How wide is a Jon boat is a popular question that many people ask, especially when buying this type of vessel for the first time.
If you want to get started in boating, a Jon boat is a perfect solution to get on with exciting fishing trips, hunting expeditions, or even light carriage like collecting lumber.
Jon boats are highly versatile and incredibly affordable, which is what a lot of boating enthusiasts are looking for. You get to enjoy fishing with an excellent boat at a low cost.
To buy the best Jon boat, you need to consider several factors like the waterbody you intend to float on and the general activities you want to engage in.
For example, if you want to use the boat for transportation, you need to consider which size can support how much weight and whether it suits your needs or not.
Jon boats come in various sizes, ranging between 8 feet and 24 feet long. And the boat’s width depends on the size of the vessel.
Here, we’ll talk about the various Jon boat sizes and how wide each vessel is to help you choose one that perfectly suits you.
How Wide is a Jon Boat?
When it comes to Jon boats’ width, the answer is usually based on how long the boat is. But you may not be sure of what length to buy.
Let’s discuss the various Jon boat sizes and their widths to see which one is an excellent match for your needs.
8 foot Jon Boat
On average, 8-foot Jon boats are 32 inches wide.
They are undoubtedly the smallest in this type of watercraft. Some boating hobbyists find this size to offer just the right space they want.
It’s a good option if all you want is a small boat and you are working with a low budget.
While an 8-foot Jon boat will not hold much weight, it allows you to take a cool ride at night and still fish on small water bodies.
It runs on a horsepower of up to 2.5hp with a maximum speed of 5 miles per hour, which I find commendable.
One downside of 8-foot Jon boats is that the stability may not be the best, which means you can’t sail safely on rougher waters.
If you are after excellent stability and simple design in an affordable watercraft, I’d suggest that you go for a larger boat.
Nonetheless, two persons of average or lower body weight can cruise comfortably with the 8-foot boat on calm water.
10 foot Jon Boat
The average width of a 10-foot Jon boat is 48 inches.
This Jon boat size is the entry-level model in the market today. And since it’s a little bit longer and wider, it offers a better float and more weight capacity than the previous size.
You can expect your 10-foot Jon boat to hold an average weight of 335 pounds. This means you can go fishing with another adult on board for a perfect hunting excursion.
10 foot Jon boats can operate on a maximum horsepower of 5hp, but most versions typically run on the basic 3hp. It really depends on your needs and budget.
Depending on the horsepower you choose, you can cruise at a speed of up to 10 miles per hour with your 10-foot boat.
Overall, this size is way better than the 8-foot Jon boat for someone who wants to go fishing with a friend or bring more gear on board.
12 foot Jon Boat
The overall width of a 12-foot Jon boat ranges between 48 and 60 inches with a 420 pounds- weight capacity.
12 foot Jon boats are great vessels for extended exploration on medium back waterways.
Like the previous models, it can support only two adults with light to medium gear. However, there is more to enjoy when it comes to the overall performance.
With a 12-foot boat, you’ll be boating with a motor horsepower of about 7 to 10hp. With a 7.5hp motor, the boat can sail at a top speed of 15 miles per hour.
14 foot Jon Boat
If you are wondering how wide is a 14 foot Jon boat, the average width is 64 inches.
14 foot Jon boats come in different widths, ranging from 50 to 70 inches. This makes it ideal for up to three people of average body weight.
As you might be expecting, the engine is also stronger to give better cruising speed on nearly all kinds of lakes.
14 foot Jons run on a maximum horsepower of about 25hp. With the higher-end motor, you can sail at a speed of 25 miles per hour.
You can use a 14-foot Jon boat for various water sports like wakeboarding and water skiing, provided you keep in mind that you are operating a flat-bottomed boat.
It’s also ideal for longer fishing trips with a few friends or family on board.
16 foot Jon Boat
The average width of a 16 foot Jon boat is 50 to 78 inches.
This is a great option if you are looking for a Jon boat that will let you bring your family or friends on board. It can hold up to 4 adults with an average gear load or five adults with light to gear.
A 16-foot Jon boat is suitable for boating activities from long fishing trips, hunting excursions, waters ports, and utility use.
You can also go for an extended boat camping trip with this boat.
What you’ll love most about a 16 foot Jon boat is that it can run at a speed of up to 35 miles per hour. But the speed may reduce, depending on how loaded the boat is.
18 foot Jon Boat
18 foot Jon boats are available at about 60 to 80 inches in width.
For most Jon boat enthusiasts, this is usually the maximum size they would want to buy.
Personally, I feel that it strikes a good balance between simplicity and utility, as you can safely carry up to 6 passengers with gear. Its carrying capacity ranges from 1,200 to 1,500 pounds.
Two small families can fit well in an 18 foot Jon boat and cruise comfortably on great lakes.
You can also use an 18-foot Jon boat for water sports and light transportation, riding at an average speed of 35 miles per hour.
20 foot Jon Boat
20 foot Jon boats come at a width of about 70 inches and above. In most cases, the seating and the overall design of 20 foot Jon boats are usually customized according to specific uses.
With a maximum weight capacity of 2,000 pounds, a 20-foot Jon boat can hold up to 8 passengers with light gear at a go. It’s mainly used for water sports, utility work, and leisure cruising with friends or family.
It usually runs on a 70 to 120hp motor, which means you can move at a speed of about 45 miles per hour.
How Wide Are Jon Boats Longer than 20 Feet?
It’s extremely difficult to get the averages of Jon boats that are larger than 20 feet. I found out that such Jon boats vary in features and applications.
Some people use large Jon boats for large group hunting and long-distance boat camping, while others buy them for utility work.
Most 24 foot Jon boats feature a width of about 72 inches, while others are wider than that. The weight capacity of such vessels ranges from 2,000 to 3,000 pounds.
If you want to invest in a larger vessel, you can always ask the manufacturer to customize it with your preferred features and accessories.
For example, you can have some nice angling features like live wells, a center console, and trap wells added to the large boat for a perfect fishing experience.
A side or center console will give you better visibility when fishing on the shoreline or shallow waters.
While many people prefer small Jons, even though they are unstable on rough water, larger boats can handle choppy water with incredible stability.
However, they are not ideal for use on narrow waterways or extremely shallow water and are obviously pricier.
In general, the Jon boat size you should get is solely dependent on how you intend to use the watercraft.
So, you need to think carefully and consider your specific needs when selecting as both small and large Jon boats have their pros and cons.
FAQs
Q: How Wide is a 15ft Jon Boat?
A: The width of a 15-ft Jon boat can range from 42 to 70 inches. But some manufacturers make 40-inches wide Jon boats with similar lengths.
You can expect the carrying capacity of a 15 ft Jon boat to be anywhere from 600 to 800 pounds. This means that you can carry about three people with light gear.
There are also some 15-foot Jon boat models that can carry up to four passengers and fishing gear or other recreation equipment.
The horsepower of 15-ft Jon boats ranges from 15 to 25hp and they move at a top speed of up to 25 miles per hour on shallow water like rivers or small waterways.
Whether you want to go recreational fishing, duck hunting, or even cruising for fun with your family, a 15 ft boat is an excellent option.
Q: How Wide is a Jon Boat Trailer?
A: Jon boat trailers are approximately 40 to 60 inches wide on average. Just like the actual Jon boats, trailers vary in width as well, and the best one for you will depend on your boat size.
If you have a small 10 ft Jon boat, an average 45 inches wide trailer will be a good choice.
For larger Jon boats that measure between 16 and 20 feet long, you’ll need a 63+ inches wide trailer.
Having the right trailer size will help you transport your boat safely. If you are not sure which trailer size to get, I’d recommend measuring the boat yourself.
While you may want to simply use the general measurements indicated in the manufacturer’s handbook, the measures may be a bit different.
Most manufacturers give general dimensions of more than one model, and they may not be exactly what your boat has.
The key measurements include the length, width, beam width, and transom height. These measures should let you know the appropriate trailer size for your boat.
To get the overall boat length, you need to measure the distance between the transom and bow eye.
Beam width is usually the widest point of the boat, and it’s generally along the hull towards the center or rear.
You can get the overall boat width of a Jon boat by measuring the bottom of the rear, from side to side. Once you have the measurements of your boat, it will be easier to get the right trailer size.
It’s also equally important to choose a trailer that features a sturdy construction for extended durability.
Q: What is the Best Jon Boat Length?
A: The best Jon boat length for you will depend on your exact needs and preferences. The good thing about flat bottomed boats is that they come in custom sizes to suit varied needs.
If you are the kind of person who always loves to have a friend or family member on board when going out fishing, a 14 or 15 foot boat is a perfect size.
Apart from the number of people you want to bring on board, you also want to consider the activities you want to engage in.
For example, a fishing boat will need adequate storage space on the deck to keep the fish you catch. You’ll also need a lot of room for your fishing gear.
A spacious Jon boat will also help you get some add-ons like live wells for the fish and crustaceans caught.
One more thing I’d keep in mind when choosing the best boat size is how to transport the vessel and the storage room available.
It’s important to go for a boat that your car can comfortably tow to storage.
If you don’t have much room and don’t want to rent storage for the vessel, it would be wise to check the smaller Jon boat sizes.
Q: How Fast Do Jon Boats Go?
A: How fast Jon boats can go depends on the size of their motor, material, and the overall size of the boat. Small boats can only run on less horsepower, which means less speed.
Generally, small Jon boats of about 10 feet long can sail at an average speed of 10 miles per hour.
On the other hand, larger Jons can move a little bit faster, given that they feature stronger engines.
A 14 ft Jon boat running on a 20hp motor can move at a speed of 20 miles per hour, carrying three people and light gear.
The materials used to build the boat also determine how fast a Jon boat can go. Jon boats made with aluminum are a bit lightweight, which is why they sail faster than those made of fiberglass do.
But this is not to discredit fiberglass. This material is resistant to harsh conditions, especially when boating on the ocean.
Unlike aluminum boats whose open hull would corrode when used on saltwater, fiberglass boats do not rust when used on the ocean.
The deck featured on aluminum boats can also get too cold when fishing, which can be pretty uncomfortable if you don’t have the right gear to keep you warm.
Final Thoughts
Jon boats come in different sizes and getting the right one for your boating needs can be a bit tricky is you don’t know what to look for.
And while they are some of the cheapest watercraft you can find, buying the wrong size can prove to be expensive.
You may have to replace a small boat that won’t help any way for utility work or incur extra costs of towing and storing an overly long Jon boat that you don’t even need.
So, it’s important to know the dimensions of a particular vessel and the activities it can support to prevent losses and frustration.
I hope this article has helped you understand Jon boats’ width and which size matches your boating needs.
