"For example: John Smith" wrote in message
...
I just bought a 12' Tracker Topper last weekend and a 30lb trolling motor
and battery. With my friend and I and 4 rods and each of our tackle, an
anchor, and a small cooler the motor handles it fine and the boat seams
pretty good considering the load. How much more weight can I add to that
thing before I am testing it limits? I would like to put a platform between
the front and middle bench and then put some type of swivel seat on that
platform and then on the rear bench. How high do you think can go with the
swivel seats before the boat becomes to unstable and do you think it can
handle the weight of the wood for the platform? Any questions please ask,
thanks.


Well, let's see here. Guessing that you and your buddy each weigh 150
pounds, that puts the load at 300 pounds already. Then add a deep cycle
battery and that's another 40 pounds. Figure another 40 pounds for tackle
and a cooler, plus oh, I dunno, 15 pounds for a trolling motor and you're at
395 pounds.

According to Bob's information pulled from the website, you have a max
weight capacity of 440 pounds, so you can add another 45 pounds. That is
providing you and your buddy only weigh 150 pounds each. Now, if you're my
size, weighing 200 pounds, and your buddy is the same, you'll be overloaded
if everything else remains the same.

With a 45 inch beam to the boat, I'd be reluctant to put in a fishing
platform, raising the center of gravity and increasing the weight and
liklihood of capsizing the boat.

So, in answer to your question, there isn't much I'd do to a 12 foot
jonboat.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com