Being able to move your jon boat around while it’s in the water or even before can take more than one person at times. Even if you’re by yourself, you’ll need something to hold onto that’s secure enough so your jon boat won’t slip from your grasp. That’s where jon boat handles come in mighty handy!
So, why should you get jon boat handles? Jon boat handles help you move your jon boat from one point to another when solely using your hands. Handles help jon boaters get a firm grasp on their boat so there’s virtually no chance of their jon boat floating away or falling on the ground.
There are a ton of jon boat additions and accessories that are simply nice to haves, but jon boat handles, in my opinion, are more of a necessity than a luxury. What might happen if you’re moving your jon boat from your trailer to the water and you don’t have a firm grip? Wouldn’t it be easier to pull your jon boat out of the water when on a dock using jon boat handles? What if you just need something to grab onto?
Why You Should Get Jon Boat Handles
Installing handles on your jon boat will no doubt help you out when trying to move your jon boat from point A to point B. Sure, you can use oars or the motor to put around the water, but when trying to move it when it’s not in the water is another story. With the right jon boat handles, you can more safely and securely get your jon boat where it needs to go when not scooting around in the water.
There are a bunch of use-cases when it comes to installing handles on your jon boat, especially when you’re trying to move it while on land. The most common scenario when using jon boats handles is when you’re moving your boat from a trailer to the water and back. It’s even more challenging if you’re attempting to get it out of the water when on a dock! Apart from those situations, sometimes it’s just nice to have something secure to grab onto when the situation asks for it.
It can already be a hassle backing up a trailer when you’re trying to get close to or inside the water to let out your jon boat. However, there are times when being able to ease your jon boat into the water directly from your trailer isn’t possible. That means you’ll likely need to grab and hold onto your jon boat and move it into the water.
Having the right handles on your jon boat when moving it from a trailer or somewhere on land can make it a heck of a lot easier. You won’t need to find something awkward to grab onto that might not be able to handle the strain causing it to break. You also won’t have to get under your jon boat to haul it. Not only that but the people who are ideally helping you will have more appreciation knowing they just need to grasp the handles.
It’s one thing to move your jon boat from land into the water when the only way to do it is by picking it up and moving it. It’s a completely different situation when you have to take your jon boat out of the water from a dock by lifting it out and bringing it back to land. The water definitely won’t want to let go, so you’ll have to work a little harder this time.
If you’re in the situation where you need to pull your jon boat out of the water from a dock, you’ll definitely wish you had a nice set of jon boat handles installed and ready to go. Let’s face it, pulling a jon boat out of the water with your hands for sure requires you to have something legitimately strong and secure to hold onto, which is exactly why having a few handles is a necessity if you find yourself in this situation.
Transporting your jon boat to and from the land by hand is already an excellent reason to have your jon boat equipped with solid handles. However, it’s also nice to simply have something to grasp onto in a moment when you as a captain or crew member need some stability. I can’t count the number of times I caught myself from falling by grabbing a handle close by. In my opinion, improved safety is always a good excuse to continue outfitting a jon boat with new, valuable additions.
Where to Install Jon Boat Handles
Based on the weight and size of your jon boat, you’ll need to decide where to install your jon boat handles. The number of handles you choose to install is also an important factor to consider. Either way, by installing handles on your jon boat in the right locations, you’ll be well on your way to having an easily transportable and safer jon boat.
There are several locations to consider where you should install jon boat handles, including the:
- Stern
- Bow
- Gunwale
- Hull
One of the best locations to install a set of handles on your jon boat is at the stern (rear) because that’s where a lot of weight is likely to be located if you have a motor. Whether your motor is outboard or inboard, being able to pick up the stern and ensure it won’t fall on the ground could save you a lot of hassle.
If you install jon boat handles on the stern of your vessel, then you’ll probably want to install them on the bow (front) as well. The reason for this is that you’ll need someone to lift up the bow while the stern is being lifted up at the same time to fully lift up your jon boat securely. It’s likely the bow of your jon boat is not as heavy as the stern, so there’s probably less need to have multiple handles at the bow than the stern.
In my opinion, the essential locations of where you should install handles on your jon boat include the stern and bow. However, you get extra credit if you choose to install handles on the gunwale (top edge of the hull) of your jon boat. The reason for installing a few handles on the gunwale of your jon boat is that you may need to have more people help you move your jon boat and the gunwale allows others to grasp onto different locations of your jon boat. Not only that, but they can also come in handy when you or your crew needs some stability when out on the water.
While I’m not a huge fan of attaching anything to the hull of my jon boat, I’ve seen some jon boaters put handles on the hull of their boats right below the gunwale. The reason I’m not a fan of doing this is I prefer not to put holes in my hull since water can potentially find its way inside, but if everything’s fastened well-enough it shouldn’t be a problem. However, I personally would stay away from doing this.
How to Install Jon Boat Handles
Actually installing jon boat handles is pretty easy if you decide to buy jon boat handles and install them yourself. As long as you’re able to drill some holes into the body of your boat and securely attach them, you should be in the clear!
The first thing you want to do when installing handles on your jon boat is to drill the appropriately sized holes into the body of your jon boat. You want to make sure that when you do this that you know the exact size and location of the holes you need since you’re making a permanent change to the body of your jon boat. To be safe, always drill a little smaller hole than your estimate.
Once you have the right sized and spaced holes drilled, screwing or bolting in your handles is all that’s left. You’ll want to use some epoxy wherever the bolts or screws are being inserted so you can avoid any leakage occurring after installing them. This is especially important if you decide to install handles on the hull of your jon boat.
Best Jon Boat Handles
Hillside Castings Cast Aluminum Heavy-Duty Handles (2 Pack)
There are some great jon boat handles out there, but the Cast Aluminum Heavy-Duty Handles by Hillside Castings (link to read reviews on Amazon) are an amazing bargain for what you get. Not only are these handles heavy-duty and can be secured easily on your jon boat, but they also come in a pack of two!
These handles by Hillside Castings are made out of premium grade cast aluminum and are specifically made for jon boats. The shape and size of these jon boat handles make it easy to install practically anywhere on your boat and are 100% made in the USA.
SeaLux Marine Products Deluxe 10″ Stainless Steel Handle
One of the best materials you can buy when it comes to new additions to your jon boat is stainless steel, which is why I’m a big fan of SeaLux Marine Products Deluxe 10″ Stainless Steel Handle (link to read reviews on Amazon). While this handle is more expensive than an aluminum handle and only comes in a pack of one, it’s extremely high-quality and durable.
This jon boat handle by SeaLux Marine Products is a fantastic buy since it’s made out of marine grade stainless steel that’s been mirror polished. It not only looks great, but it also comes with everything you need to successfully install it on your jon boat, including the required nuts, washers, and removable threaded studs.
