There is no doubt that the jon boat is one of the most versatile watercrafts available and outdoorsmen have benefited from the stable, shallow water design for everything from duck hunting to teaching the kids to crab. But there is always something else you want to be able to do and one more thing you wish your jon boat was equipped with. Let use help you figure out what your next upgrade should be by sharing 54 of our favorites.
Bimini Top
Protect yourself and your passengers from the hot summer sun by adding a simple yet rewarding bimini top (link to read reviews of our favorite on one Amazon). Providing shade will allow you to get more from your boat and spend more time on the water without fear of sunburn, heat exhaustion or just plain discomfort. They are simply to install and can be put up / taken down in seconds.
Enclosed Cabin
Sometimes you need more than simple sunshade, you need full on protection from whatever Mother Nature throws your way. You need a fully enclosed cabin. Much like the bimini top collapsible full cabins can be installed easily and when deployed provide 360-degree protection while maintaining visibility.
Cover
Adding a cover to your jon boat is about protecting your investment and extending its life. No matter how you use you jon boat, or where you store it, there are times when it will be outside and exposed to damaging sun, rain or even snow. A cover (link for our favorite affordable one on Amazon) will help you jon boat resist corrosion, mildew and other weather related damage and make sure it is ready to go when you want to get on the water.
Center Console
A center console will make operation easier, safer and more fun. Sitting in the center of your jon boat will increase visibility, improve weight distribution and provides for a more comfortable ride. Some manufacturers offer after market consoles for the more popular brands of jon boat, or you can recycle one from a wreck. Some advanced DIYers have even built their own.
Front Trolling Motor
Anglers will benefit greatly from the addition of a front trolling motor. You will be able to fish and maneuver at the same time with the finesse needed to access those secret trophy holding spots you could never reach before.
Aren’t sure what size or brand would be right for you and your boat? We put together a post covering the best trolling motors for jon boats by boat size. We cover each boat length and about how much thrust you’ll need, as well as some great trolling motors that fit the bill.
Rear Poling Deck
Thanks to its flat bottom the jon boat is perfect for accessing shallow areas but what do you do when it is too shallow for your motor? The answer- poling. But to get the most out of your poling efforts you need to be elevated on a rear deck like this.
Fishing Platform
One of the downfalls of many jon boat designs is the lack of front fishing area. Even is there is a small flat deck it is often too small for stable use. Luckily, adding such a feature is little more than an afternoon project.
Elevated Bow Fishing Platform
Bow anglers have discovered the advantages of being higher- they can see more and improve their shot angle. DIYers have discovered it is not as hard as it seems, or as costly as manufacturers would like you to believe.
Storage Compartments
Many jon boats are an open design, which makes them perfect for modification but not so good when it comes to storing your gear. Good news is there is a modification for that! You can be as creative as you wish, adding as much or as little storage as needed-even customizing it for specific gear.
Rod Storage
Speaking of specific storage needs every angler needs a safe place – for their rods that is. When out on the water you want your rods close at hand, but when running to and from your honey hole or towing your jon boat it is important to keep them safe from damage or theft.
Be sure to check out our post covering 6 great rod storage options for jon boats. Some of them range from pre-fabricated to DIY options.
Raised Deck
Adding a raised deck can offer many advantages – more stable platform when moving about, ability to avoid water that collects in void and even under deck storage areas. This is a DIY project that can help make your jon boat your own.
Swivel Seats
Seating on most jon boats is one of the most disappointing feature for many users. Adding after market swivel seats (link to read reviews on Amazon of our most recommended, affordable option) will improve comfort and make it easier to operate your outboard at the same time.
Pedestal Seats
There is a reason almost every bass boat includes at least one pedestal seat – they work! Being higher is not only more comfortable it also increases visibility and casting ability.
Grab bar
Have you ever been fishing from the front deck and had that feeling you were going to end up in the drink? Maybe you hooked a trophy and were caught off guard by a sudden surge or you tired while fighting that giant. Either way a grab bar / leaning post would have come in handy. IT can also be used to allow easier stand up operation of the outboard.
Carpeting
Adding carpeting to your jon boat not only makes it look better, hiding modification construction & imperfections, it is far more comfortable too. Carpet is softer to stand on and prevents uncomfortable burns from a hot metal deck. Make sure you use a quality outdoor style carpet to ensure long life.
Anchor Wench
If you are tired of pulling your anchor, or maybe physically can’t do it anymore, it is time to add an anchor wench. You can select from a manual crank design or an electric model for an even easier to use model. Either way you will be done with bending and pulling everything the anchor needs to come up.
We’ll be honest – it was originally kind of difficult to find good anchor winch options for jon boats online. So we spent a few hours researching and sifting through the options that could work for these little tin boats (and not just larger vessels) and narrowed it down to write a post on our 4 favorite anchor winches.
Electric Trailer Wench
While we are on the topic of making life easier with a wench lets look at adding an electric wench to your trailer. It may not technically be a boat modification, but you use it every time you use your boat so close enough. This will eliminate the need to man handle you boat onto the trailer and allow you to avoid nasty knuckle busting accidents when the handle lets go.
Rod Holders
One of the most popular modifications, and one almost every jon boat owner adds almost as soon as possible, are rod holders. No matter what jon boat you buy it will never have enough rod holders. Need some ideas or inspiration for how to start? Check out our post on jon boat fishing rod holders (plus how and where to install).
Live Well
If you are going to be fishing, you need somewhere to keep your bait or maybe those keepers you want to take home for the grill. You need a live well. If you jon boat did not come equipped with one it is an easy modification that shouldn’t take more than a few hours.
Cooler
Your fish are not the only ones who need to eat, so do the anglers. Adding a cooler to your jon boat will allow you to take snacks or drinks with you or maybe fish back. Unused live wells can be turned into cooler, although you may need to add insulation.
Cleaning Station
A cleaning station is one of those simple, yet under appreciated additions that few miss until they have had one. Eliminate the need to cut bait on your new seats. No more blood or guts on you and the carpet. Many can be easily removed and stowed when not needed. Click here for one of Amazon’s best sellers.
Grill
Adding a grill to your boat is not something many people consider but trust me it is more popular than you realize and not very hard either. Do not worry, this is not one of those modifications where you take your Weber and strap it down & hope it works. These grills (link to read reviews on Amazon) are made for boat installation.
Beverage Station
We do not encourage drinking alcohol while underway, but you do need to drink something if you want to stay hydrated. If you want to add a little variety to your beverage options and keep them close at hand add a beverage station.
Auxiliary Lights
If you do any night fishing, especially if you are bow fishing, you know that auxiliary lights are a must. They also come in handy when docking, searching for a lost crab pot or simply trying to get onto the trailer after dark. The options for lighting are wide spread and limited only by you imagination – and power source.
LED Navigation Lights
If you have made any modifications to your jon boat, especially the hull or forward deck, there is a good chance you have had to relocate the navigation lights. Why not upgrade to longer lasting, more visible LED? (link to a great waterproof LED on Amazon).
One of the commonly overlooked factors about boat lighting is the actual regulations. While some states will vary slightly in the specific regulations, we put a guide covering jon boat lighting requirements that will give you a good rundown and make sure that you are compliant.
Deck Lights
Seeing where you are going includes when moving about the deck as well. Adding deck lighting will allow you to safely move about and tie on gear without balancing a flashlight or holding it with your teeth.
Sound System
Being on the water does not mean you need to spend the hours listening to your buddy recount the same fishing story hour after hour while you wait for the next bite – you can listen to your favorite tunes. Thanks to smartphones most people are never without a way to play music you just need a reliable, quality means of listening.
Electronics
Having the ability to see where you are, where the fish are and how to get home are important issues that far too many anglers and boaters take for granted. Adding an easy to use electronics package can solve all these problems and it will only take one emergency to make it all worth the investment, although modern devices are much cheaper than ever before.
Generator
Running all the extra lights, radio and accessories will require power and probably a backup system as well. Adding a generator to your jon boat will ensure that power is always available, plus it can double as a source in camp when spending the night along the banks.
Double Batteries
Adding extra batteries has always been a means of overcoming extra heavy loads on your boat’s power system and there is no reason you can do the same in your jon boat. If you include a simple selector switch it is possible to transfer from either battery or both together as needed.
Electrical Panel
IF you go through the trouble to add lights, electronics and increased battery power wouldn’t it make sense to upgrade the entire electrical system? By adding an electrical panel you can place all the controls at your finger tips and eliminate the messy, unsightly wires that run everywhere too.
Battery Charger
Murphy’s law says that if something can go wrong it will so it never hurts to have a backup, or even a backup for the backup. Even if you have a generator it never hurts to have a battery charger too. Keep you lights, trolling motor and even radio going no matter what Murphy has in store.
Solar Power
Another option when it comes to providing backup power, or even when charging batteries between uses, is solar power. While this has not really caught on for main stream power supplies it has been a viable option in the maritime world for decades – how do you think most of the buoys you follow home are powered? A few small panels and a converter are all you need, although if you are not knowledgeable regarding their set you may want to enlist the help of a friend as well.
Non-Skid Deck
Boat decks are notorious for being slippery and have been the downfall, no pun intended, of more than one mariner. The tried and trusted answer is non-skid. You choose from spray on, roll on or even stick on version and be on the water and on your feet in no time.
Rubber Flooring
If you spend any amount of time aboard your boat and on your feet, it has not taken long to realize aluminum decks were not made with comfort in mind. An easy to install, cheap means of combating fatigue is to add rubber mats similar to those used in industrial kitchens or factories.
For other recommendations on mats as well as other flooring ideas for your jon boat, be sure to check out our article on jon boat flooring mats and other flooring options.
Custom Paint
Nothing makes a boat stand out like a new coat of paint. Adding a fresh paint job will not only make your boat look and feel like new it will also make it stand out, a true one of a kind.
If you’re looking for a starting place on painting your jon boat, begin with our post on how to paint a jon boat (including what kind of primer, paint, etc.).
Camouflage Paint
Hunters who want a new paint job will appreciate that a jon boat is basically a clank canvas, waiting for you to add your own personal touch. Add grass, cattails or whatever other patterns are most productive where you hunt or just apply a favorite pattern that will make your boat hid and stand out at the same time. Durable wraps as also an option and allow you to change the pattern later with less hassle.
Duck Blind
Adding a duck blind to your jon boat allows you to have both transportation and concealment. There are multiple options available and most can be installed for the season and removed for fishing later.
Decoy Storage
Waterfowl hunters know that having enough decoys close at hand is often the difference between success and failure. But how do you store & transport those decoys in a manner that allows for easy deployment and keeps them out of the way? The answer is an easy to use, easy to build cubby shelf unit along the bulkhead.
Stern Boxes
If you want to add a little flotation and performance in a single project you need to consider stern boxes. They compensate for the added weight of the outboard and also improve how the boat handles out of the hole. They can also be on of the ways to make a jon boat more stable.
Hydraulic Jack Plate
Entering shallow areas is why you got a jon boat but it can cause some problems when it comes to how to mount the outboard. Too deep and those shallow spots are out of reach. Too high and performance on open water suffers. Add hydraulic jack plates and you can easily adjust the outboard as needed.
Trim Tabs
Adding trim tabs is another modification that is all about performance. They are available in manual, fixed or hydraulic versions and each will make you wonder why they are not standard on every boat that leaves the factory.
Built in Fuel Tanks
Most jon boats are equipped with portable jerry cans, those 5 or 10 gallon cans that you take to the gas station, fill and carry back to the boat. This is fine if you trailer you boat for each use and can pull right up to the pump, or is your marina offers fuel service. But if you are tired of lugging gas by the gallon then you should consider adding built in tanks that will allow for greater capacity between fills, possibly enough to drive to the next marina, fill and still go fishing.
Bilge Pumps
Keeping water out of your boat is always the first priority but jon boats are known for allowing water in. It splashes over the side like the flume ride at Disney and settles on the deck. Getting the water out is important for stability and to prevent damage, especially if you have added an elevated deck or storage. Add a bilge pump and watch the water go back where it belongs.
Anchor or Power Pole
One of the most innovative inventions to hit the small boat market in years is the anchor, or power, pole. Mounted to either the bow or stern these poles are pushed into the bottom to allow hassle free anchoring in shallow areas. Its as if the inventors had the jon boat in mind when they thought this one up.
Our favorite 3 jon boat anchors for any situation post covers our most highly recommended options for your boat that are all affordable and versatile. We cover power poles in there as well which if you can get them are simply awesome.
Outriggers
If extra stability is what you are looking for there are few options that are easier or more effective than adding outriggers. Although you could buy some this is one of those modification projects than can also be a fun backyard DIY project with the kids.
Down Riggers
Down riggers are essential for those anglers who need to get deep and control the presentation of their lures. They are especially useful when targeting walleye and similar species. There are plenty of options available and most are easy to install without professional assistance.
Rock Proof Bottom
If you use your jon boat as intended, it is not a matter of IF you will hit rocks but a matter of when it will happen. Every jon boat owner knows this, accepts it and hopes it will not involve too much damage. Adding rock proof paint, such as that used to line truck beds, can protect the hull and prevent costly repairs later.
Remove Center Seat
Not all jon boat modifications involve adding something, sometimes you need to take something away. Removing the center seat allows for more room and increased ability to customize. Just remember, most jon boats count on the center seat for structural support so you will need to include some additional supports between the deck and bulkhead.
Magnetic Strips
How many times have you laid a lure or hook down on the seat next to you only to have the next wave knock it away, clattering across the deck and eventually into a spot your hand will not reach? Add simple magnetic strips to the area near where you work, and this will become a thing of the past. Stick your lure or hook to the strip and no more lost items rolling around the deck.
Ladder
Not always found on jon boats are ladders used for swimming, boarding, and even dogs. Check out our post covering our favorite ladders that are affordable and simple to install. This just might come in handy at some point!
Umbrella Holder
Your fishing rods likely have holders installed for them, so why not have the same from an umbrella? It’s a less expensive and less involved version of a bimini top that you can set up in a fraction of the time.
Oars
Yes, you can paddle a jon boat. There are a few things you want to consider when determining the appropriate length of oars to buy, as well as consider some mounting and anchoring equipment for more efficient rowing. But we cover all of this in more on our post about jon boat oars (recommended length, holders, and mounts).
Fish Finder
We’d be wrong to not mention adding a fish finder to your boat. There are several different options when it comes to buying and installing fish finders, and not all of them are great for jon boats. We did a few hours of research (coupled with our own experience) to document our favorite jon boat fish finders (plus how and where to install) that can fit into any budget and skill level.
