A lot of people look forward to buying a jon boat. This flat-bottomed little guy can be the perfect choice for fishing, especially that it’s the most affordable boat out there.
The next thing you should consider is getting the right jon boat battery. While this tiny buddy doesn’t require too much power, you’ll still need batteries to start up your motor or power up any accessories you want to add.
Let’s guide you through the process of picking a battery for your boat.
5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Battery for Your Jon Boat
Fortunately, you’ll find numerous batteries on the market that are suitable for marine use. These batteries won’t only work seamlessly with jon boats, but they can also power yachts, pontoon boats, sailboats, and more.
To find a suitable battery size for your boat, here’s a list of factors to think about first.
1. The Weight of Your Jon Boat
Without a doubt, the weight of your boat will have a direct effect on the size of the batteries. Because most jon boats tend to weigh less than 1,200 pounds, you’ll likely need a battery that matches this size.
Namely, experts suggest that you go for a group size of 35 and up.
2. Your Propulsion Needs
The second thing you should think about is how you’ll be using your boat. If you need the batteries for only trolling around, then just considering the weight of your jon boat can be enough to end up with a decent battery.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for more power to do more with your boat, things can be a bit different. You’ll have to consider your propulsion needs as well as the following factors on this list.
Once you find a good balance of everything you want, your battery should be able to keep up with your use.
3. Boat Accessories
Another thing you should take into consideration is how much power your jon boat accessories require. Here, you’ll have to look at specific amps and voltage values on the batteries to make sure they match the items on the boat.
Generally, you’ll find voltage to be 12 volts, yet figuring out the right amps can be a bit more challenging. You’ll want to pay special attention to these amps since they’ll be running through your accessories. So, how do you do this the correct way?
It’s pretty simple. Just turn on everything you’ve installed on your jon boat and measure the amps that run from your existing battery. Another important thing you should do is take note of the current when you start up your engine to see if there are any spikes.
Now that you have your reading at minimum, maximum, and average use, you can match it with a battery’s amp-hour capacity.
All you’ll have to do is divide the amp-hour value on a battery by the current you’ve measured. The result will be an estimation of the hours your jon boat will be powered by the battery.
4. The Space on Your Boat
Without a doubt, the battery you’ll be buying must fit properly inside your jon boat. Generally speaking, bigger batteries should give you more power, but they’ll also be a nuisance if they’re taking too much space.
You don’t want to have trouble moving in your boat while in the water. So, even though it’s a good idea to invest in a large battery, make sure it matches the size of your jon boat.
5. Your Budget
The last factor we’d like to discuss is the price of the battery and how it compares to your budget. Sure, the bigger and more powerful a battery is, the more it’ll cost you. However, it’s never a bad idea to invest in a pricey yet powerful product if you can afford it.
First off, it should have more propulsion force than other, smaller batteries. Plus, if you go for a top-quality product, you can expect it to have a longer lifespan.
However, if you’re on a tighter budget, you can still get a decent battery without having to break the bank. Just make sure that all the specifications match your boat’s requirements, and you should be good to go.
What Is the Best Type of Battery to Power Accessories?
While the type of battery may not exactly matter if you need it for a jon boat, you must look into it if you have many accessories. According to boat owners, your best bet is to invest in a deep-cycle battery. But why is that so?
Deep-cycle batteries can give you many benefits that other battery types don’t, including:
- They’re designed to trickle the current out slowly over a long amount of time
- They tend to last longer than other batteries
- They can keep up with power surges
That doesn’t mean that other batteries can’t be fit for this position, too. It’s just that a deep-cycle battery can be the perfect candidate.
What Are Some Other Items to Get After Purchasing a Jon Boat Battery?
Once you’re settled with the battery of your choice, you should consider buying a few accessories to help it live longer.
For instance, you must get a battery box cover to protect it from the elements. In addition to that, it’s required by law in some places to keep your marine batteries covered. Thankfully, most marine batteries already come with covers, so that’s a relief!
Another important item you should buy is a good battery recharger. Fortunately, a marine battery charger should be available in all marine supply stores, not to mention that it’s affordable.
Wrapping Up
Replacing your existing jon boat battery with a newer one might require some thinking and research on your part. But it doesn’t have to be as time-consuming as it sounds.
After taking a look at the factors we’ve mentioned and matching them to your needs, we hope that your decision becomes easier. Once you buy the perfect battery, you should be ready for a jon boat adventure in no time!