I bought this about 2 months ago watiing for the rest of the snow and ice to melt to get out on to the lake here.  

Fanshwe lake is quite a calm lake with alot of canoes, inflatable, pedal boats, and aluminum boats.

Wondering what people think of the jon boats and how it compares to a 15 foot flat bottom fiberglass canoe stability, and manoverablity.

also think it will be stable enough to stand and fish with say 125 pound person?

There will be no standing

It's gonna be tough to keep that from tipping with the weight on the back as it is.  Add a trolling motor and battery and man, that's one unstable unit.

My advice for a ten is to fish in it alone with a transom mount t/m with the battery up front and cable extensions run up in the channel along the side, under the ribs.  Keep all gear and weight centered.

hmmm.... because the person I bought it from said they stood all the time in it and it was stable.  and I was in a 12 foot last year with a 9.9 on it and it was more stable then an aluminum v-haul.

oh and the motor only weights 27 pounds.  less then a battery and trolling motor.

Wilson: you can always attach some outriggers/stabilizers on it like a LOT of the kayakers do to make it stable for standing in. Just go to Kayak Fishing Stuff webiste and do a search on outriggers and/or stabilizers to see many homemade versions. I know I'm making a set for my 10' Nu Canoe even though I probably won't need them I want my little boat to be ROCK SOLID stable for standing!!

He said what ? Do you think maybe he would tell you any thing just to get you to buy it ?

Our small boat expert gave you some excelliant advice . Are you going to listen ?

Make sure you have a good life jacket on when you stand up to fish.

I'm with LBH on this one. Listen to him he knows what he is talking about.

we know the guy we bought it from and wouldn't say that to sell it seeing on how I only paid 100 for it and it is in good condition ill take some pics when it warms up.

not sure what I will do maybe wait and go out as it is now and see what it is like.

on alot of the fishing shows like WFN and stuff there is a lot of jon boats 10-14' and they are standing moving around and everything so I don't really know what to think.

its got to be more stable for fishing then my canoe was?

we know the guy we bought it from and wouldn't say that to sell it seeing on how I only paid 100 for it and it is in good condition ill take some pics when it warms up.

not sure what I will do maybe wait and go out as it is now and see what it is like.

on alot of the fishing shows like WFN and stuff there is a lot of jon boats 10-14' and they are standing moving around and everything so I don't really know what to think.

There is a big differance between standing up in a 10 ft. vs. a 14ft.

I have a 1448 lowes and I have to be very deliberate in my moves when I'm standing in it and I know it is a lot more stable then a 10 ft.

its got to be more stable for fishing then my canoe was?

Not much.

LBH is right.  I'd plan on sticking with sitting down in it.  I've fished out of a 10' jon and I didn't dare stand.  I currently have a 12' jon and I don't stand in that either.  It's only 32" across the bottom and fairly shallow draft.  I've already taken a tumble into the water when trying to stand and fish in this boat.

I often fish alone and at 230 lbs with a 31 series battery and TM in the back, things are seriously off balance.  A couple days ago I finished extending the TM cable to 13' long so that I could mount the battery up in the front of the boat.  It should make a big difference.

I recommend just taking it out and trying it.  I know most people I talk to would NEVER stand in my boat and fish but I do and it really doesn't bother me.  Everyone has a different opinion of what they consider "stable" to be, so, just check it out and if YOU feel good about it, stand right up!  If not, have a sit down.  It's all up to you man

LBH is right. I'd plan on sticking with sitting down in it. I've fished out of a 10' jon and I didn't dare stand. I currently have a 12' jon and I don't stand in that either. It's only 32" across the bottom and fairly shallow draft. I've already taken a tumble into the water when trying to stand and fish in this boat.

I often fish alone and at 230 lbs with a 31 series battery and TM in the back, things are seriously off balance. A couple days ago I finished extending the TM cable to 13' long so that I could mount the battery up in the front of the boat. It should make a big difference.

ok well i am only 125 lbs, and mine is 42 " at the bottom.

Having fished in a 10" Sears painted jon boat for over 25 years, if you are not over 200# you will be plenty safe. I sold it recently since it was an extra after I bought a 12' . The 10' had a bow mounted foot controlled trolling motor, with rear mounted battery, swivel seats on both tank seats and I ran a 2.2HP Mercury gas engine on HP restricted lakes. I used to stand up lot of times while fishing and only fell out once when I bumped into an unseen stump. I used it may times at lakes with carry in only access with another angler and we never had any issues with instability.

My 12' is a 1236 and I have the same setup although, with a 9.9HP Mercury. Standing while fishing is not an issue in it either.

ok thanks for the info...now just need all the ice to melt so I can get out.

i own a 10 foot aluminum jon...i decked all the floors about 3 inches higher...and i ususally fish alone i fish witht he TM up front and the battery in the very back-CENRTERED I standup and it is just fine. I am only 14 and about 125 pounds..so maybe thats why lol..... but it is stable as can be

There are no 10' jons that are 42" wide.  Measure again. (Center of boat, on floor, side to side)

Yes, you can stand in a 10' jon.  You can also stand on an inflatable raft for about 5-20 seconds.  Would I FISH, standing,..in a 10 ft jon.  Absolutely not.

Add the weight of your gas can to the weight of the motor and that is how much needless weight you have in this boat.  You won't want to take it anywhere that a t/m wouldn't be plenty for anyway.  Now add the fact that you are carrying around a 3 gal bomb for no reason. (I'm a smoker)

A 12' jon and a 10' are 2 different animals  I can run laps in my 12.  I could play a game of "around the world" in a 14 .  In a 10,..I would keep my butt planted in the seat, centered, and fish.

Often times, folks think they have a 10 when they really have a 12.  When measuring, also measure bow to stern for the heck of it.

Also understand that you'll get a variance of replies.

Ask yourself this.

Can I do it? yes

Can I do it comfortably? yes

Can I do it safely? yes

Can I do it safely and comfortably? yes

So, although All replies here can be "correct", know that my replies will always address whether you can do it safely and comfortably.   My suggestion is the most comfortable way to be safe.

You will see a 10' jon in this lifetime, ....with 2 full grown adult males in it and a case of beer.....  It will have about 2-4 inches of freeboard.  When you do,.......think of me.

Now you got my 2 cents,...plus a nickel

its 11' 6" front to back. but 10 ' from the back to where hte little front cover thing comes over top at the front.

is it 12 or 10?

12-I suggest you floor it like mine. Top decking is still within reason if you go lightweight and strong but not recommended if you fish with a partner often.

If you fish with a partner go THIS route

how did you deck it? and since itis a 12 will it be a lot more stable now? lol

See link in my last reply on previous page.

Yes, a 12 is much more stable than a 10.

ok, I bought it becasue I thought it would be more stable and space then my canoe that I was so nervous losing all my gear in.

Thats one nice boat you have got there  

hmmm It looks bigger then mine. unless it is the thing at the front that is throwing my eye out of wack.

No worries, 2 can stand and fish in a floor decked (like mine) 1236 (12' long, 36 in wide)

That boat is a 1964, they were shaped differently now.  Now they are narrower, hold on a sec, I'll get another pic