How to design an aluminum 16ft flat bottom Jon boat, beginner boat building.

[Adam Whitfield]

Hello all, my name is Adam Whitfield. I am 22 years old and a welder by trade. I am looking to build my first boat. I live in pensacola fl on the gulf coast, I do a lot of saltwater fishing inshore. I'm looking to build a simple 16ft flat bottom aluminum jon boat for a little floundering and inshore fishing on calm nights. I have a design thought up in my mind, but I have no clue where to start as far as getting all the measurements and curves. I'm looking for some help getting started and pointed in the right direction as far as designing and getting my parts laid out. Should I get a design software like fusion 360? Any help and pointers will be greatly appreciated!

 

[bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Adam.

Re designing your jon boat, it might be easier to simply buy a set of plans for a design that is proven.
One example here -
15 1/2' Scrambler - outboard whitewater sled-boatdesign https://www.boatdesigns.com/15-1_2-Scrambler-outboard-whitewater-sled/products/870/

Or you could build something like a garvey, which would be better able to cope with choppy conditions than a jon boat - I'm sure that you might find yourself in rougher water occasionally in Pensacola bay?
15'-9" Jimbo AL - garvey hull with center console-boatdesign https://www.boatdesigns.com/15-9-Jimbo-AL-garvey-hull-with-center-console/products/126/

These are mostly plywood designs, but maybe some design ideas here re what you want?
Fishing Boat Plans – Boat Builder Central https://www.boatbuildercentral.com/fishing-boat-plans/

Here is a very simple jon boat type in plywood, but it could be adapted fairly easily for aluminium construction -
https://spirainternational.com/study/WyeRiverStudy.pdf

If you are absolutely determined to design it yourself, sketch out your ideas on paper initially - you don't need a fancy CAD program for this - take a photo (or scan your sketch), and post it on here, and you will receive good constructive advice about it.

 

[Adam Whitfield]

Thank you so much for the info!

 

[bajansailor]

I hope that some of the links above might help - once you have selected a design (or designed her yourself), and started building, please do keep this thread going (or start a new one in the metal boat construction forum here) - we all love to follow construction threads.
Metal Boat Building https://www.boatdesign.net/forums/metal-boat-building/

 

[BlueBell]

There is a lot to be said to building to someone else's design.
It has to be a good, proven design though.
Especially with Al.
Don't get sucked into designing your first build...
well, if there is no other way, go ahead.
But I warned you.

And welcome to the Forum.

 

[Mr Efficiency]

The trouble with alloy for such a build, is that unswaged material necessitates a heavier boat. Ideally, relatively thin sheet, with pressings to give stiffness, and also some longitudinal grip on the water, is the way to go. The cottage-industry plate build is really not that good an idea at or under 5 metres boat length, you have to use thicker material, and more internal longitudinals, that add up to weight, to avoid "dishing" the bottom.

 

[upchurchmr]

Build the first one to someone else's design.
That is the best suggestion you are going to get from everyone here.
You need some experience before you design something.

Your own design will need to be "fixed" at least 3 times, unless you are super talented (not likely for most of us).
And yes, this is from personal experience, and I've been an aerospace designer for 35 years. Just not a boat designer.

What every you do, have fun, and report back.

 

[Cajunpockettunnel]

I would be more than happy to help you out with that. Contact me at lawelder2002@yahoo.com if you wish.

 

[JSL]

Adam, you might also want to check out any regulations/standards you have to comply with (USCG, ABYC, etc.) as well as insurance.

 

[Barry]

$500 for a cnc file to get the parts cut. With a proven design. Though longer than what you wanted, you might be able to contact metal boat kits, and they may easily be able to provide a shorter version.
6m (19ft) Aluminum Lifeboat MILITARY VERSION- *NEW* - Metal Boat Kits https://metalboatkits.com/product/6m-19ft-aluminum-lifeboat-military-version-new/
I believe that they also supply a Hull Identification Number to make registration and insurance easier. This might include the approved sticker for weight and horsepower. You may want to check in your jurisdiction what the requirements
are for registering a "home built" boat before you build

In some areas, for a home built, prior to registering the boat, you might have to have the
boat surveyed. The $500 for the files may save the cost of this process

 

[messabout]

Adam; do you plan to attach an outboard to the boat? How fast do you want the boat to able to go? There is an important difference between a planing design and a displacement type. Conventional Jon Boats are planing types. They take more of a beating than displacement types. Your design, if we are to assume that it is to be capable of planing, will need suitable structural reinforcement as Mr E has mentioned.