choosing a trolling motor

[rockytop93]

I am building a 14 ft. plywood jon boat. I want to push it with a transom mt.electric motor. I am guessing it weighs about 200 to 250 lbs. How big a motor would be practitable to push this boat at a reasonable rate? It will be on lake taneycomo in Mo. Will probably never go more than 1/2 mile up or down the lake. Waves are not a factor. I have my eye on a motor guide 34 lb. thrust. Or should I concider a larger one. Thanks

 

[bassboy1]

Re: choosing a trolling motor

As it is plywood and heavier than aluminum I would go heavier. In the 45# - 55#. The 34 is a reasonable fit for a alum. jon, but yours is twice as heavy. Some would say to get a 24v 70# motor, but that is only if you have to go for long distances because 1) It will get you there faster. 2) The efficiency of the 70 far exceeds that of the 55# i.e. You can get almost 3 times as much runtime on twice the batteries.
Round my neck of the woods, there are a whole bunch of jon boat tourneys. People have two 80# on the transom that are locked straight. Then they have a 70# up that they use for steering. The transom two have a variable speed on/off switch up front so the driver stays up front.
But if they are just large ponds, and nothing real major, you should stick with a 40 - 55.
BTW, you have posted this in the wrong forum. This should go in the electronics forum.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: choosing a trolling motor

45- 55 with the energy saver feature.