I've been wanting my own boat for a while now. I currently use my uncle's old bass boat but its got so many problems that I am constantly having to repair things, even while I'm on the water. I have had several chances to get my hands on jon boats but I primarily stand while fishing and the boats have such a tiny front section to stand in. I've seen a lot of pictures on the internet of people who have converted jon boats into bass boats, complete with decks, storage compartments, live wells, foot powered trolling motors, etc. Has anyone on here done that, and if so how hard is the process? Does the boat become a little more stable with decks installed? I would really like to do this if it would benefit me, if not I may just keep using the boat I have been. But I would really like to have something that I could be proud of and claim it as my own.

Actually, when you install a front casting deck the boat is less stable. That's because you're raising the center of gravity. So to do this, you need to have a boat with a wide enough bottom, probably 42" or wider. Check out Tinboats.net, it's a great site for what you want to do.

Ok, I'll check that out. But could you balance that back out by putting weight under the deck. I know that would make the boat sit lower in the water but it should help balance the center of gravity.

Check out the tracker Grizzleys if you got the money for it. All they are is a jon boat pretty much. Nice and wide though.

Ok, I'll check that out. But could you balance that back out by putting weight under the deck. I know that would make the boat sit lower in the water but it should help balance the center of gravity.

No. That's just adding too much unnecessary weight. Your best bet is to buy a boat that's wide enough, a floor width of 42" minimum. My floor is 48" wide and super stable.

Ah ok, well I'll keep an eye out for one with that width at least. And J-Bruno, not looking to go broke man haha