Review: Jonny 100 Kayak | Building the Fishing Motor Kayak

Описание: Transforming the Jonny “Bass 100” into a versatile, comfortable, and stable big water fishing BOAT!

The average angler likes the idea of silently paddling across a still lake. But the reality is that the lake is seldom calm, and the best fishing is never within 100 yards of the landing. After 10 minutes of kayaking, they want a MOTOR!

In addition, the average American sportsman is PLUS sized – and the LAST thing you want to do is exceed the weight limit on a kayak.

Adding a motor to a traditional kayak with a pointed bow and stern DESTROYS its stability. The bow or stern is the WORST place to add weight due to minimal water displacement. It is just physics that paddle kayaks are NOT designed for motors! There are hundreds of FAIL videos that demonstrate how an otherwise stable kayak becomes instantly unstable the second you concentrate the weight at the bow or stern – kayak, canoe, or paddleboard!

Thankfully, a few kayak brands like Feel Free have developed models that are specifically DESIGNED to accommodate plus-sized anglers with lots of gear who prefer a motor over paddles. Feel Free introduced the “Jonny Bass 100” to satisfy this market. This short 10-foot boat is 35.5-inches wide and has a total weight capacity of 400-pounds!

This video shows the transformation “Jonny Bass” into a fishing machine that can handle big rivers and windswept lakes WITH a motor for an extended range and also for slow trolling presentations.

The Jonny 100 is DESIGNED with a square transom to support the added weight of a motor. It also features a tri-hull that evenly supports the weight and adds stability even when standing.

The Jonny 100 can be outfitted with small gas outboards up to 2.5 hp - which requires a reinforced steel transom plate. DON’T install a gas outboard on the soft and slippery stock plastic transom!

Before I installed my 55-pound thrust electric motor, I added a reinforcement to the plastic transom cut from half-inch HDPE plastic. This provided a much stiffer surface to attach the trolling motor and securely tighten the mounting bolts.

For the best weight distribution, I mounted the 12-volt battery at the bow, in front of the storage pod. The 100-amp hour lithium battery is housed in a protective case, cushioned with the packing foam, and secured with a strap.

I fished the wires through the hollow hull. Then I fabricated small plates for the wires and sealed the openings with silicone. The wiring process was completed with an inline circuit breaker and heavy-duty Anderson connectors at both ends of the harness.

The final accessories included several rod holders, a dual RAM mount for my Garmin locator and the arm for the transducer. The locator is powered by a pair of wires with an SAE connector to the battery. Lastly, I installed an anchor trolley along the left side of the hull.

During the Maiden Voyage I found the short and wide Jonny boat to be incredibly stable. With all my gear, the trolling motor and battery I estimate that I was well under 300 pounds of combined weight.

I found that it was easy to stand – and the floor of the boat includes wide anti-slip EVA-foam pads. While standing, I could rock back and forth and the wide tri-hull felt secure.

Yes – you CAN paddle the Jonny boat. But, except for short paddles around docks or trees, I’m sure the average angler will use a motor 99% of the time.

The Jonny boat moved and tracked perfectly with the transom trolling motor. Weight distribution and stability were excellent! I like everything about the boat – EXCEPT the standard seat!

The flat mesh seat supplied with the Jonny boat might be great with the optional center-mounted electric motor – but NOT for a transom motor! Likewise, a gas outboard would be miserable without the optional remote throttle and steering controls.

It was VERY uncomfortable being forced into a forward-facing seat while trying to operate a motor behind you. Even worse, the square, high back seat forces you to twist and wrench your shoulder continuously.

If you are only running a rear motor for a few minutes, and then fishing while anchored or drifting, you MIGHT find the low, flat stock seat acceptable. But if you want to troll for HOURS, you will need a new HIGHER SWIVEL seat!

My FIRST day on the water resulted in a NEW and IMPROVED raised swivel seat that I built for the Jonny Walleye-Crappie-Catfish 100.

I constructed a base using PVC with internal hardwood dowls for support, then mounted the seat with a 360-degree swivel.

Now, after many hours of motor operation, I can testify that this is the seat design that Feel Free needs to offer for transom-mounted motors! Not only do you sit higher, but you can turn about 45 degrees and comfortably reach the tiller handle of the motor.

I can highly recommend the Jonny 100 for its stability and versatility.

Keep your eye out for the orange GreatOutThere.online “Jonny Walleye-Crappie-Catfish 100” if you are on the water in central or northern Wisconsin!