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Name:	Smitty -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor
Date:	3/17/2006 9:10:07 AM

Let's say I have a 12 foot Jon boat that weighs 200 punds. I want to use it around my slew (sp) for fishing and to let my kids screw around with it. Would it be better to buy an electric motor or say a 10-15 HP outboard? I know this is not a real important dilemma but if you have a thought, I would love to hear it.

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor
Date:	3/17/2006 2:33:05 PM

Smitty: Some years ago, I lived in New Jersey and was a member of one of the many bass fishing clubs. We conduced many tournaments throughout the southern part of the state where the majority of lakes are small and resricted to electric motors ony. The larger lakes or resourvoirs are limited to 9.9 HP gas. I had a Ted Williams Sears 12ft fiberglass boat and
I had both an electric and gas with an electric start.

Based on my experience , I would recommend the electric. It is obviously quieter and will not scare away the fish. It is easy to move about since you do not have to start the gas motor but rather just turn a handle. I now have a pontoon equiped for fishing with a 150 HP Honda. I am in the process of ordering and installing an electric trolling motor to fish the coves.

The key to the electric is to maintain a charged battery. You will want to get a battery that is Deep Cycle which can be recharged many times
and a good charger. In a twelve foot Jon Boa,t a transom motor is what i would suggest. The cost is reasonable and you can always step up to a gass powered one. However, you really do not wnat to venture too far outside protected water with the boat. Not knowing the age of the children, a life jacket on at ALL times is the trade off for having a boat.

I would suggest a mushroom anchor for the boat.

Anything else, just post and I will respond.

Name:	Smitty -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor
Date:	3/17/2006 4:28:04 PM

Thanks for the great advice GF! I have been leaning toward an electric motor and am now convinced. Hope to see you out there sometime.

Name:	BigFoot -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor
Date:	3/18/2006 5:20:24 PM

Should you ever use a gas outboard on the 12' jon boat, I would be careful not to exceed the HP for which the boat is rated...10-15 hp sounds too big for a 12 foot jon boat....perhaps a 4-5 hp would be
better and safer. I put a 20 hp on my 14' jon boat long ago and nearly
flipped the boat with me in it.

Name:	rock -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor gas
Date:	3/21/2006 9:41:36 PM

Your kids need to get use to operating an outboard motor. When I was 9 years old I started with a 3hp evinrude on sears jon boat then on my 12th birthday I got a 20 mercury on a 14 ft jon boat ( fisher marine). I'm 45 now
that was probably my most exciting birthday . Total surprise when my Daddy pulled up with that boat.

Name:	Smitty -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor gas
Date:	3/22/2006 9:13:27 AM

Good point.....thanks

Name:	BamaBob3 -	Reply
Subject:	Jon Boat Motor
Date:	3/23/2006 11:21:42 AM

I agree about being carfule with a gas engine. My Dad bought a little boat from Sears in the sixties. We put a 1958 5hp evinrude on it and I used to play around close to home. It was good experience and a lot of fun. We still have the boat but use a trolling motor exclusively now. The kids still have a great time with it and I still play around with it in the sloughs and creeks. Just be careful of the wind....if you have to go against a 25+ mph wind you will run the battery down without making much progress.

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