The Flat bottom boat is considerably lighter and easier to transport than many other boats
The flat-bottom boat is about as American as apple pie and blue jeans. It has been used to navigate our country’s lakes, rivers, and creeks for generations. Similar in nature to the shallower and somewhat narrower “punts” used in the UK and Canada, the design of the flat-bottomed boat has evolved here in the US to become characteristically and functionally American. What is now called a John Boat could be very much akin to the “bateau” which was used in fur trade during our country’s infancy.
The Flat bottom boat is considerably lighter and easier to transport than many other boats. This can be a great advantage for those who lack a big vehicle for the transport a boat. Even if all they have is a small vehicle, a flat bottom boat will always be easy movable. Their design gives them added stability, a plus for those just getting into boating or fishing.
The only downside to these boats is their speed and limit to calmer water. They may not be fast, but many of the flat bottom boats on the market today come with a transom for mounting an outboard motor. It can be viewed as a tradeoff for the boats ability to be transported without excessive effort.
If you are contemplating the purchase of an aluminum John boat or a fiberglass John boat, there are a variety of conveniences that are offered in these boats that you might want to compare. Not only are they fairly inexpensive, but they are also very easy to maintain.