Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations JON BOAT

JUST BOUGHT A USED 12FT JON BOAT FOR THE POND. DO ANY OF YOU GUYS HAVE ONE. DO THEY REALLY NOT TIP OVER? THINKING SINCE I SWIM LIKE A ROCK MAYBE I SHOUD WEAR THE LIFE VEST ANYWAY.

not sure about the tip over deal but you can dang sure fall out of one, especially if you are standing up and leaning over a bit to un-snag your lure out of a tree branch and your buddy decides to crank the trolling motor to try and help out, Dont ask me how I know.

They are fairly stable but so was the Titanic. Actually, that's about the only type of boat that I haven't sunk. Just treat it like it is electricity and stay respectful.

Damone, my old training as a Red Cross/YMCA certified Water Safety Instructor, Senior Lifeguard, and Jr. Lifeguard says WEAR THE LIFE PRESERVER!!! If you fall out or tip the jonboat over you might bump your head on the boat,lose consciousness and drown. The PFD might save you.
If you're going to be boating, you really should go to the Y and take swimming lessons. Anyone can learn to float/swim enough to save themselves.

I couldn't agree more with TIMBAR. I am an accomplished swimmer and wear a life jacket; you never know what you are going to hit. If you cant swim, that means you may have to stand up...in boggy muck...it is very easy to lose your balance trying to walk in it and your feet are stuck. Jonboats may not turn over easily, but please walk crouched for a low center of gravity with feet wide apart)better yet, dont stand up.

I am 42 yrs old and just 5 years ago I learned to swim well enough to save my life, long story I was down at scout camp with the other leaders and everyone has to take a swim test, I couldnt make it around the pool, basically 100 meters,I use to say I could always swim to save my life, Wrong!!! man did I take the crap from the other leaders, including water wings, inflatable shirts and the whole nine yards, needles to say I talked to a instructor when I got back and within 6 months swiming once aweek I was swimming 1 mile non stop, sure changed my outlook on being arouind the water.

Damone,

I am ex-active Coast Guard and now a Coast Guard Auxilirist, I have more hours on the water and in the water than I care to think about. That being said, I always wear a PFD (Personal Floatation Device). Even today while installing an aeration system.

Its not if but when. Even if you know how to swim like myself being a resuce swimmer, you never know if you will hit your head or hurt your self in such a way that all you can do is float with your pfd.

Now with the invention of SOS-spenders, a pfd that looks like suspenders or a pouch type that you wear around your belt, there is no excuses like "they get in my way" or "they are uncomfortable" to not wear them.

Good luck and happy safe boating! Semper Peratus, (Always Ready)

THANKS EVERYONE, THE VESTS WILL BE ON OR NO ONE GETS IN THE BOAT. THAT WAS KIND OF MY FEELING . I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T BEING PARANOID. NEVER THOUGHT OF THE HITTING YOUR HEAD PART. THAT ALONE IS ENOUGH REASON TO WEAR ONE EVEN IF YOU CAN SWIM.
THANKS

They can and will rock enough to send you flying out of the boat in 12 ft of 41 degree water at the end of APril up in New Hampshire.... dont ask how I know.....