Top guide · Jon boats · 2026

3 Best Jon Boats in 2026

Name: Alumacraft 1448 Jon review
Item: Alumacraft 1448 Jon
Rating: 20
Author: Boat & Sail

Jon boats are the segment that argues simple aluminum hulls still solve more fishing problems than any other boat type. The category covers 12-to-20-foot all-welded aluminum hulls with flat or semi-V bottoms, tiller-steer or console layouts, and outboards from 9.9 to 60 hp. This guide ranks three hulls that cleared our 2026 review across entry and mid tiers.

We sampled 8 candidates across dealer-network listings and owner-forum reads through April 2026. Filters below let you narrow by length, drivetrain, primary use, and price tier. Build, performance, accommodations, systems, value, and resale carry equal weight unless the small-water framing pushes value up.

By Boat & Sail Editorial · Updated May 2026 · 8 hulls evaluated, 3 selected

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Compare all 3 at a glance

Used-market pricing sampled April 2026. Click a boat to jump to its review.

#	Boat	Length	Drive	Used range	Build	Performance	Value	Best for
1	Tracker Grizzly 1648 SC Tracker	16-18ft	outboard-tiller	$6,800–10,200 (2019–2023 hulls with trailer)	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★★	fishing, hunting
2	Lowe Jon 1652 MT Lowe	16-18ft	outboard-tiller	$8,200–12,400 (2020–2023 hulls with trailer)	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	★★★★☆	fishing, hunting
3	Alumacraft 1448 Jon Alumacraft	14-16ft	outboard-tiller	$1,400–2,600 (2018–2023 hulls only)	★★★☆☆	★★★☆☆	★★★★★	fishing, river

1. Tracker · 16-18ft · outboard-tiller · mid

Tracker Grizzly 1648 SC

The verdict: Yes, the value-leading aluminum jon boat in the segment

The Grizzly 1648 SC is the jon boat the segment cross-shops everything else against. A 16-foot all-welded aluminum hull with a 48-inch beam, .100 gauge bottom, semi-V bow that handles 1-foot chop better than flat-bottom alternatives, and a Mercury 25 hp tiller package that includes the trailer for under $14,000 new. Used at $7,800-9,500 for a 2021 hull with trailer is the buy.

Build

★★★★☆

Performance

★★★★☆

Accommodations

★★★☆☆

Systems

★★★☆☆

Value

★★★★★

Resale

★★★★☆

Read the full breakdown

Build. All-welded aluminum hull with .100 gauge bottom, .080 gauge sides. Reinforced transom for outboards up to 35 hp. Painted finish, not powder-coat, but holds up adequately on freshwater. Bench seats are aluminum.

Performance. Mercury 25 hp tiller pushes the 1648 to 22 mph with one aboard, 18 mph with two and gear. Semi-V bow handles 1-foot chop without slap. 48-inch beam keeps the boat stable for standing.

Accommodations. Three bench seats. No casting deck standard, owners build aft or bow casting platforms with marine plywood. Open layout for two anglers. Single livewell optional, recommended for serious fishing use.

Systems. Single battery cradle. Bilge pump optional. No electronics standard. Trolling motor mount on bow optional.

Value. The strongest pure-value pick in the segment. Used 2021 packages at $7,800-9,500 with trailer give a first-time owner everything needed to fish small water for less than the cost of a kayak rig.

Resale. Tracker holds resale within 26-30 percent of new at five years on aluminum jon boats. Brand demand on the freshwater-Midwest market supports turnover. Three-year depreciation runs tighter than aluminum-fishing-boat segment median.

What's included

Mercury 25 hp tiller outboard, single-axle trailer, three bench seats, single battery cradle, gas tank, owner manual.

What costs extra

Casting deck (build it), trolling motor and mount, livewell, bilge pump, electronics, depth finder, navigation lights upgrade, swim ladder.

What works

✓ Used 2021 packages at $7,800-9,500 with trailer are the value floor in the segment
✓ .100 gauge aluminum bottom holds up to small-rock-and-stump river contact
✓ Semi-V bow handles 1-foot chop better than flat-bottom alternatives
✓ 48-inch beam keeps the boat stable for standing while fishing
✓ Mercury 25 hp tiller is the simplest outboard in the segment to service

What doesn't

✗ Painted finish (not powder-coat) shows scrapes faster on rocky-river use
✗ No casting deck standard, owners build aft or bow platforms
✗ Bilge pump and trolling motor mount are optional, recommended at this price

Best for

First-time aluminum-jon owners. Small-water and river anglers. Duck-hunting households running marsh and back-water rigs. Freshwater-Midwest buyers.

Not ideal for

Saltwater coastal owners, painted aluminum corrodes. Buyers needing a casting deck out of the box, the build-it-yourself approach is part of the value formula.

Best year & trim to buy

2020-2023 with the Mercury 25 hp tiller package. Verify trailer-bunk condition pre-purchase, marine plywood bunks rot if stored wet.

Pricing, April 2026

New: $11,800–14,500 new package (with trailer and 25 hp)
Used: $6,800–10,200 (2019–2023 hulls with trailer)

Read the full Tracker Grizzly 1648 SC review →

2. Lowe · 16-18ft · outboard-tiller · mid

Lowe Jon 1652 MT

The verdict: Yes, the build-first jon boat in the segment

The 1652 MT is the jon boat for buyers who would rather pay 15-20 percent more upfront for build longevity. All-welded aluminum hull with .125 gauge bottom (heavier than Tracker's .100), .080 gauge sides, factory casting deck on the MT trim, and a Mercury 30 hp tiller package. The trade is the price premium, but the .125 gauge bottom holds up to rock and stump contact in years 5-10 better than competitors at lighter gauge.

Build

★★★★☆

Performance

★★★★☆

Accommodations

★★★☆☆

Systems

★★★★☆

Value

★★★★☆

Resale

★★★★☆

Read the full breakdown

Build. All-welded aluminum hull with .125 gauge bottom (segment-leading), .080 gauge sides. Reinforced transom for outboards up to 40 hp. Painted finish with optional powder-coat upgrade. Aluminum bench seats with optional pedestal seat upgrade.

Performance. Mercury 30 hp tiller pushes the 1652 MT to 24 mph with one aboard, 19 mph with two and gear. Semi-V bow handles 1-foot chop without slap. 52-inch beam keeps the boat stable for standing.

Accommodations. Factory casting deck on bow (MT trim). Three bench seats. Single livewell optional, recommended for serious fishing. Pedestal seat upgrade for two helm-side seats.

Systems. Single battery cradle with switch. Bilge pump optional. Trolling motor mount on bow standard from 2021. Electronics shelf at the helm.

Value. Mid-tier money for a build-first jon boat. Used 2021 MT packages at $9,400-11,200 are 15-20 percent over equivalent Tracker but the .125 gauge bottom argues for the longer-hold ownership math.

Resale. Lowe holds resale within 24-28 percent of new at five years on aluminum jon boats. Build-first reputation supports demand on the secondary market for buyers planning 10-plus year holds.

What's included

Mercury 30 hp tiller, single-axle trailer, factory casting deck (MT), three bench seats, single battery cradle with switch, trolling motor mount on bow, electronics shelf.

What costs extra

Trolling motor (mount only), livewell, bilge pump, electronics, pedestal seat upgrade, powder-coat finish, swim ladder, navigation lights upgrade.

What works

✓ .125 gauge bottom is segment-leading, holds up to 10-plus years of rock and stump contact
✓ Factory casting deck on MT trim, no build-it-yourself required
✓ Mercury 30 hp tiller gives 24 mph with one aboard
✓ Trolling motor mount on bow standard from 2021
✓ 52-inch beam adds 4 inches over equivalent Tracker for standing stability

What doesn't

✗ Price premium of 15-20 percent over Tracker at equivalent length
✗ Bilge pump and powder-coat finish are optional
✗ Aluminum bench seats are basic, pedestal upgrade is worth ordering

Best for

Build-first jon-boat buyers planning 10-plus year holds. Cross-shoppers from Tracker who want factory casting deck and heavier bottom gauge. Serious fishing households running 80-plus hours a year.

Not ideal for

Entry-budget buyers, Tracker offers 30 percent more bang for the entry dollar. Saltwater coastal owners, paint corrodes regardless of brand at this price tier.

Best year & trim to buy

2021-2023 with the MT trim including factory casting deck and bow trolling motor mount. Mercury 30 hp tiller is the configuration to target.

Pricing, April 2026

New: $13,200–16,800 new package (with trailer and 30 hp)
Used: $8,200–12,400 (2020–2023 hulls with trailer)

Read the full Lowe Jon 1652 MT review →

3. Alumacraft · 14-16ft · outboard-tiller · entry

Alumacraft 1448 Jon

The verdict: Yes, the cartop jon boat for shallow water and small craft use

The 1448 Jon is the entry-tier jon boat that argues less LOA and less engine still does the job for small-water fishing. A 14-foot all-welded aluminum hull with a 48-inch beam and .080 gauge bottom that fits in the bed of a full-size pickup or on a roof rack. Owners pair it with a 9.9 to 15 hp outboard or a trolling motor for pond and small-river use. The trade is the lighter gauge bottom and the shorter LOA, but the boat puts a complete fishing rig under $3,000 used.

Build

★★★☆☆

Performance

★★★☆☆

Accommodations

★★★☆☆

Systems

★★★☆☆

Value

★★★★★

Resale

★★★☆☆

Read the full breakdown

Build. All-welded aluminum hull with .080 gauge bottom and .063 gauge sides. Reinforced transom for outboards up to 15 hp. Painted finish. Single bench seat at the transom, two cross-bench seats forward.

Performance. Pairs well with 9.9 to 15 hp outboard. Top end with 15 hp and one aboard runs 18 mph. With trolling motor only, runs 4-5 mph for pond and creek use. 48-inch beam keeps the boat stable for fishing.

Accommodations. Three bench seats. No casting deck. Single battery cradle for trolling motor power. Open layout supports two anglers if both stay seated.

Systems. No electronics standard. Single battery cradle. No livewell. No bilge pump. The boat is hull-only at the entry tier.

Value. The strongest pure-value pick in the segment. Used 2020 hulls at $1,800-2,400 plus a used 9.9 hp outboard for $1,200-1,800 plus a used trailer for $400-600 puts a complete fishing rig under $4,800.

Resale. Alumacraft holds resale within 30-34 percent of new at five years on entry-tier jon hulls. Resale floor is firm because the entry tier always has demand.

What's included

All-welded aluminum hull, three bench seats, transom plate for outboard up to 15 hp.

What costs extra

Outboard, trailer, casting deck, trolling motor, livewell, bilge pump, electronics, navigation lights, oars.

What works

✓ Used 2020 hulls at $1,800-2,400 are the cheapest entry to a real jon boat
✓ Fits in the bed of a full-size pickup or on a roof rack, no trailer required
✓ All-welded aluminum hull holds up to 10-plus years of small-water use
✓ Pairs well with trolling motor only for pond and creek use
✓ Three bench seats support two anglers comfortably

What doesn't

✗ .080 gauge bottom is lighter than premium jon-boat builders, accept it for the price
✗ Hull-only at the entry tier, engine and trailer are separate buys
✗ No casting deck, owners build it or fish from bench seats

Best for

Cartop and pickup-bed jon-boat buyers. Pond and small-river anglers. Backup-boat households who want a small craft for shallow water without trailer storage.

Not ideal for

Buyers needing a complete package with engine and trailer (look at Tracker or Lowe). Big-water and large-river owners.

Best year & trim to buy

2020-2023 with the .080 gauge bottom. Pre-2018 hulls only with verified bottom-gauge condition, painted finish can mask thin spots.

Pricing, April 2026

New: $2,400–3,800 hull only (no engine, no trailer)
Used: $1,400–2,600 (2018–2023 hulls only)

Read the full Alumacraft 1448 Jon review →

How we picked

8 hulls in the 12-to-20-foot jon-boat window cleared our first-pass screen. We kept the three that show up consistently with clean welds, fair pricing, and known issues either solved or transparently priced. Cross-references included 300-plus owner posts on iboats.com aluminum-jon forum, the bass-boat community on Bassmaster forums, and dealer-network feedback from the Tracker and Bass Pro retail channels.

Each boat scored on six dimensions: build (25%), performance (10%), accommodations (10%), systems (10%), value (30%), and resale (15%). Value carries the heaviest weight because the jon-boat segment is defined by dollars-per-fishing-hour, and the buyer base is calm-water-first. Build runs second because aluminum gauge thickness and weld quality define the 10-to-20-year ownership cycle.

Bottom-gauge thickness (.080 entry, .100 mid, .125 build-first), painted vs powder-coat finish longevity, and tiller-versus-console layout fit are the documented hot spots that affected our year-range guidance. Quarterly refresh, next revision due August 2026.

What people actually ask

Flat-bottom or semi-V?

Flat-bottom jon boats give you maximum stability for standing while fishing and the shallowest draft (under 6 inches with the right load). Semi-V jon boats trade a little stability for better 1-foot-chop handling, which matters on bigger lakes and wind-blown river segments. For pond and creek anglers, flat-bottom wins. For mixed-water households running 5-mile lake crossings, semi-V is the better answer.

What does ownership cost per year?

Outboard service every 100 hours $200-400 for small (15-30 hp) outboards. Annual hull wash and inspection $0 (DIY). Storage $0-800 depending on whether you trailer-store or rent indoor space. Insurance $80-200 on a $5,000-15,000 hull. Trolling motor service $0-100 a year. The jon-boat ownership story is the simplest in any segment of this guide.

How important is bottom gauge?

Important if you fish rocky-bottom rivers, hit stumps in flooded timber, or run shallow over-zebra-mussel water. .080 gauge bottoms (entry tier like Alumacraft 1448) work for pond and small-creek use. .100 gauge (Tracker Grizzly) holds up to most freshwater abuse. .125 gauge (Lowe MT trim) handles 10-plus years of rock and stump contact. For cartop and pond use, .080 is fine. For serious river-running, .100 or .125 is worth the upgrade.

Best resale on this list?

Lowe Jon 1652 MT first, holds within 24-28 percent of new at five years. Tracker Grizzly 1648 SC second, brand demand on the Midwest freshwater market supports turnover. Alumacraft trails on the larger rigs but holds firm on the entry-tier 14-foot configurations.

Should I get a survey?

Surveys are uncommon on jon boats under $20,000 because the cost ($300-500) approaches 5-10 percent of purchase. Visual inspection of welds, transom condition, hull-bottom gauge spots, and trailer-bunk integrity catches 90 percent of issues. Ask the seller to dry-fire the outboard at full RPM for 30 seconds while you watch the cooling-water tell-tale and listen for misfire. That informal check replaces a survey at this price point.

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