Kayak vs. Jon Boat! Which One Is Better For You

[@duanebledsoe7566]

Given a choice, I’ll take a Jon boat every time. I’ve had both (if you consider a Sundolphin Sportsman 8 a Jon boat, LOL). Cost wise, a kayak can be far less, but they can also be almost equal by time you mod it out for fishing and personal conveniences. The biggest difference for me is just personal comfort. I’m a big guy, and not very agile, so ability to move around without the risk of rolling the boat makes all the difference to me.

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

Yea man I would have to agree the Jon boat can check almost all the boxes. It really comes down to whether I’m in a kayak or Jon boat mood that day, lol.

[@silverdropstang]

I have always wondered. When using waders while fishing open water, what happens if you were to go overboard? Do they fill up? Could it drown you?

[@Pugsgunsandstuff]

I'm 3 months late - but no, they don't drown you even if they fill since water isn't heavier than water. I've filled mine doing chainsaw work in the river a few times and it only really becomes irritating once you get back on land.

[@silverdropstang]

@@Pugsgunsandstuff Better late than never😎. Thanks for your insight👊

[@803Catfishin]

Good video. I started with a kayak and recently got a jonboat like yours. Got rid of kayak today actually

[@aim3719]

That sun dolphin is fine on top of car as long as you don’t go over 50.

[@raymondhale8555]

You have talked me into a Kayak thanks man

[@DROCKTECH]

I made it 5 mins in. The cost of ownership....... ive seen people paddle jon boats and motors on kayaks. For fishing, a jon boat wins 9 out of 10 times. Had both, fishing out of a kayak sucks.

[@johnarnettsways.8758]

John boat👍

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

I figured you would say that lol! Do you still have the SeaKing Jon boat I sold you a few years ago?

[@johnarnettsways.8758]

@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 I will check my friend

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

@@johnarnettsways.8758 sorry John I guess it was your cousin that Wes sold it to, I could have swore he told me it was you. That thing has seen a lot of big smallmouth and other river bass, miss it!

[@johnarnettsways.8758]

@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 let me see if I can track it down for you my friend

[@tonybreeze7734]

Total douche bag

[@NorthCountryOutlaw]

Have been kayak fishing multiple times, would like something bigger and more stable

[@daleval2182]

So many people name the boat Jon, im going to call mine Jake

[@richiebrown9623]

I just bought a sundolphin American 12 today. You hit some of the spits why I went with it. Most times someone will be fishing with me,plus it has a little room to store rods,takle,and other things. It's light enough I can load it in the back of my truck by myself. I'm going to put a trolling motor on it and later get a small outboard motor for it. It fits my personal needs better. Not sure what outboard to put on it yet,I'm not familiar with my most of the new small outboards. What is your take on the most reliable one?

[@803Catfishin]

Thats same reason i got a sundolphin American12

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

Those are some good points man, I also love having the extra room on the Jon boat this lets me carry all the gear I want (too many rods lol). As far as a recommended outboard, I have been looking at a few for mine and I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the Mercury motors, I was looking at the 2.5 hp and the 5 hp Both and 4 stroke and have a good reputation. I hear that Yamaha and Suzuki have good 2 stroke motors that are known to last decades so those might be something to look at.

[@richiebrown9623]

@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 yea I been looking at them too,a little expensive but you get what you pay for. I know Mercury's are good,not sure about the cheaper brands.

[@tonescott414]

@@bluecollaroutdoors5556 i just picked up a mercury 4hp 4stroke yesterday and picking up the dolphin 12 in a couple weeks, just put a down payment on it 800$ in wisconsin

[@Maritime2020Outdoors]

do you have a video on how you run your camera with the sun dolphin? i was looking but i cant seem to find a video on your camera set up. maybe you dont have one. Im looking for a new idea on how to mount my camera and go pro up on my boat so i can get better video.

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

Yea I don’t have a specific video on the mount, and I just sold my sun Dolphin unfortunately. But all I did was place a standard tripod on the back of the boat with either my phone holder or the go pro mounted to it. Pretty simple

[@Maritime2020Outdoors]

That's what I have as well, but it seems a bit wobbly. I use a mirror less camera for my main footage and then run 2 gopro. One on cheat and one behind / side

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

@@Maritime2020Outdoors yea I find mine footage gets wobbly too with my phone, but if you have a newer go pro with stabilization it will make a world of difference.

[@milesmiller6862]

ty nice vid / a kayak you always get wet lol

[@christophersproles7696]

Great video man! Tight lines everyone!

[@duanebledsoe7566]

With either of these, and especially the Jon boat, everyone should consider a Harbor Freight trailer. I bought one and added some wood boards for bunks, just two 2x10 or 2x12 with one 2x6 along each side, oriented in an L shape, and the 2x6 boards serve as guides to automatically center the boat on the trailer. This was a perfect fit for a Sundolphin Sportsman 8. I was able to launch and reload it just like a bass boat.

[@bluecollaroutdoors5556]

I totally agree, I had one of those trailers with my last Jon boat, and it was very easy like you said to add those mods to make it a boat trailer. The best part those are very inexpensive!