I want/need a trolling motor but haven't ever used one.

 

I see some models include reverse. Is this necessary? Can forward-only motors turn sharp enough to literally spin the boat, or do you need a larger turning radius? What do you do if you "troll yourself into a corner?"

 

If you had a chance to buy it again, would you get a trolling motor with reverse, or only forward speeds?

 

Boat here is a Tracker MVX 1448 (14' Mod-V jon), total weight probably around 1,000 lb (includes boat, myself, 15hp gas motor and gear). Hoping to keep it to a 12 volt, single battery system for simplicity and weight savings. Minn Kota Edge 55# or similar, with foot control. Purely recreational, no tourneys and I don't fish in big wind. What about shaft length? Edge comes in 36, 45, 50, 52. Suggestions welcome. The jon sits low in the water; with me at the front the deck mounting surface is about 1 foot from the water surface. I assume the shafts are adjustable - having one too long is better than too short?

 

 

About the only thing you will see with a reverse are the transom mount motors.  On those, yes, you need it unless you have the motor deep enough that the props clears the bottom of the boat when spin in 180 degrees.  However, running it that deep makes getting is shallow water a problem.

 

Understand, the bigger the motor, the more amps it will draw.  Since a battery is a very finite power source, the more amps you use, the shorter your fishing time.   Since I only run TM only in small ponds/lake with a gas motor restriction, I like motors in the 45# class.  More than enough power and easy enough to handle. 

No matter what size motor you get, don't expect to go zipping across the lake at full thrust for very long and make sure you have a good paddle in the boat until you learn power management.

 

Also, make sure you realize, the more amps a battery has to deliver, the less efficient it is.  Don't do the math on your motors max amp draw and a 120Ah battery and think that's how long it will run.  That ain't gonna happen.  At 35 amps or more, that 120Ah battery is closer to a 80Ah battery, and go to 40 amps and it's probably 70Ah.   So, you will see it's beneficial to travel slow and easy.

I use hand controlled trolling motors & yes they have a reverse but I don't use it...no power.

 

I ran a Minn Kota Edge 55# for years & am currently running a Minn Kota Riptide 55# 52" shaft on a 1652 Alweld.

My foot controlled trolling motor does NOT have a reverse and since it is cable-steer (assuming there is no operator error) it can turn sufficiently fast (180 degrees) to avoid obstacles and keep from getting pinned in.  The only trolling motors I've ever seen (and have) with a reverse speed are transom mount models.  With those it's pretty much a necessity as it's awkward and hard to reach the handle/switch when it's turned halfway around.

 

Few foot-controlled bow mounted trolling motors will have a reverse speed as you can turn the motor 180 + degrees and because props are designed to run most efficiently and smoothly in the forward direction.

 

Boats with a high draft require a TM shaft which is, accordingly, longer.  In addition, on big water (with taller waves) you want the shaft to reach down enough so the motor/prop stays in the water (nothing is worse than having the motor/prop cavitate or spin in the air when you need the power the most).  You don't, obviously, want it down too far or it'll hit bottom in shallow water.  If you will be mounting it on a John boat, you don't really want or need a long shaft.

 

If you can afford it (they cost a little more) and want a fair amount of power and efficiency at lower speeds, I recommend you at least look into getting a TM with digital controls/speeds.  "Normal"/traditional trolling motors regulate their speed through resistors (where power is lost as wasted heat) but digital motors regulate speed through variable length pulses of electricity to their motors.  If you use the trolling motor at lower speeds a lot, this will keep you on the water longer.

All hand controlled trolling motors have a reverse but I spin mine 180. 

 

As for shaft length on Jon boats longer is just as important as with any boat. I have a 52" on my Alweld, if I'm marsh fishing I adjusting it just below the surface, if I'm on Toledo Bend I drop it down deeper.