Top 10 Jon Boats 2027

Direct Answer

The Best Overall jon boat for 2027 is the Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC Sportsman, starting around $14,995, a 0.100-gauge all-welded hull with a 62-inch bottom, rated to a 60-hp tiller or console, that pairs duck-hunter toughness with everyday fishing utility better than anything in its price class.

The Best Value pick is the Lowe Roughneck 1860, starting near $11,799, which delivers a welded 18-footer, ample transom rating to 60 hp, and a true 1,200-lb-plus load capacity for hundreds less than rivals. This list is built for anglers, waterfowl hunters, and utility buyers who want a flat, stable aluminum workboat — whether the budget sits under $6,000 for a riveted 14-footer or stretches toward a $25,000 fully rigged mod-V duck rig.

Every pick uses real 2026–2027 model-year specs and MSRPs.

How We Ranked the Top 10

We weighted each jon boat against what real anglers, hunters, and rural utility buyers tell dealers they care about. We leaned on published data from Boating Magazine, Discover Boating, BoatTEST, boats.com, and manufacturer spec sheets from Tracker, Lowe, Lund, Alumacraft, G3, War Eagle, SeaArk, Xpress, Alweld, and Polar Kraft.

The weighting:

• Build quality and hull gauge — 25%
• On-water stability and performance — 20%
• Value and price — 15%
• Capacity and layout — 15%
• Features and rigging options — 15%
• Resale and durability — 10%

A boat with a slick layout but a thin 0.050-gauge hull, or one rated for big horsepower but cramped and tippy, drops fast. The winners balance gauge, capacity, and price.

1. Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC Sportsman 🏆 BEST OVERALL

Starting MSRP: $14,995 | Best for: Hunters and anglers who want one all-welded rig that does everything

The 2027 Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC Sportsman is the most complete welded jon in the class. It runs an 18 ft 5 in LOA hull with a 62-inch bottom width and 97-inch beam, built from 0.100-gauge 5052 marine aluminum in an all-welded mod-V configuration. It carries a 60-hp max transom rating, a 23-gallon fuel capacity, and a person/gear capacity around 1,650 lb (6 persons).

The center console layout adds a livewell, lockable rod storage, and a stable 16-inch transom. Tracker's nationwide dealer network and the Tracker Promise limited lifetime warranty seal the win for buyers who want backing behind the welds.

Pros:

• Heavy 0.100-gauge all-welded mod-V hull
• 60-hp max rating with a true center console
• Roughly 1,650-lb capacity for six people or gear
• Limited lifetime warranty and huge dealer network

Cons:

• Pricier than entry riveted 14-footers
• Console eats some open deck space versus a flat jon

Verdict: The Grizzly 1860 wins on balance — gauge, capacity, rigging, and warranty with no real weak spot.

2. Lowe Roughneck 1860 💎 BEST VALUE

Starting MSRP: $11,799 | Best for: Buyers who want maximum welded jon per dollar

The 2027 Lowe Roughneck 1860 is the smartest value play in the segment. It pairs an 18 ft 2 in LOA, 62-inch bottom, all-welded 0.100-gauge hull with a 60-hp max transom rating and a person capacity near 1,300 lb (6 persons). The flat, open deck makes it a true utility platform for bowfishing, duck rigs, or running trotlines, and Lowe's Spray-Guard chine and reinforced transom keep it dry and solid.

With a 20-gallon fuel cell available and an entry price hundreds under the Grizzly, it punches well above its sticker.

Pros:

• Lowest welded-18 entry price of the top picks at $11,799
• 0.100-gauge all-welded hull rated to 60 hp
• Wide-open flat deck for hunting and utility
• Reinforced transom and Spray-Guard chine

Cons:

• Base boat is lightly rigged versus console models
• Standard seating is minimal out of the box

Verdict: The Roughneck 1860 is the value champion — a 60-hp-rated welded 18-footer for the least money here.

3. Lund 1648 Jon

Starting MSRP: $4,899 | Best for: Riveted-boat buyers who want a light, proven 16-footer

The 2027 Lund 1648 Jon is the trusted lightweight of the group. It measures 16 ft LOA with a 48-inch bottom, built from 0.072-gauge riveted aluminum that keeps weight down to roughly 220 lb for easy car-top or trailer handling. It carries a 25-hp max rating, a 3-person / 525-lb capacity, and Lund's reputation for tight, leak-free rivets.

For small-water anglers, farm-pond duty, or a cabin runabout, the 1648's light weight and low price make it endlessly useful.

Pros:

• Light 220-lb riveted hull, easy to launch solo
• Proven leak-free Lund riveting
• Low $4,899 entry price
• Ideal for ponds, small rivers, and utility work

Cons:

• Riveted 0.072 gauge is lighter-duty than welded rivals
• 25-hp cap limits open-water speed

Verdict: A dependable small-water workhorse — the pick when light weight and low cost matter most.

4. Alumacraft 1648 Jon

Starting MSRP: $5,299 | Best for: Anglers who want a stiff riveted hull with a flat fishing deck

The 2027 Alumacraft 1648 Jon brings a reputation for rigid riveted construction to the value tier. The 16 ft hull runs a 48-inch bottom in 0.072-gauge aluminum with an extruded keel and ribbed bottom for stiffness, weighing about 230 lb. It carries a 30-hp max rating and a 3-person / roughly 550-lb capacity.

The flat, obstruction-free deck takes a casting platform or duck blind easily, and Alumacraft's heat-treated alloy resists oil-canning better than most riveted competitors.

Pros:

• Extruded keel and ribbed bottom for stiffness
• 30-hp max rating, strong for a riveted 16
• Flat, mod-friendly fishing deck
• Heat-treated alloy resists flexing

Cons:

• Still a riveted hull, not welded
• Sparse standard rigging

Verdict: A stiff, mod-ready riveted jon — great for anglers who plan to customize the deck.

5. G3 Gator Tough 18 CCJ

Starting MSRP: $16,495 | Best for: Serious duck hunters who want a Yamaha-backed welded rig

The 2027 G3 Gator Tough 18 CCJ is the enthusiast's welded jon, built by Yamaha. The 17 ft 11 in LOA hull spans a 70-inch beam with a 0.100-gauge all-welded bottom and Yamaha's Power-Trac variable-degree hull design for a soft, stable ride. It carries a 60-hp max rating, a 30-gallon fuel capacity, a built-in aerated livewell, and a person capacity near 1,750 lb.

With a Yamaha outboard and the G3 lifetime warranty, it is one of the most thoroughly engineered welded jons sold.

Pros:

• Yamaha-engineered Power-Trac welded hull
• 60-hp rating with a roomy 70-inch beam
• Aerated livewell and 30-gallon fuel capacity
• Backed by the G3 limited lifetime warranty

Cons:

• Higher entry price than most welded rivals
• Best value only realized with the matched Yamaha power

Verdict: A superbly built welded hunting rig — worth it if you want Yamaha engineering and warranty.

6. War Eagle 648

Starting MSRP: $9,495 | Best for: Hardcore waterfowlers who want the toughest welded utility hull

The 2027 War Eagle 648 is purpose-built for the marsh. The 16 ft hull runs a 48-inch bottom in 0.100-gauge all-welded 5052 aluminum, with War Eagle's signature camo finish baked on rather than wrapped. It carries a 40-hp max rating and a person/gear capacity near 880 lb, and the flat, riveted-free welded deck shrugs off stumps, ice, and gravel bars.

War Eagle's reputation among duck hunters for building boats that survive abuse anchors its appeal.

Pros:

• 0.100-gauge all-welded hull built for abuse
• Baked-on camo finish, no peeling wrap
• Flat welded deck ideal for blinds and dogs
• Trusted name among serious waterfowlers

Cons:

• 48-inch bottom is narrow for big water
• Spartan layout, hunting-focused

Verdict: The hunter's hull — buy it for marsh durability over creature comforts.

7. SeaArk 1872 MVT

Starting MSRP: $13,995 | Best for: Big-river anglers who want a heavy-gauge mod-V hull

The 2027 SeaArk 1872 MVT is the heavy-gauge specialist. The 18 ft 6 in LOA mod-V hull spans a 72-inch beam built from a thick 0.125-gauge all-welded bottom — heavier than most rivals — rated to a 75-hp max. It carries a person/gear capacity near 1,500 lb, a 20-gallon fuel cell, and SeaArk's reputation for trophy-catfish and big-river toughness.

The extra metal adds weight but makes it one of the most durable welded jons for current-heavy water.

Pros:

• Extra-thick 0.125-gauge welded bottom
• 75-hp max rating, highest among the welded picks
• 72-inch beam for big-water stability
• Built for big-river and trophy-catfish abuse

Cons:

• Heavier hull needs more horsepower to plane
• Premium price for the gauge

Verdict: The heavy-water pick — choose it when hull thickness and big-river stability come first.

8. Xpress H20B

Starting MSRP: $15,995 | Best for: Bowfishers and crossover anglers who want a welded hunt-and-fish boat

The 2027 Xpress H20B is the welded crossover of the group. The 20 ft LOA hull spans a 75-inch beam with Xpress's patented all-welded HyperLift bottom in 0.100-gauge aluminum, rated to a 90-hp max — among the highest here. It carries a person/gear capacity near 1,700 lb, an available aerated livewell, and rod and gear storage.

The HyperLift hull planes quickly and runs shallow, making it a favorite for bowfishing decks and shallow-water duck spreads alike.

Pros:

• Patented all-welded HyperLift bottom
• 90-hp max rating for real speed
• 20-foot hull with a 75-inch beam
• Shallow-running, fast-planing design

Cons:

• Highest entry price of the welded jons
• Larger size needs a bigger tow vehicle

Verdict: The crossover speed pick — strongest for bowfishing and shallow runs that need horsepower.

9. Alweld 1652 VCC

Starting MSRP: $12,495 | Best for: Buyers who want a regional-favorite welded hull with a console

The 2027 Alweld 1652 VCC is the Southern river specialist. The 16 ft 6 in mod-V hull runs a 52-inch bottom in 0.100-gauge all-welded aluminum with a side or center console option, rated to a 50-hp max. It carries a person/gear capacity near 1,100 lb and Alweld's reputation among catfish and crappie anglers for simple, bulletproof builds.

The console layout adds a steering wheel and dash without sacrificing the open, flat utility deck behind it.

Pros:

• 0.100-gauge welded mod-V with console
• 50-hp rating in a tidy 16.5-foot package
• Simple, bulletproof Southern-river reputation
• Open utility deck behind the console

Cons:

• Smaller dealer footprint outside the South
• Lighter rigging than premium rivals

Verdict: A regional favorite done right — pick it for a no-frills welded console jon.

10. Polar Kraft Outfitter 1860

Starting MSRP: $10,995 | Best for: Value buyers who want a welded 18 with utility-grade simplicity

The 2027 Polar Kraft Outfitter 1860 rounds out the list with honest welded value. The 18 ft LOA hull runs a 60-inch bottom in 0.080-gauge all-welded aluminum, rated to a 50-hp max, with a person/gear capacity near 1,200 lb. The flat, open Outfitter deck is built for hunting blinds, trotlines, and general utility, and Polar Kraft's reliability reputation makes it a sensible entry into welded ownership without console-boat pricing.

Pros:

• All-welded 18-foot hull under $11,000
• 50-hp rating with a 60-inch bottom
• Open Outfitter deck for hunting and utility
• Solid value-tier welded reputation

Cons:

• 0.080 gauge is lighter than 0.100 rivals
• Minimal standard features

Verdict: A welded 18 at a riveted-boat price — the budget welded utility pick.

Buyer Decision Tree — Which One's Right for You?

What to Look For When Buying a Jon Boat

• Hull gauge — The single most important spec. 0.100-gauge welded hulls (Tracker, Lowe, G3, War Eagle) handle stumps and gravel; 0.072 riveted (Lund, Alumacraft) is lighter and cheaper but lighter-duty. SeaArk's 0.125 is the heavy-water extreme.
• Welded vs riveted — Welded seams never loosen and stay watertight under abuse; quality riveted hulls are lighter and less costly but can weep over years of hard use.
• Bottom width and beam — A wider 62-inch bottom is far more stable for standing and casting than a 48-inch flat. Match width to whether you stand to fish or hunt.
• Transom horsepower rating — Confirm the max HP and transom height (15-in short vs 20-in long shaft) match your motor plans; over-powering voids ratings and warranties.
• Capacity and layout — Check the rated person/gear capacity and whether the deck is open utility or console; livewells and rod storage matter for anglers, open decks for hunters.
• Finish and warranty — Baked-on camo (War Eagle) outlasts wraps; a limited lifetime warranty from Tracker or G3 lowers long-term risk.

What matters less than marketing implies: flashy camo patterns, oversized graphics, and quoted top speeds. Hull gauge, weld quality, and bottom width affect your years of ownership far more than the wrap design.

FAQ

Which jon boat is the best overall for 2027? The Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC Sportsman earns our top spot for balancing a 0.100-gauge all-welded hull, a 60-hp console rig, roughly 1,650-lb capacity, and a limited lifetime warranty with no major weakness.

What is the best value jon boat? The Lowe Roughneck 1860 starting near $11,799 offers a welded 18-footer rated to 60 hp with a wide-open utility deck for hundreds less than comparable rivals, making it the value leader.

Is a welded or riveted jon boat better? Welded hulls (Tracker, Lowe, G3, War Eagle, SeaArk) never loosen and stay watertight under abuse, which is why hunters prefer them; riveted hulls like the Lund 1648 are lighter and cheaper, ideal for ponds and light utility.

What gauge aluminum should a jon boat be? For hard use, look for 0.100-gauge welded bottoms; 0.125 (SeaArk) is the heaviest for big rivers, while 0.072 riveted is fine for ponds and small water but lighter-duty.

Which jon boat is best for duck hunting? The War Eagle 648 and G3 Gator Tough 18 lead for waterfowl, with 0.100-gauge welded hulls, flat decks for blinds and dogs, and durable baked-on or factory camo finishes.

How big a motor does a jon boat need? Match the transom max HP rating: small riveted 16-footers cap near 25–30 hp (Lund, Alumacraft), while welded 18–20-footers run 50–90 hp (Tracker, Xpress, SeaArk). Never exceed the rated max.

Bottom Line

For 2027, the Tracker Grizzly 1860 CC Sportsman is our Best Overall jon boat — starting around $14,995, it wins on a 0.100-gauge welded hull, a 60-hp console rig, capacity, and warranty. The Lowe Roughneck 1860, from about $11,799, is our Best Value, delivering a welded 60-hp-rated 18-footer for the least money here.

If your needs lean toward marsh hunting, big-river toughness, or a light riveted pond boat, use the decision tree above to route yourself to the War Eagle 648, SeaArk 1872 MVT, or Lund 1648 instead. Buy on hull gauge, weld quality, and bottom width — not camo patterns — and your jon will outlast the trailer it sits on.

Sources

• Boating Magazine — aluminum and jon boat reviews
• Discover Boating — boat types and buyer guides
• BoatTEST — jon and utility boat tests and specs
• boats.com — jon boat listings, reviews, and prices
• Tracker Boats — Grizzly series specs
• Lowe Boats — Roughneck jon specs
• G3 Boats — Gator Tough series specs
• War Eagle Boats — welded aluminum models
• SeaArk Boats — MVT jon series specs
• Xpress Boats — HyperLift welded hulls

*Jon boat review — best jon boats 2027, reviews, ratings, prices, and a review of the top welded and riveted aluminum picks for anglers and hunters.*