Hello everyone, I am fairly new to this forum and have a question that I think many of you would be able to answer. Recently, I purchased a 12 foot jon boat for $100. I have noticed it is not in the greatest condition but I will get around to fixing it soon. As for the transom, it had some pieces of rotted wood bolted to the transom. I was wondering if it would be possible to take out the jon boat on the water without any wood support since I do not plan on getting a motor for it just yet. I plan on waterproofing  the holes from the bolts and putting it in a small lake to see if the boat floats. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

You will probably be OK in the short term but keep in mind the wood is there for reinforcement.

I replaced the wood on my buddies 12 foot jon boat over 10 years ago.  Took the old one out and used it as a template.  Used fiberglass resin on the new one and it's still going strong.  Easy to do.  If you just want to put it in the water to see if it leaks why not just leave what's there on it for now?

39 minutes ago, JustinCT said:

I replaced the wood on my buddies 12 foot jon boat over 10 years ago.  Took the old one out and used it as a template.  Used fiberglass resin on the new one and it's still going strong.  Easy to do.  If you just want to put it in the water to see if it leaks why not just leave what's there on it for now?

The reason is that the piece of wood that's on there is completely waterlogged, but I guess I can just leave it and try out to see if the boat floats.

12 minutes ago, adistrubell said:

The reason is that the piece of wood that's on there is completely waterlogged, but I guess I can just leave it and try out to see if the boat floats.

 

Ah, understood.  As Catt stated, you'll probably be okay with taking it off.  

Thanks for the help guys!

I have been paddling around my dads old john boat for 10 years and it has nothing on the transom at all. I patched the holes that where there for the motor with JB WELD.  The boat leaks a little but that just what happens with an old riveted jon boat. The boat will be perfectly fine with no wood on the back. The wood is just there for support for the motor.