Has anybody built a Jon Boat?

[lewisboats]

for something like that you don't really need plans. 2 1x12s for the sides plus 1 for the ends, a couple of sheets of ply, some PL Premium, drywall screws and paint. The blue one is 10 ft long, so I just measured up 6" on the side at the front, and measured back 36" and sprung a batten to give the bow curve. Use some scrap ply for a butt block at the joint and use lots of glue. Enjoy it for a few years then chuck it and build a new one if it isn't holding up.

Steve

[kevinb]

Well, I didn't use plans -- I'm just throwing together something that has a flat bottom, tapers slightly towards the front (because that seems a reasonably boat-like idea) and will fit in my garage.

But, not being very experienced in boat building, I can see why it might be nice to use plans for a tested and proven design. There's a lot (a heck of a lot) I don't know about boat design. For example, I'm not certain that the glue/screw joints between the hull base and sides won't come apart if I put my foot down heavily in the wrong place when it's in the water. I don't think they will come apart, but I'm not certain. And I'm not sure if the 1/4-inch ply I'm using for the base is really strong enough for the load I envisage (2 adults and 2 children + supplies). I've put additional ribs and skids in place to strengthen the bottom, but whether they're really necessary or not, I just don't know. I don't really know whether the transom (3/4 inch) is strong enough to support an outboard motor, even a small one.

This is kind of why I want to try it on the water before I put a lot of effort into finishing it off That way, if it collapses or sinks, I'll only have wasted a few hours and some scrap timber.

[thudpucker]

Kelvin, dont worry about softs spots etc. Thats why you wear a PFD.
I was in a plywood 19' that came apart as we were jumping waves in a lake.
It didnt sink, the part with the motor attatched tried to sink but the control cable and fuel hose kept it attatched to part of the boat. No problem.

Lewis I like your idea. Quick, and Disposable.
I may go after that. Mine's gonna be 12' with a 48" bottom. Similar to the 10' in the photo.