Help with a trolling motor

[smokefan]

I got a 14 1/2 jon boat and I will be getting a trolling motor for it. I have no idea where to start. 12 or 14 volt, shaft lenght (not sure it matters but my wife says it does), hand control or foot control, or bow/stern mount. The only thing I think I know I want is stern mount. I think foot control would be nice and well enough about the shaft. I am not set on anything and no clue about 12/24 volt. I need lots of help so fire away!! All help is appericated.

[MrSplitshot]

I got a 14 1/2 jon boat and I will be getting a trolling motor for it. I have no idea where to start. 12 or 14 volt, shaft lenght (not sure it matters but my wife says it does), hand control or foot control, or bow/stern mount. The only thing I think I know I want is stern mount. I think foot control would be nice and well enough about the shaft. I am not set on anything and no clue about 12/24 volt. I need lots of help so fire away!! All help is appericated.

It would help to know a little bit more about your boat....flat or v-bottom, is it decked up front, etc.


For a stern mount, I would want a hand controlled motor that I could steer just like a tiller outboard, with the highest thrust I could get. I have a 54# 12-volt Motorguide on my 15' Tracker Grizzly and it does just fine. I have a deck and fish from the front, so mine is foot controlled.

[HURRICANEBOB]

Splitshot hit it on the head!

You got to start with "HOW DO I WANT TO USE THE TROLLING MOTOR, WHAT STYLE OF FISHING WILL I WANT TO USE IT FOR".

If you are going to be trolling only, then a stern drive will be just fine. If you want to bass fish, I definitely do a bow mount and a foot control. The bow mount can easily be used to troll live baits or artificals too.

My gut says go with the bow mount because it's the most versatile.

To save money, a bow mount with a hand control works too. I did that on a 20 foot pontoon, and loved it for bassing, and top water fishing from the bow.
When I trolled live bait, it set it straight and locked it down, then put rods out, and sat at the helm and steered around with the main engine as a rudder.

The size boat to me says 12 volts is plenty. 12 volts pulled my 20 foot pontoon around Striper fishing live baits for as much as 12 hours on a single battery.

Shaft length....I think 33 minimun and 52 inch max.

Try this link. Enter the info, and see if it helps.

http://www.minnkotamotors.com/selectamotor/

[smokefan]

It's a flat bottom and I will be fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie in creeks, rivers and ponds. I looked at a grizzly and mine is looks the same. I also thought about putting a hatch in the center bench for some extra storage. Most of the foot control models look to me like they would be hard to mount, but the reward would be a foot control. I found a Minn Kota Edge 55lb thrust 45" shart and 12v foot control and the same version tiller control. Mabe a dumb question, but what is the advantage of 12/24 volt?

[ragdaddy]

24 volts will give you more power and longer use before needing recharging. I would think 12 volts would be plenty for your use. A bow mount on a flat bottom jon is more trouble unless you have a deck up front and without that deck it's difficult to find a good spot to put cable controlled foot pedal. A good option for the foot control is a Minnkota Power Drive which has a servo to steer with from a wired foot control with a cable long enough to take to the back of the boat to steer.This motor I have and like a lot it has varible power instead of different speeds and you don't have to keep your foot on it all the time to steer you just tap the pedal left or right to change direction its a little more difficult to get up or down. The biggest factor is money. I personally like Minnkota over Motorguide just because of past experience

[Big T @ E.C.]

it's a flat bottom and i will be fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie in creeks, rivers and ponds. I looked at a grizzly and mine is looks the same. I also thought about putting a hatch in the center bench for some extra storage. Most of the foot control models look to me like they would be hard to mount, but the reward would be a foot control. I found a minn kota edge 55lb thrust 45" shart and 12v foot control and the same version tiller control. Mabe a dumb question, but what is the advantage of 12/24 volt?

the main advantage, in your situtation, is weight. 2 12 volt batteries weigh twice more than one. A good marine battery will weigh over 50lbs. I fished for years out of a 14' alum. V bottom, and used a 12 volt phlugher, with hand controll.
One old school trick, get an old foot operated "dimmer switch"
from a auto parts store, mount it on a small block of wood, wire it to the motor, then you've got a foot-operated, on-off
switch, you only have to use your hands to steer... Tr

[HURRICANEBOB]

It's a flat bottom and I will be fishing for bass, bluegill, crappie in creeks, rivers and ponds. I looked at a grizzly and mine is looks the same. I also thought about putting a hatch in the center bench for some extra storage. Most of the foot control models look to me like they would be hard to mount, but the reward would be a foot control. I found a Minn Kota Edge 55lb thrust 45" shart and 12v foot control and the same version tiller control. Mabe a dumb question, but what is the advantage of 12/24 volt?

I agree 12 volt is the way to go for your rig. Save the space and weight. A 12 volt on your rig will pull it around all day on one battery no sweat.

Hey, this video might give some ideas. Note how the guy built a mount for his trolling motor on a jon by using 2X4's. Cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=198yN...eature=related

[smokefan]

I agree 12 volt is the way to go for your rig. Save the space and weight. A 12 volt on your rig will pull it around all day on one battery no sweat.

Hey, this video might give some ideas. Note how the guy built a mount for his trolling motor on a jon by using 2X4's. Cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=198yN...eature=related

Thanks for the link it helped alot. After watching it and a couple of the other videos, I think I can make a front deck. It will be small, but I didnt plan on sitting up there anyway, just to have a good solid mount fot the trolling motor. I also picked up a Minn Kota PowerdriveV2, 55lb thrust, 54" shaft. Should have the deck done and have the wiring ran sat, hopefully in the water Sun. I also picked up an anchor, paddle, rope, and a net. I ordered a 13x30 hatch, hand bilge pump and 2 seats and mounts, but they wont be here until the end of next week. I think that should do it, any other suggestions or anything important I have forgot?

[HURRICANEBOB]

Thanks for the link it helped alot. After watching it and a couple of the other videos, I think I can make a front deck. It will be small, but I didnt plan on sitting up there anyway, just to have a good solid mount fot the trolling motor. I also picked up a Minn Kota PowerdriveV2, 55lb thrust, 54" shaft. Should have the deck done and have the wiring ran sat, hopefully in the water Sun. I also picked up an anchor, paddle, rope, and a net. I ordered a 13x30 hatch, hand bilge pump and 2 seats and mounts, but they wont be here until the end of next week. I think that should do it, any other suggestions or anything important I have forgot?

Since you got the Powerdrive, think about the Co-pilot. Cool deal for $149. Easy bolt on. And gives you remote control, no wires, no foot pedal, just a little key fob to control the motor, direction and speed.

http://store.minnkotamotors.com/prod..._PowerDrive_V2

I got on for my raider and I love it on my Powedrive. You can be anywhere on the boat and make course adjustments. You can mount the remote on your rod handle. I put mine on a d-clip and hang it on my belt.

[SLP]

The Co-Pilot is awesome, I cant imagine not having it. Can control it form anywhere in the boat, and has all kind of features I would be lost without.

[smljaw]

Was looking at Motorguide Bulldog trolling motor recently. They make it in 40# and 54#. Great design for smaller boats!!! Check it out... Also, if you're modifying a jonboat, check lots of great thoughts and ideas at www.tinboats.net