Ramblings about river jon boats

[Crippled Caddis]

deerman wrote:

<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.>

You can never go wrong on a 2 stroke with fresh plugs! But the trouble description doesn't suggest plugs as the problem. Check fuel supply first. Might have a restriction that prevents it getting enough gas. If you aren't aware of it you can get parts for older outboards from Sierra Supply on the net. A lot of the better auto parts stores have the Sierra catalog and can get parts overnight, all NAPA stores, for one, should have the Sierra catalog, others may also if you have one of the old-fashioned auto supply stores nearby that has more than big speakers and odor fresheners to sell.;o)

Carb kits are cheap and a good starting point if fresh plugs don't do the trick. Just be sure you have your model and serial #s on hand when you order parts! On Johnnyrudes they are generally located somewhere on the transom bracket. If you need help Dano can get in touch with me. CC

[Crippled Caddis]

kenjenmo wrote:

<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.>

Idyllic scene Ken! And you're getting that boy off on the right foot too! Oddly enough teenagers who have fishing licences in their pocket and tackle in their vehicle don't see judges and juvenile officers as often as those who don't.;o)

If your boat has rivets and is getting 'elderly' then the chances are pretty good that your leaks are the result of loosened rivets. Fortunately that is an easy fix if you have a good assortment of ear protection. Just tighten up the rivets by standing the boat on one edge. Give your 'assistant' a big hammer (a 3# sledge works great) to use to back up the rivet and while he holds it against one side of each rivet give the other end of the rivet a couple or 3 good whacks with a lighter hammer. Or you could actually use the proper tools of a bucking bar and a pnuematic rivetting hammer but that's hardly the Ozark country way.;o) (sure wish it worked for 'elderly' old pharts!) CC

[Crippled Caddis]

deerman wrote:

<Starts on the first pull, but it cuts out from time to time. When it dies, it will start back on the first pull.>

Something just occurred to me that might be applicable. In the early 50s OMC finally figured out how to make magneto coils that would disintegrate over time. On ANY OMC built motor from the smallest up to @ 35hp from @ 1952 until the CDI era motors with running issues with the original coils should be suspect! Whenever I look at one in that category I automatically figure that it's going to need plugs, carb kit, waterpump impellor and new coils up front with other issues to be addressed afterward. And it's a pretty &^%$ safe bet! But people are insulted when I tell them what their motor is worth to me!

Early signs of deteriating coils can be almost any aberrant behavior including the symptoms you described. It's normally much worse as the motor warms up and it will get much worse over time. It's a very safe bet that if your '68 Sporttwin motor hasn't had the coils replaced that it needs to! But it's a *&^%$# good motor, better in some respects than current models, so it's worth the investment in time and expense if the compression is still good. New coils are @ $20-$25 each depending on source. Carb kits run @ $17 average for OMC products and waterpump impellors are in the same ballpark. So for less than $100 most old Johnnyrudes can be given a new lease on life unless they're simply worn out.

Some models have a 'window' in the flywheel that will allow inspection of the magneto plate and point adjustment. Most don't, but a 'harmonic balancer' or steering wheel puller works fine as a flywheel puller on OMC products. If your coils betray signs of cracking, powdering, disintgrating or anything beyond perfect then you can safely bet they need replacement. Even if they look perfect they are still suspect if they are the brown plastic original equipment. The newer repacements are green and should tell you that they are replacements.

And if you can't recall the last time the waterpump impellor was replaced then it's overdue.;o)

So don't chuck that old 9 1/2 in the trash yet----------or if you do let me know in advance and I'll be waiting at the trash dump.;o) CC

[Chief Grey Bear]

I love all of this talk about Jon boats. Now what length do you prefer for creeks?

10'

12'

or 14?

[jdmidwest]

Great info CC, just bought a 73 Johnson 9.5 on a 14 ft Monark w/2 trolling motors for a song. The local boat shop is only interested in new ones so I don't get much help there. I just got the service manual from ebay and was going to start to work on it. Already have new fuel system to the carb and new plugs. It runs, but floods and sputters. I was thinking carb rebuild next.

[jdmidwest]

Hey CC, what's the website address for the Sierra Boat Supply? Did a google and did not come up with it.

[Kicknbass]

I love all of this talk about Jon boats. Now what length do you prefer for creeks?

10'

12'

or 14?

How about 18', 20' or 24'. I spent many days in my childhood in a 24' wooden river jon. The boat was swan, awkward on land, but graceful in the water.

[Chief Grey Bear]

How about 18', 20' or 24'. I spent many days in my childhood in a 24' wooden river jon. The boat was swan, awkward on land, but graceful in the water.

Yeah that works. I was just throwing out some sizes. Now in that Ozark Yacht, did you have to use two cans and a string to communicate?

[deerman]

Thanks for the tips, I'm going to try to get it running better.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Gavin I put it on the net 2 Springs, and thought I was going to have to give it away.

I gave my grandsons my old 1958, I got it new, Richland 10' Jon, it still floats. A little history of it is that Richland was the company that Diane Lowe's father owned, Carl Lowe worked there and later he and Diane started Lowe Boats. Lowe's made the original paddle Jons, and they develped their plans by measuring some wooden river jons in the area.

When I was a teen into my early 20's we fished the lower Pomme and the Osage out of 18' wooden jons that we rented in Fairfield at Fred's Fishing Camp on the banks of the Pomme. We snagged a lot Spoons, caught tons of Whites and some cats and bass out of those boats.

To answer the jon for a river question, it would depend on the weight, but a 12'or 14 with a 36" bottom would do, unless you could find a 32" bottom. A lot of canoes are just as stable, and not any heavier, if not lighter.