I don't know if I'll ever get around to it, but I love watching jon boat to bass boat conversions, and I think it would be a blast to do one, maybe with my son.

 

Is there a rule of thumb in terms of the type of jon boat that is suitable for this kind of thing?  Does the conversion render them stable for standing?

This was my conversion I ran for around 8 years. If you do them with stability in mind, you won’t have an issue. Wider is better, as is keeping the weight (center of gravity) low. This was a 1648 (16 ft long, 48 in wide) but I believe it had a beam in the 60s if I remember correctly.

 

Nice

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I built a front casting deck for my 14'X36" jon boat several years ago.  It didn't increase the stability but it worked for me at the time.  If I were going to do it again I would prefer to use a boat with a 48" bottom.

I already have an old v-hull type rowboat.  Are they suitable for conversion, or does it need to be a jon boat?

People convert every kind of boat into a bass boat. It all depends on what you are comfortable in. Myself, I don’t find a round bottom row boat stable enough to use. I bought a 16x48 jon and it’s as small and narrow as I’m comfortable with standing on the front deck. 

Bottom width is key to stability

 

Beam helps keeps you dry when running 

1448 Lowe with all aluminum deck and floor. I've had 750 lbs of bowfishermen standing and shooting at the same time. I did weld flotation pods on the transom.  Width=Stability 

Jon boats have morphed from flat bows to mod V bow to be more versitile in lake with white cap size waves to help reduce plowing though head on waves. Today's Tracker type bass boats are being call Jon boats.

You don't see the traditional flat front Jon boats used for bass fishing out west, duck hunting yes.

I had a Lund 14' run about V bottom aluminum boat for decades modified to bass fish from. Bow trolling motor and sonar units from the early 70's to 2005 when I had to sell it when we moved. Also had glass bass boats during that time period and still do.

My Lund front pedistal was mounted to the original seat, the front platform extended from the seat level and was very stable and a dry ride in white caps with 2 anglers. I fished seated in the bow most of the time in the Lund but could stand when needed. Center of gravity is key, keep it low as possible and bottom width adds stability. 

Saftey first!

Tom

My dad and I did his jon boat a few years ago. 15 ft tracker topper. Used plywood and outdoor carpet.  Got compliments everywhere we went. He has since upgraded to a bass boat but we still talk all the time about missing the jon. It was quite stable, fished all the time out of it standing. Was fun and not that complicated.  Good luck

I would love to do this.  I love my new (ha, 1988) bass boat, but now that I've got fishing fever again, there are a lot of waters that are just too small for a big boat.  Plus, as my recent trips to Schroon Lake and Lake George demonstrate, I've got a long way to go to become a passable big-water fisherman.  (plus I have to remember to put the plug in).

 

My rowboat doesn't have a trailer.  Is it easy to find a trailer for random, trailerless boats?  I don't often see them on craigslist.

On 7/31/2019 at 1:47 PM, billmac said:

I don't know if I'll ever get around to it, but I love watching jon boat to bass boat conversions, and I think it would be a blast to do one, maybe with my son.

 

Is there a rule of thumb in terms of the type of jon boat that is suitable for this kind of thing?  Does the conversion render them stable for standing?

As wide as you are willing to spend the money for.  I would like to do a 2072 at some point, but dang - they are expensive.  48" is the bare minimum, but I would personally not do anything less than 60".