Paddle Jon Boats

[Tanner]

Does anyone have any experience in a paddle jon boat? I want to float our smaller streams in southern Missouri.

I have been told they are just as easy to steer as a canoe and safer.

I am considering buying a Blazer paddle jon 18ft.

Comments ?

[riverrat]

I've owned an 18' Blazer paddle jon for 6 years. It's a very well built boat, but a bit of a barge for small waters. I've owned lighter paddle jons that were easier to control, but not nearly as manuverable as a canoe.

[grizwilson]

Tanner

I have a 17ft. Lowe paddle Jon. I does not handle like a canoe, not as mobile and more weight if you have to portage (I have a old town 16'9") and does not slide over snags or rocks as well. That said, it is MUCH more stable, I can stand on the seats and fly fish. If we are going on a overnight trip it is the champ, can haul camping supplies and hold enough beer for the trip(one trip we just took a keg). Add my 4 hp Mariner, that takes care of some of the paddling problems on the long holes. If I were limited to one, think I would keep the paddle John with a trolling motor as I float maily to fish. But love them both. Some guys chase whores, I buy boats. Just a personality flaw.

g

[wily]

Some guys chase whores, I buy boats. Just a personality flaw.

g

classic

[roy_eros]

I have had a coleman crawdad for about 12 years or so. I have fished many small creeks and rivers in arkansas out of it. It is perfect to paddle and manuevers as good as any canoe i have ever been in. I usually hook up a small trolling motor on the back and can cruise around pretty quick in it. Its about 12 feet long or so and has plenty of room for two guys and equipment. I believe they changed the newer model of this boat quite a bit and it has a lot more plastic molding in it, but the old ones are awesome for a small creek or pond boat. It is also pretty light, i can load and unload it out of the back of my truck by myself (took a little practice).

[Tanner]

thanks for the info

[brownieman]

I uesd to run a 17' lowe paddle john...had a moter jack and a 10 hrs on it. It by no means handled like a canoe.

Being a paddle john it didn't do to well with the motor...but end plowed down in the water....wouldn't plane out.

When I fished alone in the boat I would sit in the front seat of the boat and paddle it backwards down the river...was more compfortable and seemed to respond better.

In all it was a fair fishing rig...much more stable than about any canoe. Later on I got a 22' 36'wide river jon, square stern which weas the best river boat i ever owned. A freak accident totalled this boat and it wasn't even near any water...was about the last of my 'Long Jon Days'...sure miss her, she was indeed a river caddy.

[RSBreth]

For the smaller streams around here, ANY john is a barge to float by yourself. This is my opinion from having been in Coleman crawdads, the 12' Tracker "Tadpole", and I don't know how many others that we've tried to get down the twisty little Finley. Pain in the you know what.

The main advantage to them is the ability to stand and fish, but it comes with a serious compromise in ability to maneuver.

The solo canoe and kayak are becoming more and more popular among us solo fisherman down here for a good reason.

The safety thing- I guess if you've been in older aluminum canoes it makes ALL canoes or kayaks seem tippy as h#@$, but modern designs are fantastic.

All that being said, I wouldn't mind going on an overnight float with someone willing to float a keg!

I'll paddle along in my canoe and watch from a safe distance, though.