If you’re deciding to add water hobbies into your lifestyle, be it fishing, snorkeling, water skiing, or maybe just having dinner parties at sea, the time will soon come for you to pick the right boat.
With plenty of options out there, it can get overwhelming to choose the right kind of boat to fulfill all your water dreams. Hence, if you’re confused between buying a bass boat or Jon boat, this brief guide is here at your service.
As you read, you will find what characterizes each boat and what they are best suited for.
Table of Contents
Characteristics of Bass Boats
If fishing is the primary sport you plan to adopt, then bass boats might be the most effective ones for you.
Generally designed to be 16 to 25 feet long and 8 feet wide, these are made of aluminum commonly or fiberglass. They are tailorable and motorized with the sole purpose of providing you with a remarkable fishing experience.
Pros of Bass Boats
Why should you opt for a bass boat? Here are a few reasons:
Storage
When I say bass boats are the premium ones for fishing, this is what I mean. Bass boats have plenty of storage space for all your fishes. They even have a handful of aerated livewells for you to keep your fishes alive for later processing.
Since the boat is specifically designed for fishing, only a few people can stay on board. This purpose-driven feature is unlike other recreational vessels. Ideally, bass boats should have two people, but some accommodate up to five.
Speed
As an angler, you are looking for good speed. The bass boats have got you covered. With their outboard motors of 250-300 HP, they display the ability to get to spots quickly. The flat deck and low profile of the boat help to enhance its speed.
Maneuverability
Bass boats are easy to move and handle because of their small size and low weight. Their low profile also adds to this feature. Hence, as an operator, you will often find more control over it than with other boats, especially during high-wind and shallow waters.
Space
Most bass boats have seating for two anglers where each of them has an entire foredeck and aft deck for themselves. This lends them plenty of elbow room and casting space. For these reasons, bass boats are ideal for fishing tournaments where competitors usually fish in pairs.
Sound
What’s a loud fishing boat with noise sufficient to scare away the fishes? As perfect optimal boats, bass boats come with outboard motors, which are relatively quiet. Hence, you catch more fish while having a peaceful, relaxing ride.
Cons of Bass Boats
Not Ideal for Other Activities
With all the features of bass boats mentioned above, they are not ideal for recreational activities. It would be accurate to say that they are not versatile. Hene, if you’re a bass boat owner desiring a dinner with friends out at sea, you would probably need to find a rental boat of another kind.
Characteristics of Jon Boats
Jon boats are relatively small, aluminum boats with a flat or nearly-flat bottom. They are also available in fiberglass and roto-molded polyethylene models. They are very simple boats, with just about sitting space inside.
The primary purpose for which they are used is utility, although people also use them for fishing.
Pros of Jon Boats
Jon boats are amongst the most popular boat kinds. Reason? Read on to find out.
Cost-Effective
This is the primary reason why boats are trendy; they are budget-friendly. They don’t weigh too much on your pockets when you buy them, or even through maintenance.
Hence, for someone new to the waters, this can be a good start. They also prove useful as a backup or emergency boat due to their usability and low-cost factor.
Utilitarian
As stated earlier, boats are primarily used for utility purposes. Thus, they come in handy when you wish to move equipment, fix the docks, hunt, or collect lumbar.
When you honestly figure out how to get the best of this practical boat, you will find yourself using it more than you thought you would!
Versatile
With their usually simple design, Jon boats leave you with plenty of options to accessorize them. You can equip them with a surface drive or longtail motor to increase mobility in areas like swamps, mudflats, etc.
With the right kind of equipment, you can also use these boats for fishing, crawfishing, and other famous southern waterways sports. You might even be able to bring a few friends along.
Lightweight
These boats are incredibly lightweight! This feature makes them easy to transport in the bed of a pick-up truck or on a roof-rack. You may even tow their largest size can be hauled with the smallest of towing vehicles.
Low Maintenance
Jon boats don’t demand much time and effort from you to survive longer. Since they are simple and come with few or no moving parts, cleaning them up is pretty simple. A good wash with a hose with a handful of scrubs will leave you good to go.
Cons of Jon Boats
As with everything, there are a few disadvantages with Jon boats.
Not Suitable for Rough Waters
Jon boats are primarily designed for shallow waters. They are made to sit on top of the waters rather than zip through them. For this reason, their sides aren’t big, making them unideal for rough waters. You not only get a bumpy ride, but you also get wet.
Not Comfortable
The biggest thing you miss out on with a Jon boat is comfort. All that Jon boats offer you is a hull with ribs and bench seats. That makes them pretty rugged, especially if you’ve got a luxury fishing trip in mind.
The Final Selection: Bass Boat or Jon Boat?
Each boat comes in a unique package, given their comfort, speed, weight, ability to deal with different waters, usage, and cost. You need to identify which factors are the most critical ones for you.
If you’re going to spend most of your time fishing, then bass boats are waiting for you. Along with their purpose-built fishing design, they offer you space for some company, speed, easy handling, and tons of storage. Anglers of all kinds have spirited fishing tournaments using these boats.
Jon boats, on the other hand, are convenient and practical boats for all your tasks. They also offer you basic recreational activities, including fishes and hunting, or just having a lazy day in the lakes. Their weight, simple design, and low cost make them more attractive.
However, if you’re looking for some crazy water sports out there, then you might have to expand your horizon beyond both bass and Jon boats since none of these are recreational boats. Pontoon boats have got your back for that.
Final Words
With that, I conclude my comparative analysis of whether you should opt for a bass boat or a Jon boat. Whichever you choose, remember you keep your primary goals in mind.
Whether you’re an expert or a beginner, there are plenty of boats out there offering a range of experiences. So, make sure to do your research well while you decide to make your time at water among the best times of your lives!
