Homemade River Jon Boat

[Troutguy]

I received the River Runner plans today... I have some other jonboat plans that I'll use instead.

[lee G.]

I never found any plans I liked, Troutguy. I ended up designing the two i made from scratch, they made better looking and better paddleing boats.

[Troutguy]

I've looked at so many boat pictures and plans, I can just start sawing and come up with a pretty good boat from scratch.

[lee G.]

Thats the way i did it, lol

[Troutguy]

Here's one of the best looking wooden jon boats that's on the web. I'm not saying at all that it is a river running boat, nor would it be one to float class-II rivers in... but it sure is a nice flat water fishing boat.

http://www.unclejohns.com/jonboat/images/griner/default.htm

[lee G.]

It sure is a good looking jon, but i dont think i would want to paddle it very far, looks like it would be hard with the straight sides.

[Troutguy]

One of the best old-timey designs I've seen is this boat. It has plenty of rocker to take on rougher water.

I have to build one to see how it handles...

http://thelibrary.springfield.missouri.org/lochist/periodicals/bittersweet/wi73b.htm

[woodman]

Just take one of these hull designs and square off the ends.

http://www.jemwatercraft.com/proddetail.php?prod=TouringPirogueTV15-32

[woodman]

The multi chine hull. Look at the hull at the center of the beam I would think this would be pretty stable when leaning to one side verses the sharp chine of a 3 panel jon-hull. Just square off the ends...Make a cardboard mock up first...

[Gavin]

I've always wanted one of these..

http://www.woodwatercraft.com/AuSableRiverBoat.html

http://www.guilttrip.com/html/the_au_sable_river_boat.html

My friends John & Jeff, & Steve from MI guide out of them, and they have some really neat features, particularly the fish box under the front seat (works as storage & a cooler), the rod holders on the frames, and the false floor to keep stuff dry...I'll probably incorporate most of them whenever I get around to building a boat. Cheers.