Riding a jon boat without a motor? We’d be surprised if your arms haven’t bulked up yet from the constant paddling using your oars.
For those of you who are looking for a more laid-back boating experience and not a full-fledged workout, you’ve come to the right place.
The best jon boat motor for you is out there. We’re here to highlight some of the best in the market. Stick around and allow us to help you choose the right one.
Top 3 Jon Boat Motors
Since there are countless motors to choose from, we’ve narrowed it down to three top options. When looking through them, try to keep in mind the purpose of your purchase.
Asking questions like, “How am I going to use the motor, and where?” will give you a better judgment for choosing a suitable motor for your fishing and boating excursions.
Check out our top picks below.
1. Watersnake Venom Electric Trolling Motor
If you’re an angler on the lookout for the best jon boat motor, you could consider the Watersnake Venom electric trolling motor.
Whether you’re traveling on fresh or salty waters, the 12V Watersnake Venom model can handle both.
Some of its best features are its comfort-fit tiller and digital voltage meter. Sailing through calm waters, you might want the convenience of a functional bow tiller. Checking the motor’s battery level might also be easier with the voltage meter display.
With this trolling motor, you have the option of moving in three reverse speeds and five forward ones.
The step you might be dreading the most is the installation process. Luckily for this electric trolling motor, you get a practical transom mount with an adjustable bracket.
Apart from tillers and installations, the Watersnake Venom model carries a highly useful weedless propeller. You can either choose a two or three-blade propeller.
That being said, there are numerous jon boat sizes. This trolling motor only comes with two size options. The 34 lbs. 30-inch and the 54 lbs. 42-inch. In other words, there’s no guarantee that your jon boat’s size could accommodate this motor.
Pros
- Digital voltage meter provided.
- Two weedless propeller options are available.
- Easy installation.
- Comfortable tiller usage.
- High-quality materials.
Cons
- Limited sizing options.
2. Coleman Powersports Outboard Motor
Some things can put you off from a motor, like the annoying buzzing sound. A calm boating excursion might call for the Coleman Powersport outboard motor.
The 2.6 horse-powered, four-stroke motor could provide you with a quiet hum, rather than a loud vroom. After all, this isn’t a race track.
If you’re taking your jon boat out in shallow waters, this motor might not disappoint. Its size specifications are 25.4”x13.5”x39.9” (LxWxH).
The motor will provide an easier installation process than most other motors. The Coleman model only weighs about 37.5 lbs.
Mounting aside, let’s talk about operating this motor. The good news is that it has a large recoil that’ll require less effort when pulling the ignition to start. It also has a transistor coil ignition (TCI) giving you a bigger output in terms of voltage.
Steering this motor won’t be a big deal as well. You can shift easily between speeds with its twist grip throttle control. It’ll be like riding a motorcycle.
Pros
- Composed of durable marine-grade aluminum alloy.
- Lightweight.
- Easy maneuvering.
- Built-in thermostat.
Cons
- Might be too costly.
3. Newport NV-Series Trolling Motor
If you’re having a hard time searching for the right size motor to use on your jon boat, the Newport NV-Series model might be what you’re looking for. The motor has a larger size selection than most motors.
What’s more, is that you can also change up the motor’s height with its height adjusting collar adding to its versatility.
The 55 lbs. thrust motor, like the Watersnake Venom motor, has three reverse and five forward speeding options.
The Newport NV-Series might give you the durability you need for your long fishing trips. It’s composed of zinc, magnesium, and stainless steel. No matter what kind of water you’re cruising, this trolling motor will keep corrosion at bay.
Like the Coleman model, it also has a quiet and low-vibrating engine, allowing you to move stealthily around your fishing area.
The trolling motor comes with an LED battery meter, which you can use to track your battery levels.
There’s only one issue you might encounter with the Newport NV-Series. That’s the short power cord connecting to your batteries. This might restrict your options on where to place the batteries.
That being said, with its budget-friendly price, we’d say the Newport NV-Series trolling motor is one of the most cost-effective trolling motors you can find.
Pros
- High-quality materials.
- Quiet and low vibration engine.
- LED battery meter provided.
- Several sizing options are available.
- Budget-friendly.
Cons
- Short power cord.
Buyer’s Guide for Jon Boat Motor
Before going ahead with your purchase, you might want to take a step back and check a buyer’s guide. You’ll want to get your specifications right among other features.
Check out our guide below.
HP Size
Since there are endless hp sizing options for motors, you first want to measure out your jon boat’s length.
A 10 ft jon boat will need a 3 to 10 hp motor, a 14 ft one might require around 15 hp. Meanwhile, a 20 ft or more jon boat will likely take a 20 to 25 hp motor.
Outboard or Trolling?
There are a couple of types of motors you might initially encounter. Outboard and trolling. The former is usually known to give better thrust results and higher speeds.
Trolling motors are more common, because they’re much lighter, making them easier to attach to your jon boat. Nevertheless, they aren’t as powerful as outboard models.
Thrust
When browsing for a jon boat motor, you’re going to have to pick the right thrust for the conditions you’ll be in.
A jon boat trip doesn’t usually end in a rough waters excursion, but a calm and serene one. You wouldn’t need too much of a thrust. A 40 lbs. to 60 lbs. should be enough.
To Conclude
Out of all the motor picks we mentioned, our favorite would have to be the Newport NV-Series trolling motor. It has all the right specifications for a perfect, calm, lake fishing or boating trip.
We hope you’re able to find the best jon boat motor for your next trip using our helpful buyer’s guide.