Steel john boat 16 ft
Flat-bottom, square-bow steel john boat: 1" square tube frame with ribs about every 24", 14 ga bottom, 16 ga sides, 11 ga transom. MAXIMUM LOAD: 800 lb total — people, motor, battery, fuel and gear together. How that was worked out: the hull holds 92.0 cubic feet below the 15" motor notch, so it can push aside 5,740 lb of water before water comes in. The boat weighs about 606 lb (580 lb steel + 26 lb foam). The Coast Guard rule for small outboard boats allows (5,740 − 606) ÷ 5 = 1,027 lb; this design posts only 80% of that. Put at least 13 cubic feet of closed-cell foam under the seats and in the bow so it floats if it swamps. Cut a 7" motor notch in the transom so the motor sits 15" above the bottom (short-shaft motor). Add a wood floor so the 14 ga bottom doesn't dent underfoot; floors and seats add weight, so subtract them from the maximum load.
- Size
- 16' long × 60" wide, 22" sides, 15" transom
- Skill level
- Advanced6 cuts at angles other than 45°
- Pieces to cut
- 54 plus 23 sheets
- Steel
- About 140 ft, 7 sticks to buy
- Plan price
- $10.99, yours to keep
