Jon Boats On Taneycomo

[troutchaser]

OK, guys, so here's the deal. I have a 10.5' jon boat and I'd like to use it on Taneycomo this winter. The catch is that I don't have an outboard motor on it. I have a big trolling motor, but I don't know if it's big enough to plow the boat back upstream if there is any generation from the dam. If I do need an outboard, what size?

[rainbow]

I would say that a boat that size is too small for taney regardless of the motor. With the way some of the nuts drive the big motors on that lake you will get swamped for sure. Just my .02 cents worth on this one.

[Phil Lilley]

A 10 hp motor is plenty big enough.

[Indiana Trout]

If you don't get "waked" and swamped. I'd make sure to bring a sump pump...

[Daddy Carp]

10 1/2 ft. JON...... If it is very wide & deep, it may hold a 10hp. I'm assuming it is a standard jon that one man can carry. My many years of experience would recommend the following: 10'-12' stay with an electric with the battery in the front.-- 12' go with a 3.5 to 5hp, a 7.5 if you are very experienced boater and swimmer. -- 14' go with a 5hp to 10hp and put the gas tank in the front or center.

Always check the certification tag for approved weight and max. horsepower rating on the particular boat. There are many variables such as beam width, depth, hull material and construction that will dictate the actual safe hp you can use. What I have given is a "rule-of-thumb" for a light-weight utility Jon boat. A "V" bottom hull design can normally handle a little larger motor.....One big factor to consider is the weight of the motor(it will be entirely on one end of the boat) and the load you will carry. When you sit in the back with a "tiller-steered" motor, you don't want the nose so high in the air that the first breeze will flip your rig & wet your wig, LOL. Hope this helps and gives you a good basis of info to start with.

[Kicknbass]

With a 10.5 Jon, always were your PFD and bring an extra change of clothes. You may not need them often, but you will eventially need them.

A electric trolling motor will not be enough to bring the boat back up stream during even moderate generation.

[zander]

he's right, nevermind the water generation, I have tried like the dickens to get up from Rockaway to Scottys in a rented john boat with 20-30 mph head winds and whitecaps on Taneycomo, makes you a little nervous to say the least. don't get me wrong I love john boats but they have limitations.

[Crippled Caddis]

Daddy Carp pretty much nailed it! All boats, unless very, very old, should have the power and weight limitations on a tag that is most often found in the transom area. If it is missing then an enquiry to the manufacturer with model # and/or a description of the physical dimensions of the boat should produce the needed data.

I've seen some very wide short jons but they are very much the exception. Without more data on the boat I'd hesitate to suggest a motor bigger than a 3 horse and one of the little Johnnyrude 1 1/2 or 2s might be safer. None would be safe unless the (conservative!) load is properly distributed.

You should also be aware that 10'er is a one-man boat anywhere except a small, protected pond. It is NOT safe for a tailwater.

[troutchaser]

Thanks, everyone. I thought it might be underclassed for moving water, so I wanted to gather your opinions. I'll just have to get a bigger boat.