Best Jon Boats of 2025

The easiest way to get into boating is with a jon boat. They’re simple, inexpensive, efficient, and easy to own. A jon boat has a square bow and stern with a flat bottom, providing tons of room on a stable platform. Most jon boats are made out of aluminum, which is more durable than fiberglass or wood. Not only are jon boats great for fishing and hunting, but they are easy to transport and store. With fewer features, jon boats don’t require extensive maintenance. You can tow a jon boat with a small car, power it with a smaller engine, customize the boat to your needs and use it in backwaters, bays, rivers, and other sheltered water. The most fool-proof way to learn the ropes of boat ownership is with one of the best jon boats on the water.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Jon Boat

With jon boats, the key consideration is convenience. Owning a jon boat is supposed to be simple. The basic features, sturdy construction, and low price are a big draw for new and experienced boaters. When choosing the best jon boat, be sure to pick a boat that fits into your life and makes it easy to get on the water.

Transport and Storage

Jon boats are lighter and smaller than other types of boats, so they are easier to transport and store. You can load the simplest jon boat into a pickup truck bed or even onto cartop roof racks. 

Most jon boats require a trailer. However, most jon boats don’t require a twin-axle trailer with brakes. Not only is a smaller trailer easier to maintain, but a single-axle trailer without brakes doesn’t have to pass an annual safety inspection in many states. That’s easy rolling with less trouble. 

Sturdy Construction

The best jon boats are built tough as a tank. Heavy gauge aluminum and welded seams mean a jon boat can take a beating. Some jon boats are built of polyethylene plastic, which is super tough, light, and easy to repair. 

The simplest jon boats are nothing more than a hull and bench seats with a tiller-drive motor. Better jon boats have a bow casting platform, comfortable seats, gear storage and a live well. The best jon boats feature a center or side console and rigging for a trolling motor. 

Low Cost

The best thing about a jon boat is the price. These boats are not only less expensive to purchase but also cheaper to operate. 

Jon boats have a flat hull, so they require a smaller engine. Not only does a smaller engine cut the purchase price, but the savings continue at the fuel dock.

Best of all, a jon boat saves time and money after every fishing trip. My fiberglass boat requires a thorough wash each trip and regular use of the best boat waxes and polishing to protect the finish. No such worries with an aluminum jon boat; I just rinse off the mud and salt and hit it with a scrub brush every few trips. You can also build your own boat any way you like.

While a jon boat doesn’t have sexy lines and sparkles like a fancy bass boat, their utilitarian design, economic efficiency, and ease of ownership endear these tough boats to anglers looking to get on the water without all the hassle. 

Why It Made The Cut

The Cadillac of jon boats with rod storage, live well, pedestal seats, and center console, the Tracker Grizzly 2072 is my pick for the best overall jon boat. 

Product Description

With all the features of a bass boat in a lightweight package, the Tracker’s Grizzly 2072 still retains the durability and convenience of a jon boat. The heavy-duty aluminum hull and floor are welded to sturdy ribs for a solid ride in snotty weather. Rocks, stumps, docks, and oyster tumps are no match for this jon boat. Despite the mud and slime, the Grizzly still has the amenities of a civilized bass or bay boat. A huge live well, ample rod storage, and four below-deck gearboxes make it easy to fish and hunt and still comfortable for family picnics on the sandbar. If you’re a fan of jon boats, the Tracker Grizzly 2072 is the best jon boat overall.

Why It Made The Cut

A tunnel hull and jet motor carry the Crestliner 1860 Retriever to places other boats can’t go.

Product Description

An aluminum jon boat is darn-near indestructible, perfect for exploring shallow water and heavy structure. To reach the gnarliest fishing holes where the biggest fish hide, Crestliner 1860 Retriever combines the durability of a jon boat with the shallow draft of a tunnel hull and jet motor. But this stumpknocker has a refined side with a casting deck, center console, rod, gear storage, and a live well. Crestliner offers a long list of options to customize the Retriever to your vision for the best shallow-water jon boat. My favorite feature is the cool color and camouflage options, and I can’t choose which look I like best.

Why It Made The Cut

Just the basics with a cherry on top, the classic Lowe 1648M is 16-feet long and only weighs 275 pounds. 

Product Description

The Lowe 1648M has fewer features with heavy-duty construction for anglers looking to cut weight while maintaining performance. Nine stringers and a reinforced floor help the 1648 withstand the worst conditions. Two bench seats and a forward platform add to the solid feel. Of course, the best lightweight jon boat only has basic, but you can add a full array of electronics, trolling motor, and seats to improve comfort and fishability. Carry handles in the bow and stern mean this boat is ready to go anywhere. The cherry on top is a combination live well and storage compartment in the center seat. When the live well isn’t keeping your tournament stringer fresh, it provides dry storage for tackle and hunting gear. On the best jon boats, when the waves kick up, dry storage is a premium.

Why It Made The Cut

Utility and performance, the Lund 1040 is a jon boat you can throw in the back of the truck or on the cartop and take anywhere.

Product Description

A little boat with big boat performance, it’s hard to believe the Lund 1040 is only 10 feet long and 87 pounds. That’s smaller and lighter than some fishing kayaks. However, the performance of a sturdy, rigid aluminum hull and three bench seats gives the 1040 the capacity and versatility to win the award for best 10-foot jon boat. Pair the 1040 with a five-horsepower gas or electric outboard or a tiller-drive trolling motor, and you’re off to the races. Then, switch to push pole or rowing with oars to silently navigate shallow water. The 1040 has room for two anglers and a ton of fishing gear or a hunter, his dog, and decoy spread. At the end of the day, transport the 1040 in a truck bed or cartop and store the boat in the garage. In recent years, jon boats have gotten fancy, but the Lund 1040 takes the boat back to its roots.

Why It Made The Cut

This versatile hunting/fishing jon boat is affordable, easy to transport, and tough.

Product Description

This little polyethylene jon boat can handle a 40-pound thrust trolling motor or a 6 horsepower outboard, making it an ideal option for fishing or hunting small backwaters. Because this boat weighs only about 110 pounds, you could slide it into the bed of a full-size pickup and not have to worry about a trailer. It has a capacity of 532 pounds, which should be plenty for you, a buddy, and your gear. The only caveat is that small, light boats like this don’t do well in big waves, so keep your adventures to skinny water.

FAQs

How to Buy a Used Jon Boat

While a shiny new jon boat looks sharp on the water, buying a solid, used rig can offer a ton of value for a lot less dough. There are usually plenty of pre-owned options on the market, often as a by-product of boat owners looking to upgrade. Here’s how to find a good deal.

Where to Find a Used Jon Boat

Knowing where to look is the first step in buying a used jon boat. Online marketplaces like Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay, and Boat Trader are always full of listings, and you can sort through the options based on where you live. You can also check in with boat dealers, who sometimes take in trades or sell boats on consignment. 

Sometimes word of mouth is your best tool. Let friends, family, and fellow anglers know you’re in the market. Fishing forums and local social media groups can also be great places to post a ‘wanted’ listing. 

What to Look For

Once you’ve found a used boat that seems like a good fit, reach out to the seller and start asking questions. Find out how the boat has been used, stored, and maintained. Ask when it was last in the water and if it has any leaks or damage. 

Don’t assume the seller will tell you everything. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to determine if you’re dealing with a lemon. Arrange to see the boat in person. Bring a flashlight, a measuring tape, and a buddy. Two sets of eyes are better than one when it comes to spotting damage or hull weaknesses. Look for obvious patch jobs, signs of corrosion, or cracks in the welds. Press on the seams, transom, and around rivets to check for flexing or soft spots. If it is possible to get the boat in the water, do it. If not, try filling the hull with a few inches of water and check for leaks. 

If the boat comes with a motor, ask to hear it run and see it pump water. If it comes with a trailer, check the lights, tires, and wheel bearings. You should also look for rust along the frame. You should also confirm that the boat and trailer have clear titles and up-to-date registration. 

If everything checks out, it’s time to discuss terms. It is okay to negotiate, particularly if you’ve discovered any problems with the boat or trailer. Once you and the seller have agreed on a price, be sure to get a bill of sale for your records. The only thing left is to follow your state’s title and registration requirements to make everything legal and official before you hit the water.

Final Thoughts

Jon boats have come a long way from their simple, utilitarian roots. Today, jon boats feature all the comfort and convenience of a bay boat or bass boat at half the cost. A great example of the best jon boat overall is the Tracker Grizzly 2072. Measuring almost 21-feet long and over eight feet wide, this is the mac daddy jon boat. Still, the welded aluminum hull keeps weight down and reduces the boat’s draft. Including all the good parts of a bigger boat in an easy-to-operate jon boat is why the Tracker Grizzly 2072 is my pick for the best jon boat overall.

Methodology 

Spend some time on a jon boat, and it doesn’t take long to notice the positive and negative qualities. Jon boats are fun to operate, cheap to own, and almost impossible to damage. But, the flat-bottom, square-bow boats can also be a rough ride in rough weather. The best jon boats are designed to slide over calm water. Storage is another issue. I chose jon boats with below-deck storage for tackle and gear. Just because I’m fishing or hunting from a jon boat doesn’t mean I don’t need the best amenities: modern jon boats include cold storage and live well. Jon boats with bench seats are notorious for being uncomfortable; I looked for the best jon boats with great seating options. Mostly, a jon boat is versatile. Whether you are hunting, fishing or enjoying family time, bouncing around in one the best jon boats is fun for everyone.