what size trolling motor for 14 ft jon

[mja900]

What size trolling motor do I need to push two people on a 14 ft jon boat? And what is the biggest size (acres) lake I should take it on as a beginner? I have fished private lakes a thousand times but nothing bigger.

[Team_Dougherty]

I would get the biggest one you can afford. you can not have too much power.

[Rolltide09]

I have a 45lb bow mount on my 1436 as well as a 55lb transom mount on the back. Its plenty. I can go 13hrs straight with no problems. I take mine out to ponds/lakes up to 300acres that are electric only

[Grey Wolf]

I would get the biggest one you can afford. you can not have too much power.

X2 !!!!!!!!!!

[Fishes in trees]

x3 on buying the most power you can afford. While you're at it buy an extra battery and wire it in parallel. That will extend your range which can get important should you be out on a larger electric only lake.

When you're getting the trolling motor, be sure and get a decent battery charger while you're at it.

Finally, be certain to get a couple of extra shear pins, in the right size for your trolling motor. Several times, I've went over a year without shearing a pin in the trolling motor. I've also broken three in one day. Let you conscience be your guide on that one. For the record, you never shear a trolling motor pin in an easy, convenient place.

Lastly, don't forget the oars or a paddle. An alternate mode of propulsion will come in handy at some point. Perhaps at that point when you've snapped 3 shear pins in an afternoon. Sorry for the rant, but I've been there. Fishing trips instantly become no fun when your stuff breaks .

The size of the lake really doesn't matter.  Daily conditions are what matters.  Your 14' jon boat will handle some wind, but it won't handle a lot of wind.  It is possible to swamp a 14' boat in medium winds and above.  How much flotation material is in the boat, under the seats?  That will make a difference as to if you swamp it or sink it.

I don't know the exact carrying capacity of your boat, but I'd wager with 2 people, trolling motor, battery (or 2) gear, cooler, etc., you are getting close to it.

[endless]

I have a 55 lb bow mount and have no problem with that. If need to I do have a 40 lb I can hook up for the back.

[airborne_angler]

I was using a 30# Thrust Motor Guide TM on my 10 ft Jon Boat which was just fine until I destroyed it when I sunk the boat. I purchased a Minn Kota Endura 40# Thrust model as a replacement,worked fine.I now have a 12 ft Jon Boat and have upgraded to a Minn Kota Endura 50# Thrust,and It does well,but I need to invest in a new battery. The 40# model will be used as a back up if I ever need it.

I fish a lake that has a 10hp gas engine limit. Its pretty small so a TM is really all you need. A larger lake nearby has a no wake zone on it,thats where I stay as I see some crazy stuff going on in the distance on the rest of the lake. People hauling A** and just stirring up the surface really bad.

I want no part of that craziness in my little boat.

[jig]

What size trolling motor do I need to push two people on a 14 ft jon boat? And what is the biggest size (acres) lake I should take it on as a beginner? I have fished private lakes a thousand times but nothing bigger.

I have an 80 lb thrust on my 14 ft jon boat and i wouldnt think of having anything less.I would have got the 100 lb thrust except i didnt want the three batts for a 36 volt system.Trust me when i say the 80 is not overkill if your fishing in wind.Get the most you can afford or you wont be happy.

[Bluebasser86]

Depends on the boat. If it's a 14ft Lowe Big Jon then they don't make a trolling motor too big. If it's an old no name aluminum jon that weighs 75lbs and is less than 4 feet wide then it doesn't take much to push it. I've been on lots of lakes in my 14 footer and have never been worried. I've even taken it on Lake of the Ozarks and stayed in the coves with no problem from the bigger boats. I'd say 500 acres and under and winds under 20mph would be the safest way to go starting out.