New and Used Jon Boats for Sale

Jon boats are small, simple fishing boats with flat bottoms for skimming the shallow waters of lakes, rivers, and bays. Search for new and used Jon boats for sale from top brands, whether it’s a lightweight aluminum model or robust fiberglass one. Narrow your search results by geographical area and specific features to help find the perfect boat.

Main characteristics of Jon boats

The hugely popular Jon boat is one of the most commonly seen boats on inland waters thanks to its simplicity, trailerability, affordability, and versatility. Most commonly used for fishing, they are relatively small and have minimal extra features and accessories. With a flat or nearly flat bottom, they are ideal for navigating shallow waters, and they typically have a squared-off or rounded bow rather than a pointed one like some other small skiffs.

Jon boats tend to be made from fiberglass, aluminum or, more rarely, polyethylene, and are usually fitted with an outboard motor as well as an electric trolling motor for fishing, although the trolling motor is optional.

Types of Jon boat

Aluminum Jon boats

Aluminum is the most common choice for Jon boats because it is ultra-light, costs less than fiberglass, and is more forgiving of knocks that will cause dents rather than crack the fiberglass. They are hugely popular with waterfowl hunters because they can easily be moved around shallow marshy areas and need a lower horsepower engine to get them to the fishing grounds. Jon boats in general range between pocket-sized 8-foot models all the way up to 20 feet, and the range of features and accessories will vary depending on the size. From storage lockers to fishing platforms and livewells, they can be easily customized. One downside of aluminum Jon boats is their tendency to corrode in salt water.

Fiberglass Jon boat

Jon boats are often manufactured from fiberglass because it’s a durable and lightweight material that is waterproof, easy to mold, and straightforward to repair. Jon boats need to be easy to trailer (they can even be carried in the back of a flat-bed truck or on a roof rack if they’re small enough) so owners can transport their boats to lakes, rivers, and other coastal waterways. Fiberglass Jon boats, while meeting the trailering requirements with ease, are slightly heavier than aluminum models and tend to cope better in heavier chop as they have slightly increased draft. This means a smoother ride on the usually simple molded bench passenger seating.

Roto-molded polyethylene

While these are still relatively rare, molded polyethylene Jon boats are on the rise as technology improves. They share many characteristics with fiberglass Jon boats (slightly heavier than aluminum for example), but are virtually maintenance-free and because all the cup holders, rod holders, lockers and other accessories are all pre-molded, manufacturers can include more features for a lower cost.

Best Jon Boat Brands

There are many excellent brands producing Jon boats of all sizes and styles, from simple, affordable models, to larger and more feature-heavy ones. Some of the most long-standing brands in the industry include Lund and their series of classic, robust, no-frills aluminum Jon boats, Crestliner’s range of aluminum boats designed for serious fishing, and Tracker’s sturdy Jon boats ranging from 16 to 20 feet.

When it comes to larger models of Jon boats, brands such as SeaArk and Supreme Boats offer models upwards of 20 feet, and in the case of SeaArk, their extensive range tops out at 26 feet. Supreme Boats specialize in fiberglass Jon boats, as do Rabco and their range of foam-filled Jons designed for fishing, skiing, or family fun. The hugely popular Lowe also offers a tough selection of Jon boats in the 16 to 20 feet size range, while Pelican is one of the top names when it comes to the less common polyethylene Jon boats hitting the market.

Brands such as G3 allow you to customize your Jon boat by adding on a wealth of features, while Excel specialize in serious, high-spec fishing boats with more features than you’d usually get on your average Jon boat.

Why Choose a Jon boat?

Jon boats offer a simple and inexpensive way to get out on the water and enjoy fishing. Simply trailer your boat and set off for a day of quiet relaxation on the lakes fishing solo or with a friend. Their lightness and low maintenance make them the most fuss-free boat on the market that quite simply get the job done.

This text was written by Samantha Wilson in January 2024.