Kayak with a trolling motor

[John Whyte]

I know it defeats the purpose but has anyone even mounted an electric trolling motor to their kayak? The reason I ask is my wife is concerned that if she takes it out and gets caught in the wind she might need some assistance. I've seen some canoes with one mounted.

[GeorgianBay MessageBoard]

[Grandpa Jim]

John,
        I've worn out two rosaries praying for a serious wind to take the bitter half mid-Bay on one of her jaunts with her kayak but no luck yet. Wind resistance is so minimal that I'm sure we'll add significantly to the 42 years of shared wedded bliss.

[The Kayaker]

Bahaha Grandpa Jim!

John, I have thought about it....It is possible - a bracket would be farely easy to construct out of aluminum and you could trow in part of a cutting board (just for kicks).

However, I think that Hobie makes an awesome alternative with foot pedals.

I have even thought about mounting a sail to mine for those days when I felt like a ride on the waves...But alas, my kayak hull is already pretty full. I have run out of room.

[John Whyte]

GJ I have to at least pretend to help her

Kayaker
I have seen pictures of guys in kayaks with para-sails. That won't take much room. 

[Canuckbass]

There are companies that have them already. Native Kayak has a neat system.

[gogu392]

Trolling with electric motor on Notty for salmon / steel is priceless in months of fall.
I do use a Minkota 70Lb thrust (Digital maximize built in) on 24V for longest range possible.
The 2 batteries weight 11Kg each. I do have a range of 20km if I keep it at 20-50%.
Sometimes I help other kayakers to get out of the water by towing them.

I am a lean guy and use the small version of Wavewalk W500 - max load 165Kg.
But for heavy range there is a Wavwalk 700 max load: 550 lbs and S4 version for max load of 650 lbs.

More info here:
http://wavewalk.com/blog/kayaks-boats/



 

[longfish]

Putting together a Hobie 14 PA over this winter, rigged to do salmon. Yes attaching a trolling motor, purchased it today. I finally bought the trolling motor. Purchased a Ulterra 45 inch shaft with 80# thrust, auto deploy/stow, Auto pilot and link to my Helix 10 Hummingbird, Motor has built in Transducer with down and side imaging, spot lock and it will navigate on it's own following a track on the GPS or follow a direction or contour.