I took my boat out yesterday and gave each kid(5 of them) a ride in it. My Girlfriend snapped some pictures. Upon seein the pictures,it appears im a wee bit big for this boat. I like it dont get me wrong but I guess I never realized just how small this boat was until I saw the pictures.

I don't think the fish care how big your boat is. Just be careful and have fun.

Well, I can't resist this.  I've always said I carry everything but the kitchen sink in mine.  I think that's my kitchen sink.  Just do me one favor, don't stand up in it, you look like a pretty healthy guy and you do make that boat look small.

Kidding aside, if it floats, if you can fish out of it, and it fits your needs, it can be the folding chair on the floating boxes.  There's a whole lot of people on this site fishing from the bank and would love to have what you have.   When by yourself, and hauling in the back of a truck, those little boats make a lot more since than a big, heavy 14' jon.

Don't make no sudden moves  

I've fished and hunted out of a pirogue they don't come any smaller  8-)

I've fished 4 people standing up in a 12ft Jon before. We didn't tip at all.

And there really isn't any need for a huge bass boat, most of the time. those small ones will a little motor work just fine.

Where is the battery located in the boat? It should be as far forward as possible to counterbalance your weight.

Airborne..... you are not wearing a PFD.  :-? >

In my book that 's a NO-NO, you should ALWAYS wear a PFD a least when the boat is in motion.

No....  Just cause you make the boat look small doesn't mean a d**n thing!!!  I am a big guy also and fish out of a 10' Bass Hunter...  I am on the lake to do one thing and that is catch fish!!!  Have fun and don't worry about how you look in the boat!!!

after seeing the photo I can understand your concern.  You are definitly low in the stern.

You said you were taking kids for a ride.  If that means you will be fishing alone then I would suggest getting a seat and putting it in the midpoint.  Extend the arm of your tm.  balance your tackle and battery so that the boat is level in the water and you should be fine.  I can't fish without standing up. In your case even though it's a jon boat I would suggest getting stabilizershttp://www.canoegear.com/catalog/home.php?cat=53

DID YOU BUY THOSE SEATS OR DID THEY COME WITH THE BOAT?

Floridabassboy,

You have a PM

My son and I are both 6' 2" and @ 200Lbs each. We fished in a 10' Jon boat with a 350Lb limit for awhile because that is all we had. With battery and TM we were way over loaded. Finally at one lake the DNR was out and we saw them tow 3 boats off the water for illegal stuff. Mostly kids without PFD's and  TM's mounted on craft that weren't designed for it. They actually talked to us, but just asked us how the fishing was.

That very day I told my son we were pushing our luck and I started working on getting my 17' Bass Tracker. I raided my retirement money for it, but I feel a lot safer.

I definetly caught fish in that Jon boat that I wouldn't have been able to get to in the bigger boat. Now I feel more like a boater than an angler. Hopefully when I get more time on the boat I can get back to catching fish.

I am as big as you (if not bigger, 260 lbs). and I have a 10' jon boat that I use for small ponds when I fish alone. I also have a 14' that I use when fishing with someone else, but the 10' is my favorite one man boat. I can slip it in the back of my station wagon and put it in the water anywhere. I installed a seat in the middle and mounted a hand operated trolling motor on the bow. I use a tiller extension and a big foot switch to run it. The battery is in the stern. It balances out real well and is pretty stable. But like Avid said, don't expect to stand up in it. I catch more fish in this than any other boat.

ehh your just fine, i got a 12ft john and me 215 and my buddy 240 both fish in it with a big battery and a ton of equiment little johns always ride low in the water dont worry about it just fish, oh and who the hell wears a pfd the whole time your fishing thats nuts and when your in motin i think apliues to gas outboards not 1mph trolling motors.

ehh your just fine, i got a 12ft john and me 215 and my buddy 240 both fish in it with a big battery and a ton of equiment little johns always ride low in the water dont worry about it just fish, oh and who the hell wears a pfd the whole time your fishing thats nuts and when your in motin i think apliues to gas outboards not 1mph trolling motors.

Agreed

ehh your just fine, i got a 12ft john and me 215 and my buddy 240 both fish in it with a big battery and a ton of equiment little johns always ride low in the water dont worry about it just fish, oh and who the hell wears a pfd the whole time your fishing thats nuts and when your in motin i think apliues to gas outboards not 1mph trolling motors.

Maybe the person in the front isnt a strong swimmer if at all... and an unexpteced move could sned either person over the side, or water over the side making them panic.  Just a thought but you would be suprised how many people panic at small things or people that arnt strong swimmers.

Doug