Probably not a good idea.
Most jon boats of that size are rated for 20 hp or less.
+1. If your John was 48" rather than 36 it would help, but still you are wayyyyyy over powered. What will that get you? In trouble. A 20 would make that thing fly. A 10 would be a good match for you, a reasonably sized buddy, and all your amenities. I remember back when I was a kid, visiting the White River bottoms in Arkansas, a Martin (brand) 7 1/2 would power a john of that length and width with 3 150ish adults and gear at a good clip, above planing speed.
The wider boat will plane out easier with less hp due to planing surface area and will be a lot more stable.....just for the record. I rented an 18' 60ish John for use with my 9.9 McCullough once and with just me and gear in it that thing would fly, and the hole shot was stellar. I had more fun playing with it that day than fishing.....weren't biting.
Mark
