10' Jon Boat Mods

[Quarry Man]

I know most of your are going to say not to modify my 10' Jon, but I will be using it in small lakes and ponds in dead calm water when i don't want to launch my big boat/there is no ramp/it is too cold for the SUP. 

 

My boat is a 1036 Sears. I do need to replace the transom at some point. It has two metal benches and a front section that is like a standing platform. I want to make an elongated platform out of platform with carpeted plywood. I want a few hatches for storage, rod straps and maybe a pedestal seat. Will either use a 55lb thrust bow mount or a 55lb transom. What do you guys think? anything else?

 

this is kind of what I want.

[Catt]

What's the distance from the front "deck" to the first seat?

 

How big an ol boy are ya?

 

Your issue will be putting too weight in front of the boat. 

[Quarry Man]

10 hours ago, Catt said:

What's the distance from the front "deck" to the first seat?

 

How big an ol boy are ya?

 

Your issue will be putting too weight in front of the boat. 

about 2.5' between front deck and first seat

 

I weigh 150 lbs

 

thanks, and yeah, it makes sense, ill likely need to put the battery and my other gear in the back of the boat or stand In the back and use the tm in the front from there (power drive with 15' cord)

[Catt]

Ya plan on using wood or aluminum?

[Quarry Man]

30 minutes ago, Catt said:

Ya plan on using wood or aluminum?

probably wood that is sealed not pressure treated, i want to keep this fairly inexpensive and simple. if i can find an old street sign, i will consider using that.

[Catt]

You can buy aluminum "T" extrusion at Lowe's or Home Depot for bracing & put plywood over it. 

[Troy85]

My cousin did this exact thing to his 12' jon boat.  Built a deck from the front to to the middle seat.  Put a little hatch to store his battery and tackle boxes.  It works like a charm and makes fishing from the 12' boat more comfortable.  He used wood to build his deck, boat it still stable.    He does have a Yamaha 9.9 on the back, which probably helps counter the battery weight and his weight in the front.  If you didn't have a gas engine on the back, you could always put the battery in the very back to help distribute the weight a little bit.

[senile1]

I've thought about doing something like this with my 10 foot jon boat as well.  However, I bought a bass tracker 1032 because it only weighs 87 lbs and I have one lake I fish where I have to carry it up a steep rocky embankment over my shoulder.  If I do this it will definitely add some weight to the boat and I may not be able to go to this particular lake any more.