Fat guy in a little boat. Montgomery ward 14 33

sumo · Feb 3, 2012

Ok here we go. Because I came across this site I have been inspired to fix up my old jon boat. This boat was given to me by my grandfather and I have had it for a long time. It is a 1984 Montgomery Ward 13’ 8” long and 33 inches at the widest point in the floor. Here are some pics of what I started with and what I have done so far. As you can see I am having a hard time deciding how I want to do it. Here are my concerns . I am a big guy on a good day I am 340 bone dry and most of the folks I would be fishing with are about my size. I am not sure that leaving the deck on is ever going to be and option. I am thinking that I could just leave the little deck on the front to add a trolling motor. I am wanting to maybe add a small outboard later on. The boat will only be used on small reservoirs where it electric only or no wake lakes. Any feedback or questions would be appreciated. Thanks.

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fender66 · Feb 3, 2012

Hey Sumo....

First and foremost....Welcome to TinBoats. We're happy to have you here.

You have a good start, and your concerns are valid. I'm not sure how to answer your "boat capacity" questions other than to try it out on some calm, shallow water before you head out into deeper water. That is a small boat and adding another 600+ pounds of "moving" weight, plus the weight of any modifications could prove to be too much for her to handle. Wish I had a better answer, but I'm thinking you have to be safe first and test properly close to shore.

The registration on your boat indicates you are in VA.....you might want to add that to your profile cause I'm sure you could hook up with other members from your area to either fish or give you that "local advice" that others can't.

Keep us posted and keep taking those pictures. We love pictures.

fender66 · Feb 3, 2012

Just noticed.....

That VW Bus might float. Have you tried fishing from that yet? :LOL2:

BtsNhoS · Feb 3, 2012

sumo said:
Ok here we go. Because I came across this site I have been inspired to fix up my old jon boat. This boat was given to me by my grandfather and I have had it for a long time. It is a 1984 Montgomery Ward 13’ 8” long and 33 inches at the widest point in the floor. Here are some pics of what I started with and what I have done so far. As you can see I am having a hard time deciding how I want to do it. Here are my concerns . I am a big guy on a good day I am 340 bone dry and most of the folks I would be fishing with are about my size. I am not sure that leaving the deck on is ever going to be and option. I am thinking that I could just leave the little deck on the front to add a trolling motor. I am wanting to maybe add a small outboard later on. The boat will only be used on small reservoirs where it electric only or no wake lakes. Any feedback or questions would be appreciated. Thanks.

Hey check out my build in my sig. In my 12ft, I wanted to put a casting deck up front but it's way to unstable I'm a big guy also and even how it sits now, a small shift in weight really rocks it. Where in va are you located?

sumo · Feb 3, 2012

fender66 said:
Just noticed.....

That VW Bus might float. Have you tried fishing from that yet? :LOL2:

No that is a 76 model that is on my project list also. the is the first car i ever bought. I did however take it camping a few times back in the day.

sumo · Feb 3, 2012

I live in duffield virginia, Work in kingsport tennessee.

sumo · Feb 3, 2012

Here are a few of my other creations. this is what we go down the river on, they are made of stryofoam and electrical conduit. I was thinking of making some of these pontoons to use as outriggers stabilize the boat. has anyone ever used outriggers or do yoiu think they would be more trouble than they are worth.

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JasonLester · Feb 3, 2012

Nice! The outriggers would work... I posted a video on another thread about staiblizing a john boat...they used pvd attached to the sides of the boat...looked like it would work...but an outrigger of some type should too

fender66 · Feb 3, 2012

Those are very cool. =D> =D>

sumo · Feb 3, 2012

fender66 said:
Those are very cool. =D> =D>

thanks . I got tons more pics of the foam boats if anyone is intersted in those type of boats.

lckstckn2smknbrls · Feb 3, 2012

sumo said:
fender66 said:

Those are very cool. =D> =D>

Click to expand...

thanks . I got tons more pics of the foam boats if anyone is intersted in those type of boats.

Those are cool.

Brine · Feb 3, 2012

Welcome aboard sumo. Those foam rigs look 8)

About adding the decks in that jon.... [-X

It's debatable if you're alone. Add someone in the back and "SPLASH" glub, glub, glub.

Save those thoughts for something at least 42" wide. 48 would be that much better.

I'd keep the seats at bench level on that one.

dotchess · Feb 3, 2012

I am very concerned about that seat height on a 33. A little wake from another boat could be disastrous. Especially being a big guy. I am not sure but pods may be an option. I am concerned about the safety on this one buddy.

Outriggers may be the way to go on this one.

JasonLester · Feb 3, 2012

sumo said:
fender66 said:

Those are very cool. =D> =D>

Click to expand...

thanks . I got tons more pics of the foam boats if anyone is intersted in those type of boats.

Those are very cool...Where did you get the foam for something like that.

I think if you could make that you could make some outriggers out of that stuff that would work good and make it safe..

BTW I have had that scene from Tommy Boy going through my head since I first read this thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGWbt3DSje0

sumo · Feb 4, 2012

JasonLester said:
sumo said:

fender66 said:

Those are very cool. =D> =D>

Click to expand...

thanks . I got tons more pics of the foam boats if anyone is intersted in those type of boats.

Click to expand...

Those are very cool...Where did you get the foam for something like that.

I think if you could make that you could make some outriggers out of that stuff that would work good and make it safe..

BTW I have had that scene from Tommy Boy going through my head since I first read this thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGWbt3DSje0

If you go to tractor supply , Northern tool. or anwhere else that sells utility trailers they should have it stacked up everywhere. they use it to keep the trailers seperated during shipping. Most of the time they will give it to you for free. If you look on the jon boat pics you will see i have severial pieces under the boat.

sumo · Feb 4, 2012

JasonLester said:
sumo said:

fender66 said:

Those are very cool. =D> =D>

Click to expand...

thanks . I got tons more pics of the foam boats if anyone is intersted in those type of boats.

Click to expand...

Those are very cool...Where did you get the foam for something like that.

I think if you could make that you could make some outriggers out of that stuff that would work good and make it safe..

BTW I have had that scene from Tommy Boy going through my head since I first read this thread.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGWbt3DSje0

Here are somemore pics of one of the boats in the first pic. This one i built so that it could be transported on the back of my ATV. Tommy boy was my inspirations for the title.When i use these little foam boats it truley is a fat guy in a little boat. But all of them hold me well and they are alot of fun.

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Howard · Feb 4, 2012

Big guy here also, :lol: Looking at your awesome creations, I would say that your very handy and very creative. =D> With that said, I would look for a 1648 and fix it up. I got mine with trailer for $300 and just work on it from time to time. I push 300 and can say that personally a 48" hull is the least I would do. Good luck,,

sumo · Feb 4, 2012

I think you all are correct that leaving the larger deck in is not going to be a good idea for a big guy. I may just paint it and put some carpet in the floors and doll it up a bit. This was my grandfathers boat so I am not going to sell it. I have a pontoon to fish on the lakes, and I would use the foam boats on the river. Anyone have any links or suggestions of other post that addressed minor conversions like I am talking about. Thanks to all for the help and comments.

JasonLester · Feb 4, 2012

The atv version is way cool... Love that movie Tommy Boy. I'll have to watch it again now. LOL

If it were me I think I'd just make the floor flat. Maybe give it a paint job and maybe even build some pontoon outriggers to stabilize it some.... Looking at the other things youve built I feel a little silly giving you advice though.

fender66 · Feb 4, 2012

I know I've already said this, but I still think those are really cool.

Fat guy in a little boat. Montgomery ward 14 33

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