Welded vs Riveted Jon Boat

[Idratherbe...]

I am in the market for and aluminum jon boat. I know that welded out performs riveted, but are riveted boats really that bad? I don’t intend on banging it up. It will only be used on small lakes and ponds and only be powered by a trolling motor. Do I buy a riveted boat now or save my money until I can afford a welded boat? If I were to buy a riveted boat, how many years should I expect to have to repair it?

[G-Man]

The size your are looking for and what you intend on spending will answer your question. A welded boat will run you quite a bit more than a comparable riveted boat so keep that in mind when you are out shopping. If you can find one that doesn't have a leak to begin with, a riveted boat should work out fine for your application and will last indefinately if you take good care of it.

[The Quadfather]

I have a riveted 14' Lund deep V hull aluminum boat. When I think of a Jon boat, I think of being mellow on a little quiet lakes, possibly bass fish while slowly moving around the lilly pads. Or maybe sitting still in a Jon Boat waiting for a duck to fly over head in hopes of dropping some heat on the duck.
Point being it seems like a boat that you would not be breaking high speeds in, and running hard on the water.
With my riveted deep V hull boat, I am often going full speed over hard choppy water in the salt water or on Lake WA. Sometimes I go on 25 min. runs slamming the bow in the salt to get the crab pots.

I don't have any leaks, and it has held up fine.
Remember a jon boat is flat bottomed and I don't think you will be running it like this anyway. Have fun shopping.:joker:

[Bodofish]

Bottom line is welded is stronger but heavier. Riveted boats are made of lighter guage material so they're lighter. It's all in what you want the boat to do. Big motor on the river says welded, pickup bed and electric says rivets.

['OL GREY DOG]

my 17ft jon is riveted....and i beg to differ with not want'n to drive it on plane in chop...was built to plow up river through rapids(imo)...my boat was 1 of them uuuugly OD green things when i bought it....the green paint made a good primer base coat for the auto body guy to paint it a dark grey Mopar color over it...as for the rivets leak'n...that wasnt as much of a concern to me as the beat'n they take off load'n and load'n at ramps without docks ....so the day after paint it went to the Linex guy....i had the whole bottom spray'd and had 'em bring it around the corner and up the side a couple inchs(enough to cover the rivets that would be under water) to protect the sharp corners from get'n banged up.... it did add some weight to the boat....i didnt even think to weigh it before 'n after duh me...but the weight i added is in like the best place for the center of gravity....i've had me and another fat guy(and a stuffed cooler and tackle/gear and 2 big gel batts and a gas tank ect) in her and she'd run about 15 mph in slickish water(be'n pushed by my old merc 20 flat out) she also ran real nice at about 8-10 mph through abouta 10 inch chop....only prob i've had is sit'n still out in bigger water/weather....these boats dont have a lot of freeboard(even without fat boys in 'em) and the bob'n like a cork thing welllll lets just say if the timing of the swell or boat wakes is just rrright... you gotta watch it....i also had the transom gunwales and seats spray'd because these were areas i've seen wear on all old jons at the ramps over the years<shrugs>....for your app if the weight is a issue you could have them 1 spray it thin and maybe just on the places where you fear it might get damaged or heavily worn(or rivets that might leak) ....so that's my 35 cents worth on my jon...i love it..her big flat bottom is a joy to fish out of...i can get up and walk around which is verrrry important to my old back .... and for DR'n ...and because the cooler's wayyy up in the front....i built a removable floor in mine out of 5/4 ceder deck boards a must IMO....anyways i'll buy another...i got 1 footitis...i want the next one to be 1 ft taller and 1 ft wider lololol...Tight Lines(rivets) and Strong Knots to ya's....DOG

[The Quadfather]

Sorry, Ol' Grey dog,, I admit now that I don't have experience with Jon boats. Until seeing your boat in the photos I didn't realize that they came in all shapes and sizes:salut: I was thinking that the jon boats I had seen previously were like the one offered in the classifieds currently (10' jon in walkes classifieds)
Yours looks like it was meant to get to where it's going!

['OL GREY DOG]

pfffttt notta prob Quad...took no offence 'n didnt intend any....boats are kinda like shoes..gotta find the 1 that fits ya....they were say'n "how many years" so i figured they were putting time and thought into theyre purchase so i'd throw my chump change in there....im sure some 1 will come along that thinks jons aint worth pooh (no offence fling'n) that'll be fine too.....DOG

[Bodofish]

Sorry to rain on your parade Ole Grey but you have a welded boat. If it were in fact rivited there would be a row of rivits running from the chine to gunnel. I will give you the fact that is does have some rivits but the boat is not held together with rivets. Look at a Lund or some of the Smokercrafts and you will see rivits, lots of them. Take a look at the pic you posted. The corner seam is welded. And for the record I never said you couldn't plane a riveted boat, they are what they are, a lighter boat.

['OL GREY DOG]

geeezziisss.....wut ever.....i read 'n reread and didnt see where i said mine was a all rivet boat......my point was......i like a jon boat...how it runs out ...how it fishs....i dont like how the abuse/use wears them out.....and that i covered the rivets in my boat with linex....whole idea be'n you can take a ugly 'ol green can and build it into something that suits you......
buttttt.. if'n ya wanta have a fight we sure can....LOLOLOl....pfffttt....DOG

[Bodofish]

my 17ft jon is riveted....and i beg to differ with not want'n to drive it on plane in chop...was built to plow up river through rapids(imo)...my boat was 1 of them uuuugly OD green things when i bought it....

I'm not really sure how to take that any other way....... On the other hand, that's a great sled and I do a fair bit of river running in a tub just like that! Awesome boats for what they are. I wouldn't say white water by any means as the sides are a bit low but they sure do run shallow. Waders and a rain coat are std equipment. A spin up to Reiter from Sultan is standard fair. We run places the drifters get out and walk.....

As for fighting..... You're on your own with that one. Sorry if you have a hard time with someone pointing out you have a better boat that what you thought........

[Dave]

Bottom line is welded is stronger but heavier. Riveted boats are made of lighter guage material so they're lighter. It's all in what you want the boat to do. Big motor on the river says welded, pickup bed and electric says rivets.

I completely agree and have both! Well said Bodo.