12 ft Jon or Utility V type purchase decisions

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Permalink Reply by Randy Wilhite on January 4, 2010 at 8:10am

Bob,

My first boat was a 12 foot wooden jon boat made from plywood and fiberglass - they can be a load of fun. As for an aluminum one, using it in salt water is no problem as long as you wash it down really well at the end of the day. Keeping an aluminum boat in salt water can cause a lot of problems with what kind of bottom paint you use, but using one and then putting it on a trailer at the end of the day should not be a problem.

As for hull style, I would certainly go with the V-hull every time. The Indian River and Banana River lagoons generate a real nasty short and steep wave pattern when the wind blows more than 8 or 9 MPH and a flat bottom boat will pound so hard on these that you think your kidneys are being pureed.

As for the trailer, a galvanized or aluminum trailer will work fine and last for years, but again, you have to ensure you wash it down real well at the end of the day. One of the niftier recent innovations for trailers is you can now find smaller trailers like you are talking about with hinged, folding tongues that can knock off three feet or so of over-all length. They are specifically meant to fit inside a standard garage.

When I built my house seven years ago, I was livid when I discovered the plumber had connected one of my outside faucets to the hot water supply rather than the cold water supply. It has turned out to be one of the best things ever as there is nothing like hot, hot water to wash down boats, trailers and flush engines that have been used in salt water.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Warnke on January 5, 2010 at 9:23am

Thanks for the information Randy. Since I don't know where my boat outings will take me I think I'll look for the V-hull just to be safe side.

I think I may make this a project rather just go out and buy a boat and trailer so now my questions will be concentrated on the trailer length vs boat length. Can I get a 14ft V hull on a 15ft max length trailer with a swing tongue.

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Permalink Reply by Henry on January 5, 2010 at 11:36am

There are full "V" style, with the keel all the way back, and modified "V" bow style flat bottoms.
I like the flat bottom for the ultimate shallow water option, and and full "V" if you are going to travel longer distances by water. The flat bottom allows greater stability when standing to fish, sight, cast net, or
whatever else. If you go with a flat bottom Jon-Boat with the modified "V" bow, you will have a little of
both. The aluminum bass and flats boats, like Tracker are this type. A freshwater bath inside and out after
every saltwater experiance is the best maintance.

Henry

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