One of the first upgrades I made to my jon boat was adding non-slip flooring. After a few trips with wet boots, slime on the deck, and rods scattered everywhere, I realized my bare aluminum floor was an accident waiting to happen.
I researched a few options: carpet, vinyl, foam mats, and even specialized marine coatings. I ended up choosing EVA foam mats — the kind you see on paddleboards — because they’re lightweight, waterproof, and easy to install.
I cut the foam pieces to size with a utility knife and stuck them down with marine adhesive. The process only took an afternoon, and honestly, it made a huge difference. The deck feels softer under my feet, and even when it’s wet, I don’t slip around.
The bonus I didn’t expect? It deadens the sound when I drop tackle or move around. Fish spook less, and my boat feels way more comfortable.
It wasn’t an expensive upgrade, but it might be the one that’s made the biggest impact on both safety and fishing performance. If your jon boat floor is bare metal, I’d highly recommend adding some kind of non-slip surface.