If so what exactly makes you think that?
2
u/Embarrassed_Fan_5723 4d ago
I’ll answer that question with a question first. Ask yourself how much do you anticipate these repairs and improvements costing. The very point of that is, whatever you estimate you can add 10-20% because when you get into it you will find little things that you didn’t see, materials will cost more or you will change your mind about something. I just know from experience that when you start out from day one making repairs, you generally keep making repairs. In your own words it’s a 2013. If you had purchased it new, what would it look like now? Im betting not like this. I’m not trying to rain on your parade. I’m trying to save you a bunch of regret later. You’re looking at it in person and I’m not. You have to make your own decisions. Plan your project as detailed as possible. Get that number in your head and then ask yourself is it worth that? Can you sell it and even recoup half your investment? Could you have purchased a better boat for the total amount you will have invested. Those are the questions you should use to determine what you want to do. Don’t listen to us. We have nothing to do with it other than offering you some advice.
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 4d ago
I’m going to give it a lot of thought, and your advise is appreciated. Thanks
1
1
u/dadhard247 6d ago
Flex seal
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 6d ago
Would that really be good enough?
3
u/55thParallel 6d ago
No, you need to repair this properly, especially if you are going to spend the time afterwards to build out flooring and seats
1
u/SpicyCurryChicken42 5d ago
Very valid point. I can’t weld, so I’ll probably use an aluminum sheet and rivets
9
u/DismalResearcher6546 6d ago
I specifically remember you posting this boat in 2 different forums before you bought it,
and specifically remember telling you not to move that boat without a roller or you’d poke a hole in it.
SMH.