Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: Happy Gilmore on March 23, 2025, 12:21:49 PM

Title: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Happy Gilmore on March 23, 2025, 12:21:49 PM: I picked up a 14' Alumacraft jon boat. Plan to use it for lake fishing when it's too windy or, bigger lakes and the river.

I've seen add on pods. Seems like a good idea. I'm planning on finding a 15hp for it. That's the max HP allowed where I'm at now. (Flathead River)

Any recommendations? I've seen some can bolt on. I've seen some that says they can be bolted or welded.

Thoughts?
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Sakko300wsm on March 23, 2025, 12:59:39 PM: I would definitely go welded
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Stein on March 23, 2025, 01:07:13 PM: I would also go welded, any time I have drilled into a transom I have wished I didn't unless you don't plan on keeping the boat long term. Water always creeps in no matter how careful you are and you'll be drilling below the waterline for sure.
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Born2late on March 23, 2025, 02:45:14 PM: I would probably make out riggers that bolt on easily to hold the pods that way they are removable for when you don’t want them on there. Also if you’re hauling the boat on a trailer how will the pods interfere with it will determine what you can do. If you’re hauling it I would make some quick change mounts so the pods will slip in and secure in seconds. I did something similar to a canoe I shipped to Alaska to fish for silvers with and it worked awesome, until it blew away in a 90 mph wind storm and went out to sea.
Any holes you put through the side use 5200 sealant on when assembling it to seal it.
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Happy Gilmore on March 23, 2025, 04:02:53 PM: I was looking at these

https://www.backwaterinc.com/store/p29/Aluminum_floatation_pods_-_Small_Set_%282_pods%29%C2%A0Instock.html
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Born2late on March 23, 2025, 04:09:24 PM: Ok, scratch what I just said. I was thinking of pontoons on the side to stabilize and add floatation
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: storyteller on March 23, 2025, 04:30:22 PM: Those backwater pods look a lot like Beavertail pods, if you google them, there was a person with a video who used 3M 5200 on a 100% fay surface seal and proper prep. After cured, it shows him jumping on them, and they do not come off, might check it out as a way to leak proof your installation. Good luck
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Happy Gilmore on March 23, 2025, 04:48:11 PM: Quote from: Born2late on March 23, 2025, 04:09:24 PM
Ok, scratch what I just said. I was thinking of pontoons on the side to stabilize and add floatation

I was wondering 😀 years ago there used to be a guy who fished above chief jo dam with a canoe. He had outriggers made from large irrigation pipe with ends capped at a nice angle. Used square aluminum tubing he bent to make the frame to attach to the canoe. It was slick.
Title: Re: Jon Boat Pod thoughts?
Post by: Happy Gilmore on March 23, 2025, 04:49:18 PM: Quote from: storyteller on March 23, 2025, 04:30:22 PM
Those backwater pods look a lot like Beavertail pods, if you google them, there was a person with a video who used 3M 5200 on a 100% fay surface seal and proper prep. After cured, it shows him jumping on them, and they do not come off, might check it out as a way to leak proof your installation. Good luck

Will look for that video. I know 5200 is permanent.