Reduce weight on Jon boat

First time post here. Finally got enough money to buy an outboard for my boat. All the lakes around here are 9.9 max. My boat is almost on plane but I think I too much weight. Tried to reduce as much as I could..... Minus throwing the wife and kid out but I just keep tug boating. Anyway would replacing all the wood with aluminum make any difference? It's a 16 ft weldbilt and between the floor and casting deck I got maybe 2 sheets of wood on it. Thanks for your time

get one of those planer boards from cabelas, I got one on my classic 50 merc. Make a big difference.

Not sure a 9.9 will ever plane a 16ft'er. You could try different props or find a 15hp carb for it.

Just like moberg said a 9.9 probably will not plane a 16ft boat, but it's just a new carb to make it a 15hp...leave the same cover on the motor and no one is any the wiser...just my thoughts...

Start at the prop, A 15 hp carb will be ideal if done right as well.

Thanks for the tips