Kayak vs jon

Inventry
Tennessee Deer Sporting & Deer Hunting Community Forum

Help Support TNDeer | Tennessee Deer:

D

DirtyBear0311

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 1, 2012
Messages
1,989
City & State/Province
Milan, TN
Help me decide. I really wanna explore some water like the Obion and Forked Deer and fish the TWRA lakes in my area. I also wanna get into duck hunting next season and acessing hard to reach areas for that and deer. I've had my mind on a kayak for a bit and already have a life jacket and a double blade paddle (both could be used for either vessel). Has anyone used a kayak paddle on a jon? So what do yall figure?
 
For lakes and duck hunting and deer hunting, I would go with the Jon. I have no experience with the yak. But seems to me the Jon will have more room for decoys and hauling big game.

Sent from this smart thingamajig using tapatalk.
 
If you are deer hunting with a kayak, you may run into issues hauling your kill. Other than that, I say kayak is the way to go. It is a lot easier to haul by yourself, it is easy to maneuver in tight areas. That is just my opinion.
 
If you plan on deer and duck, go with a jon boat. And trust me, get at least a trolling motor to push it with. If you have a deer and hunting gear in the boat, or if you have to paddle around much to pick up birds and/or decoys, you will appreciate it quick.
 
This was my Tennesseee lake hunting and fishing rig. A light, square-stern canoe with a small outboard. I had a 2.5HP Suzuki 4-stroke that could get me going about 7 kts on calm water. I wanted more speed, so I got a 6HP Suzuki 4-stroke and that got me going about 12 kts if I had the motor trimmed right and the right amount of weight in the front of the canoe. Let me tell you - getting a canoe to go 12kts was pretty impressive. I used to get some pretty funny looks from boaters when I went by. For hunting I was usually leaving really early and coming back really late, so the lake was almost always nice a calm and I could run wide open. Having a canoe let me get back into some really skinny water with a paddle. The carrying capacity of the canoe was 800 lbs, so it was no problem hauling a deer or two. I liked it because I didn't need a trailer or boat ramp to launch. The canoe was 80 lbs and I just used a kayak dolly to roll it to a suitable launching point. With the stabilizers it was nearly impossible to tip over. For fishing I built a wooden console that had my fish finder monitor and a cup holder. I had a small anchor system and a Minn Kota trolling motor for quiet running. It was pretty much the coolest canoe ever.

All that said, a Jon boat would have been a lot easier and faster on the water if I didn't mind using a trailer. My mom lived on a lake, but she didn't have a dock, so most of the time I would just launch the canoe from shore in her backyard.

Canoe3_zps469ff8ef.jpg


Canoe2_zps785713c5.jpg


Canoe1_zpsfa0047b4.jpg
 
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
See price on Amazon
Weber Hickory Wood Chunks Outdoor Cooking Fuel, 4 lb – Premium BBQ Smoking & Grilling Chips for Rich, Subtly Sweet Flavor – Ideal for Beef, Lamb, Poultry & Pork – Long Lasting
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Smoker Wood Chunks 13-16 lbs for Grilling, Smoking, and Wood Fire Cooking ~ 2 x 3 Inches, (Hickory, 790 Cu in.)
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
See price on Amazon
Hickory Pizza Oven Wood 6 Inch, 15 lbs Box – Kiln Dried & Bark-Free Firewood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ Smoking & Grilling – Premium Hickory Wood Logs for Ooni, Gozney, Solo Stove, Bertello
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 8” Splits (Approx 39.5 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
See price on Amazon
Firewood Central Kiln-Dried PA Hickory – 6” Splits (Approx. 42 lb) – Bold Smoking Wood for Pizza Ovens, BBQ & Fire Pits – Easy Light, Low Smoke, USA Sourced
Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller 2-Stage Outlet Thermostat Heating and Cooling Mode Carboy Homebrew Fermenter Greenhouse Terrarium 110V 10A 1100W
See price on Amazon
Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller 2-Stage Outlet Thermostat Heating and Cooling Mode Carboy Homebrew Fermenter Greenhouse Terrarium 110V 10A 1100W
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
See price on Amazon
Greenworks 24V 6in BL Pruning Saw w/Auto Oiler, Tool Only
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
See price on Amazon
Old Potters Kiln Dried Firewood - Cherry, 1100 Cu. in, 16-18 Logs ~ 8" x 2.5" Logs. Solo Stove and Cooking Wood for Grilling, Smoking, and Firepits, Cherry.
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
See price on Amazon
Heritage Smoke Wood Hickory Pizza Oven Wood with Fire Starter - Kiln Dried Firewood 6" Hardwood Logs for Brick Fire Pizza Ovens & Grills, 6 lb, Low Smoke, High Heat, Competition-Grade Clean Burn
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
See price on Amazon
39" Fire Pits with Wood Storage for Outside, Large Wood Burning Outdoor Fireplace with Chimney, Mesh Spark Screen & Fire Poker, Idea for Backyard, Patio, Party, Camping, Picnic
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change.
Vermin93":1m2utodi said:
This was my Tennesseee lake hunting and fishing rig. A light, square-stern canoe with a small outboard. I had a 2.5HP Suzuki 4-stroke that could get me going about 7 kts on calm water. I wanted more speed, so I got a 6HP Suzuki 4-stroke and that got me going about 12 kts if I had the motor trimmed right and the right amount of weight in the front of the canoe. Let me tell you - getting a canoe to go 12kts was pretty impressive. I used to get some pretty funny looks from boaters when I went by. For hunting I was usually leaving really early and coming back really late, so the lake was almost always nice a calm and I could run wide open. Having a canoe let me get back into some really skinny water with a paddle. The carrying capacity of the canoe was 800 lbs, so it was no problem hauling a deer or two. I liked it because I didn't need a trailer or boat ramp to launch. The canoe was 80 lbs and I just used a kayak dolly to roll it to a suitable launching point. With the stabilizers it was nearly impossible to tip over. For fishing I built a wooden console that had my fish finder monitor and a cup holder. I had a small anchor system and a Minn Kota trolling motor for quiet running. It was pretty much the coolest canoe ever.

All that said, a Jon boat would have been a lot easier and faster on the water if I didn't mind using a trailer. My mom lived on a lake, but she didn't have a dock, so most of the time I would just launch the canoe from shore in her backyard.

Canoe3_zps469ff8ef.jpg


Canoe2_zps785713c5.jpg


Canoe1_zpsfa0047b4.jpg
Click to expand...

Nice looking rig you got there. Could you fit another person in the front? I thought about a two person square stern but was worried about how well it would paddle with just me in it.
 
DirtyBear0311":yf3hnekp said:
Nice looking rig you got there. Could you fit another person in the front? I thought about a two person square stern but was worried about how well it would paddle with just me in it.
Click to expand...

Yes, It had 3 seats and I've had 3 people in it fishing. The make and model was an Esquif Heron. Esquif is a Canadian canoe maker. The Heron is just under 15ft in length. Esquif makes a smaller square-stern canoe called the Mallard that is 12 ft long and weighs 55 lbs. It would be super easy to transport and launch.

I found this video of the Mallard:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=09TLmPOxUpQ

When I used my canoe for hunting and I was the only passenger, I would put 4 bags of playground sand up in the very front to offset my weight in the back and keep the bow down. If you don't have enough weight up front this is what can happen....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbDT0yotbPg
 
If you are going to paddle it, get a kayak or canoe. Might as well try to paddle a barge than a flat bottom.
If you are going to get a small outboard or a trolling motor, get a jon boat.
 
I have had a scanoe (Coleman RamX 17 ft scanoe) with a 6 hp Evinrude that was great for getting into places most boats wouldn't go. Here is a pic of it behind me. It was a great on rivers but was terrible in open water.
rainbow1.jpg


I then bought a 1436 Tracker Topper and that boat did everything the canoe did and more. I wasn't making much as I was just out of college then and it was the most boat I could afford. It was more stable than the canoe, got into the same areas as the canoe, and had a bigger payload. It was an awesome boat. It did everything I wanted it to do. It carried Kimberman, Deer Assassin, and me to many hunting locations and back with the deer we killed. I absolutely loved this boat. I have so many fond memories of this boat like my sons first fish was caught on this boat and numerous 20"+ trout caught on it. It cost me $300 off of Craigslist and I spent $2400 for the 15hp Yamaha on ebay. It would go all day long and then some on 3 gallons of gas wide open. I remember going from the I-75 bridge in Loudon to Kingston and back on 1 gallon of fuel at 25 mph. It did great on rivers and ok on lakes with high traffic. It did everything I wanted it to, but it was still lacking in safety and stability to truly not have a worry about something going wrong.
12b82b49.jpg

Then I went out and bought a much bigger jon boat, a G3 1860 CCT Deluxe with a 90 hp Yamaha. This is the absolute best purchase for my outdoor activities. It goes everywhere the canoe and small jon boat goes and has more room and payload than both combined. My fishing experience, along with my guests experience are 10 fold better than with the smaller jon boat. There is more room for storage, to move about freely without any fear of capsizing or falling out, and more room for full grown adults to truly enjoy an outdoor experience. This boat does everything you would want it to do. It runs wide open in 8 inches of water and handles 3 to 5 ft swells from Albert Haynesworth's yacht easily on Ft Loudon. It truly is a sportmans dream come true. It is for me anyways.
1393784073_zpsd71cc1ca.jpg

1391872533_zpse4c8454e.jpg


I really don't miss the scanoe or jon boat much after buying the G3. I have great memories, but don't miss them.
 
http://m.academy.com/shop/Product_10151 ... +670789616

Here is what I decided on. This thing is 44.4 inches wide which puts it wider than a regular 14 foot jon and thus, more stable (I hope). If not, I can always make some outriggers that will take care of the problem. I can fish and paddle it solo or with my dad when he comes with me. I can eventually get a trolling motor to throw on the back to take me farther if I dezire. I can still explore the skinny and shallow water and fit as many decoys as I realistically need. Heck, I could cancel this sucker without too much trouble and bust some birds from it. It's a bit heavy but I can make a cart for it and should be able to load it onto my truck in my own without too many problems. Thanks for all the input from everyone. It really got some wheels turning and allowed me to figure on what I realistically need and what I can afford. Best of luck to all of yall.
 
Great choice! I think you will really like it, especially when you get a small outboard on the back. There is also an after market kit you can buy to turn it into a sailboat if you ever decide that you want to do some sailing.
 
DirtyBear0311":5q21zn7o said:
I can eventually get a trolling motor to throw on the back to take me farther if I dezire.
Click to expand...

don't forget you have to register it if you put a motor on it
 
stik":9sr29m6m said:
DirtyBear0311":9sr29m6m said:
I can eventually get a trolling motor to throw on the back to take me farther if I dezire.
Click to expand...

don't forget you have to register it if you put a motor on it
Click to expand...


Good point. We will see how it handles under paddle power first and see if it even needs a motor at all.
 
I predict you will want a motor if you plan to cover a decent amount of water. You will find out that square stern canoes don't paddle nearly as well as regular canoes that have a pointed stern. If you have concerns, Google "paddling a square stern canoe" and you'll find info about it.

As you can see from my pictures, I registered my motorized canoe in TN. It's easy, as long as you have the required paperwork.

That canoe is actually the Old Town Rogue River 154. I'm guessing Academy named it the Sportsmaster so they could have their own Academy model. All the specs, features and looks are the same as the Rogue River model.

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/recreation/rogue_river_154/

Here's a video of some Polish folks cruising around in one with a 2.3hp Johnson.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdBJ6xPF5Ms
 
Very interesting thread. I have a brand new Suzuki 6 hp motor and looking for a boat to attach it to. Been thinking about the Esquif Rangeley 17 foot canoe for the wife, dog and myself. Anyone have experience with this canoe?
 

Latest posts

Back
Top