Trolling Motors.??

[Jake in NC]

.. Hey guys.. 'Just got a jon boat to fool around with in the backwaters.. Seems like a trolling motor would be the ticket for schneekin around.. What kindof features are "must haves" and what do I look for concerning thrust/voltage/type.?
..Use is on a 16' Jon w/50HP Tohatsu in the salt marsh..

Thanks.!! d:^) Jake

[John]

I'll toss in my two cents anyway.

Assuming it's an aluminum, open-hulled boat then it's probably pretty light so you shouldn't have need of much thrust. My boat is a 20 foot fibreglass and weighs in at a whacking 2800 pounds. The trolling motor is a MotorGuide that generates 54 pounds of thrust and is plenty for dragging me around. So I'd say you could get away with a bit less thrust without much trouble.

As for voltage, I am under the impression they are all 12-volt. But be sure you have a good, deep-cycle marine battery. Mine is separate from the engine battery so I don't have to worry about running it down.

[Ron in Virginia]

You would probably want a bow mount unit, since you already have an outboard on the back. Using it in a salt marsh means you should probably buy one made for salt water.

So if you want to go first class, go for the Minn Kota Riptide ST, 12 volt unit, 55 lbs thrust, with a 48 “ shaft. It comes with a co-pilot which is a small remote control that either clips onto your fishing rod, or has a wrist strap. They are also available with an auto pilot that will keep what ever course you set by way of an internal compass, and compensate for wind or current. Cost about $1049.00 from Bass Pro Shops.

[Sam in Va.]

Jake, models and options depend on how much you want to spend.
Our tournament john has 2 of the Minn Kota transom mounts at the rear and a motor guide bow mount ...no outboards allowed on the little 50-200 acre water supply reservoirs. The back ones are 54 or so lbs. and the front is in the 50 plus range as well... Are you looking for a 12 or 24 volt? I've had both Minn Kota & Motor guide.. both are ok.. both have + and -.. The motor guide I have has a plastic shaft where as the motor guide has a metal shaft.
Plastic is good if you hit a stump... the metal in the motor guide holds up better, but the cast parts (hinge housing)can get brittle when you fish in cold weather. Lots more choices as well...cordless etc..I'm sure both co's make a salt water version...that of course cost more...
Good luck on your choice. Sam

[Larry D Scott]

If you can find a now Discontinued OMC. It could say evinrude or Johnson on the head. The later models will be black 12/24 54 lbs of thrust and as Elmer Fudd would say vewy,vewy quiet. They are getting harder to find, but a good clean one is worth a premium.

[Ron in Virginia]

I agree with Larry, an older OMC, Johnson, and Evinrude were first class trolling motors. They were all the same back then, just different stickers on the side. I have a 12 volt model, which I love. It is smooth and quiet, and had a breakaway feature for stumps that was well designed. I just replaced it with the Riptide ST (the one I recommended above). And no the old one is not for sale; I keep it for my son and a couple of small jons I have.

[Mike Casselton]

First, make sure it's a saltwater version if you're gonna be in the salt marshes or it probably won't last a year.

On a jon boat a 36" shaft will do just fine. You can also buy a transom mount and pull the upper bolt out and spin the head around. Then all you'll need is a small bracket to mount it to.

Wal-Mart sells a 55lb thrust transom mount (I think Minn Kota) for about $250. Buy the best battery you can afford and charge it after every trip.

Mike

[Mike Casselton]

Remember that you'll sometimes be fishing in strong currents, so don't skimp on the thrust.

Trolling motors come in 12, 24 and 36 volt versions. You should do fine with a 12v 55lb thrust.

Mike

[Jake in NC]

Thanks, fellas.!! I appreciate the input.. I don't know what the pro's and cons of the different voltages are..
.. Looks like I have a lot of things to consider.. d:^) Jake
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[Ron in Virginia]

Thanks, fellas.!! I appreciate the input.. I don't know what the pro's and cons of the different voltages are..
.. Looks like I have a lot of things to consider.. d:^) Jake
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The difference between the 12, 24, and 36 volt motors are the number of batteries used to power the unit. One battery equals 12 volt, two batteries equals 24 volt, etc. The more batteries the more thrust, and the longer the battery charge will last. The weight of the boat and motor will dictate how much thrust you need to push it around.

I don’t think there is enough room to store 2 batteries that are dedicated to the trolling motor in your 16 foot boat. You would still have a battery for the outboard. That would make 3 batteries. But even if there were enough room, your 16 foot boat will not weigh enough to justify buying a 24 volt system. I have an 18 foot Sea Ark with a 75 Honda, and I use a 12 volt trolling motor.

[Larry D Scott]

and only use 2 batteries in the boat. This is all I have used for the last 35 yrs. Start off one battery and it will recharge while running. This same battery is the 24 side of the trolling motor. Work great and saves the cost and weight of the 3rd battery.

[onestar]

When I go upstream against the current I always take 2 12volts and my 55lb minn kota pushes my 10ft pond prowler against a moderate current. I usually switch out before the first battery totally dies, that way I can always run the other completely out and have a little juice to navigate back downstream so I am able to steer the boat. I forgot to mention this was in the river , not salt water.

[Ron in Virginia]

Here is a used Johnson/Evinrude 12/24 on ebay you might want.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Johnson-Evinrude-Complete-Trolling-Motor-Controls-NICE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ124105QQihZ001QQit emZ110187042529QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

It has the unique breakaway feature that is great around stumps...These were top of the line in their day. Probably better made than the ones today.

[Ron in Virginia]

Here is a used Johnson/Evinrude 12/24 on ebay you might want.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Johnson-Evinrude-Complete-Trolling-Motor-Controls-NICE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ124105QQihZ001QQit emZ110187042529QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

It has the unique breakaway feature that is great around stumps...These were top of the line in their day. Probably better made than the ones today.

Ok, Did one of you guys buy this? :)

[robbor]

I use mine in saltwater and it gets beaten up pretty good. Electric foot pedals are bad for this allpication as a little salt water can corrode fast. Also on my minn kota autopilot, when set on auto pilot doesnt move smoothly, and makes alot of noise. Id opt for a cable driven motor and I think its minn kota that makes the geart white for saltwater use. If you want to go cheap you can very easily use a bow hand control motor. I would not go less than 50 foot pound for any boat, and I would stick with 12 volt.