[miles]

I saw the post about someone doing a jon boat conversion to make it have a deck and be suited for bass fishing. I got a 14ft v-hull and I was thinking I could do the same thing with it, but after being on the water on it yesterday, I noticed it has next to no balance while standing inside of it.
What I want out of my boat exactly what was shown on the post, it was in the hombrew tools section title 14ft lowe jon boat conversion. And I am thinking that my boat will not be near stable enough if I put a deck on it.

I am thinking I should sell/trade it and get what I want. Any inputs or suggestions would help. Thanks!

[charmerbaits]

V-bottom boat are not nearly as stable as modified v's and other johns. If your wanting a platform so you can stand on I would recommend selling or trading your boat for the boat that meets your needs.

Charlie

[Spike-A-Pike]

The width of the beam and stern will directly influence if the boat is wide enough to add the casting decks your thinking of. I think the balance you are talking about is also related to the center of gravity, the higher in the boat you make the decks, the more unstable it will become. Even after you find the boat the meets 95% of your needs, you'll still have that last 5% resolve. Good luck.

[bhorlings]

I've done a lot of reading lately on other forums and everyone suggests not to put a high deck on your boat if it is v-hull and if it is a jon and you want a high deck it should be at least 42 inches at the bottom of the transom. My problem is I am having a hard time finding a a jon boat in my neck of the woods... nothing but v-hulls here.

[rhahn427]

If you are fishing areas with little wave action and you want to deck it then I would trade/sell it and get a flat bottom because you won't be able to get the stability that you would get in a flat bottom. Mine is a 16 ft Grumman and 3 men can stand at one side and comfortably fish without fear of tipping ....... very stable ....... However, if you fish waters with 1-3ft wave then you would probably need a V hull because it has higher sides to handle the turbulance ...... but you would still need a larger wider boat if you wanted to deck it out .......

[clemmy]

If you do convert it, keep the platform low and light.

Another option is to add float pods to the transom, that would help alot. Also dual batteries placed farther out from centerline, or gas can one side, batteries on the other, should help a little.

Clemmy

[Sonny.Barile]

Small V hulled boats have no stability at rest. I bought a Zodiack for that very reason. I am a 200 pounder and can stand on the sides without it tilting. It still has a moderate v and can plane through the rough stuff. It has it's bad points though.....If I ever scrape a submerged stump I will probably be swimming back to the dock.....lol