Although Mike Branton builds his own jo boats as a hobby, the true home for these little craft is Marksville in Avoyelles Parish. The only boat-builder in Marksville who now builds the craft is Pat Bordelon’s couisin, Dennis Decuir (who has a classified ad on LouisianaSportsman.com).
The 61-year-old Decuir said he has been using the craft all his life and builds three versions of wooden paddle boats.
Naturally, one of them is a traditional double-ended pirogue. The version that Branton and Bordelon used on their hunt had a pointed bow and square stern, and is called a “jo boat.” The third variant is square on both ends and is referred to as a “jon boat.”
According to Decuir, the square stern of the jo boat provides more stability and allows hunters to carry more weight, such as decoys or a dog. Most stable of all is the jon boat, which he calls an ideal fishing boat.
All of his boats are built of cypress, with the exception of the bottom for which he uses exterior plywood. All three boats are built to a standard length of 12 feet, with a 24-inch bottom.
Decuir is delighted to talk to anyone about boat building — what he calls his “full-time hobby.” He may be reached at 318-359-9833 or cypressspirogue@yahoo.com.
