Boat Review: Smoker Craft 1860 Jon

Jon Boats are nothing new. They're a classic that have been instrumental in fetching more fish and game than probably any other single design on the water. There's a long list of positive attributes that go with Jons and a couple not-so-favorable characteristics…thankfully though, Smoker Craft has taken the classic Jon to new elevated standards of construction and overcome some of the bad habits that are unique to the Jon design.

A typical character flaw you won't find in Smoker Craft Jons are issues related to freeboard (the sidewall area that's out of the water). Whoever thought less is more in the initial design of Jons was dead wrong. Why some boat builders prefer low sidewalls on Jon boats has always been a stumbling block with N.W. anglers and hunters who demand more security and safety in their boats.

Smoker Craft, who builds Jons at their Stayton, Oregon plant (they have 4 plants nationally) understands N.W. boaters need for boats that feel secure and have the proper amount of freeboard. Using this knowledge they built taller sidewalls on their Jon boats, and, overnight, transformed the way N.W. anglers and hunters look at Jons.

One of the most attractive features (and there are several) of Jon boat ownership is the initial cost. They're affordable and easy-to-own. Smoker Craft has kept their jons affordable with the added benefit of having more boat around you which makes for a pretty attractive boating opportunity for boater's of all experience levels.

Smoker Craft's done a lot right in the design and construction of their Jons. First, just because they're affordable doesn't mean they've cut corners. Smoker Craft Jons are built like a tank.

Smoker Craft's 1860 is an all-welded hull that relies on the generous application of several ribs that serve as the superstructure of the boat. These ribs provide support to the bottom.

The interior tackle trays provide easy and useful storage but also add important structure to the boat too. Note the bracing under the tackle tray, this is a good indication of the detail that goes into every Smoker Craft's jon boat.

You'll see similar detail in the bow area.

The flush bow deck provides greater storage capacity than traditional recessed decks. There's also ample room on the bow deck to mount an electric motor for bass anglers.

The rear splash well and floatation pods are beautifully designed to optimize space inside the boat. Features like this are evidence of Smoker Craft's vast building experience. You simply overlook these details early in the evolution of a boat series…customers, competition, and general experience combine to reveal areas of improvement. Smoker Craft's Jons are well beyond that point.

The 1860 features a gentle vee along the bottom which certainly improves the ride of an otherwise rough riding hull design. This "modified vee" design was designed to accommodate both jet and prop outboards. Five bottom keels add lift, which helps the hull "release" from the water and improves top end performance. These keels also provide control for turning, protect the bottom skin, and enable the boat to track properly when trolling, backtrolling or while at anchor.

Because of the boat's origin in Stayton, Oregon, you'll find the 1860 to have features geared to salmon, steelhead and trout fishing. For instance, on the standard model, a large fish box has been built into the bow. Big enough for salmon, it's clear this is a box that would work nicely as a livewell with some easy modifications.

A large optional fuel tank in the bow (18 gallon) is available and allows for plenty of range when a jet's used as power. This optional fuel tank is installed near the bow and provides the important balance so the boat planes easily and tracks nicely when trolling, backtrolling and at anchor.

Jons have long been used for use in warm water fisheries. An affordable fishing platform, Jons can be easily modified and transformed into a full-scale bass fishing machine using a little ingenuity and a generous investment of "sweat equity". The 1860 would work for a project like this, but Smoker Craft builds several other models of Jons that might be a better fit for a full-on bass fishing conversion

Available in an optional olive drab outside paint, the 1860 has come on strong as a duck hunting platform too. Because the 1860 can accommodate either jet or prop outboards, it's enormous interior for transporting dozens of decoys, toughness of the design and overall configuration of the boat makes it an ideal duck boat that's finding it's way onto to more and more duck ponds and streams.

Smoker Craft's gone the extra mile for duck and goose hunters with the addition of optional lockable, padded gun storage and a dog platform that makes getting your favorite hunting dog in and out of the boat a breeze.

The standard 1860 Jon is an open boat that features a unique laminated floor that carries a lifetime warranty, bow storage, tackle trays, and a rear splash well. Seat storage boxes, bilge pump, navigation lights, fuel tank and various paint schemes are all optional.

The 1860 Jon by Smoker Craft is just what you'd hoped it would be. A boat that's affordable, easy-to-own and maintain, can be easily rigged to your specific needs and functions beautifully. With only a 25 h.p. outboard on the transom this boat flies! The hull design allows the boat to plane easily. A 40 jet is excellent power for this Jon and will capably carry three people and their gear up most N.W. rivers with ease.

Just a few short years ago, Jons weren't being used in shallow water fisheries but Smoker Craft has changed that with boats in use on Washington's Cowlitz and Lewis Rivers and on Oregon's Sandy, Clackamas, Santiam and upper Willamette.

A strong selling feature of this boat is its stability, openness and again, versatility. While it will work nicely on a variety of river systems, it's also a perfect fit for lakes, ponds and reservoirs.

Smoker Craft's 1860 Jon, a classic design that's changed with the times and is giving N.W. anglers and hunters an affordable and important boating option.