Jon Boat Weight Limit

[Dr. Big Dog]

I see all these jon boat to bass boat modifications. Some of them are 12’ boats with full casting decks with two people, an outboard motor and trolling motor. There is no doubt the listed weight limit for the boat has been exceeded. Is this a concern? Or is it not really an issue? 

[Catt]

None issue ?

[Brad Reid]

9 minutes ago, Dr. Big Dog said:

I see all these jon boat to bass boat modifications. Some of them are 12’ boats with full casting decks with two people, an outboard motor and trolling motor. There is no doubt the listed weight limit for the boat has been exceeded. Is this a concern? Or is it not really an issue? 

Should be okay.

 

A cubic inch of water weighs .036127 lbs. and if you take a 12 foot length boat, use 50" for its bottom width, in order for the boat to be "pressed" down into the water 4", that's 28,800 cubic inches of displaced water, it'd take 1,040 pounds including the weight of the boat itself. So, say, 940 lbs.

 

Of course, these vessels won't be perfectly rectangular, and I may have the width wrong, and the boat bottom's contours will make a difference . . . but it is a good general way to get a decent theoretical reading.

 

Brad

[lo n slo]

sinking, probably not

 

two big fellers setting the hook at the same time, or walking around in it, might pitch one or both of you into the lake. 

 

not that it’s ever happened to me before ?

[detroit1]

BIA rating is there for a reason. Safety. If you exceed that limit and get pulled over by Admiral Law, you will get a ticket. Although these ratings are like ladder ratings, c.y.a. in court. Funny, my 16' deep v is rated for 760#, looking at a  z20' nitro is rated for 575#....is my boat safer for 3 adults/gear ? Probabally not.

[CaptPete]

I'm not saying "overload your boat"... but I will say they get much more stable with weight in them. I can walk around much easier with someone else in the boat(preferably sitting). Solo, it tends to rock more as I walk, by quite a bit. Always shocks me the first solo trip after fishing with 2 people in the boat for a while. 

 

For reference I have a 1438 with decks front and rear, front trolling motor, and  a 20hp motor. I can launch it without a ramp and in very shallow water, for that reason alone, I'll never be without a jon of some sort. 

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, detroit1 said:

Funny, my 16' deep v is rated for 760#, looking at a  z20' nitro is rated for 575#.

(blinks) That has to be after subtracting the motor, console, decking, compartments and what all from the base capacity because my 14' Canoe is rated for 680#

[gim]

Each vessel, boat, sailboat, houseboat, kayak, canoe, jon boat, etc should have a recommended weight maximum from the coast guard.  I recommend following that.

[slonezp]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

Each vessel, boat, sailboat, houseboat, kayak, canoe, jon boat, etc should have a recommended weight maximum from the coast guard.  I recommend following that.

If, for not anything else, the liability issue. God forbid anything happens, the insurance companies will have a field day with you.  

[JustJames]

I can ride with my big ass fishing buddy with no problem on my 14’ Jonboat. I wouldn’t do it with other, thou.

Just as @lo n slomentioned stable might be a big issue. We learned how to fish together, but there are more than one occasions that I almost fall into water, he told me the same, mostly happened to the one on the bow side. Also big wave from those speed boat can get you into trouble if you are not careful.

 

6’5 big ass buddy of mine.