Handheld oars and paddles can only get you so far on a Jon Boat. If you want to explore and reach new depths more efficiently, you need an external motor like a trolling motor.
A trolling motor is a self-contained stimulating unit that comes with propellers and controls. It’s usually fitted at the bow or the transom of a Jon Boat, and controlled via foot pedal, hand, or remote control.
To help you find the best trolling motor for Jon Boats, we’ve individually reviewed dozens of popular and highly-rated trolling motors and selected three of the most impressive.
Top 3 Trolling Motors for Jon Boats
Cherry-picked for their material quality, durability, and overall durability, here are three of the best trolling motors you can attach to your Jon Boat today!
1. Newport Vessels NV Series – Best Overall
Newport Vessels is perhaps the most well-known trolling motor brand in the industry, with the NV Series being the most popular. It’s available in 36, 46, 55, 62, and 84 pound-thrust measurements, so it’s suited for even the heaviest of Jon Boats.
In total, the NV Series motor comes with 8 speed functions: 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds. It also comes with an LED battery meter, a 3-blade propeller, and a 6-inch telescoping tiller handle.
Depending on the Jon Boat’s weight and shape, as well as day’s water and wind conditions, this trolling motor has a top speed of 4.25 miles per hour.
The NV Series motor is made with corrosion-resistant materials to withstand fresh water and saltwater environments. It’s fitted with stainless steel hardware, sacrificial zinc anodes, fiberglass-reinforced nylon propellers, and fiberglass-reinforced composite shafts.
Pros
- Made of high-quality stainless steel, zinc, and magnesium hardware
- Multiple thrust options
- Two-year warranty
Cons
- Motor head isn’t waterproof
- Unstable speed, especially in turbulent waters
2. Haswing Black Cayman Trolling Motor – Best Luxury Pick
The Haswing Black Cayman Trolling Motor is one of the most high-quality trolling motors you’ll find on the market. With a peak thrust of 55 pounds, it can easily handle boats weighing up to 2750 pounds, so maneuvering Jon Boat with a Black Cayman is a piece of cake.
The Black Cayman is especially valued for its silent operation. According to the manufacturers, the Black Cayman is so quiet that fish will “never hear you coming.” At ≤50 Db, it’s definitely quieter than other trolling motors.
Although more expensive than other trolling motors on this list, the Black Cayman is highly regarded for its value. The wireless remote allows you to control the speed of your boat even as far as 164 feet. The easy-to-use depth collar lets you change depths in a quick and secure manner. Plus, it has fantastic corrosion resistance, as it’s built to last for years on end.
Pros
- Intuitive wireless control
- Long-lasting battery life
- Impressive power
- Silent operation
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a GPS, which is usually a given for this price-point
- No ON/OFF switch; motor stays on unless unplugged, which drains the battery
3. Watersnake Venom – Best Budget Pick
The Watersnake Venom Trolling Motor perfectly balances price and functionality. It’s on the more affordable side, making it a great pick for smaller Jon Boats and individuals with limited budgets.
This trolling motor comes in two thrust and shaft measurements: 34-pound thrust with a 30-inch shaft, and 54-pound thrust with a 42-inch shaft. The former comes with a two-blade propeller, while the latter is fitted with a three-blade propeller. Both are stainless steel and feature a weedless design.
Running on a 12V motor, the Venom feature 5 forward and 3 reverse speeds, both of which are controlled with a tiller handle throttle.
Pros
- Ergonomic tiller handle
- Comes with a digital voltage meter display
- Simple but sturdy design
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a lot of controls
- Not the highest speed
Factors to Consider When Buying a Trolling Motor for Jon Boat
Before buying a trolling motor for your Jon Boat, consider the following factors:
Thrust
Trolling motors come with specific pound-thrust measurements, usually from 34 to 84. The higher the thrust, the more expensive and powerful the machine. Trolling motors with high thrust handle rough waters with little effort.
Unless you’re planning to use the boat for high-speed cruising, Jon Boats don’t really need that much thrust. They’re not as large or as heavy as other boats, so they usually only require around 40 to 60 pounds of thrust.
For Jon Boat that measures 8 to 10 feet long, a 32 to 36 pound-thrust motor will suffice.
Variable Speed Controls
As much as possible, search for a trolling motor with at least 5-speed controls that include both forward and reverse capabilities.
Speed controls allow you to control how fast or how slow you go on the boat, as well as manage the motor’s battery lifespan. The faster you go, the faster you’ll drain the battery, so you can save more power by using slower speed settings.
Shaft Length
The length of the motor’s shaft should be long enough to keep the propeller submerged at least 12 inches below the waterline. It should also be long enough to prevent the prop from coming out of the water during standard operation.
The trolling motor’s shaft length entirely depends on the size of your boat.
To find the right length, measure from the top of the transom to the surface of the water, then add 20 inches for freshwater or 25 inches for saltwater.
So, if your Jon Boat’s transom to waterline measurement is 20 inches, the shaft needs to be at least 40 inches for freshwater fishing, and at least 45 inches for saltwater fishing.
Conclusion
There you have it, folks; three of the best trolling motors for Jon Boats!
If we had to pick, we’d say the best among all three is the Newport Vessels NV-Series.
It’s durable and comes in an array of pound-thrust and shaft-length measurements, giving you the freedom to choose based on the size of your boat.
Furthermore, it has 8 speed settings, three of which are reverse speed, and has a top speed of five miles per hour.