I have been gifted this Jon Boat - I have no idea where to start. It will be on a small lake and will be taking my 2 sons out to fish, if that's possible on this small boat (possibly 14ft). Thoughts on how I can modify/add on to make this is nice rig for us to fish off of?



Thanks for your help and insight!

There are so many ways to outfit small boats like this.

I’d put a floor in the back 2/3 so they can stand lower and keep the center of balance lower. The front 1/3 I’d put a deck in with some storage and a trolling motor foot pedal.

Thanks Tommar - would you put a floor under the deck in the front 1/3? I'm guessing you would want to use the "lighter" of the woods for the floor and deck so it doesn't weigh the boat down?

The back part I would cut some stringers that fit the boat shape and screw some 1/2” pressure treated plywood to it and then glue / staple carpet to it.

The front would need some framing to make it stronger and I’d do some cutting on the bench seats (assuming it has them) for more storage. I wouldn’t worry about putting in a floor though. I’d put some carpet to provide some sound deadening and control stuff from sliding around.