Getting in a jon boat from a dock

New guy with a dumb question so let me apologize in advance. Years ago when i fished from a jon boat in the rivers around my area none of the boat ramps around here had docks so i just backed the boat off the trailer, pulled it up on the bank beside the ramp, and after parking the truck id push off the bank while putting my knees up on the front and getting in the boat. Fast forward 10 years later i decide to get another jon boat and now all the ramps have a dock. My problem is Ive attempted to get in from the dock and nearly went swimming. If anyone can tell me how they manage to get in their boat from a dock without tipping it over or making a fool of themselves id appreciate it.

How small of a Jon boat? Shouldn’t be a problem, don’t step on the side of the boat if it’s that narrow

Its a 1437 Starcraft flatbottom thanks

From a dock I always knelt down on a knee and swung the other foot in then shifted the second foot in while grasping the gunnel on the side away from the dock if I was alone. Did pretty much the same if I had company. This was in the case where the launch might be busy. If the launch was quiet I’d simply launch and pull the boat to shore and stepped in from the front. Company did likewise after I was aboard and would push us off.

Thanks for the reply, i’ll try that the next time i put er in the water.

I’m going to assume that this boat has a bottom width of 37″? If entering the boat from the side you want that first foot to fall roughly in the middle of the boat so you minimize any dipping to the side.

How far down the boat sits off a dock comes into play as well. If its a reach to get into the boat from a dock its best to nudge the bow lightly into shore and step in from the front. The wider the boat bottom the more stable it will be.

I fished a 14 foot Jon with a 48″ bottom width for years [very, very stable boat] and the only good piece of advice I can offer as far as boat safety goes is do not look up if you are standing….just trust me on this. The only time I ever went overboard was when I was looking straight up trying to get a jig from a tree limb. Your eyes see movement overhead and I don’t care how well you balance, your body will react to that movement in that good old “for every action there’s an equal and opposite reaction” way. Like I said, trust me on this.

Sounds like good advice Tom S. Thank you.

A 37 inch floor is basically a modified canoe. It is going to be tippy getting in and out of.

Just a thought. After you put in at the dock and have parked the trailer. Just pull the boat up to the ramp or shore and get in like you are used to doing. If you do go in, shouldn’t be too deep.

-J.

You’re right, a 37 wide boat is pretty narrow, especially for someone 6’ tall and 260lb. I was thinking it might be easier to nose the bow of the boat up to the dock and tie it off, stepping on the front center to get in instead of trying to get on from the side. May try that next time.

Look up videos for how to get into a canoe from a dock… then add “bloopers” for entertainment.

Sit on dock. Place feet towards center of boat. Stand.

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

Look up videos for how to get into a canoe from a dock… then add “bloopers” for entertainment.

The canoe and kayak guys really make it look easy. I wouldn’t have thought to look up canoes to see how they did it.

Keep it tied to the dock until you get in. It’s hard to tip something that’s secured to a post. Reverse the steps to get out of the boat.

Just hop in. A solid jump and then try to ride it out

Bearcat89 wrote:

Just hop in. A solid jump and then try to ride it out

Sounds like a plan. Ill make sure to wear some flippers and a snorkel 😀😂

Kalinspapa wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
Just hop in. A solid jump and then try to ride it out

Sounds like a plan. Ill make sure to wear some flippers and a snorkel 😀😂

Make sure you send us the blooper reel.
My only suggestion is when I had my jon boat I always pulled it to shore and thats the only way to safely get in and out.

Kalinspapa wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bearcat89 wrote:</div>
Just hop in. A solid jump and then try to ride it out

Sounds like a plan. Ill make sure to wear some flippers and a snorkel 😀😂

Make sure you send us the blooper reel.
My only suggestion is when I had my jon boat I always pulled it to shore and thats the only way to safely get in and out.

Agreed. Pulling the boat up to shore is the easiest and safest way.

Wow – I would never thought getting into and out of a Jon boat would be a issue. Its been years since i was last in one. We use to use a small one for duck hunting and even with bags full of decoys and a crazy dog it didnt seem to be a problem – Then again a dock never came into play while duck hunting. Good luck – Stay dry !!!