How to Build Your Own Wooden John Boat

A Jon boat or John boat -- as many prefer to spell it -- is a flat-bottomed boat ideal for fishing or just wandering around the waters because of its stability. A john boat is also ideal for family  use because it can easily accommodate a recreational day out. It also is excellent to use on a river with very little current due to the small size. Because of these factors, it is good to have knowledge on building john boat.

Instructions
Things You'll Need:

    * African mahogany wood
    * Cement coated nails
    * Hammer
    * Flat-bladed screwdrivers
    * Flathead screws
    * Caulk (waterproof)
    * Sandpaper

   1.Decide on the length of the boat. Once you have decided, cut the 4 mahogany wood pieces into the size you want. Cut a triangular piece on both ends of the mahogany wood about 30 degrees in angle. You want the john boat to be wider at the top than at the bottom and when they are all affixed, it gives your john boat the ability to cut through the water and not just float on top of it.

   2.Assemble the ends and the sides. Place the ends of each wood plank -- the one with a missing triangular piece -- outside each other. Do two planks at a time. Use the flat-bladed screwdriver to mount the flathead screws on both edges of the planks to hold them together. Once attached, pour and apply a generous amount of the caulk to seal them together. Do this on both ends.

   3.Measure the dimensions of the open area at the bottom of the sealed planks. Then, cut a wood plank with the dimensions. It is not necessary that the dimensions are exact since you can use sandpaper and sand it after they are attached. Apply caulk to the bottom edge of the sealed planks and place them properly on top of the newly cut wood plank and use a hammer and the nails to secure them in place.

   4.Reinforce the boat. Cut a keel out of the remaining wood planks and attach them to the middle of the boat's bottom. Use flathead screws and caulk to do this. Attach wood strips to the edges to keep water from leaking in. Use the remaining wood to cut a piece for the chair and attach them to the boat's rear part.


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