Ideas for a 10ft jon for shallow water

[Wood_Duck]

I've been looking at different options but I'm also thinking of improving upon what I have. I have a pretty new little 10ft Alumacraft jon and I'm wanting to better it for the river. With my 4hp Merc on the back and my hind end, it sets pretty low in the water column right now. I've got several ideas and wonder if they might be feasible or even work out all together. First thought to get it level where a wrong lean leads to flooding is flotation pods. They'd have to be small given the narrow size of the boat but any thoughts? I've also thought about adding a riser to the transom and running a skeg guard. Only issue I have here is I'm not sure if I'd get enough water to the prop there to perform right. This leads me to the final idea. What about a small prop tunnel in conjunction with a riser plate? I'd imagine it wouldn't be too horribly expensive but I dont know what to expect out of it. I know a larger boat would be better but this is my throw in the bed of the truck and drag through the weeds boat.

 

[simbelle]

Is it a 4 stroke motor? If it is, get a two stroke. Loose some weight! ( just kidding I'm overweight myself ), Buy one of those throttle extensions; thus allowing you to sit farther forward. Fish deeper water! Sand bag the bow. It's a 10' boat, your options are limited; how much draft does it really need? I'm mean if the water is that skinny carry a push pole.

 

[Wood_Duck]

motor is 2 stroke and I already have the extension. I can actually plane off setting forward on the middle seat. I need to help it on low speed shallow maneuvering though.

 

[Jonboat Jerry]

Here is a set of floats a duck hunter made for his 12 canoe that I bought. I don't need them any more.
Square tubing is 1/2X1/2 aluminun and the floats are 6"PVC 3ft long with end the caps glued

The setup also used a trolling motor, battery, and a tiller extension.
more detailed pictures are at https://s250.photobucket.com/albums/gg261/JerrySweet/Floats/
Hope this helps...Jerry