I can't afford a Bass boat, so I buy jon boats and make them bass boats.  I add flooring, seats, compartments, sonar, etc.  I'm getting ready to buy a new jon boat to fix up and looking for idea on what to do and such.  I'd like to see a picture of everyone jon boat modifications so hopefully I get more ideas and can make mine better,  Show show your ride

I get my 2014 tracker topper 15 and 2014 continental trailer on the 26th, and I plan on putting decks and stuff on it. Can't wait to see others boats on here

Are you wanting to do something like this?

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=28777

Wow I wonder how much that all cost him.  looks nice!

Wow I wonder how much that all cost him.  looks nice!

Thanks, it's mine.

I honestly didn't total up what I spent on it it would probably scare me to death.

The real question is what's it worth? I'm about to put it on CL

I have done a couple...

 

And my current:

 

 

Jeff

I have done a couple...

And my current:

Jeff

I like. Why don't you bring that boat up to erie & we can beat up on some smallie?

I don't think my dinghy will make it on Erie....

 

Jeff

Jeff do you have an I pilot?

How long does it take to mod one of these? I can't really afford a bass boat but I've been toying with the idea of doing this for a while. I have a feeling I'd never finish it though.

In the one's I've done. I dedicated a full day to it and finished it up the same day, but it does take the entire day.  I've always put down a flat floor and carpeted it, added a flipping deck, added storage and cup holders, a livewell, depthfinder, etc.  As long as you have the tools and supplies, it's quick if you have a plan of attack

Jeff do you have an I pilot?

 

Yes, I have the terrvoa 80lb w/ ipilot

How long does it take to mod one of these? I can't really afford a bass boat but I've been toying with the idea of doing this for a while. I have a feeling I'd never finish it though.

 

I did my first build in a long weekend, but my second one took much longer.  There is no wood in my current boat, so cutting the metal and welding it took much longer!

 

Jeff

That's the same thing I have. I used it for the first time earlier this week. I can see a possible upgrade to the link but I'm getting tired of throwing 1k at the boat.

I have done a couple...

And my current:

Jeff

Now that's a sweet ride right there.

Here's mine haven't even gotten it wet yet. I'm going to spend some time on the water and see how it works before trying any modifications. I have to get a fish finder and trolling motor at a minimum.

The real question is what's it worth? I'm about to put it on CL

 

It's depressing putting jonboats up for resale in my neck of the woods

That's got to be the cadillac of all jon boats.

 

Down here, it's seems there's an arms race for jonboats.  I don't fish the tourneys, but I see guys with TWO electric outboards (which require 12 batteries) 10 inch screen depthfinders, etc.  Quite a few of them have enough $$$ in them to have a full bass boat.  Mine was probably closer to that threshold that I'd like to think about, but the smaller, electric-only lakes are much easier for me to access around here than the big water.

 

If you want to see some great work, look up "bassboy1" and "Fish On Fabrications" on tinboats.  That's the guy that did my boat, and he's done quite a few more intricate builds than mine.

Bassboy1 had some ideas that I incorporated in my boat.  That guy has a real knack for what he does!

 

Jeff

 

 

 

Jeff

 

Man, I really dig the simplicity of this.  Can you tell me more about it?  Any more pics with it loaded for a day on the water?

hopefully 00mod has the link to his before/during/after pics of his current set up. I can't remember if I saw it here or on tinboats but it was impressive. It's by far my favorite tinboat mod I've seen.

Here are some more of my pics.  Let me know if there is something specific you would like to see or know:

 

Rod holder system with golf tubes running under front deck:

 

Complete minus rear motor and original trolling motor no graph:

 

New trolling motor/ old graph:

 

Rear deck and motor cutout

 

 

Front deck/rod holders/go pro mount/ padded bottom deck:

 

 

I have since changed front graph.  It also has on board 3 bank battery charger with 2 batteries up front under deck and cranking battery in rear.  Also installed my own bilge pump with side exit. 

 

Anything else just ask!

 

Jeff

I have built a couple, in the process of building a buddies Landau 1442 for him. Here is my current boat:

http://www.tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=21&t=22621

Dumb question for you guys if I may...

 

You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at?

 

What is the difference of the bottom shape between jon boat and bass boat of the same size? The ones from tracker looks very similar on the pics...

Dumb question for you guys if I may...

 

You customize jon boat instead of buying bass boat to save $$$, correct? Roughly how much of saving you are looking at?

 

What is the difference of the bottom shape between jon boat and bass boat of the same size? The ones from tracker looks very similar on the pics...

 

 

I built my current boat to get exactly what I wanted.  Money wasn't even a consideration.  I had a vision of what I wanted, and there wasn't one out there.  So I built it.

 

There are several different shapes of hulls a jon: flat bottom, mod-v, v, round bottom, deep v and multi-hull designs.  Probably more I am forgetting.  Each one has its advantages and disadvantages.

 

Mine is a modified v.  V in the front a flat bottom in the back.  It seems to be the best of most worlds in the grand scheme of things aluminum!

 

Jeff