Lunker Chunker 88 Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Next spring/summer I am thinking about looking for a 12' jon boat. I would want to install a casting deck as well as a graph and a trolling motor to hit up some of the smaller lakes in my area. First question, is there a jon boat that size that can be pulled by a vehicle with a tow capacity of 1000 lbs? Also I am open to suggestions for a cheaper fish finder and trolling motor as well as where to look at jon boats. Quote
Ski213 Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 I would imagine that just about any Jon boat that size would fall well under 1000# including the trailer. When you start adding decks, batteries, etc. you are adding weight but I still think you should be fine on weight. When you're shopping make sure you do your homework as far as stability if you're wanting to add a deck. Also pay attention to what the hull is rated for weight wise. Unless you go with aluminum decks you add a fair amount of weight with decks. Quote
capebassman Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Frank Marcano I have a Coleman Crawdad that I'm putting a deck on ----- there are several videos on you-tube that give you instructions on how to add a deck and extras. Also, you can go to a search engine called " dogpile.com " and type in "putting a deck on a jon boat" and you'll get loads of ideas. Quote
Damn Yankee Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Look for a welded boat,not riveted. Quote
Super User Catt Posted October 19, 2015 Super User Posted October 19, 2015 One suggestion get the widest bottom width you can afford! The wider the bottom width the more stable it willl be! Quote
Super User Fishes in trees Posted October 19, 2015 Super User Posted October 19, 2015 There are lots of small boat options out there. Be sure and check them all out before you decide to build decks on a boat that is already "tippy" like most 12' job boats are. Back in olden times, prior to getting my current boat, I had a Water Buster "Trophy". 4" by 10" - very stable ( you could jump up and down on the edge and not tip it over ) It even had a build in live well (not very useful, but good for occasional use tool storage) and a built in cooler (very useful, keeping beverages close at hand but out of the way). It was heavy enough that you couldn't car top it, it came on a little trailer. It didn't take up too much room in my garage at the time. I don't think that Water Busters are made anymore, but a Pelican 10' is pretty easy to trick out, a BPS Pond Prowler is a good choice also. Quote
Evan K Posted October 19, 2015 Posted October 19, 2015 Look for a welded boat,not riveted. It's nice, but now you're looking at over 4x the cost. Quote
Snakehead Whisperer Posted October 20, 2015 Posted October 20, 2015 It's nice, but now you're looking at over 4x the cost. x2. An all welded 1248 will run almost $2K. Not many boat builders make them either. When I hear anybody talk about a 12' jon boat, I usually assume they are talking about a riveted 1236. Next spring/summer I am thinking about looking for a 12' jon boat. I would want to install a casting deck as well as a graph and a trolling motor to hit up some of the smaller lakes in my area. First question, is there a jon boat that size that can be pulled by a vehicle with a tow capacity of 1000 lbs? Also I am open to suggestions for a cheaper fish finder and trolling motor as well as where to look at jon boats. I've been around a lot of jon boats. My recommendation to you would be to keep it simple. The deck sounds cool, but it adds a lot of weight and raises the center of gravity to an unsafe level. The boat will be wobbly and slow. On my last jon boat I just used anti-fatigue floor material and stood on that. You can cut it to fit around the ribs. If I had to do it all over again I'd do the same. It weighs next to nothing, and it works well. I wouldn't even think about adding a deck to a jon boat that wasn't built that way from the factory... even the all welded ones that are 16' or larger. Same with a v-hull. It's just not worth the trouble, and it's unsafe. A mod-v welded jon boat with a deck would be the happy medium, but for the price of one you could probably buy a used glass bass boat. Don't read this as I'm trying to discourage you. A 12' jon is a great little boat, and it'll get you to the fish. It's just that it's an extremely small craft and safety should be your first concern with it. Some of my best fishing memories are out of a jon boat, but I've also almost killed myself on one. For what it's worth, a 14' jon boat on a trailer will take up about the same space as the 12' and will still be well below the 1000lb. towing capacity. If it were me I'd just go for the 14' unless you have some particular reason to get a 12'. Quote
Super User Catt Posted October 20, 2015 Super User Posted October 20, 2015 Sure glad I was born a Cajun There are more Jon boats per capita down here than any where in America! I have a 12' long x 36" bottom with a 15 hp & a 16' long x 52" bottom mod-v tunnel with a 40 hp. I've built 15 or 16 Jons with cast decks from 12'-18', it aint hard, all deck were built out of aluminum & welded in. The only one that was tipsy was a 12' x 36". I would not suggest a deck in any thing with a bottom width under 40". 1 Quote
68camaro Posted October 20, 2015 Posted October 20, 2015 I'm kinda in your boat, excuse the pun, and I am looking at a Sea-Eagle frameless inflatable fishing raft. I used to have their infalatable mototmount raft and used the heck out of fishing small rivers and ponds/lakes. Seaeagle.com Quote
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