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Dec 30th, 2023
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 Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
#11538627
04/13/16 02:09 AM
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Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 58
Cole Miller
OP
Outdoorsman
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OP
Outdoorsman
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 58 |
Well to start it off, I'm new to the boating world, don't know much about them at all besides the fact that they should float. I think I got a pretty decent deal on a 14ft flat bottom aluminum Jon boat with new seats, has carpeting, electric ran from front to back, a trolling motor, and a decent trailer. All it needs is a bigger motor and I'm not sure what size to put on it. I was told that a 10 or 15hp motor would be good for it but i have no clue. Anyways, me and the guy selling the boat agreed on $800 and he is filing for a lost title at the moment.
I'm not sure what's needed out on the water, I've only ever been on a boat a handful of times in my life... What are some must haves and good safety equipment? Rod holders? Storage? Live wells? Etc... I don't mind any DIY ideas either
Also, any tips on buying a used boat? what stuff should I check out, etc..
Lake Ellsworth in SW Oklahoma
Pb: 30lb Blue Cat
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11545774
04/16/16 02:56 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,504
Mudshark
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,504 |
A 15 HP outboard would probably be ideal, that is what I had on my 14footer. You may want to consider adding a bilge pump since it doesn't take a whole lot of water in it to get yourself in trouble. Weight distribution in a small boat is important, I always kept my trolling motor battery up front with the trolling motor.
I would not waste time on a live well. Get a solid cooler and throw the fish straight on ice. It will make a nice seat as well. Make sure your navigation lights work and you have the switches located where they won't get stepped on. Fuses are your friend. Check the TPWD regs on required safety gear, even though you are not required to have a fire extinguisher in that boat since the fuel tank is exposed, get one anyway. You need a whistle, get a good marine, plastic one so it won't rust.
The great thing with a john boat is you can experiment with the decking and seat placement with very little cost and if you don't like what you have done, making the changes are easy.
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11546588
04/16/16 07:19 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957 |
You need the equipment specified by the Texas Water Safety Act. Anything else is extra. Better to get it before a Game Warden tells you. As to the motor, the biggest one that is specified on the manufacturers plate. One one has ever woke up one morning wishing they has a smaller motor.
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90
Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic
2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11553752
04/20/16 03:25 AM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,504
Mudshark
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,504 |
At least Bob and I care. 
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11553785
04/20/16 03:43 AM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,192
Anchorman
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,192 |
I agree with everything the two guys that care said.
WIth all the LED lighting options now days you might think about interior lighting and fishing lights if you plan to be on the water at night. They sure are nice to have. Coolers will work fine for your fish. If you want to keep them alive buy a portable aerator. It will also serve you well to keep your minners alive
If it ain't yours don't mess with it! Need a friendly place to talk hunting? www.talkhunting.com
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11554156
04/20/16 01:34 PM
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Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,743
Phoenix_Ed
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,743 |
As on old jon boater, your imagination is the limit. Depending on the size of 14 footer, a 15hp should work great. Being you are new to the boating world, find a nice quiet lake or pond to try it out on. Don't go out on a big lake and well get your butt run over!
Lights are good, I put rod holders in to keep mine from bouncing out. Limit how much you take until you are more confident, don't overload. And since you are new to this, maybe consider wearing an inflatable PFD as a safety device. Boat cushions may be legal, but I would not trust one.
Good luck.
Wishin I was fishin!! ..............>(((//*>
2021 Phoenix 819 - Mercury 200 4 Stroke - Ultrex
Her name is Novia Número Cinco.
Humminbird Helix 10 Mega DI - Helix 12 Mega SI - Mega 360
PB Largemouth - 9.51 - Toledo Bend - March 2014
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11554381
04/20/16 02:54 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 460
ifishlbj
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 460 |
Please consider taking a safe boating class. Look for a capacity label inside the boat. It will give you a maximum horsepower rating for the boat and a weight capacity for the boat.
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11554450
04/20/16 03:16 PM
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Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,925
smooth move
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,925 |
for some young folks, a 15 hp is ideal because you don't need the boater safety certification to operate a 15 hp or less. not sure what the born after date is for having to have the course.
es le bon ton roulet
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11555751
04/21/16 01:16 AM
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Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,644
Droyhef
TFF Team Angler
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TFF Team Angler
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,644 |
Biggest motor you can afford. If you buy used pay for a mechanics inspection unless you are comfortable looking over an outboard
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11555891
04/21/16 02:15 AM
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Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665
Muzzlebrake
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,665 |
I would put the biggest motor on it allowed. I would also make sure that it has full floatation.
From Genesis: "And God promised men that good and obedient wives would be found in all corners of the earth."
Then He made the earth round...and He laughed and laughed and laughed!
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11557513
04/21/16 09:27 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,504
Mudshark
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 45,504 |
Get an extra set of bearings for the trailer. Grease them and store them in a Baggie inside of another container. Those little wheels turn real fast.
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Cole Miller]
#11558597
04/22/16 01:08 PM
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 401
Josh@SCP
Angler
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Angler
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 401 |
My first boat ever was a 10ft. The best thing you can do for yourself is take only what you think you need each trip. Its a jon boat, theres not alot of room and everything is always in the way if you want to move around. I had my little 10ft rigged with a 9.9 yamaha and a 4inch jackplate because a 9.9 short shaft is not short enough for a 14inch transom. The tank and batter were both up front and the troller was rigged on the back so I stayed in the back of the boat once in it.
Once grown I had a 15/48 tracker grizzly with a 25 and the same thing. Theres never enough space for all your toys in a jon boat. This boat was rigged like a bass boat and was probably my favorite boat. I took only what I needed when I went. If it was after work fishing, then I had my gear and a bottle of water. If it was allday fishing then I had the smallest cooler I could find. Everything else stayed in the truck or at home. Once again the boat was rigged with a 4inch jackplate to get the motor up and it really made a difference on performance.
My dad runs a 14/50 xpress with a 15 4 stroke on lake palestine. The first thing he did was rig a jackplate on it. On those little boats when you are flying solo that seems to be the ticket. Setback on these little boats will only increase your mileage and how shallow you can go.
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: Josh@SCP]
#11558712
04/22/16 02:04 PM
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Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,192
Anchorman
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,192 |
My first boat ever was a 10ft. The best thing you can do for yourself is take only what you think you need each trip. Its a jon boat, theres not alot of room and everything is always in the way if you want to move around. I had my little 10ft rigged with a 9.9 yamaha and a 4inch jackplate because a 9.9 short shaft is not short enough for a 14inch transom. The tank and batter were both up front and the troller was rigged on the back so I stayed in the back of the boat once in it.
Once grown I had a 15/48 tracker grizzly with a 25 and the same thing. Theres never enough space for all your toys in a jon boat. This boat was rigged like a bass boat and was probably my favorite boat. I took only what I needed when I went. If it was after work fishing, then I had my gear and a bottle of water. If it was allday fishing then I had the smallest cooler I could find. Everything else stayed in the truck or at home. Once again the boat was rigged with a 4inch jackplate to get the motor up and it really made a difference on performance.
My dad runs a 14/50 xpress with a 15 4 stroke on lake palestine. The first thing he did was rig a jackplate on it. On those little boats when you are flying solo that seems to be the ticket. Setback on these little boats will only increase your mileage and how shallow you can go. That's pretty cool. Never thought about a jack plate on mine. Mine is a 79 model 15'el dorado. I bought it with a 2007 Yamaha 15 hp 4 stroke short shaft. When I bought it the motor had never been wet...brand new. Electric start and all. The boat was solid and in good shape and the trailer was custom built with coil springs and shocks. Pulls like a dream. Anyway, the engine is a short shaft. And the transom is a tall heavy duty transom. The engine was actually too short for the boat. But only by about 3". So I measured everything out and cut the transom down. Then took it to a welder with a TIG and he capped it back off and added some extra support for the transom. Turned out beautiful and now my cavitation plate is exactly level with the bottom of the boat and it trims perfectly going across the water. It was a little work but it turned out nice. I'm not sure a jack plate would have helped me much because my motor was too short instead of too long. here is a pic of mine. You can see how I cut it down. 
If it ain't yours don't mess with it! Need a friendly place to talk hunting? www.talkhunting.com
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Re: Jon Boat MUST HAVES? How big and what type of motor?
[Re: smooth move]
#11560502
04/23/16 12:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957
Bob Landry
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,957 |
for some young folks, a 15 hp is ideal because you don't need the boater safety certification to operate a 15 hp or less. not sure what the born after date is for having to have the course. What's wrong with any new boater, ESPECIALLY a young person taking a boater safety course?
2015 Seaark 1872 MV CC Etec-90
Two Helix 12 CHIRP SI's, , MinnKota Riptide ST80/i-pilot Link, Bob's Hydraulic
2020 Robalo R200 CC, Yamaha 150
Bitter Gun Owner
Bitter Clinger
Armed Infidel
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