Phone:
(701)814-6992
Physical address:
6296 Donnelly Plaza
Ratkeville, Bahamas.
Aluminum V-Hull & Jon Boat Owner’s Guide
An aluminum fishing boat doesn’t need complicated maintenance, but a little regular attention can make a big difference in how reliably it performs and how long it lasts.
The Tin Can Boat Works Aluminum Boat Owner’s Guide is designed as a practical resource for owners of aluminum jon boats and V-hulls.
Whether you’re taking care of a freshly rebuilt Tin Can or an aluminum fishing boat you’ve owned for years, you’ll find information here covering the hull, outboard, electrical system, batteries, trailer, cleaning, storage and other parts of owning a small fishing boat.
Take care of the boat and it’ll spend more time fishing and less time sitting in the driveway.
Jump To:
Quick Checklists | Hull Care | Battery & Electrical | Outboard | Trailer | Cleaning | Storage | Trolling Motors & Electronics
Quick Owner Resources
Need an answer before or after a fishing trip? Start here.
Before You Launch
A quick pre-launch inspection can catch problems before the boat reaches the ramp.
Check the drain plug, battery, fuel, electrical systems, trailer, safety equipment and other essentials before leaving home or launching the boat.
View the Pre-Launch Checklist →
After You Fish
A few minutes after every trip can prevent corrosion, battery problems and equipment failures later.
Use our post-trip checklist to make sure the boat, motor, trailer and fishing equipment are ready for the next trip.
View the Post-Trip Checklist →
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Boat & Hull Care
Aluminum is durable, but it isn’t maintenance-free.
Learn how to inspect your hull for damage, corrosion, loose rivets, cracks, leaks and other developing problems.
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Battery & Electrical Care
Small fishing boats increasingly depend on batteries for trolling motors, electronics, pumps and accessories.
Learn how to maintain batteries, inspect wiring, protect electrical connections and recognize problems before they leave you without power.
Explore Battery & Electrical Care →
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Outboard Care
A dependable outboard starts with routine maintenance and paying attention when something changes.
Learn about pre-trip inspections, flushing, propeller care, cooling systems, fuel systems, lubrication, storage and the warning signs that shouldn’t be ignored.
Always follow the maintenance procedures and service intervals specified by the manufacturer of your particular engine.
Explore Outboard Care & Maintenance →
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Trailer Care
Your boat trailer may spend less time in the water than your boat, but it still needs regular attention.
Learn how to inspect tires, bearings, hubs, bunks, lights, winches, couplers and other trailer components.
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Cleaning Your Aluminum Boat
Keeping a fishing boat clean isn’t about making it a showroom display.
Proper cleaning helps remove salt, mud, fish residue, bait, moisture and other contaminants before they contribute to corrosion, staining, mildew or deterioration.
Learn how to care for bare and painted aluminum along with flooring, EVA foam, vinyl, livewells and other common fishing-boat surfaces.
Explore Aluminum Boat Cleaning & Care →
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Storage & Weather Protection
Most boats spend considerably more time sitting than fishing.
Learn how to store an aluminum boat so water can drain, air can circulate and important components remain protected between trips or during extended periods of inactivity.
Resources cover boat covers, ventilation, drain-plug practices, batteries, fuel, electronics, outboards and long-term storage.
Explore Boat Storage & Weather Protection →
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Trolling Motors & Fishing Electronics
For many small fishing boats, the trolling motor and fish finder are essential pieces of fishing equipment.
Learn how to inspect trolling-motor mounts, propellers, shafts, plugs and electrical connections along with fish-finder wiring, transducers and other marine electronics.
Proper installation and routine inspection can help keep the equipment dependable when you’re on the water.
Know Your Boat
Every aluminum fishing boat is a little different.
Manufacturer specifications, capacity limits, engine requirements, electrical systems and installed equipment can vary significantly from one boat to another.
Keep important information about your boat somewhere accessible, including its:
- Hull Identification Number
- Registration information
- Capacity information
- Outboard make, model and serial number
- Battery specifications
- Trolling motor information
- Electronics model numbers
- Trailer information
- Tire specifications
- Maintenance and repair records
Knowing exactly what’s installed on your boat makes maintenance, troubleshooting and replacement-parts searches considerably easier.
Tin Can Build Owners
Every documented Tin Can build can take this idea a step further.
Serialized Tin Can builds can include a QR-accessible Digital Owner’s Manual containing available build specifications, installed equipment, electrical information, replacement and service parts, manufacturer information and links to the appropriate Tin Can Owner’s Guide resources.
Scan the boat’s QR code to access the information available for that particular build.
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When Something Doesn’t Look Right
The Tin Can Owner’s Guide is intended to help with routine inspection, care and maintenance.
It isn’t a substitute for qualified evaluation or repair when a problem could affect the safe operation of the boat.
Structural cracks, significant corrosion, transom movement, fuel leaks, electrical overheating, major hull damage and other safety-related concerns should be properly evaluated before continuing to use the boat.
If something has changed and you aren’t sure why, investigate it.
Problems are usually easier to deal with in the driveway than on the water.
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Built to Fish. Maintained to Keep Fishing.
Small aluminum boats have earned their reputation because they’re simple, durable and capable.
They don’t need complicated maintenance programs.
Take care of the hull. Keep the electrical system clean. Maintain the motor. Pay attention to the trailer. Keep water and corrosion under control. Fix small problems before they become big ones.
Then put the boat back in the water and use it for what it was built for.
Tin Can Boat Works
Small Boats. Serious Fishing.