12ft Jon

[NoSlackin']

Recently been granted to keep a boat at the in laws on the north end of Lake Norman in NC. I know it's an extremely large body of water but on the north side, in coves and creeks, would a 12 ft Jon be sufficient to putz around in and fish maybe even shoot some ducks in the proper season? 

[Catt]

I fished Toledo Bend for years out of a 14' Jon boat, you'll need to pay attention to weather.

 

Get the widest bottom width you can!

[gnappi]

I fish all over South Florida fresh waterways in a 10' tinny, electric power only. No problems at all.

 

+1 on the wide bottom. I genned up this spreadsheet because I'm wanting to go up in width on a 10 footer. The colors are Red=undesirable Green= Needs Yellow=Acceptable and the HP is a don't care as I run electric only.

 

 

 

[N Florida Mike]

Had mine out in the intercoastal waterway before with 20+ winds. No problem.

A yacht went by and didnt slow down and it nearly swamped us though.

Mine isnt very wide ,so I dont try to cross large bodies of water in it. It could be done but I dont take chances like that anymore. The swells in a large lake is the problem.S mall rivers ,coves , backwaters ,medium to small lakes are safe

[Catt]

@gnappi you have highlighted "beam", the beam of a boat is the measurement across the top of the boat & does nothing for stability.

 

Look at the model numbers you have listed.

 

Tracker 1032, Lowe 1032, StarCraft 1032

 

The number "10" designated length & the number "32" designates bottom width.

 

A 36" bottom width will be more stable than a 32" regardless of beam & a 40" bottom with will be more stable than both.

[12poundbass]

1 hour ago, Catt said:

@gnappi you have highlighted "beam", the beam of a boat is the measurement across the top of the boat & does nothing for stability.

 

Look at the model numbers you have listed.

 

Tracker 1032, Lowe 1032, StarCraft 1032

 

The number "10" designated length & the number "32" designates bottom width.

 

A 36" bottom width will be more stable than a 32" regardless of beam & a 40" bottom with will be more stable than both.

Wouldn't a wider beam help with stability? Think of canoes, kayaks, and other V and mod-v boats with wide bottoms and narrows beams. They aren't very stable. My 14' flat bottom has a wider beam than bottom and it's pretty stable. 

 

I'm not questioning you Catt I'm just trying to better understand.

[Clinton john]

Weldbuilt builds the widest bottom

boat in that length take a look at their 1248 meaning 12' long and 48" wide on the bottom.

 

That gives it a beam of about 60 inches meaning you can run up to a 25 horse outboard or a 23 horse copperhead surface drive.

 

The wide bottom is what you need to be stable when setting hooks and pulling the trigger on a duck.

 

Us cajun's down here on the swamp

Know all too well how too get it done in a small flat with a sup'd up

motor.

 

A 12x48 can be handled easily by one person loaded down with gear.

 

Hope this helps you sir.

 

 

3 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

Wouldn't a wider beam help wystability? Think of canoes, kayaks , and other V and mod-v boats with wide bottoms and narrows beams. They aren't very stable. My 14' flat bottom has a wider beam than bottom and it's pretty stable. 

 

I'm not questioning you Catt I'm just trying to better understand.

Thats true but the wider the bottom on a flat the wider the beam, thats why a wider bottom will be better for stablity.

 

Wider bottom displaces more water and spreads out weight more it also planes faster and takes less power to get on step and stay on step

[Catt]

2 hours ago, 12poundbass said:

Wouldn't a wider beam help with stability? Think of canoes, kayaks, and other V and mod-v boats with wide bottoms and narrows beams. They aren't very stable. My 14' flat bottom has a wider beam than bottom and it's pretty stable. 

 

I'm not questioning you Catt I'm just trying to better understand.

 

Is the "beam" in or on the water?

 

Beam helps keep you dry

 

Which is more stable a 10' narrow bottomed canoe or a 10' Jon with a 40" bottom.

 

Stand up & walk around in both ?

 

[gnappi]

4 hours ago, Catt said:

@gnappi you have highlighted "beam", the beam of a boat is the measurement across the top of the boat & does nothing for stability.

 

Look at the model numbers you have listed.

 

Tracker 1032, Lowe 1032, StarCraft 1032

 

The number "10" designated length & the number "32" designates bottom width.

 

A 36" bottom width will be more stable than a 32" regardless of beam & a 40" bottom with will be more stable than both.

I never said it has anything to do with stability did I? I merely want a wider boat IN THE WATER (note the second number in the model number) and more elbow room for me, hence the beam. 

[12poundbass]

16 minutes ago, Catt said:

 

Is the "beam" in or on the water?

 

Beam helps keep you dry

 

Which is more stable a 10' narrow bottomed canoe or a 10' Jon with a 40" bottom.

 

Stand up & walk around in both ?

 

I totally agree and understand about the bottom width. I had a fart in my brain and for some reason I was thinking "stability" as the boat capsizing. Then beam width would help prevent capsizing or water coming over the gunnel. I had a DOH moment. Que your Homer Simpson.

[Cranks4fun]

I still fish out of a 12 ft. jon boat (Alumacraft) frequently. I use it in ponds, small rivers, and even in large lakes. I have used it in Table Rock (MO), Grand Lake (OK), and in Beaver Lake (AR). When alone I have little fear unless the winds are excessive because the front of the boat will bounce over fairly good sized wakes. When I have two in the boat, I tend to be more cautious. I have never had water come over the side though. Years ago in VA I used to take my little 10 ft. Jon boat out in the mouth of the James River which was 4 1/2 miles wide and was open to shipping, real shipping (150 plus ft. long tankers etc.). That really was not very wise though - I just couldn't stay away from those stripers and croakers! You just have to be careful and watch the weather on big water and stay relatively close to shore (within  100 yards or so). If you have to hop big wakes try quartering over them (angling into them instead of straight on). It is always wise to to err on the side of safety but typical bass lakes/ reservoirs should not be a problem unless winds are really strong or you are really loaded down with weight. 

[david in va]

If it is under 36 inches wide At the bottom it is not very stable , 40 inches is better and 4 foot is great for a 12 footer . I fish out of a 12 foot 36 in wide at bottom you cant do a lot of standing up moving around in it.

[Cranks4fun]

We developed a reliable method for standing up in my 12 ft./ 36" wide jon boat. I am not encouraging anyone else to do this but we have never had a fail (flip over or fall in) in many years of doing this. If two people are in the boat, only one stands at a time and only when motor is off and there are no waves or wakes (over 3-4 inches). I have actually done this while trolling but I do not advise others to do it. When you stand, spread your feet 18-24 inches apart, toward each side of the boat (port & starboard) and have one calf of one leg touching the bench seat at all times. Have your hips facing the front of the boat ready to collapse into a seated position if you get destabilized. If there is only one person in the boat you can do this too. With a trolling motor and battery and the kind of tackle bags we haul, there is still a low center of gravity in the boat, but keep that calf touching the bench! Be careful and have fun!