A jon boat punishes a cheap trolling motor mount faster than any other hull on the water. The aluminum is thin, the rivet lines are old, and the bow is the highest-stress panel on the whole boat. Put a 50 pound motor on a flimsy bracket and you will hear it in the first twenty minutes of chop.
That is why the mount matters more than the motor on this particular boat. The motor gets all the attention in every forum thread, but owners who have run jon boats for seasons keep coming back to the same short list of hardware: a clamp-on bow mount for narrow gunnels, a quick-release puck for owners who trailer, a transom bracket for flat-stern boats, and a stabilizer for anyone fighting wind on the bow.
We spent weeks comparing bolt-on plates, clamp-on brackets, quick-detach pucks and stern mounts for the best trolling motor mounts for jon boats, reading the fitment complaints owners report after a season of use. If you have already picked a motor, our trolling motor roundup covers thrust and shaft length. This guide is about the hardware that holds it on.
Three rules shaped every pick below. The plate has to be thick enough that it does not flex under a loaded shaft, the fasteners have to be stainless because jon boats live in brackish water, and the mounting method has to suit whether you drill your hull once or never drill it at all. The right answer for a 10 foot un-rigged boat is nothing like the right answer for a 16 foot rig with two anglers and a livewell.
Table of Contents
Top 3 Picks: Best Trolling Motor Mounts for Jon Boats (October 2026)
Three mounts cover most jon boats. The Pro Controll EZ Mount clamps to narrow gunnels without a single hole, which is why it takes our top slot. The besttruck transom plate is the value pick for boats with a flat stern and a clamp-on motor. The Sunluway quick-release bracket is the one to buy if you trailer a lot, because it lets the motor lift off the deck in seconds.
Pro Controll EZ Mount
- Marine-grade aluminum
- No-drill clamp-on design
- Fits gunnels under 3 inch wide
Sunluway Quick Release Bracket
- Fits Minn Kota bow motors
- Low-profile composite deck plate
- Locking U handle
Jon Boat Trolling Motor Mount Comparison Table (October 2026)
Every mount below, sorted by what it does on the boat rather than by brand. Read the mount type column first, because a clamp-on bow bracket and a transom plate solve completely different problems and cannot be swapped for one another after the fact.
| Product | Specs | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Controll EZ Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
| Sunluway Quick Release Bracket |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Brocraft Removable Deck Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
| besttruck Universal Transom Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Haswing Quick Mount Bracket |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Newport Vessels Transom Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
 NyVoozy Transom Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
 Endura Transom Mount Bracket |
|
Check Latest Price |
 FPN Stabilizer Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
 HLOGREE Universal Bow Mount |
|
Check Latest Price |
The Best Trolling Motor Mounts for Jon Boats, Ranked by Mount Type
Groups 1 through 3 are bow hardware: a no-drill clamp, a quick-release deck puck, and a removable aluminum deck plate. Groups 4 through 7 cover the stern, where a transom plate does the work and no drilling is required at all. Group 8 is a replacement part for owners who already own the motor. Group 9 is a stabilizer that pairs with any bow mount, and Group 10 is a light-duty universal bow bracket for small hulls.
1. Pro Controll EZ Mount – Best No-Drill Bow Mount for Narrow Gunnels
Pro Controll EZ Mount – Universal Trolling Motor Mount for Jon Boats | Bow Installation | No Drilling Required | Fits Gunnels < 3" Wide | Easy to Install
Marine-grade aluminum
No-drill clamp-on
Fits gunnels under 3 inch wide
Pros
- Universal fit for gunnels under 3 inch wide and 1 inch deep
- No drilling or tools needed
- Marine-grade aluminum resists corrosion
- Ideal for portable and seasonal setups
Cons
- Only fits gunnels under 3 inch wide and 1 inch deep
- Bow mount only so it cannot be used on the transom
Marine-grade aluminum clamp-on bow bracket, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 496 reviews, and the only mount here designed from the start for a jon boat hull rather than adapted from a kayak or a bass boat bracket. It grips the gunnel with the existing clamp force and never touches a drill bit.
The stated fit is gunnels under 3 inches wide and 1 inch deep, which covers most 10 to 14 foot jon boats with factory rub rails. The unit measures 12 x 9 x 9 inches, so it clears a 12 inch bow deck without stealing fishing space. Owners report a solid fit and no hull modification, which matters a great deal on a boat with 40 year old rivet lines.
What you give up is permanence and heavy load capacity. This is a bow mount only, so if your plan is a stern-mounted motor on a flat transom, it is the wrong tool. For a 40 to 55 pound motor on a small hull it works, but owners on rigged boats with heavier motors usually end up wanting a plate that spreads the load wider.
The clamp also depends on gunnel geometry. If your rub rail is wider than 3 inches or the deck edge is deeper than an inch, the jaws do not seat fully and the motor can rock. Measure with a caliper before you order rather than after.
Is a no-drill bow clamp strong enough for a jon boat?
For a hull under about 14 feet running a midweight motor, yes. The clamp loads the gunnel instead of the bow panel, and the gunnel is the strongest continuous member on a flat-bottom jon. The win is that nothing is drilled, so nothing can leak and no rivet line is disturbed.
Who should skip the EZ Mount?
Skip it if your gunnel measures over 3 inches wide or your motor exceeds about 55 pounds, because the clamp loses bite as load climbs. Also skip it for transom mounting entirely. A top-ranking answer on r/jonboats pointed owners toward this same mount as the shortcut for anyone unwilling to fabricate a plate.
2. Sunluway Quick Release Bracket – Best Quick-Detach Bow Mount
For Minn Kota 1854021 Quick Release Bracket MKA-21 fits Ulterra, Terrova, Deckhand 40, PowerDrive, PowerDrive V2 /Pontoon Trolling Motors, For Minn Kota Trolling Motor Mounting Bracket
Composite MKA-21 replacement
Bolt-on deck puck
Stainless locking pins
Pros
- Drops the motor off the deck in seconds
- Direct replacement for common Minn Kota bow motors
- Low profile leaves the deck clear when empty
- Composite resists rust and saltwater
- 12 month manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Drilling required to install the deck plate
- Included template hole pattern is reported incorrect
- Not for shafts 72 inches or longer
Composite quick-release bracket that replicates the MKA-21 quick-release pattern used on Minn Kota Ulterra, Terrova, PowerDrive, PowerDrive V2, PowerDrive Pontoon and Deckhand 40 bow motors. Rated 4.5 out of 5 across 299 reviews, and the second most-reviewed mount in this roundup.
The outer plate bolts to the motor, the inner plate bolts to the deck, and a locking U handle with stainless steel pins holds the two together. When you unlock it, the motor lifts off and the low-profile inner plate leaves the bow clear. For an owner who trailers weekly, that is the whole feature: the boat goes on the trailer without a second person and without loosening hardware.
The compromise is drilling. Unlike the clamp options, this one asks you to put four holes in the deck, so read the drilling section below before you commit. It weighs 1.78 kg of composite and steel, which is a real trim consideration on a short jon boat, and it will not carry a 112 pound thrust motor or a shaft of 72 inches or more.
The most common complaint we found was not the bracket itself but the paper template. Owners report that the printed hole pattern does not always line up with the actual bracket and that they ended up marking it by hand instead. Several added that once installed correctly, the plate is rigid and the motor does not move at all.
Is a quick-release puck worth the extra work?
Yes if you trailer, store the motor off the boat, or worry about theft. TinBoats members call a quick-detach mount the best investment they have made, and the reasoning is practical: a permanent mount means two people and a socket wrench every time the boat goes on the trailer.
Who should skip this bracket?
Skip it if you refuse to drill your hull, if you run a shaft longer than 72 inches, or if your motor is a 112 pound thrust unit. Also plan to mark the holes yourself rather than trusting the included template, since multiple owners report a mismatch.
3. Brocraft Removable Deck Mount – Best Aluminum Deck Plate for Saltwater
Brocraft Trolling Motor Mount Bracket, Removable Deck Mount for Clamp-On Electric Trolling Motors, Marine Aluminum & Nylon, Boat Motor Mount
Marine aluminum and nylon
Removable deck plate
Listed for salt water use
Pros
- Saltwater rated construction
- Removable bracket keeps the deck clear
- Compact for limited deck space
- Corrosion resistant aluminum and nylon
- Brand offers replacement parts
Cons
- Included bolts are often too short
- Motor bracket post sometimes does not line up
- Securing knob can vibrate loose in transport
Marine aluminum and nylon deck mount where the plate stays put and the motor bracket lifts off, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 245 reviews. It is the only aluminum deck-plate option here explicitly listed for salt water use, which is why it matters on brackish backwater and tidal creeks.
The footprint is small, which matters because a rigged jon boat already carries a livewell, a console and rod holders. It weighs 3 pounds, so it adds weight to a deck that is already carrying everything else, but the removable half means you can strip it for trailering.
Two hardware complaints recur. The supplied bolts are frequently reported as too short for a deck with a liner or a backing plate, forcing a hardware store run, and a minority of owners report that the motor bracket post does not fit cleanly into the support arm, which reads as a fitment problem rather than a design flaw. A few also mention the knob that holds the bracket backing off during highway transport.
Buyers also flag that the aluminum shows stress cracks at mounting points after heavy use, so if you are running a heavy motor in rough water, inspect the plate at each season start. The manufacturer’s response to fitment complaints has been replacement parts, which is a reasonable comfort.
Is this the right deck plate for brackish water?
Yes. Corrosion-resistant aluminum with nylon components and a stated saltwater recommendation is the combination you want where a jon boat sits in a creek that turns salty at the tide. Stainless hardware is what prevents the mount from becoming the thing that fails first.
Who should skip the Brocraft mount?
Skip it if you want a zero-drill install, if your deck is thin enough that one-inch bolts will not bite, or if you are mounting a heavy motor on a hull with any history of flexing. Check bolt length against your deck build before ordering.
4. besttruck Universal Transom Mount – Best Value Transom Plate
Universal Transom Trolling Motor Mount for Kayaks/Kayak Motor Mount
Stainless steel and nylon
Flat stern transom plate
Four-hole install
Pros
- Stainless hardware holds up in salt and brackish water
- Owners report it handling motors up to 80 lb thrust
- Four drilled holes and it is done
- Backed by a one year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Electric trolling motors only
- Included bolts can be too short
- Max capacity listed at 3 hp
Stainless steel and black nylon transom plate rated 4.6 out of 5 across 229 reviews, the joint highest rating in this roundup. It bolts to any flat stern in four holes and takes a clamp-on electric trolling motor, which is the simplest possible answer for a jon boat with a square transom.
Because it mounts at the stern rather than the bow, none of the weight lands on the nose. On a light hull that is a genuine advantage: a 50 pound motor on the bow of a 10 footer makes it squat and porpoise in chop, and the stern bracket sidesteps the problem entirely.
Owners consistently describe the build as heavier than the category norm and report steady performance with motors up to 80 pounds of thrust. The listed ceiling is 3 horsepower and electric trolling motors only, with no outboard support, so it is not a bracket for a gas outboard. Dimensions run 8.5 inches deep by 5 inches wide by 6.8 inches tall.
The recurring note is hardware again. Included bolts arrive too short for some transoms, and owners report the Allen heads sometimes need tightening out of the box. Budget a few minutes with a driver and a longer bolt set before you are on the water.
When is a transom plate better than a bow mount?
On a jon boat with a flat stern and a small outboard, a transom plate wins twice. You keep the bow light for shallows and stump fields, and you avoid drilling the forward panel where cracks start. It also suits clamp-on motors, which most jon boat owners already own.
Who should skip this transom plate?
Skip it if your stern is rounded rather than flat, if you need to steer a heavy bow-mount motor, or if your boat has an outboard that needs to be raised and lowered. Deep-draft steering in current is also poor from the transom.
5. Haswing Quick Mount Bracket – Top Rated Bow Bracket
AQUOS Haswing Quick Mount Bracket for Bow Mount Trolling Motors
Bow mount quick release
Lockable against theft
Compact 9 inch base
Pros
- Removes in three steps
- Lockable design deters theft
- Compact base uses little deck space
- Positive lock kills motor noise and movement
Cons
- Only fits Haswing bow mount motors
- Plastic body is lighter duty than aluminum
- Made for inflatables rather than aluminum hulls
Quick-release bow bracket rated 4.6 out of 5 across 199 reviews, with a positive locking mechanism that owners credit with eliminating the rattle and play they had before. Overall size is 16.5 by 7.5 inches with a 9 by 4.6 inch base, so it stays out of the way on a small deck.
The lockable design is the part jon boat owners notice. Bow-mount motors are theft targets, and a bracket that takes a padlock turns a two-minute theft into a loud one. Installation is a three-step release, and the motor comes off without tools.
The limitation is compatibility. This bracket is built specifically for Haswing bow mount motors, so it is not a universal solution and will not carry a Minn Kota or MotorGuide. If your motor is already a Haswing, it works; if you are still shopping, this narrows your motor choice rather than widening it.
Material is the other consideration. It is plastic, and it was designed with inflatable boats in mind. On a riveted aluminum jon hull the vibration profile is different and more abrasive, so inspect the lock and base plate each season rather than assuming it will outlive the motor.
Is a plastic quick bracket strong enough for a jon bow?
For a midweight Haswing motor on a small hull, yes, and the positive lock is what keeps it from walking. The failure pattern to watch is long-term UV and abrasion rather than sudden breakage. On saltwater exposure, rinse the base plate after every trip.
Who should skip the Haswing bracket?
Skip it if you run a Minn Kota, MotorGuide or Newport bow motor, since it will not fit. Also skip it on a 16 foot or larger rigged boat where a heavier motor and more deck load demand an aluminum plate. If theft is your concern and your motor brand is not Haswing, look at a universal quick-release puck instead.
6. Newport Vessels Transom Mount – Best Heavy Gauge Aluminum Plate
Newport Trolling Motor Transom Motor Mount – Kayaks – Freshwater and Saltwater – 1 Size, Gray
Heavy gauge aluminum
Standard 3.75 by 4.75 bolt pattern
Fresh and salt water rated
Pros
- Heavy gauge aluminum with a powder coated finish
- Rated to 3 hp with an aluminum locking lip
- Removable polymer transom plates are replaceable
- Standard bolt pattern fits many motors
- Backed by a one year limited warranty
Cons
- Heaviest mount here at 1.66 kg
- Built around a kayak transom size
- Gray is the only color offered
Heavy gauge aluminum transom mount with a gloss black powder coated finish, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 163 reviews. It is the most genuinely marine-looking plate in this group and the one owners describe as overbuilt for the job.
Two details set it apart. The bolt pattern of 3.75 by 4.75 inches is widely used, so it lines up with many existing motor brackets, and the transom plates that grip the boat are removable and replaceable rather than molded into the bracket. The aluminum locking lip is rated to 3 horsepower.
It is listed for both fresh and salt water, which matters if you move between a lake and an estuary. Owners who take it apart after a season report powder coating still intact and no corrosion at the fasteners.
The honest tradeoffs are weight and intent. At 1.66 kg this is the heaviest mount here, and it was designed around a kayak transom. On a 16 foot jon the size is fine; on a 10 footer it is more plate than the stern needs. It is the choice for someone who would rather buy one marine-grade part than replace a cheap one every few seasons.
Why does plate thickness matter on a jon boat?
Thin plate flexes. A flexing plate lets the shaft hunt side to side, which rattles the head, loosens fasteners over time and concentrates stress on the hull at the bow. Heavy gauge aluminum spreads that load and keeps the motor tracking straight.
Who should skip the Newport plate?
Skip it if weight on your stern matters for your trim, if your transom is a thin flat panel too small for the plate, or if you are pairing it with a motor over 3 horsepower. It is a stern part and does nothing for a bow-mount setup.
7. NyVoozy Transom Mount – Best for Wind and Current
NyVoozy Kayak Trolling Motor Mount – Clamp-on Electric Motor Mount with 86 Lbs Thrust
Alloy steel with integrated rudder
Supports 24 to 55 lb motors
Corrosion resistant hardware
Pros
- Integrated boat rudder steadies the motor in wind
- Supports most 24 to 55 lb transom motors
- Hardware resists saltwater corrosion
- Three support plates handle uneven transoms
Cons
- Weighs 2.39 kg which is heavy for a small boat
- Plastic spacers are a reported weak point
- Needs spacers or modification on recessed mounts
Alloy steel transom mount with an integrated boat rudder, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 133 reviews. The rudder is the reason to choose it: owners fighting crosswind on a shallow lake say the added lateral surface keeps the motor tracking instead of slewing.
The mount measures 3.75 inches high by 4.75 inches wide and suits shaft diameters of 23 to 32 mm, which covers most 24 to 55 pound transom motors from the major brands. The package includes three support plates of about an inch each, which is how it adapts to a transom that is not flat.
Hardware is described as anti-rust and resistant to hydrochloric acid corrosion, so it is usable in seawater. Owners confirm the multi-pattern screw layout installs in a few minutes with basic tools.
At 2.39 kg this is the second-heaviest mount in the group, and the three support plates make the assembly deep. Several owners on small kayaks report needing spacers or board modifications to make it sit flush, and the plastic spacers are called out as a weak point by more than one reviewer.
Does a transom-mounted rudder really help in wind?
On a jon boat working open water, yes. The rudder resists the sideways component that makes a transom-mounted motor push the bow off line, and it is the cheapest steering improvement available at the stern. It does nothing for pivot steering at the bow.
Who should skip the NyVoozy mount?
Skip it if your transom is recessed or tight, since the assembly needs room behind it, and skip it if every pound on the stern matters to your trim. It is sized for 24 to 55 pound motors and is not the right plate for a 80 pound unit.
8. Endura Transom Mount Bracket – Budget Replacement Transom Bracket
Endura Transom Mount Bracket PN# 2991815A
Plastic replacement bracket
Transom clamp
For Endura motors
Pros
- Direct replacement for the original bracket
- Straightforward bolt-on swap
- Owners repurpose it as a Livescope pole mount
- Lowest rated cost of any transom part here
Cons
- Plastic threads strip when overtightened
- Shaft lock sometimes arrives missing
- About 14 percent of reviews are one star
- Install needs about an hour of careful fitting
Plastic transom mount bracket for Endura motors, part number 2991815A, rated 4.0 out of 5 across 105 reviews. It measures 11.5 by 8.03 by 6.5 inches and weighs 2.3 pounds, and it exists to replace a cracked original rather than to serve as an upgrade.
That framing matters when reading the reviews, because the rating reflects a replacement part rather than a premium mount. Owners who needed a direct swap are largely satisfied, and a steady secondary use has emerged where the bracket doubles as a Livescope or forward-looking sonar pole mount.
The complaints are predictable for a plastic bracket. Threads in the plastic strip if you overtighten, and a portion of owners report the shaft lock that keeps the shaft from moving up and down arriving missing from the box. Installation is described as about an hour of careful fitting rather than a ten minute job.
None of that matters much if you need to keep an old Endura running, and quite a lot of it matters if you are buying a transom mount as a permanent solution on a boat you care about. Around 14 percent of reviews are one star, which is the highest share of critical ratings in this roundup.
Is a plastic replacement bracket worth buying?
Only as a repair. If your original Endura bracket cracked and you want the boat usable again, this does the job for the least money. It is not the choice for a new installation or a boat that lives in salt water.
Who should skip this bracket?
Skip it if you are starting from scratch, if your motor is not an Endura, or if you need a bracket that holds heavy thrust over rough water. Plastic threads and a possibly missing shaft lock are real costs in time and frustration.
9. FPN Stabilizer Mount – Best Anti-Vibration Shaft Support
FPN Trolling Motor Stabilizer Mount Support for Minn kota Terrova/Riptide Terrova/Ulterra/PowerDrive, 360° Adjustable Anti-Vibration Trolling Motor Shaft Clamp Mount
Dual rubber ball heads
5.91 inch aluminum arm
Clamp-on shaft support
Pros
- Cuts shaft bounce and vibration in rough water
- Dual ball heads adjust through 360 degrees
- Clamps on without modifying the hull
- Light at 0.4 kg
- Knob release for quick removal
Cons
- A support accessory and not a primary mount
- Needs an existing mount to do anything
- Only about 59 reviews so far
- Shaft diameter coverage is limited
Aluminum alloy stabilizer with dual one-inch rubber ball heads, rated 4.4 out of 5 across 59 reviews. Be clear about what this is: it is a shaft support that reduces bounce, not a mount that holds the motor on the boat.
The rubber heads are the point. Owners report noticeably less vibration coming through the shaft and head, which means a quieter ride and less fatigue on the hull over a long day in the shallows. The arm is 5.91 inches of aluminum with a drilled base and a high-strength composite clamp.
Both ball heads rotate a full 360 degrees, so you can set the angle to suit the boat and the motor. Installation is a knob-turning clamp with a low-profile base, and at 0.4 kg it barely registers on the trim sheet. It fits Minn Kota Terrova, Ulterra, PowerDrive and Riptide shafts, plus kayaks and canoes.
The caution is simple. With roughly 59 reviews, this is the least proven item here, and about 9 percent of ratings are one star. It also does not mount the motor, so if you have no bow or transom mount already fitted, this accomplishes nothing on its own.
Does a stabilizer fix a rattling trolling motor?
Often yes, because most of the rattle comes from the shaft hunting in the mount rather than from the motor itself. A rubber-headed support absorbs that movement. If the rattle is coming from the plate screws or a motor bracket, a stabilizer will not touch it.
Who should skip the FPN stabilizer?
Skip it if you have no mount installed yet, if you need a part rated for heavy motors, or if you want a proven part with a long owner history. Pair it with one of the bow or transom mounts above rather than buying it alone.
10. HLOGREE Universal Bow Mount – Best Light-Duty Clamp-On Mount
Universal Trolling Motor Mount Bracket, Heavy Duty trolling Motor Bow Mount
ABS plastic universal bracket
Stainless steel hardware
Textured non-slip face
Pros
- Universal fit for clamp-on electric trolling motors
- All stainless hardware included in the box
- Four-step install with every part supplied
- Non-slip face reduces shaking in wind
- Backed by a two year warranty
Cons
- ABS plastic is the least rigid material here
- One owner reported rust after first use
- Product photos appear AI-generated
- Best suited to light motors
Universal bow mount bracket in black ABS plastic with stainless steel screws, nuts and gaskets included, rated 4.2 out of 5 across 54 reviews. It fits clamp-on electric trolling motors on any boat with a flat stern, which makes it a reasonable partner for a small jon boat running a light motor.
Assembly is genuinely simple. The package contains every fastener needed and installs in four steps, and the textured face is designed to grip the motor so it does not shake in wind. Owners rate the nylon body as holding up well against moisture and sunlight fade.
Material is the honest limitation. Plastic carries the lowest load rating of anything in this roundup, and one reviewer reported rust appearing after a single use despite the stainless hardware claim. A few buyers also flagged that the product photos are AI-generated and do not match the real item closely, so judge it on the measurements rather than the pictures.
With a two year warranty and about 54 reviews, this is the newest and least proven product here. It makes sense as a seasonal, light-duty mount or a backup that lives in the truck bed. If you plan to run a heavier motor in brackish water year round, an aluminum plate is the more sensible purchase.
Is a plastic mount good enough for a small jon boat?
For a light clamp-on motor on a small hull in freshwater, often yes. The four-step install and universal fit are genuinely useful, and the textured face does reduce the shaking that plastic mounts are usually blamed for. The limit is load, not function.
Who should skip the HLOGREE bracket?
Skip it if you run a motor above about 30 pounds of thrust, if your boat lives in brackish or salt water, or if you want a part that will still be rigid in five years. Also do not rely on the product photography when checking fit.
How to Choose a Trolling Motor Mount for a Jon Boat
Transom, bow, or clamp-on: where the mount should go
Start with the hull, not the motor. A jon boat with a flat, square stern and a clamp-on motor should get a transom plate. It needs no drilling, keeps weight off the nose and costs the least. A flat-bottom jon with a wide, firm gunnel under 3 inches is the ideal candidate for a no-drill clamp. If you want steering control and the boat is rigged out with a forward deck, the bow wins, because transom-mounted steering is poor in current.
Aluminum gauge and plate thickness
Plate thickness is where most homemade jon boat brackets fail. Engineering consensus on the iboats forum is that .080 inch aluminum is thinner than 3/32 inch and will not survive being formed or absorbing bumps, and the recommendation is to double it up or replace it. Treat 3/32 inch as the practical floor for a bow plate and step up to a quarter inch for a heavy motor. Steel street and deer sign material is popular because it is cheap and it is exactly the wrong thickness.
A documented failure on the same forum shows why. A sliding strut-channel bracket cracked a bow because the motor was too heavy to be carried safely, and the plate was never the issue. The motor weight and the transport method broke the hull.
Bolt, rivet, or weld on a riveted aluminum hull
Riveting to the front deck plus the side rails is the standard method in forum builds, and it keeps the plate load spread over two panels instead of one. Through-bolting is stronger and fully removable, which suits owners who want to change motors. Welding is the stiffest option and the least reversible, and it needs a shop that knows thin aluminum because a bad weld on a riveted panel is a leak waiting to happen. For most owners, rivets plus a through-bolt pattern is the balanced answer.
The fastener pattern documented on boatdesign.net for a jon bow is worth copying: four number ten stainless screws along the port edge and three along the bow edge, into a flat aluminum plate set to the port side of the nose. Stainless on aluminum can still cause galvanic corrosion around the holes, so isolate with a washer or sealant if you are in brackish water.
Is it safe to drill a jon boat hull?
It is safe in the right places and dangerous in the wrong ones. Drilling into the forward panel or the bow cap risks splitting rivet lines and letting water into a hull that is not designed to hold water. Drilling into the deck, the side rails and the flat stern plate is generally fine on most hulls, provided you stay clear of the keel, the chines and any visible rivet seam. Seal every hole with a marine sealant and a backing washer so the fastener loads the aluminum rather than crushing it.
If you cannot drill, you are not stuck. Clamp-on bow mounts and transom plates handle most situations, and the EZ Mount shows how far the no-drill category has come. Our kayak trolling motor guide covers the small-craft end of the same problem.
Quick release versus permanent mounting
Quick release wins on three counts: trailering speed, storage security and hull stress. A bolted permanent mount keeps long-lever stress on an old riveted hull every time the motor is levered on and off, which is exactly the loading some owners worry about with a 60 year old hull. A puck spreads that. The cost is drilling and slightly more complexity. One TinBoats owner prefers a permanently bolted motor and simply accepts the theft risk, and that is a defensible call for a boat that lives on a private trailer.
Jon boat length to mount type and motor thrust
Rough rule of thumb from owner experience: a 10 to 12 foot boat usually takes a 30 to 45 pound motor on a clamp-on or a transom plate; a 14 to 16 foot boat with two anglers handles 55 pounds on a bolted bow plate; a rigged 18 footer is where a stabilizer starts to earn its place. If your boat is 12 feet and you are un-rigged, you do not need a heavy bow plate at all. Battery placement is part of this decision, and our battery roundup covers run time for a forward battery.
Rod holders crowd the same deck space as a mount on a rigged boat, so plan the layout before drilling. If your console and livewell already eat the bow deck, a stern plate is the smarter answer.
How to Install a Bolt-On Bow Mount Trolling Motor Bracket
Before anything else, check the plate gauge. If you are building it, use 3/32 inch aluminum as a minimum and go heavier for a large motor. If you are buying a pre-built plate, this step is already handled.
Measure your gunnel and bow deck. Record the width of the rub rail, the depth of the deck edge and the distance from the nose to the first structural rib.
Position the plate on the port side of the bow so the motor shaft clears the rub rail and the nose, and so a fish finder transducer on the bow edge stays reachable.
Hold it in place and mark the holes. Four number ten stainless screws along the port edge and three along the bow edge is the pattern used on a well-documented forum build.
Drill with a bit one size smaller than your screws, and back each hole with a washer so the fastener head spreads load instead of crushing thin aluminum.
Seal every hole with marine sealant before the screw goes in, and add sealant to the deck side where the plate breaks through.
Fit the stainless screws and tighten them evenly in a cross pattern. Do not overtighten; you want the plate clamped, not the aluminum crushed.
Add the quick-release puck if you have one, locking the handle and checking that the motor cannot lift without releasing it deliberately.
Set the motor on the plate, check shaft clearance in all directions, and take the boat out at slow speed before you trust it in a stump field.
If the plate flexes when you push down on the top of the motor, stop. A flexing plate will loosen fasteners within a season, and the correct fix is a thicker plate or a second bolt pattern rather than tighter screws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to mount a trolling motor on a jon boat?
Most jon boats take a transom mount when the stern is flat and the motor is clamp-on, because it keeps weight off the bow. Use a bow mount when the boat has a forward deck and you need steering control in current. A no-drill clamp-on bow mount works when gunnels are under 3 inches wide.
How big of a trolling motor do I need for a 12 foot jon boat?
A 12 foot un-rigged jon boat usually runs a 30 to 45 pound motor comfortably on a transom plate or a clamp-on bow mount. Go heavier only if you carry a second angler, a livewell or gear, or fish water with heavy current. Match motor weight to mount rating, not the other way around.
How to make a bow mount trolling motor bracket?
Cut a flat aluminum plate at least 3/32 inch thick, set it on the port side of the bow, and fasten it with number ten stainless screws, four along the port edge and three along the bow edge. Rivet the plate to the front deck and side rails, seal every hole with marine sealant, and do not overtighten on thin aluminum.
Is a 2 blade or 3 blade prop better for trolling motors?
Two blades spin up faster, run quieter and shed weeds less, which suits open water and shallows. Three blades push more thrust and hold a cleaner bite in heavy vegetation. Choose based on water clarity and weed density rather than mount type, since the mount does not affect prop choice.
Do you need to register a boat with a trolling motor in Florida?
Registration rules in Florida depend on vessel size and type rather than on the motor you install. Electric trolling motors are not separately registered, but the boat itself may still need a title and registration if it meets the threshold. Confirm current requirements with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission before launching.
Final Verdict
The Pro Controll EZ Mount is our pick for the best trolling motor mounts for jon boats because it does the one thing a jon hull cannot easily give up, which is an undrilled bow. Take the besttruck transom plate if your stern is flat, the Sunluway quick-release bracket if you trailer, and pair any bow mount with a stabilizer once you start fighting wind.
Before you drill, read the gauge section above. More bow plates fail from thin metal than from bad bolts. Our rod holder guide covers the other piece of deck hardware competing for the same space.