Ramblings about river jon boats

[deerman]

I was just wondering if anyone else is "into" jon boats like I am? Some people are into classic cars or bass boats or classic boats, luckily for me, jon boats are kind of a cheap hobby for the most part, I just don't know anyone else who is into older jon boats.

My first one was a 1448 seaArk. It was a nice stable boat, but kind of heavy and was basically rigged up from the factory.

My current boat, I like for the most part because we fixed it up and rigged it up ourselves. I have no idea what it is? Based on the revenue office, its a 1956 Ouachita, but the vin says 1990 homemade boat. It had about 20 coats of paint on it and I think somewhere along the way, the original numbers were lost and it was registered again in 1990 and given a new vin.

Its a 16 foot 36 inch wide boat, I like the narrow width and light weight for running down shallow shoals, this boat will go in some pretty shallow water. It has some carpeted plywood decking on it that makes it heavier than I like, but my wife likes the decking and you can open it up for storage so I guess it has to stay.

I like aluminum and riveted for myself even though I know most people prefer all welded in aluminum. I like the rivets mostly because they tend to be a little lighter and able to carry a little more load than all welded if you go by the factory specs. And with gas prices, its a matter of time before I have to go with a 4 cycle truck and I want a real light boat that can be pulled in the hills with a 4 cylinder. But I really like the looks of those fiberglass jons like such as a Supreme

I'm kind of keeping my eyes open for just a cheap/plain jon of about 18 foot long and 36 inches wide close to the house that might need some TLC and be rigged into a good river boat.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Look for a Lowe Paddle Jon. 17' X 32", bow on both ends.

[catfish]

Yea I would like to find one of those old Lowe paddle jons. If anyone knows of one for sale let me know. Don't see them down here in North Arkansas. I am about 50 mile south of Harrison.

[deerman]

I like those paddle jons too. I've seen some photos of some old Arkansas Traveler River jons that look like they would be pretty nice, for what I want.

[Gavin]

The old Lowe or G3 paddle jons are really neat boats. Here's a pic of the one MDC uses as a shock boat on the Upper Current.

I think Voyager Boats in Lebanon will build one for you, called a dealer about one last year and the said I could get one for $1800. I think Blazer Sport makes one too. Cheers.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I sold mine in excellent condition last spring for $800, finally.

[Gavin]

Wish I would have known that you had one for sale...If anyone has a Lowe or G3 Paddle Jon for sale, I'd be interested.

[Crippled Caddis]

deerman wrote:

<I like those paddle jons too. I've seen some photos of some old Arkansas Traveler River jons that look like they would be pretty nice, for what I want.>

I have a 50s era 14' x 32" Ark Trav. that a friend salvaged from the river last year. It had been underwater a long time and the wood on the transom was almost all gone. Has some serious dents and battered gunnels but it's still watertight. My intent (if I can get my 'round-to-it' to crank) is to restore it after I get the 5 horse 1948 Johnson TD-20 I'm rehabbing running good. I'll also be picking up a 5 horse 1953 Montgomery Ward Sea King built by the Gale division of OMC this weekend from a friend in Little Rock which he got from the original purchaser @ 12 years ago complete with factory motor stand and owners manual. He sez it needs a little attention to the carb.;o)

With that rig I'll feel properly equipped to use my vintage tackle. CC

[deerman]

Good story. I'm running a 1968 9.5 hp Evinrude Sport Twin on my 16 ft. right now. It has some carb issues too I think. Starts on the first pull, but it cuts out from time to time. When it dies, it will start back on the first pull. I'm going to start with fresh plugs and go from there.

[kenjenmo]

Here is mine that I inherited with my property. Takes on a little water but thats OK. Pretty beat up but my family and I have caught a lot of fish out of it.