2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

[Daymon74]

First, I want to explain I'm no expert at boats, and just bought my first one. It looks plenty sturdy enough for two grown men, but the plate says the capacity is 2 people, or 250 lbs, or 390 lbs with 6.0 hp motor.

It's a 1980 12' 8" L X 32" W Sylvan flat bottom. The idea was just for my uncle and myself to get a cheap little boat to get out on the water to do some fishing. Each of us are 250 lbs ourselves! We would have to weigh 125 each if we go by the boat specifications, which is probably about the size of two average women.

Will this thing really only hold one man? Am I missing something here?

 

[H20Rat]

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

yes, you are overloaded, but... if you are on a small lake/pond and don't deal with cabin cruisers throwing up a wall of water sized wake, you are fine. Prepare to deal with the usual response of 'you must absolutely never exceed that number, it is from god himself' type response. Common sense is vastly more important than what the sticker says.

Would you ever be ticketed because of it? HIGHLY unlikely. Without bringing their scale with, there is no proof you are over the weight. I have yet to see a game and fish officer/sheriff/LEO that was concerned about weight, only the # of people.

 

[Daymon74]

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

Thanks for the quick response! We only planned to use it on ponds, and reservoirs where there will be no large boats, or waves as you mentioned. The busiest place we wanted to take it, but may not be able to now is the channels in a small lake near here to do some cat fishing.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

be sure your water temps are at least in the 70's. you stay 50 yards from shore, and wear PFD's. When that boat rolls or one of you falls out, you will not be getting back in. Do not use pedestal seats. Stay low.

 

[CHAWK46]

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

Reminds me of the ONE time I overloaded my pontoon. Everything was going pretty well although the tops of the toons were skimming the water. Pretty good until I let go of the helm to walk forward to grab a Coke. The bow dove under and a 8" sheet of water came through. I reached back and kicked the throttle back and she popped back out. Lucky it was a pontoon but still the last time I overloaded.

 

[KermieB]

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

I have an 11' aluminum jon boat and a friend borrowed it once.... he said there were three of them in the boat including his brother Wayne.... I said "dude, Wayne weighs over 300 lbs." He laughed and said "yep"

I think you'll be fine....

 

[Stachi]

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

sell it and get something larger...... thats a one man and a cooler boat

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 2 person or 250 lbs capacity?

That shallow little jon boat is made for a guy and a kid, not two big guys. When you put two 250 lb. guys, a fuel tank, an outboard, and fishing tackle in there, your freeboard is going to be reduced to an unsafe level.

12x32 jon boats are about as small as it gets. For two 250 lb guys, you need a 14x48 boat. Then you'll have a good time and be safe.

I'd sell your little boat and get something made for two adults.