46 replies to this topic

[ezell]

nice job on the boat inspiring

[ikefan]

let us know how it goes when you get it on the water.  i have a 1032 jon and let me tell you..it is not stable at all.  i'm 200 lbs and really have to be careful.  but, two inches across the bottom is alot and 34 will be noticeably better.   good luck.

[AZ Birddog]

I'm new to boating and I just got a '71 1032 Lowe, pretty much like yours. It felt very stable out on a local lake (pond) over the weekend. Now since I see yours I am going to put in a floor just so I don't have to stand on the hull since it is almost 40 years old.

[greatoutdoors]

Well guys, I decided to sell the little jon. I bought it for $75 and sold it for $700 and still have the trailer. Not bad! I picked up a 1958 Aqualine semi-v hull on a Cox trailer with a 1954 15 horse Evinrude Fastwin that runs amazing. All for only $500. I am in love with that old motor. Sanded the boat today. I'll take some before and after pictures and post 'em. I think it's going to turn out pretty cool. It's much bigger, I'll tell ya that.

[cntryislandboy]

just wanted to say i was thinking of getting a 10ft jon boat, so i googled 10ft jon boats and found this thread, decided to join the sit to see  the pics you posted. very impressed. think i am going to get one now, it's only me that goes fishing so the weight shouldn't be an issue, as i am 200(and slimind down), then the battery and trolling motor, with a floor. probably won't do a deck right away. just want something to get out on the water and the cheapest price since i just got a new baby( she's expensive). thanks for the thread, hope mine turns out as nice as yours.

[bassmanET]

Hi Guys

I also just bought a 10' ft sears gamefisher jon  boat. I usally fish alone or with my 13 year old son. I'm 185lbs he is 95lbs. The plate said 1 person or 245#. Took it out for fist time 2 weeks ago and it worked out OK. It didn't sit as low in the water as I thought. But, that was with just me and my son. I would like to add a trolling motor & 2 seats but that would put me way above weight limit.

So, I go down to West Marine and start talking to sales man. He tells me that I can fill under the bench seats with marine foam 7 this will greatly increase the weight capacity. I'm not looking to make a casting deck. Just 2 seats, trolling motor & battery.

Has anyone ever tried this? Does it really work? The foam I found says 2 quarts equals 100-120# of boyancy?

[Grey Wolf]

Hi Guys

I also just bought a 10' ft sears gamefisher jon boat. I usally fish alone or with my 13 year old son. I'm 185lbs he is 95lbs. The plate said 1 person or 245#. Took it out for fist time 2 weeks ago and it worked out OK. It didn't sit as low in the water as I thought. But, that was with just me and my son. I would like to add a trolling motor & 2 seats but that would put me way above weight limit.

So, I go down to West Marine and start talking to sales man. He tells me that I can fill under the bench seats with marine foam 7 this will greatly increase the weight capacity. I'm not looking to make a casting deck. Just 2 seats, trolling motor & battery.

Has anyone ever tried this? Does it really work? The foam I found says 2 quarts equals 100-120# of boyancy?

It is no safer just because you add foam , it'll just float better when you capsize it. Please have your life jackets on at all times when you and your son are out on the water. It's too small for two people.

[bassmanET]

yeah,  i got the same responce from another forum.
thanks

Anybody want a 10' jon boat?
$200 obo

[Rebel Angler]

would definitely be intested but your a lil to far away

[bassman018]

Wow Beautiful Boat there, Not sure about the weight capacity, How did it work out? I love the paint! The one thing I would have done differently is put some storage hatches in the front casting deck. And can't you put something like that in the bed of a pickup? just wondering....

[ArcticCat500]

Thats a very nice job you did, I'd hate to be the bubble breaker, but, you will run into serious weight issues, if you and your fishing partner are both over 200lbs, well you just overloaded that lil rig right there, let alone a battery, tm, seats, and all the decking and carpet you added.
Most 10's are rated for about #275lbs. That front deck is way to high for a 10ftr, you dont have the stability, then add the high rise seat puts more weight above the gunwales and creates even less stability.
Like I said, its a great job, just way to much for this little boat. What makes me think Im a know it all, I did the same thing to the same boat, that lil 10ftr, wasnt made for that.
But if you do decide to fish from it, Please wear your PFD's, you may not go over the first time, but they'll be a time when before you know it, oh sh*$, over you go, gear and all.
Been there and done that, it sux.
Be Safe

[10ft bass]

man i just bought a 10ft jon and went out thismorning for the first time and it is unstable as all hell..

it is 48' at the top and 41' at the bottom and i was just sitting on stock bench seats.

what can i do to make it better.

i bought it wanting to do a similar custom that u have done only with front casting deck lower but after all the rocking thismorning i think i might be better selling it

[Grey Wolf]

man i just bought a 10ft jon and went out thismorning for the first time and it is unstable as all hell..

it is 48' at the top and 41' at the bottom and i was just sitting on stock bench seats.

what can i do to make it better.

i bought it wanting to do a similar custom that u have done only with front casting deck lower but after all the rocking thismorning i think i might be better selling it

You answered your own question. SELL IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You need a boat with at least a 48 " bottom width.

[10ft bass]

real helpfull bass-brat

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Contrary to what Bass-Brat says, you do not need a boat with a 48" or larger bottom. You can do just fine with a 36" wide. The 32's are a little sketchy. Now, obviously the wider the better, but to say you "need" the larger size is a little silly. I've got a 36" that I use on my small lake and have absolutely no problems at all standing in the boat. You've just got to have common sense with the stuff you add onto it. The smartest thing you can do is to be safe with the size watercraft you have.

If you think you MUST have that decked out to the top of the gunwale Jon, then you better get the widest possible. But to add a floor down on the bottom of a 32/36 to make it a bit more comfortable is no problem at all. Just remember that it's a Jon boat, not a full sized bass boat.

Check out tinboats.net and look at the projects that have been done before. You'll get a ridiculous amount of ideas from the forums there.