Weight Question

[JMack627]

Hey guys, I am new to the forums and new to owning a boat! My name is Jon and I live in Holly Hill Florida. My question is about weight capacity's of boats. I am looking to buy a 12-14' Jon Boat and found a 14 foot flat bottom Sears Game fisher. Only thing is, I want to build a casting deck on it and am worried about being way over the weight limit. The limit is 340lbs and I am putting a 6.5 hp Mercury on it. Do I really need to worry if I am a little over the maximum with me and a friend? Thanks a ton!

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Weight Question

YEs!

 

[JMack627]

Re: Weight Question

All you boat masters are probably laughing over that question lol. Ok well then the boat I am looking at probably won't suite me . Anyone know of a 12-14' flat bottom jon boat that's good for a 6.5 hp motor and can hold a lot of weight? Thanks for your answer btw!

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Weight Question

I thought a 14' Sears gamefisher was rated for more like 600lbs? There was a recent thread and the capacity was mentioned.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Weight Question

Like many shoppers, you may have conflicting requirements. A 6.5 is pretty small for a 14 with two guys and gear. I understand your desire to build your rig around the motor you already have, but you end up with a square peg in a round hole that way.
Look at a Lowe wide body 14 if you want an aluminum; I have one and it's very stable for the size. or better, a Carolina Skiff J series. It's very stable b/c the whole hull has flotation. Or a 13' Whaler, but it's heavier and would want a 25--but people in restricted lakes use 9.9's.
If you put a platform on top of a small boat and stand on it, you will tip over. All you gain at most is 18" in height. Better to stand on the floor of the boat to cast--cover the ribs with a plywood floor if you get the Lowe.
Get a square bow, not a pointed bow, for more stability.
Consider, too, the type of water you will be fishing in. If there's tidal current and weather, a too-small engine might be dangerous.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Weight Question

Try Carolina Skiff. You can probably still find a 12 and a 14 in the J or DLX hull. They have changed up the line somewhat. The DLX is the "beefcake". We use our 16DLX extensively for testing and show of our new SternMate? transducer mounting system. It is one tough boat!

 

[JMack627]

Re: Weight Question

Thank you guys all so much for your information! The only reason I can't go with the above names mentioned is money. I would love one of those boats! But for a college student, and used jon boat is all I can do. The boat is a 1985 Sears Gamefisher, aluminum and flat bottom. The tittle says 350lbs but could this just be what someone told them at the tittle office and not actually the right number? And it's only rated for a 10hp so I didn't think 6.5 would be all that bad . I just need to move (not necessarily fast) and it be reliable. Thanks again for all your replies!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Weight Question

could the weight on the title be that of the boat itself and not the capacity? Capacity is found on the hull plate.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: Weight Question

Definitely look at the boat's data plate to verify the capacity. For a 14' flat bottom jon boat the 340 pounds might be right though, as I recall that's in line with my son's jon boat.

As someone else mentioned, I wouldn't worry about trying to put a casting deck on a boat like that. Other than that it sounds like it might suit your purpose. A 6.5 horse outboard on a boat rated for 10 will do ok, not going to be any kind of speed demon but it should get you from point a to point b.

 

[JMack627]

Re: Weight Question

I'm having a friend go check the boat out today since it's a couple hours from my house and if he gives me the ok. I will tell the guy to hold it until I can get down there to pay him in a couple days. I will have him look at the plate for sure so that I know %100. I not only want the deck for better sight but for the storage as well. Here's a link to what I mean, http://www.bassingfools.com/jonboat/boat.htm. I don't want a full deck, something more like this one. Still have both seats available and a small 2 foot storage space I can put things in.