Im pretty much a beginner with this stuff, so excuse me if I don't know much about what im talking about. I have a 10 ft boat, and now I have to figure out its primary means of propulsion. I already own a transom mounted trolling motor with 36 lbs trust and am trying to figure out if I could get away with that as the primary motor. The boat is very light and even fully loaded with 2 people shouldn't push past 500 lbs. Any input would be very appreciated. 

Edited May 6, 20206 yr by Johnny Mills

Main question is where are you using it?

Small pond or big lake? How far do you plan to travel in the jon boat?

I did that for over 10 years with a 14’, I did have a 45lb TM. Smaller lakes were all I fished. 

I have a Bass Raider 10E and used a 36lb for several years. As long as its not too windy it should be ok.

2 hours ago, jeffo21 said:

I have a Bass Raider 10E and used a 36lb for several years. As long as its not too windy it should be ok.

I'm thinking about one of those. Though I'll probably put a 2-4HP gas motor on it sometime...do you think a 55lb TM would handle it in the wind? How do you like it?

Yes it's enough. I regularly fish electric only lakes in my 16.5 foot bass boat. Some of them over 1000 acres. You will be fine 

I'd have a secondary means of propulsion available.  If you 10' boat is a Jon boat - I'd have a set of oars.  On your pond boats, like the Bass Raiders, they aren't equipped for oars, so a paddle or two is necessary.   When you shear a pin on your trolling motor, you're SOL unless you got another shear pin and the tools to change it out.

I've went years without shearing a pin on my trolling motor and then sheared 3 in two weeks, so it happens.

9 hours ago, Gator_Bait said:

I'm thinking about one of those. Though I'll probably put a 2-4HP gas motor on it sometime...do you think a 55lb TM would handle it in the wind? How do you like it?

I got a 55lb thrust on mine now and love both trolling motor and boat. I love getting into little coves where the big boats cant go.

22 hours ago, mrpao said:

Main question is where are you using it?

Small pond or big lake? How far do you plan to travel in the jon boat?

Pond is about 500 acres. Do you think it could work? I’m sure I could find smaller ones if necessary. Appreciate the help

I use mine on smaller wildlife controlled lakes and municipal water supply lakes where no wakes are allowed.