Jon Boat versus Devlin

John Robinson

John Robinson

Well-known member
I don't want to open up a whole new can of worms, but I was wondering how many Jon boat hunters are on the forum and how do they like them? Probably 80% of duck hunters in this area use a jon boat with some type of blind.

I have had my eyes set on building a Devlin boat of my own for a long time and I finally have the cash and my wife's "go-ahead", but I'm getting a little cold feet. I could go out tomorrow and buy a 16' x 48 Alumacraft jon boat with trailer at my local sporting goods store for $2,750.00 or committ myself to try to build a Scaup between now and October 1st. I would have a part time helper as I helped him build his Snow Goose.

I should mention that I work full time in a Landscape Architectural practice, and train / run four Golden Retrievers for Field Trials every other waking moment, not to mention the normal chores associated with 20 acres and house. I really want the Devlin as I would love the sense of accomplishment hunting out of a soulful boat made with my own hands, I just don't want to go another season without a boat of my own. As a guy who runs Goldens in a sport dominated by Black Labs I definitely go against the grain and jon boats are pretty conventional to me, not that thats bad.
 
If you start now, you may not get done by hunting season. Especially if your "part-time help" is going to need you part time to build his boat.

Why don't you buy an old beat up jon boat to use this fall for 1/2 that money? Use the rest of the money to buy the wood and epoxy. Start building the scaup when season ends, then sell the jon boat for what you paid for it in the spring and use the proceeds to buy the rest of the misc supplies you will need to finish the scaup.

I hunted out of a jon boat for several years. They have a lot of good uses, but nothing beats hunting out of a boat you built yourself.

Rick
 
One of the happiest days of my life was when I sold my jon boat. I had a 14x48 and it was a dangerous boat. Just too narrow for good sability in the conditions I found myself in way too many times over the years. I built a BB3 and finally have found the perfect boat for me.

You're right in one respect, you may not have enough time to build a scaup in the time alloted with all the other stuff going on in your life.

Start your scaup realizing you probably won't have time to finish it for this season and either buy a used boat to tide you over or wait another year. Than again they have been built in short order - just not mine hehehe,

Good Luck

Pete
 
I hunt out of a 1440 mv jonboat. It has served me well. It's light, pretty darn stable for its size, hauls more stuff than it should and has been a great workhorse of a boat for 9 years now. It's gotten me out of some tricky spots when the weather turned out not to be what was forcasted. I wish I had gotten a little bigger boat when I bought it and the center seat is really in the way most of the time but other than that, it's been a great boat.

That said, I really regret not building a Devlin boat when I had the chance about 4 years back. I had decided to build a Devlin bluebill but put it off for various reasons. Now, I'm not in a position to build for at least another 3-4 years. And since my son will be joining me in a couple of years, I am probably looking at a Scaup/BB3 instead of a Bluebill, which will raise the cost significantly (re: can't use my existing 18 hp on a Scaup/BB3, could have on a Bluebill).
Even though my jon boat has been great and they are for most situation, I reccomend that you go for it and build a Devlin. You can customize the boat to add a lot of features a jon boat does not have (under deck gun racks, power panels, courtesy lights, low blinds, spray curtains, built in bilge pump, etc..) and in any given situation, it is a more seaworthy boat than jon boats of the same size. And you will have something you can be proud of for years to come. Go for it.
 
I started with a 1448 jon boat...then went to a 1750 MV..which I bought just before starting my BB2. I just sold the 1750MV with my 25 Mariner..gonna miss that Mariner. If I had a choice, I'd rather have a Broadbill than a 1440 jon. You could whip out a Broadbill pretty fast and if you go hunting with others..use their boats or take the Broadbill along and you hunt that while they hunt in their boat. Your dogs are well trained enough to hunt one in the Broadbill with you. In some of the water I've found myself in with the 1750, I would have been safer in a Broadbill. Or..you could buy one of Sherbines BBSB's!
 
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First of all, I should say up front, I am not a fan of jon boats. Not enough freeboard, flat front and bottom pounds you. Okay in a farm pond or swamp if you can stand up on the bottom. but for anything more... Not for me, thanks.

You'd be better off in a momarsh fatboy for any water I'd trust a Jon boat in.

And also, I think you're paying way too much for a 14' jon with a trailer, unless that price includes a motor.

I have been in a home built Black Brant with a site member from here and would take it any day of the week over any jon boat made. Much safer and more seaworhty. Also lots more work and probalby about the same money or more than you mentioned by the time you bought everything (including the inevetable tools you'll want), not including opportunity cost for your time building it.

I agree with Harker - if you don't have time (it sounds like you don't) look into buying one... Kirk Sherbine has 'em, Lou Tisch has 'em, Dave Clark has 'em. All depends on your budget. Also keep your eye out here, sometimes somebody needs to move up to a bigger boat and sells a good boat here. Also, Dave Clark seems to post good trade in's in the classifieds here too.

Charlie
 
John
My advice, buy a used boat with a motor sized to fit the Devlin. That way you can take your time building and still hunt this season. Then sell the tin boat and keep the motor.
If you do buy a jon boat PLEASE stay off Flathead Lake or be VERY careful to pick your weather.

Lee
P.S. I still have your DU hat.
 
I have both and both serve a purpose. I have devlin bluebill and a 14ft jon boat. The bluebill can cut through much rougher seas. I bought my jon boat for $200. I used to have a blind on it. Now I use it for transport to marsh and big water blinds and to fish out of in Mobjack Bay. I like them both. I don't think you can ever have enough boats. Get a cheap, yet safe, jon with a reliable engine and build a devlin. No matter what you go with you have to know the boat's limitations as well as your own boat handling limitations.
 
I have a G3 1860sc Jon boat and love it. I hunt big water and Sea Duck with it. Plenty of free board and ride quality is not bad. Im a boat dealer and have Run just about every type of boat out there. I like a boat that I can use for several activities. The main reason I went for the jon is the stability for my 79 year old Father when he's hunting with me. Hope this helps. Good luck in your search

Marty
 
Hi Lee,

That hat is yours to keep, but I need to return the camo hat I borrowed from you on our last hunt. I keep meaning to drop by Lakeside but I always seem to be to busy to stop when I'm in the neighborhood. I did email photos of our hunt to my two step brothers to make them jealous, now they are coming out for a hunt next season. I'll make it a point to see you sometime soon.

John
 
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