Jet Boat question from New Bass fisherman

[Gooldy]

Hey everyone, new member checking in. I just recently discovered Bass Resource and am loving it so far. I love the wealth of information available here for a noob like me.

 

As a little introduction on me, I live in Oregon and have always done the normal PNW stuff... fly fisherman/steelhead/salmon/kokes, etc. Last spring/summer I got into bass fishing after talking to one of my coworkers who was a tourney angler back home in New York. So far I have only really done any pond/small lake fishing from the bank and my kayak. I want to start doing some bigger water fishing, and do a lot more than fish the same 3 places this year.

 

So my question naturally is about the boat that I already have available to me. My dad (and by extension, me, since he lets me use it) has a 20' Thunder Jet jet boat/sled. Just like this one, only white: http://www.boats.com/power-boats/2001-thunder-jet-20-sportsman-5650969/#.WLXbXIsQxcQ. He gave me the go ahead to mount an electric trolling motor to it. But I'm wondering if there even is a way to mount a bow trolling motor to it. Based on the Minn Kota weight/length vs thrust rating chart, I'm guessing I would need a minimum of 70#, but a 100 ought to allow me to use it in the river as well. I found a 101# Maxxum Pro on craigslist for like 500 bucks, which seemed reasonable to me (or am I way off base?). I am also thinking that a long shaft would be best for this kind of boat? 

 

My concern is around attaching the mount.. There is not a whole lot of real estate available on the front. Because of the low deck in the bow, plus the gunwales having the rail running down them I am not sure if there is enough room to drill and bolt down the mount. So I defer to you guys, who are much more knowledgeable about this stuff! I was thinking mount it off to the left of the anchor cleat, and have the shaft run up along the rail, but I'm not sure if that would work. 

 

What do you guys think? Waste of time? Ruining the resale of our boat? Even possible? 

 

Thank you all in advance!

Ryan 

 

[bassin0123]

make a small wooden box like you would to put a deck on a jon boat and put it at the front of the boat and attach your mount to that.

[J Francho]

Something like this, with a quick disconnect plate is what you probably want for that style boat.

 

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/New-PowerDrive/

[Darren.]

Welcome aboard! Wish I could help, but I'm a

kayak guy  ... someday may own a boat, but

not today.

[Gooldy]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

 

3 hours ago, Darren. said:

Welcome aboard! Wish I could help, but I'm a

kayak guy  ... someday may own a boat, but

not today.

I do love fishing from my kayak occasionally, but the boat is just sooo much easier. I don't have a fishing kayak, just a regular sit in boat. So if I am working high resistance baits (cranks, frogs, etc) then I get pulled towards my bait and I usually end up crashing into the bank while futzing with my paddle in one hand and rod in the other hahaha 

 

3 hours ago, bassin0123 said:

make a small wooden box like you would to put a deck on a jon boat and put it at the front of the boat and attach your mount to that.

I was considering doing something like this, but was a bit concerned that it would not be strong enough for the amount of force a big trolling motor like a 100# would put on it. Do you have any idea if that is true, or am I just borrowing trouble?

 

3 hours ago, J Francho said:

Something like this, with a quick disconnect plate is what you probably want for that style boat.

 

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/New-PowerDrive/

That is a nice looking motor, pretty similar to the one I was looking at locally, but it appears to have a smaller footprint. That would probably help with my issue, but its definitely more expensive than going used... This is the one I was looking at, good deal? https://portland.craigslist.org/clk/bpo/6015640761.html

[bassin0123]

i did it to my uncles and it worked fine 

[Gooldy]

3 minutes ago, bassin0123 said:

i did it to my uncles and it worked fine 

Hmm. That I might have to look into this idea more, cause that would have the smallest permanent effect on the boat as well!

[J Francho]

You need to do some research.  The one you linked to is a cable steer.  I don't think you're going to like that for that size boat.  Most would use a electric steer.

You'd also need to have a mounting plate fabricated for that. 

[Gooldy]

11 minutes ago, J Francho said:

You need to do some research.  The one you linked to is a cable steer.  I don't think you're going to like that for that size boat.  Most would use a electric steer.

You'd also need to have a mounting plate fabricated for that. 

Oh I didn't realize that it was cable steer. I was trying to research that one a bit but was struggling to find any really helpful results. Probably since it is a fair bit older. 

 

Back to the drawing board! Thank you for your help.

[J Francho]

I love my Maxxums, but I didn't think it was you wanted.  They still make them. 

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/Maxxum/

[Gooldy]

On 3/1/2017 at 11:40 AM, J Francho said:

I love my Maxxums, but I didn't think it was you wanted.  They still make them. 

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/Trolling-Motors/Freshwater-Bow-Mount/Maxxum/

https://eugene.craigslist.org/bpo/6024443417.html what do you think of this one? Seems like it might be more what I'm looking for, and I think 80# would still probably be able to push our boat?

[J Francho]

I use an 80# on my 1400 lb. Bullet 21XDC w/ a 2.5L Pro Max.  Works fine, and plenty of charge from two Optimas.

[Gooldy]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

I use an 80# on my 1400 lb. Bullet 21XDC w/ a 2.5L Pro Max.  Works fine, and plenty of charge from two Optimas.

That is a bit disheartening, since that is significantly lighter than ours is. Based on the Thunderjet website, the most similar boat is the Canyon 20', and they list it at 2400 dry with a 350 in it. Ours has a 240, so that would be a couple hundred pounds of weight savings, but that is still a lot more weight. I really need to just take it down to the scales and see what it weighs for sure. Just kind of PITA since I would have to weigh it and then go unload it and weigh the trailer, then reload it.

 

Oh well. 

 

http://www.thunderjet.com/boat/canyon-jet/

[J Francho]

You'll probably want a 36v model, then.

[slonezp]

Go with a 101 or 112 Terrova and the shaft should clear the rails without issue. RAM makes a trolling motor stabilizer which will hold the shaft in place when stowed to prevent it from banging on the rails. I think you would have to mount it just behind the anchor pulley to make it work. Minn Kota makes a quick release bracket which would allow you to remove it if necessary.

[Further North]

First...those are really cool boats, I've always liked them.

 

Second...no way I'd go less than 36 volt (101 ft. lbs. in the older Minn Kotas, 112 in the newer ones)  That's a big boat and you're talking about using it in current...pretty heavy current, I believe.

 

As a reference point I run a 112 Ulterra on an 1850 Crestliner CMV...I'd guess that I draw less water than you do (only a guess) and there are places on the Chippewa River and the Mississippi where I cannot make headway against the current.  I used to have a 101 Terrova and had the same issues.

 

I would guess (someone will correct me if I'm wrong ) that the weight of your boat on dry land has less to do with how well a trolling motor will move you boat than how much of it is in the water and what shape the hull is.  I know a few guys with fiberglass boats that are much heavier than my Crestliner who actually get going a little faster than I do with trolling motors that have the same thrust.

 

I am not a Power Drive fan...don't like the foot pedal or how they deploy.

 

Motor Guide makes some comparative models as well, but I've been so happy with Minn Kota I've seen no reason to switch brands...Lot's of folks who prefer Motor Guide will have a similar position, from the other side...I'd listen to them too.

 

With that relatively small front deck, you're going to want as little "stuff" in your way as possible.  If there's one thing about your boat that is less than ideal, it'd be that really small front deck.  Keep it clear of stuff on the floor if you can.

[Gooldy]

2 hours ago, Further North said:

First...those are really cool boats, I've always liked them.

Thanks, it's pretty fun! It does pretty much anything from hanging out crabbing in the bay, skiing on the lake, trolling, or just running the river in only a few inches of water.

 

2 hours ago, Further North said:

 

Second...no way I'd go less than 36 volt (101 ft. lbs. in the older Minn Kotas, 112 in the newer ones)  That's a big boat and you're talking about using it in current...pretty heavy current, I believe.

 

As a reference point I run a 112 Ulterra on an 1850 Crestliner CMV...I'd guess that I draw less water than you do (only a guess) and there are places on the Chippewa River and the Mississippi where I cannot make headway against the current.  I used to have a 101 Terrova and had the same issues.

It would probably get used for bass fishing/still water only, and maybe occasionally for holding position in the river when salmon/steelhead fishing on smaller water. But we have a 9.9 kicker on it if we are in real water. 

 

As far as draft at rest, I don't know. It's a sled bottom, so it seems like it would probably take quite a bit of effort to push it through the water at an idle/trolling motor speed. On plane though it will run in like less than a foot!

 

Quote

....

 

With that relatively small front deck, you're going to want as little "stuff" in your way as possible.  If there's one thing about your boat that is less than ideal, it'd be that really small front deck.  Keep it clear of stuff on the floor if you can.

It's definitely small compared to a bass boat, that's for sure. It would need to be a whole lot cleaner than it is right now. 

[Further North]

6 hours ago, Gooldy said:

It would probably get used for bass fishing/still water only, and maybe occasionally for holding position in the river when salmon/steelhead fishing on smaller water. But we have a 9.9 kicker on it if we are in real water. 

With a boat that size I'd still stick with 36 volt.