55lb Thrust on 14' Jon?

[moloch16]

I have a 14' Jon.  I'm thinking about upgrading my trolling motor which is a 20 year old 28lb thrust transom mount.  I'm think about buying another transom mount but then flipping the head and sticking it on the front.

Is 55lb too much power for a Jon?  I'm worried the thin aluminum on the front of the boat won't like the pressure, or the clamp won't be able to hold the motor on the boat when it's wide open.

I'm also worried that the slowest setting will move me much faster than I'd like to move on the slowest setting.

The reason I'm thinking about going with 55lb is:

* I want something that may be used on a bigger boat in the future

* Sometimes I rent a boat at the local rent-only ponds and it would be nice to get across the lake quicker

Thoughts?

[Catt]

Absolutely nothing wrong with your thinking; my suggestion is always go with as much thrust as you can afford  

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

braced properly, a 12' can take a 101

Catt, cut the "dirty old man" routine already,...Geez  ;D

[FishingBuds]

I'm doing exactly that on my 14.

I'm using this bracket

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37359_200002004_200000000_200002000_200-2-4

[brgbassmaster]

i have a 40lb thrust on our 14ft jon. and have no problems love it. on high speed it can go through really strong winds or on calm days put the speed on low setting and go slow. not to fast not slow.perfect.

[fishbear]

I run 2 55 lb. thrust motors on my 14 ft. jon.  2 in the back and one in the front.... when I am going across the lake, all 3 are wide open.  Never had a problem.  I have been at tournaments where there are 4 or 5 motors across the back of a boat, lol..

[fishingfourfun]

I have a 65lb thrust on my 14ft modified v-hull.  It will move the boat nicely.  It is really helpful when I take it on the river.

[Just Add Water]

The 55 lbs will take care of any of your needs.

I have a 55 lbs foot control on my jon 1436, and love it.

A foot control is a lot better than a hand control, Because you will

spend a lot of your time controling the boat and not fishing ,if you fish on a windy day.

The foot control give you hand free fishing all day. :

I would look into getting a foot control one, if you are going to put it on a bigger boat later on. The low setting is to strong for the first half hour, and then it is just right. My boat is set up for 12/24 volts.

Good luck

[bocabasser]

i had a 55# on my 9' basshunter and it worked great! i now have that same 55 on my 17' flats boat and it works great. i am going to upgrade to a 101 when i get more $.

[farmpond1]

I run 2 55 lb. thrust motors on my 14 ft. jon. 2 in the back and one in the front.... when I am going across the lake, all 3 are wide open. Never had a problem. I have been at tournaments where there are 4 or 5 motors across the back of a boat, lol..

Fishbear, can you get on plane with those 3 motors?   ;D

[Bassnbrett101]

theres no need to worry about putting too much thrust on an aluminum.  My buddy has the same setup you do and although it gets difficult to control on the higher settings it gets you across the lake quickly and the slowest settings are perfect. Remember your foot doesnt always have to be on the pedal

[David P]

I rent boats at my local reservoir, 12ft and 14ft aluminums. I bring my 55lb thrust, and have had NO problems at all.  These are old boats, that are beat up, and not in the best shape, and I haven't had the slightest problem.

[IDbasser]

Besides my bass boat, I have a 14' aluminum boat.  I use a 54lb thrust motor on it.  It moves the boat really well.  This was my bass rig until I got my current rig.  I still use the 14' for walleye, catfish, and waterfowling (it is camo).  I have no regrets with going with the 54lb thrust motor.  I also turned the head around to use it on the bow.  Works great.

[Matt Jungblut]

i have a 80 lb thrust on my boat and it handles it fine

i have to deal with alot of current where i fish and it helps alot

u should be fine with 55 just make sure it is bolted tight to ur boat and u shouldnt have any problems

[moloch16]

Thanks for the info guys.  I picked up a 55lb motor at Dick's Sporting goods last night.  Woohoo!  The web site says $260 but at the store they were $230 and then you get a $60 rebate.

I'll be able to flip the head around to use it bow mounted on my 14' rig or flip it back for transom mount on the rental jons.  That's a sweet deal.

Can't wait to try it out.  I'm real excited that I won't need to crank the 'big' motor as often

[PelicanRaider]

That is EXACTLY the motor I have for my Bass Raider.  LOVE IT!  MAJOR difference between speeds 4 and 5....5 is a nice jump

[Fish Chris]

I have a 55lb on my 14 ft aluminum, amd it works fine;

Peace,

Fish

[Micro]

I have a 55# thrust on my 15' and it moves it with authority, even in wind.  

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

I've got a MinKota 55 on a 12' jon and buzz myself(200lbs) a 350lb friend a battery and 30lbs of gear around like nothing.

[HOIST-N-HAWGS]

I'm doing exactly that on my 14.

I'm using this bracket

http://www.basspro.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_-1_10001_37359_200002004_200000000_200002000_200-2-4

I also have this bracket and hate it. I just built up the bow. I'll sell it to you for 20 bucks

[BrianinMD]

Sorry for the newbie question, the add for the Minn Kota Endura 55# says its a Transom mount, it doesn't say anything about switching the head to make it a bow mount. How hard it that to do?

[John J.]

I plan on getting a 50lb thruster for my 12' V hull. I want to be able to get to my favorite fishing spots quicker than my 15 year old 27# thruster  >

[moloch16]

It's easy to convert it from transom to bow mode.  Just unscrew one bolt underneath the head, turn head 180 degrees, screw bolt back in  

[Kansas Angler]

ive got a 45 lb thrust on my 14' jon and it pushes it fine , but id put more on if it was my main source of power, cause ive also got a 9.9 evinrude