| Building a Jon boat may be a very economical | | | | stainless steel screws, they won't rust and then |
| way to get into boating. There are several plans | | | | deteriorate. |
| out there and there are a number of ways to do | | | | Although a lot of builders will just use waterproof |
| it. | | | | glue, if you cover all of the seams with fiberglass |
| It will be real helpful if you already have some | | | | it will add an extra layer of protection and help |
| construction experience and are comfortable | | | | stiffen the boat without adding too much extra |
| around power tools. A Skilsaw will make it much | | | | weight. |
| quicker to cut the lumber. If you are ripping long | | | | Here are the basics to building a Jon boat: Cut out |
| pieces of plywood, a skilsaw will be the ideal tool | | | | the sides first. This will be the profile of the boat. |
| for the job. It can also be especially helpful if you | | | | You will cut the sides out of plywood. When this is |
| have access to and know how to use a table | | | | done you will want to add a skeleton around the |
| saw. If you are lacking in the above tools another | | | | bottom edge and the two ends. This should be |
| way to speed up the process with reduced | | | | 1x2". When this is complete, You will cut out the |
| chance for a serious accident is to use a jig saw. | | | | transom and the bow, also plywood, and then |
| A jig saw will cut the boards faster than a hand | | | | screw those pieces to the sides. Then cut three |
| saw but without the potential of cutting one of | | | | cross braces out of the same material. The cross |
| your fingers off. | | | | braces go along the bottom, one in between the |
| Another tool that will come in real handy is a | | | | transom and the start of the curve for the bow. |
| screw gun. Although screw guns aren't usually | | | | Another one will be at the start of the curve and |
| associated with Jon boat building they have some | | | | the final one will be in the middle of the curve. |
| attributes that make them almost indispensable. | | | | When you have this done you will be ready to |
| One of these attributes is that a stainless steel | | | | apply the bottom. Start from the back and glue |
| screw that is driven by a gun will hold better and | | | | and screw the back and then apply clamps and |
| seal better than a hand driven screw. Always use | | | | move forward. |