Bass Boat Or Jon Boat? What Is Best For You? 2025

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Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Paul Clayton

Bass Boat or Jon Boat? What Is Best For You?

Choosing the right boat is essential whether you’re a professional angler or a leisurely fisherman. The Bass Boat or Jon Boat is a popular choice among fishing enthusiasts. Both boats offer unique features, catering to different fishing styles and preferences.

Bass Boat: Specifically designed for bass fishing in freshwater.
Jon Boat: Simple, durable, and cost-effective design.
Bass Boat: Powered by outboard motors and trolling motors.
Jon Boat: Ideal for river or stream fishing.
Bass Boat: Excellent for targeting specific species like bass or pike.
Jon Boat: Affordable both in purchase and maintenance.

If you decide to add water hobbies into your lifestyle, be it fishing, snorkeling, water skiing, or maybe just having dinner parties at sea, the time will soon come for you to pick the right boat.

Explore our collection of interconnected articles for more insights and information on this topic.

With plenty of options, choosing the proper boat to fulfill all your water dreams can get overwhelming. Hence, if you’re confused between buying a bass boat or a Jon boat, this brief guide is here at your service.

As you read, you will find what characterizes each boat and what they are best suited for.

Characteristics of Bass Boats

If fishing is the primary sport you plan to adopt, then bass boats might be the most effective ones for you.

Generally designed to be 16 to 25 feet long and 8 feet wide, these are made of aluminum commonly or fiberglass. They are tailorable and motorized with the sole purpose of providing you with a remarkable fishing experience.

Pros of Bass Boats

Why should you opt for a bass boat? Here are a few reasons:

Storage

When I say bass boats are the premium ones for fishing, this is what I mean. Bass boats have plenty of storage space for all your fish. They even have a handful of aerated live wells to keep your fish alive for later processing.

Since the boat is specifically designed for fishing, only a few people can stay on board. This purpose-driven feature is unlike other recreational vessels. Ideally, bass boats should have two people, but some accommodate up to five.

Speed

As an angler, you are looking for good speed. The bass boats have got you covered. With their outboard motors of 250-300 HP, they display the ability to get to spots quickly. The boat’s flat deck and low profile help enhance its speed.

Maneuverability

Bass boats are easy to move and handle because of their small size and low weight. Their low profile also adds to this feature. Hence, you will often find more control over it as an operator than with other boats, especially during high-wind and shallow waters.

Space

Most bass boats have seating for two anglers, each with an entire foredeck and aft deck for themselves. This lends them plenty of elbow room and casting space. For these reasons, bass boats are ideal for fishing tournaments where competitors usually fish in pairs.

Sound

What’s a loud fishing boat with noise sufficient to scare away the fish? Bass boats, which are perfect optimal boats, come with outboard motors, which are relatively quiet. Hence, you catch more fish while having a peaceful, relaxing ride.

Cons of Bass Boats

Not Ideal for Other Activities

With all the features of bass boats mentioned above, they are not ideal for recreational activities. It would be accurate to say that they are not versatile. Hence, if you’re a bass boat owner desiring a dinner with friends out at sea, you would probably need to find a rental boat of another kind.

How can I make my Bass Boat Faster?

Increasing the speed of your bass boat can be achieved through a few simple changes.

Firstly, consider reducing the weight of your boat. This can be done by removing unnecessary items on board, thus allowing the boat to move through the water more quickly.

Secondly, avoid over-trimming your boat. Excessive trim can cause the boat to plow, slowing it down.

Lastly, changing your propeller can also significantly increase your boat’s speed. A different propeller with a higher pitch or more blades can provide more thrust, resulting in faster speeds.

Characteristics of Jon Boats

Jon boats are relatively small, aluminum boats with a flat or nearly flat bottom. They are also available in fiberglass and roto-molded polyethylene models. They are very simple boats, with just about sitting space inside.

The primary purpose for which they are used is utility, although people also use them for fishing.

Pros of Jon Boats

Jon boats are amongst the most popular boat kinds. Reason? Read on to find out.

Cost-Effective

This is the primary reason why boats are trendy: they are budget-friendly. They don’t weigh too much on your pockets when you buy them or even through maintenance.

Hence, this can be a good start for someone new to the waters. They also prove helpful as a backup or emergency boat due to their usability and low factor.

Utilitarian

As stated earlier, boats are primarily used for utility purposes. Thus, they are handy when moving equipment, fixing the docks, hunting, or collecting lumbar.

When you figure out how to get the best of this practical boat, you will use it more than you thought!

Versatile

With their usually simple design, Jon boats leave you with plenty of options to accessorize them. You can equip them with a surface drive or longtail motor to increase mobility in swamps, mudflats, etc.

You can also use these boats with the right equipment for fishing, crawfishing, and other famous southern waterways sports. You might even be able to bring a few friends along.

Lightweight

These boats are incredibly lightweight! This feature makes them easy to transport in the bed of a pick-up truck or on a roof rack. You may even tow their largest size, which can be hauled with small towing vehicles.

Low Maintenance

Jon boats don’t demand much time and effort from you to survive longer. Since they are simple and come with few or no moving parts, cleaning them up is pretty simple. A good wash with a hose with a handful of scrubs will leave you good to go.

Cons of Jon Boats

As with everything, there are a few disadvantages with Jon boats.

Not Suitable for Rough Waters

Jon boats are primarily designed for shallow waters. They are made to sit on the waters rather than zip through them.

For this reason, their sides aren’t big, making them unideal for rough waters. You not only get a bumpy ride, but you also get wet.

Not Comfortable

The biggest thing you miss out on with a Jon boat is comfort. All that Jon Boats offers you is a hull with ribs and bench seats. That makes them pretty rugged, especially if you’ve got a luxury fishing trip in mind.

Do Aluminum Jon Boats Rust?

The simple answer is that aluminum Jon boats do not rust. This is mainly due to aluminum’s inherent resistance to corrosion.

An interesting fact about this metal is that when it does begin to rust, it forms a layer of aluminum oxide. This layer acts as a protective shield, preventing further damage to the boat.

The unique chemistry of aluminum thus actively works in its favor. However, it is essential to note that this protective property only lasts for a certain period and does not make the boat entirely immune to wear and tear.

The Final Selection: Bass Boat or Jon Boat?

Each boat comes in a unique package, given its comfort, speed, weight, ability to deal with different waters, usage, and cost. You need to identify which factors are the most critical ones for you.

If you’re going to spend most of your time fishing, then bass boats are waiting for you. Along with their purpose-built fishing design, they offer space for some company, speed, easy handling, and tons of storage.

Anglers of all kinds have spirited fishing tournaments using these boats.

On the other hand, Jon boats are convenient and practical for all your tasks. They also offer basic recreational activities, including fishing, hunting, or just having a lazy day in the lakes.

Their weight, simple design, and low cost make them more attractive.

However, if you’re looking for crazy water sports, you might have to expand your horizon beyond bass and Jon boats since none are recreational boats. Pontoon boats have got your back for that.

Final Words

When deciding between a Bass Boat or a Jon Boat, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. A Bass Boat is specifically designed for bass fishing in freshwater environments.

Equipped with outboard motors and trolling motors, this boat is excellent for targeting specific fish species like bass or pike. It offers a specialized fishing experience, allowing anglers to reach hard-to-access fishing spots quickly.

On the other hand, a Jon Boat boasts a simple, durable, and cost-effective design that makes it an ideal choice for those who prefer river or stream fishing. Its design allows it to navigate shallow waters and tight spaces effortlessly, making it a favorite among river anglers.

Moreover, a Jon Boat is affordable to purchase and maintain, which adds to its appeal for budget-conscious anglers.

In conclusion, choosing between a Bass Boat or a Jon Boat largely depends on your fishing environment, target species, and budget.

Each boat type offers unique features and benefits that cater to different angling needs and preferences. Your decision should, therefore, align with your specific requirements to ensure that you maximize your fishing experience.

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Bass Boat or Jon Boat? What Is Best For You?

Bass Boat or Jon Boat? What Is Best For You?