River Jon Ideas

[joefish]

I bought a 9.9 mercury 4 stroke motor last year and am shopping for a small boat to go with it. I want to use it mainly for small lakes and rivers that are deep enough to run. What do you ozark guys primarily use on the rivers down there beyond a canoe and what would you recommend.

I think ive seen some narrow jons that are boxier than a canoe but i cant think of what there called. Any ideas appreciated.

[Gavin]

Most go with a jet boat....but I've been thinking about a Blazer Paddle Jon. Narrow Jon with a rake at both ends and a motor mount.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think ive seen some narrow jons that are boxier than a canoe but i cant think of what there called. Any ideas appreciated.

I'm sure you're thinking of the Lowe Paddle Jons that are no longer made. The Blazer may be a copy of it. They work a lot better on rivers than on lakes. If the rivers I fished weren't particularly narrow or twisted, I would go with a standard jon in the 36" bottom class.

[grizwilson]

If you are looking at only one boat, and only smaller rivers the Blazer Paddle Jon is the only one I am aware of on the market that will float similar to a canoe. That said, I have a 17' lowe paddle jon, that handles and floats similar to an alm. canoe, however I would not put more than a 5 hp motor on it, think it may be rated 7.5 but too much weight, I generally run a 4 hp. on it. I have a 21' x 36" big river john, it handles the 9.9 just fine, is at home on med. rivers to lakes.

g

[Gavin]

Troutt & Sons has a couple Blazer Paddle Jon's in stock..

http://www.trouttandsons.com/

No financial interest, yada, yada...look at specials and search for Blazer. Cheers.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Gavin do they follow the lines and specs of the old Lowe Paddle Jon?

[Gavin]

The ones at Troutt are 18' with a 36" bottom...a bit longer & wider than the Lowes. But they could probably weld one up.

Blazer Info

http://www.trouttandsons.com/Boats/Blazer_boats.html

Lowe Paddlejon

http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/03/r/articles/whiteriver/index.htm

Wooden Paddlejon Plans

http://www.duckworksbbs.com/plans/jim/riverrunner/index.htm

[Wayne SW/MO]

That's an interesting read. I know that Lowe made a run in about '87. I bought one then, but sold it a few years back. They're inferior to a modern canoe for two people, in my opinion, on our rivers. A Disco 169 or a Guide is very close in stability, but not as heavy or as noisy.

[Gavin]

Disco 169's are hard to beat..bit slower, and a bit harder to turn than my Wenonah Spirit II but the Disco 169 is solid canoe through and through.

What were your complaints with the paddle jon? Might paddle it occassionally or oar it down, but the main plan is to run it around with with a small outboard.

[KCRIVERRAT]

I bought a 9.9 mercury 4 stroke motor last year and am shopping for a small boat to go with it. I want to use it mainly for small lakes and rivers that are deep enough to run. What do you ozark guys primarily use on the rivers down there beyond a canoe and what would you recommend.

I think ive seen some narrow jons that are boxier than a canoe but i cant think of what there called. Any ideas appreciated.

What rivers and lakes are you gonna fish up here? Stealth is key on ozark streams... if you wanna catch fish. If you want to take an outboard down south, you better know the river.