Jon Boat Weight Capacity (Plus Several Examples)

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If you’re looking for a boat that’s ideal for calmer waters like the Ozarks, the Everglades, or even the bayou, then the Jon boat would be the perfect match.

As one of the most popular southern boats, the Jon boat is the perfect mobile aquatic platform that has a wide range of sizes at different price points.

A common question Jon Boat owners have is what is Jon Boat’s weight capacity? In this article, I’ll go into detail on the average Jon Boat weight capacity for different sizes of Jon Boats.

What is the Jon boat weight capacity? Below is the average weight capacity for different 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

The Jon boat is one of the most practical flat-bottomed boats around. They are either made from wood, fiberglass, or aluminum. Most Jon boats weigh an average of 200 pounds or 90 kilos, excluding the motor. They usually have one, two, or even three benches and vary in design and size.

Jon Boats Length Classifications:

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

Read on to learn more about the Jon boat weight capacity for different sized Jon boats.

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Jon Boat Weight Capacity

A 10 Foot Jon Boat’s Average Weight

On average, a 10 foot long Jon boat weighs 100 pounds excluding the motor and can handle an additional 300-350 pounds for people and equipment.

It is an ideal boat for backwater explorations, light-to-medium utility work, and fishing in small-to-medium waterways. 10 foot Jon boats have a maximum horsepower of 5HP, with a top speed of 5 mph. Below are some examples of Jon boat weight capacity:

Examples of 10-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight:

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

A 12 Foot Jon Boat’s Average Weight

A 12 foot Jon boat weighs an average of 120 pounds excluding the motor and can hold an additional 400-450 pounds of weight for people and gear.

Planning to do some extended exploration, light-to-medium utility work, or fishing in small-to-medium backwaters? Then a 12 foot Jon boat should be the perfect fit. With an average of 5 to 7 maximum horsepower and a top speed of 10 to 15 mph, it is faster and more ideal when traveling short distances at a convenient speed.

Examples of 12-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight:

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

A 14 Foot Jon Boat’s Average Weight

A 14 foot Jon boat normally averages 160 pounds, excluding the motor, and an additional 610 pounds carrying capacity for people and equipment.

The perks of a 14’ Foot Jon boat are the ease of navigation in almost all lakes, great for watersports, and ideal for longer fishing trips. It can easily carry 3 adult passengers too.

With a maximum horsepower of 15-20 HP, it clocks in a top speed of 20 and above mph. The speed it provides is perfect for water sports, such as water skiing and wakeboarding.

Examples of 14-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight:

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

A 16 Foot Jon Boat’s Average Weight

A 16 foot Jon boat weighs an average of 360 pounds, excluding the motor, and an additional 990 pounds of carrying capacity for people and gear.

Great for utility work, water sports, and navigating through all lake locations. A 16 foot Jon boat can easily accommodate 4 adults plus their gear. With a maximum horsepower of 30-35 HP, it clocks in at 35 mph faster if you have less gear.

Example of 16-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight:

  1. Alumcraft 16 Foot Jon boat: 320 pounds, plus 1010 pounds of carrying capacity
  2. Smoker Craft 1648: 295 pounds with 900 pounds of carrying capacity for people and gear
  3. G3 Boats 16 Foot: 375 pounds, plus 975 pounds of carrying capacity
  4. Xpress Boats 1659 VJ: 341 pounds with 980 pounds of additional carrying capacity

An 18 Foot Jon Boat’s Average Weight

An 18 foot Jon boat weighs an average of 590 pounds, excluding the motor, and an additional 1,425 pounds of carrying capacity for people and gear.

Ideal for navigating through lake locations, utility works, and water sports. It has a maximum horsepower of 50-60 HP and a top speed of 45 mph. This size can accommodate 6 adult passengers plus their gear easily.

Examples of 18-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight:

  1. Crestliner 1800: 475 pounds, plus 1,375 pounds of carrying capacity
  2. G3 Boats: 375 pounds, plus 975 pounds of additional weight
  3. Tracker Grizzly 1860 Jon: weighs 794 pounds, plus 1550 pounds of carrying capacity

A 20 Foot Jon Boat’s Average Weight

A 20 foot Jon boat weighs an average of 830 pounds, excluding the motor, and an additional 1,800 pounds of carrying capacity for people and gear.

With this size, the Jon boat weight capacity can easily accommodate 6-8 adult passengers and gear. It has a maximum horsepower of 70-120 HP and top speed max of 45mph.

Examples of 20-Foot Jon Boats’ Average Weight:

  1. G3 Boats Gator Tough: 1,065 pounds, plus 1550 pounds of carrying capacity
  2. Lowe Roughneck 2070: 710 pounds, plus 1,900 pounds of carrying capacity
  3. Crestliner 2070 retriever: 710 pounds, plus 1,900 pounds of carrying capacity

This video can give some reassurance for the stability and capacity allowance for Jon Boats:

Types of Jon Boats

Jon boats are known as the workhorses of the water. They are lightweight utility boats popular with thousands of fishermen, utility workers, hunters, and leisure seekers in waterways all across the globe.

Due to their minimalist design and easy construction, they are inexpensive and can be produced commercially or as home projects.

Two Basic Types of Jon Boats

1. Flat Bottomed Jon Boats

Flat bottomed Jon boats are a staple because of their traditional design. They are ideal for calm shallow waterways. Due to its flat bottomed hull, it is highly stable in calm waters. It is designed to ride the waves rather than cut through them.

With a shallow draft, the flat bottomed Jon boat can access extremely shallow waters with just a depth of a few inches.

Hunters prefer this type of Jon boat because its flat bottom allows them to explore deeper into the marshes and near river banks without risking the integrity of the boat.

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

As a popular inland waterway boat, modified-v hull Jon boats are used by utility workers and anglers throughout the world. Their popularity stems from the need of avid Jon boat users for a more versatile boat. Anglers who want a similar boat and can handle more challenging conditions and rougher waters love the modified-v hull.

Based on the minimalist design of the flat-bottomed Jon boat, it gives better stability in rougher waters with its angular bottom.

If you use a conventional Jon boat on rough waters and waves, it tends to become unstable because of its flat bottom and shallow draft design. That is why it is more effective to use a deeper semi-v type hull that can handle these challenges.

The modified-v hull Jon boat provides stability in rough waters; however, it detracts stability in calmer waterways. The only disadvantage of the semi-v hull is that you will no longer be able to venture into really shallow areas because of its deeper draft.

Carrying Capacity and Length

What’s the Jon boat weight capacity? Boats carrying capacity and length are closely intertwined. A boat that is lighter than the water it displaces will float. With Jon boats, it stands to reason that the longer the boat is, the more water it will displace, which means it can handle a heavier load.

Speed and Length

If you need a faster Jon boat, then you are going to need a longer boat. Always follow the manufacturer specifics in terms of length and speed. Some purchase a smaller boat and mount a heavier motor. This often results in boats capsizing.

Jon Boats Length Classifications:

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

Conclusion – Jon Boat Weight Capacity

To recap, what is the Jon boat weight capacity? Below is the average weight capacity for different 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

In the early 19th century, Jon boats became popular in the Ozarks because they were designed initially for the shallow waters of Missouri Valley. Jon boats have a specially designed flat-hull design for specific waterways.

Jon boats have been a staple form of mobility in in-land waterways. It is both versatile and durable hence its popularity with anglers, hunters, and utility workers everywhere. But before you run to purchase your own, it is best to consider all the facts.

Its length, speed, and material should fit the activity you will use it with. Consider the type of Jon boat you need, whether a flat-bottomed hull or a modified-v hull.

No matter which boat you decide to purchase, always remember that safety comes first. It is very unwise to try to achieve an 18 foot Jon boat’s speed using a 14 foot boat or use a semi-v hull in shallow riverbanks.

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

Related reading:

Jon Boat to Bass Boat Conversion – 6 Steps