12' Jon Boat mods and weight limit questions

[loudcherokee]

Just curious about a few things concerning jon boats. A buddy of mine has a large pontoon we've been fishing out of and it's quite cumbersome,  and we are considering getting a 12' jon boat. Academy sells an alumacraft 12' for $620.

I've been watching lots of videos on YouTube of guys that have modded their boats - casting decks, storage, livewells, etc. All things I would want to do.

I'm wondering about the weight limit though. The boat has a weight limit of 455lbs and a passenger capacity is 2.

How strict/serious is this weight capacity? I weigh 235lbs and my buddy weighs around 200lbs. This puts us close to the weight limit already, and that doesn't include our gear, motor, batteries, fuel, water in the livewell, etc.

Does adding all the wood increase the buoyancy or weight capacity? I know it helps with stability.

I see lots of comments like "me and my 4 buddies fish this boat" etc and I'm thinking there is no way they're under the weight capacity.

Also, do you think a car would safely pull a 12ft jon boat and be able to pull it up the ramp out of the water? The car is a 2004 impala SS front wheel drive with a 1000lb towing capacity.

Lastly, how stable is a 12' jon in rough wakes? The main lake we fish has alot of "pleasure boaters" that like to go screaming by at Mach 5 in their big deep hulled cabin cruisers and ski boats. They toss the pontoon around bad enough to have to sit down for a minute.

LC

[papajoe222]

I don't want to burst your bubble, but that really isn't enough boat for you and your buddy.  You're maxing it out with just the two of you and your gear. A 14ft. may be the way to go. It'll be a little wider and give you both more room.  Jon boats aren't designed for rough water and so they don't handle waves very well, especially from the side.

I had a 2003 Impala that I pulled my 14ft. semi-V with. With the added weight of the deck and carpeting, I'd say trailering weight was somewhere around 800lb. with a tongue weight somewhere around 60-75lb.   It did an okay job, no problems launching.  I live in Illinois, so it was mostly flatland towing. 

[loudcherokee]

Good to know the car will pull it. Academy also has a 15' but it's double the price. I didn't look at the weight specs. I'll have to check that out.

LC

[JRammit]

I have a 12'.. I weigh 220 and ive had a rider my weight or more in it several times..... But i will NOT take it on rough water!.. I fish a 30 acre lake, waves never get too high...... Only time ill take it on a big lake is when i know itll be a calm day

Wood is just more weight... Aluminum doesn't float, the boat just displaces water... If it weighs less than that amount of water, it floats.. If it weighs more, it sinks (thanks Bill Nye)

This boat was given to me.. If i were buy one, it would be a 14'

[MDBowHunter]

Go with the 15' you'll be happy you did, I'm rolling in a tracker 1542 that is decked and it handles 2 people perfect. Any smaller and it's going to very tippy if you put raised decks in it. Here's a pic of how mine turned out:

[Master Bait'r]

Depends on the build.  I'm an aluminum fab guy and build all my floor joists out of 1x1 aluminum, used thinner plywood for the floor and 2-part foamed underneath which made it very stiff & secure. It is still very light and I use it with a friend regularly, but if it was made from wood it would be about 150lbs heavier, easy.   

 

If you're stuck on a 12er, go aluminum and it will save you a LOT of weight.  

[JRammit]

Heres me

MDbowhunter is right, i wouldn't put a raised deck on a typical 12'... I wont even put swivel seats in mine, tried it, didnt like how the boat leans when i turn around in the seat... So instead i use coolers, and they double as storage (or coolers)

Mine is only a 32" bottom, the wider 12 foots are more stable... Ive seen a 48" with a front deck, and it looked fine

My floor only covers 8 of the 12 feet... Saves weight, since i have to lift it into the truck bed (no trailer) and cost (1 sheet instead of 2)... Its 1/2" ply, sealed w fiberglass resin and has 3/4" styrofoam underneath

I know what everyone is thinking.. "Dont take the benches out, theyre structural"... This is true, but with this skinny boat, it didnt make much difference on the side walls... The bottom however did get flimsy, but the plywood solved that problem

[BrianSnat]

6 hours ago, loudcherokee said:

Good to know the car will pull it. Academy also has a 15' but it's double the price. I didn't look at the weight specs. I'll have to check that out.

LC

The 12 footer is a huge safety issue.  I wouldn't go shorter than 14' or 15' if you value your life.   If price is the issue check Craigslist for a used boat. It is usually full of jonboats and you may find one already decked out for lT what you would pay for a new boat.

[BrianSnat]

A few in your area
http://knoxville.craigslist.org/boa/5481564526.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/boa/5505257141.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/boa/5529030592.html

http://knoxville.craigslist.org/boa/5529030592.html

[loudcherokee]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Brian, thanks for the links. I actually started digging around and came across a couple of those last night. Looks like some good deals can be had.

I actually found some pretty decent looking "bass" boats on there for good prices as well. If I only had a truck!

LC

[Master Bait'r]

Oh!  Also if you put your seating in the middle of the boat it cuts down on the tippyness in a big way.  I know people like to keep the seats for support, but if you can find a shop to weld in your floor joists it greatly increases the support given to the hull.  Doubly once you put in that two part closed cell foam.  Just my .02 even if you do get a bigger tin boat.