First jon boat

[Weslewis]

Just picked up my first jon boat and i am full of questions for everyone. I bought a used lowe 14' big jon with a 25 hp johnson and i am wanting to build a casting deck maybe with some storage and mount a trolling motor up front. With that said around here the biggest body of water i would fish is 250 to maybe 300 acres and 9 times out of 10 ill have someone with me. Most lakes and ponds here are electric only so i was wondering what lb trust trolling motor would work best? 12v vs 24v ? If a 14 footer is stable and safe for 2 adults to stand and fish? Or any other tips , tricks , or mods that are out there. Like i said i am completely new to this so any advice is appreciated.  Thank you !

[GreenPig]

I suggest 24 volt 80 lb thrust. Aluminum deck framed correctly will hold more than the boat will float. I've had 3 big big fellas(1000 lbs) bowfish from my front deck.

[kjfishman]

24 volt 80 lb would be nice but if your on a budget a 12 volt 55 pound would be enough. I have 16.5 foot aluminum boat with 55 lb and works for me. The same situation as you fish a lot of electric only lakes.

[Way2slow]

80lb thrust is a big over kill, and unless you are in open water in a hurricane would never be needed.  80 is all I run on my 20' Javelin and my old 65 moves it very nicely.

I will try to give you a little TM-101 to help you make your own decision.

1.  A 24V motor is about 25% more efficient than the same thrust in a 12.  Higher voltage uses less current for the same output, thus less heat loss from internal resistance.

2.  The digital variable speed motors a much more efficient at lower speeds and significantly increase run time over the one that just have a number of set speeds.  They also make it easier to regulate the speed if on a long bank and just letting the motor run.

3.  Batteries have a finite amount of power so they can only deliver so many watts before being fully discharged.  The bigger the motor, the more watts it takes to run on max, so the more battery you need.  Usually, the little extra speed you get does not offset the watts it takes to move from one spot to the next at full thrust.  It also damages a battery to discharge it below about 20-25%, so you don't want to go until it no longer will turn the prop.  Max battery life is obtained if you never go below about 50% discharge.

4.  The analog, set speed motors are a whole lot cheaper than the digital, variable speed motors, however most come with very crappy mounts to help make them cheaper and lighter.

5,  Don't even think about going less than high quality, group 27, deep cycle batteries and plan going up from there if you get the larger you go on TM, group 29, 30 or 31.  Look for the most reserve minutes you can get.  If they have CCA or MCA ratings on them, they are not 100% true deep cycle batteries, they are dual purpose or cranking batteries. 

 When you get though pricing batteries, then you can figure out how much you have left over for the TM.  If you buy the TM first, make sure you have plenty of extra for batteries, what you really need is not going to be cheap.

 

[GaryH]

35 minutes ago, Way2slow said:

80lb thrust is a big over kill, and unless you are in open water in a hurricane would never be needed.  80 is all I run on my 20' Javelin and my old 65 moves it very nicely.

I will try to give you a little TM-101 to help you make your own decision.

1.  A 24V motor is about 25% more efficient than the same thrust in a 12.  Higher voltage uses less current for the same output, thus less heat loss from internal resistance.

2.  The digital variable speed motors a much more efficient at lower speeds and significantly increase run time over the one that just have a number of set speeds.  They also make it easier to regulate the speed if on a long bank and just letting the motor run.

3.  Batteries have a finite amount of power so they can only deliver so many watts before being fully discharged.  The bigger the motor, the more watts it takes to run on max, so the more battery you need.  Usually, the little extra speed you get does not offset the watts it takes to move from one spot to the next at full thrust.  It also damages a battery to discharge it below about 20-25%, so you don't want to go until it no longer will turn the prop.  Max battery life is obtained if you never go below about 50% discharge.

4.  The analog, set speed motors are a whole lot cheaper than the digital, variable speed motors, however most come with very crappy mounts to help make them cheaper and lighter.

5,  Don't even think about going less than high quality, group 27, deep cycle batteries and plan going up from there if you get the larger you go on TM, group 29, 30 or 31.  Look for the most reserve minutes you can get.  If they have CCA or MCA ratings on them, they are not 100% true deep cycle batteries, they are dual purpose or cranking batteries. 

 When you get though pricing batteries, then you can figure out how much you have left over for the TM.  If you buy the TM first, make sure you have plenty of extra for batteries, what you really need is not going to be cheap.

 

 

This is good advice. Should be all you need to answer your questions about your trolling motor pick.

[Weslewis]

Thank you so much this helps out a bunch 

[Bluebasser86]

If you're fishing a lot of TM only lakes, I'd 100% go 24v, but you don't need an 80lb. That's the same size I have on my Stratos. You could go the minimal sized 24v and even put a transom mounted tm on the back also and run 2 at once if you have a second person. I run 2 on mine fishing from TM only lakes. I had a regular 14' Lowe with a deck built on it and had no issues with 2 adults standing and fishing in it so you'll be just fine.

[DaubsNU1]

Great advice above (heck, I learned something just now). My set up is old, and I don't fish huge bodies of water. 

 

My 14' Rich Line has had 40lb / 12v Minn Kota purchased in 2000. I've always run a Wal-mart marine deep cycle battery...nothing special, around $100.  I can fish all day no problem. Does just fine. I charge it nightly. 

 

When I'm fishing electric only lake, I throw on a transom mount 36lb / 12v Minn Kota and add another battery. 

 

On calm water I can hit 4 MPH with the bow mount only...adding the transom trolling motor gets me to 5 MPH (gotta love phone GPS).

 

 

Find a way to secure your rods / store your rods. You can kind of see how I store mine here. I am really paranoid about rod security...all mine are Cabela's brand from the 1990's...can't buy them any more.  

 

Also, think about other storage -- the green dry bag contains the following:

- PFDs

- Fishing log

- First Aid Kit

- Whistle

- Boat lights

- Extra trolling motor blade

- Tools

- Towels

- Wet wipes (TP)

- Raingear

 

This spring I will probably put in a door and store stuff under the front casting deck.