Jon Boat Weight Capacity (Plus Several Examples)

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If you are searching for a boat that’s suitable for calmer waters like the Ozarks, Everglades, or even a bayou, the Jon boat is the way to go.

The Jon boat, one of the most famous southern boats, is a versatile mobile aquatic platform that comes in different sizes and price points.

What is the Jon boat’s weight capacity? This is a common question among Jon Boat owners. In this article, I’ll go through the average Jon boat weight capacity of various Jon boat sizes.

So, what is the Jon boat weight capacity? The following table shows the average weight capacity of various Jon boat sizes:

Jon Boat SizeAverage Weight Capacity
10 Foot325 Pounds
12 Foot425 Pounds
14 Foot610 Pounds
16 Foot990 Pounds
18 Foot1,425 Pounds
20 Foot1,800 Pounds

One of the most practical flat-bottomed boats is the Jon boat. Wood, fiberglass, and aluminum are the materials used to make this boat. Without the motor, most Jon boats weigh around 200 pounds or 90 kilograms. They normally have one, two, or even three benches and come in a variety of sizes and designs.

Classifications of Jon Boat Lengths:

  1. 8ft. to 12ft. boats work best in small area explorations.
  2. 14ft. to 16ft. Jon boats are ideal in water sports and utility work.
  3. 18ft. and above boats are either for commercial or utility use.

Read on to know more about the Jon boat weight capacity, including the different sizes of Jon boats.

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Jon Boat Weight Capacity and Examples

Average Weight of a 10 Foot Jon Boat

A 10 foot long Jon boat, without the motor, weighs about 100 pounds and can hold an additional 300-350 pounds of passengers and gear.

Backwater expeditions, light-to-medium utility work, and fishing in small-to-medium waterways are all possible with this boat. 10 foot Jon boats have a top speed of 5 mph and a maximum horsepower of 5 HP. Below are some Jon boat weight capacity examples:

10 Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight Examples:

  1. Alumcraft 10 Foot Jon boat: 95 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 325 lbs.
  2. Tracker Topper 1036: 112 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 380 lbs.
  3. Lowe L1032 Jon: 80 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 275 lbs.

Average Weight of a 12 Foot Jon Boat

A 12 foot Jon boat, excluding the motor, weighs about 120 pounds and can hold up to 400-450 pounds of passengers and gear.

Planning some extended exploration, light-to-medium utility labor, or small-to-medium backwater fishing? If that’s the case, a 12 foot Jon boat should be fine. It is faster and more ideal when going short distances at a convenient speed, with an average of 5-7 maximum horsepower and a top speed of 10 to 15 mph.

12-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight Examples:

  1. Lost Creek 12 Foot: 90 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 389 lbs.
  2. Alumcraft 12 Foot Jon boat: 105 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 455 lbs.
  3. Tracker Topper 1236: 126 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 480 lbs.

Average Weight of a 14 Foot Jon Boat

A 14 foot Jon boat typically weighs 160 pounds without the motor and has a carrying capacity of 610 pounds for persons and equipment.

A 14 ft. Jon boat has the advantages of being easy to navigate in almost any lake, wonderful for watersports, and suitable for longer fishing expeditions. It can comfortably accommodate three adults as well.

It has a top speed of 20 mph and a maximum horsepower of 15-20 hp. Its high speed is ideal for water activities like water skiing and wakeboarding.

14 Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight Examples:

  1. Tracker Topper 1436: 162 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 580 lbs.
  2. Smoker Craft 1436: 182 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 720 lbs.
  3. Waco Jon 1432 Series 14 Foot: 104 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 430 lbs.

Average Weight of a 16 Foot Jon Boat

A 16 foot Jon boat weighs around 360 pounds without the motor and has a carrying capacity of 990 pounds for persons and gear.

Utility work, water activities, and navigating through all lake sites are all possible with this boat. A 16 foot Jon boat can comfortably accommodate four adults and their gear. It clocks in at 35 mph faster if you have less gear because it has a maximum horsepower of 30-35 hp.

16 Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight Examples:

  1. Alumcraft 16 Foot Jon boat: 320 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 1,010 lbs.
  2. Smoker Craft 1648: 295 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 900 lbs.
  3. G3 Boats 16 Foot: 375 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 975 lbs.
  4. Xpress Boats 1659 VJ: 341 lbs. plus an additional carrying capacity of 980 lbs.

Average Weight of an 18 Foot Jon Boat

An 18ft. Jon boat weighs an average of 590 lbs., not including the motor, and has a carrying capacity of 1,425 pounds for persons and gear.

It’s ideal for getting around lake areas, utility jobs, and water activities. This size is capable of a top speed of 45 miles per hour and a maximum horsepower of 50-60 hp. It can easily accommodate six adults and their gear as well.

18 Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight Examples:

  1. Crestliner 1800: 475 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 1,375 lbs.
  2. G3 Boats: 375 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 975 lbs. of additional weight
  3. Tracker Grizzly 1860 Jon: weighs 794 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 1,550 lbs.

Average Weight of a 20 Foot Jon Boat

A 20ft. Jon boat weighs an average of 830 lbs., not including the motor, and has a carrying capacity of 1,800 pounds for persons and gear.

With a weight capacity of this size, the Jon boat can comfortably accommodate 6-8 adults and gear. This Jon boat has a top speed of 45 miles per hour and a maximum horsepower of 70-120 hp.

20 Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight Examples:

  1. G3 Boats Gator Tough: 1,065 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 1,550 lbs.
  2. Lowe Roughneck 2070: 710 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 1,900 lbs.
  3. Crestliner 2070 Retriever: 710 lbs. plus a carrying capacity of 1,900 lbs.

This video can reassure you about the stability and carrying capacity of Jon Boats:

Jon Boat Types

Jon boats are known as water workhorses. Thousands of fishermen, hunters, utility workers, and leisure seekers use these lightweight utility boats on waterways all over the world.

They are affordable and may be manufactured commercially or as home projects due to their minimalist design and simple construction.

Jon Boats: Two Basic Types

1. Flat Bottomed Jon Boats

Because of their traditional design, flat bottomed Jon boats are a popular choice. They’re perfect for shallow, calm waters. It is quite stable on calm waters because of its flat bottomed hull. Rather than cutting through the waves, it is meant to ride them.

The flat bottomed Jon boat can access extremely shallow waters with only a few inches of depth because of its shallow draft.

This type of Jon boat is preferred by hunters because its flat bottom enables them to explore deeper into the marshes and near river banks without jeopardizing the boat’s integrity.

2. Modified-v Hull/ Semi-v Jon Boats

Modified-v hulls are popular inland waterway boats. Utility workers and anglers utilize Jon boats all around the world. Their appeal arises from the demand for a more versatile boat among avid Jon boat users. The modified-v hull is ideal for anglers who desire a boat that can withstand more difficult conditions and rougher waves.

Its angular bottom, based on the simple design of the flat bottomed Jon boat, provides improved stability in rougher waters.

Because of its shallow draft and flat bottom, a traditional Jon boat becomes unstable when used in rough waters and waves. As a result, a deeper semi-v type hull that can handle these challenges is more effective.

In rough waters, the modified-v hull Jon boat provides stability. But in calmer conditions, it detracts stability. The semi-v hull’s only disadvantage is that, due to its deeper draft, you won’t be able to get into particularly shallow water.

Length and Carrying Capacity

What is the Jon boat weight capacity? The carrying capacity and length of a boat are inextricably linked. A boat will float if it is lighter than the water it is displacing. So the longer a Jon boat is, the more water it displaces, allowing it to carry a heavier load.

Length and Speed

If you want a faster Jon boat, you’ll need one that’s a little longer. Always follow the manufacturer’s length and speed recommendations. Some people buy a smaller boat and put a bigger motor on it. Boats often capsize as a result of this.

Classifications of Jon Boat Lengths:

  1. 8ft. to 12ft. boats work best in small area explorations.
  2. 14ft. to 16ft. Jon boats are ideal in water sports and utility work.
  3. 18ft. and above boats are either for commercial or utility use.

Conclusion – Jon Boat Weight Capacity [Plus Examples]

To summarize, what is the Jon boat weight capacity? The following table shows the average weight capacity of various Jon boat sizes:

Jon Boat SizeAverage Weight Capacity
10 Foot325 Pounds
12 Foot425 Pounds
14 Foot610 Pounds
16 Foot990 Pounds
18 Foot1,425 Pounds
20 Foot1,800 Pounds

Because they were intended for the shallow waters of the Missouri Valley, Jon boats became popular in the Ozarks in the early nineteenth century. Jon boats have a flat-hull design that is tailored to certain waterways.

Jon boats have long been a popular form of transport on inland waterways. Because of its versatility and durability, it is popular with anglers, hunters, and utility workers all over the world. But before getting one, you should think about all the facts.

The boat’s speed, length, and material should all be suitable for your activities. Determine if you need a flat-bottomed hull or a modified-v hull for your Jon boat.

Always remember that safety comes first, regardless of which boat you choose to buy. In shallow riverbanks, it’s not a good idea to try to match the speed of an 18 foot Jon boat with a 14 foot boat or a semi-v hull.

A great boat trip should be safe and enjoyable, whether for work, hunting, or leisure.