Jon boat question

bigb201 · April 07, 2012, 11:12:45 PM

Hi guys,
I have been looking at Jon boats and have a question. I see people out ont 12 ft. Jon boats all the time in the lakes and reservoir's with two hefty guys on them. But when I look at them new in the store (bass pro) the weight limit on them is so low like 330 lbs. for a 12 ft. how is this ok? Are they underrated? These guys have decking, seats, batteries, gear, and two guys in there. Are the older ones rated for more? I want a flat bottom Jon boat but would have to buy at least a 16 ft. To fit my weight needs. Any info will help. Thanks guys

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topcat · April 08, 2012, 12:20:30 PM

I have owned a 12ft Jon boat..and they can be fun to fish from if you follow the boat recommendation and you practice safety while on the water....below are some of the things I think are important when buying and operating a Jon boat.....

The Aluminum Jon Boats come in lengths from 10' to 18' and I suggest if you are going to have it in the back of the truck, go with the 10 footer.

If you are going to use it in larger lakes that you will be running a gas motor on the back, go with a 16 or 18 footer.

The boat is rated for what is the MAX Horse power can be mounted on the Jon Boat. The rating information is usually displayed on a metal I.D. tag on one of the seats.

DO NOT... repeat...Do NOT think that you can run a larger horse power motor on it.

The rating tag will also give you the amount of people and weight that is recommended.
You have to stop and really plan the loading of the two man boat because it is not like your big boat that you can put everything in.

First, you need life jackets:

this is a must seeing the boat will not be as stable as the big one and chances of getting wet are greater.

I recommend no standing up in the small two man boats,
and make sure both of you do not lean over the same way. If you do, make sure that you both have a spare change of clothes and more fishing equipment.

Second is the power source:

Either paddle or trolling motor, and I would suggest a small paddle anyway in case your battery wears out and you find yourself at the other end of the lake.

Limit Your Tackle and Ice Chest Size:

You only have 1/10 the amount of space and no sense in taking every rod and reel you own. Do that and you will deposit one or two in the lake; been there and done that.

Do Not Overload or Imbalance The Small Two Man Boat Plus Think Safety at All Times

Most of all, do not overload to boat with either tackle or go over the boat's recommended rated weight for safe operation.

You will want to distribute the weight and balance the boat out or just one person leaning too far one way may get both of you wet.

The one biggest thing is you really have to practice being safe in the small boats. It can be the best day on the lake or a great big nightmare because you did not follow the rules....

Oh yea by the way get a all weld Jon boat if you decide to purchase one you will be glad you did....

Hope this helped.....

Topcat

bigb201 · April 09, 2012, 01:31:06 PM

Thanks topcat I'm leaning towards a 16 ft. Tracker Jon boat

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Shorthaired · April 09, 2012, 02:00:11 PM

I've got a buddy about to sell a 14 foot tracker jon boat with trailer. This thing is in awesome shape and is a very nice boat.

Located in Louisiana. Let me know if you have any interest.

DaveP63 · April 09, 2012, 03:45:15 PM

I've got an older 14 that's rated for 450. It's also got about 3 inches of foam in the bottom of it under the floorboards.

bigb201 · April 09, 2012, 04:35:05 PM

I guess my question is that 450 isn't even enough for two grown men, gear, batteries, and motor. Do people just over load Jon boats?

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mauro · April 09, 2012, 09:07:20 PM

I agree with everything that tomcat said. He speaks the truth. That said, I own a 12 foot coleman crawdad, 12 foot plastic jonboat. It's rated for 350 lbs, I run it with a 55lb bow mounted trolling motor and regularly have a 200lb + co angler on the boat. We take a 50lb battery plus 50lbs of tackle and I weigh about 280. Do the math. If the water is calm, you are good to go, just be careful. If you are on a big lake, all bets are off.

H2O_Fowl · April 09, 2012, 09:23:59 PM

Bottom width is of utmost importance on a jon boat, not beam width. The wider the floor the better in all cases. Not all 12' jon boats are the same width on the bottom obviously.

unchained186 · April 10, 2012, 07:32:18 AM

Quote from: H2O_Fowl on April 09, 2012, 09:23:59 PM
Bottom width is of utmost importance on a jon boat, not beam width. The wider the floor the better in all cases. Not all 12' jon boats are the same width on the bottom obviously.

Get the widest bottom you can way more stability

mdisloki · April 10, 2012, 08:15:28 AM

Quote from: mauro on April 09, 2012, 09:07:20 PM
I agree with everything that tomcat said. He speaks the truth. That said, I own a 12 foot coleman crawdad, 12 foot plastic jonboat. It's rated for 350 lbs, I run it with a 55lb bow mounted trolling motor and regularly have a 200lb + co angler on the boat. We take a 50lb battery plus 50lbs of tackle and I weigh about 280. Do the math. If the water is calm, you are good to go, just be careful. If you are on a big lake, all bets are off.

I agree completely. I've fished almost exclusively in jon boats my whole life. You're absolutely going to go over the recommended weight limit of the boat. I just bought my uncle a 14' with a 375lb limit. He is around 300lbs and his co-angler is around 200lbs, then add then add their gear. My dad and I are well over the limit on our 12 footer and have never had an issue. We've had that thing out on Winnipesauke, it was a little scary at moments, but you just have to navigate carefully. On smaller ponds you'll be fine. Just be careful, and pack light for bigger, choppier lakes.

bigb201 · April 10, 2012, 03:41:44 PM

Thanks everyone. That's what I have been thinking. I think I'll still lean towards a 14 or 16 ft.

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Stump bumper · April 10, 2012, 06:43:29 PM

If you are in LA check out the guy who makes those little boats for Swamp People, a
couple sheets of steel welded together slap a 115 or 150 on the back through in 2 big men and 20-30 big gators and go.

Pferox · April 10, 2012, 09:09:23 PM

There used to be two classes of Jon Boat, a regular one and the other was a heavy duty. The heavy duty is usually wider at the bottom and has a higher payload, and the payload is highly under rated.

I have seen 3 big boys and a 55 gallon drum in a 16ft hd jon boat treating settling ponds with die, and no body ever got wet.

Its definitely the cheaper, narrow boats that give you the grief.

bassmaster3541 · April 10, 2012, 09:17:56 PM

I have an old grumman aluminum rowboat that I fish out of, it is rated for 320, and I have had easily over 700 pounds in it, the boat is obviously going to be lower in the water, but I have no problems with it whatsoever, some pretty windy days too and they are just fine