Hey everyone, what would be the best motor to put a tracker Jon boat for under $350? I decided to try boat fishing over bank fishing and need advice on what would be a good, cheap motor for one. I also fish in freshwater as well.
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by Craumas
Trooling motor is always a good start a decent used one will have no problem pushing a jon boat
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by keating11011
How fast is a trolling motor usually? The lake near me is quite large and anything under 10mph would take a long time to get anywhere
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by Craumas
It really all depends on the weight of the boat you womt be flying around the lake water skiing but it will get you around you will want one to use along with a gas motor also to help position you once the gas motor gets you where your going
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by keating11011
You will be hard pressed to find a good motor for $350 dollars. I would get a older Nissan/Tohatsu (86-96) outboard if I was you, the Japanese make one hell of an outboard. Honda or Suzuki 4 strokes are also very reliable motors. For $350 you can probably find a old Johnson/rude 9.9 hp
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by SpecTroutman
Craigslist is your friend. Be patient and watch for something under 10 hp. As mentioned Honda, Suzuki, Nissan are all good. If you’re looking for stuff under $600 you’re probably stuck with two stroke - which isn’t all bad.
Try to find a complete package - motor, fuel tank, and line.
I was in a similar spot about a year ago and after a month of daily craigslist checks I came up with a great condition 2001 two-stroke 9.8 hp Tohatsu. Motor, stand, fuel line, and two fuel tanks for $450.
Depending on boat length, you could probably even settle for something in the 4-8hp range and be happy. If you’re under 10’ you might want to look for one of the smaller motors with self contained gas tank, that would be a slick setup for you.
Good luck!
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by Oregon213
I have a 14 ft Jon boat with 4hp suzuki
It will get me and my 200 lb fish buddy plus troll motor and tackle most places in a reasonable amount of time
What's the size of your boat ? And I saw you asked a question about speed, how fast do want to go?
I purchased a 9.5 HP Johnson outboard with the fat/flat top which makes it easy to fish over the top for only $125. I missed another one for $200 that sold before I could get there. That motor is on a 14' extra wide and deep Sea Nymph fishing boat and my fishing partner of 20 + years recently told me he always thought it was a 25 HP motor! It is good on gas and during many years of use I replaced the water pump and lower seal, which leaked because fishing line was wrapped around and under the prop. Five years ago I traveled from Minnesota to Lake Havasu, Arizona on a vacation/honeymoon and we traveled around the lake and 10 miles up the Colorado River with no problems. There has been continued talk about outlawing all motors over 10 HP in Minnesota Lakes and I will be ready if that happens. There are already some good lakes that are now outboard and electric free, no electronics of any kind allowed, no power ice augers, nothing. You must row, paddle or wade! Good fishing lakes that are now limited to 5 sunfish instead of the 20 allowed throughout most of Minnesota. More Minnesota lake home/cabin owners don't want outsiders to take "THEIR FISH OUT OF THEIR LAKES!, " and try to prohibit public access, outside boats and summer and winter fishing from "OUTSIDERS!" I personally would not own a JON Boat under 12'. I was in a brand new 10 footer once and it was scary because it was unstable and unpredictable. When we accelerated with the small outboard motor the front raised up and water would come over the back end, slow way down and the front would dip and almost scoop water, while the back went up so high the motor was too far out of the water for the water pump to work. Never again! I have access to a 12' Jon Boat and it really moves with my 9.5 HP Johnson outboard.
I agree with the other guys i use a 50lb thrust minn kota for the last 10years, i am working on getting a tracker 14 footer (package) but i have no problems
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