Trolling motor for kayak

[DomQ]

Going to put a trolling motor on the kayak, would that Minn kota 30lb thrust work fine?

[ratherbfishin1]

Yeah, 30lbs is plenty in a kayak I wouldn't pay any more for a more powerful one for a kayak unless your planning on going some crazy distances in it and you need to get around really quick but 30lbs is enough for a smaller lake or a pond.

[J Francho]

What model kayak?  You'll need to consider the weight capacity of the kayak.  Also, you may need to register the boat after adding the motor.  Personally, if I were going to put a motor on my kayak (Commander 140C), it would be the Toqeedo Ultralight: https://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/products/outboards/ultralight

 

[DomQ]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

What model kayak?  You'll need to consider the weight capacity of the kayak.  Also, you may need to register the boat after adding the motor.  Personally, if I were going to put a motor on my kayak (Commander 140C), it would be the Toqeedo Ultralight: https://www.torqeedo.com/us/en-us/products/outboards/ultralight

 

Its the pelican catch 120, ill have to do some research, I'm in Ontario and I don't think you need to register any boat with a gas motor if its below 10hp. Its got a 400lb weight cap so -200 from me and another 50 for gear that leaves me with 150 for the battery and motor 

[Hawkeye21]

8 minutes ago, DomQ said:

Its the pelican catch 120, ill have to do some research, I'm in Ontario and I don't think you need to register any boat with a gas motor if its below 10hp. Its got a 400lb weight cap so -200 from me and another 50 for gear that leaves me with 150 for the battery and motor 

Join the Catch 120 group on Facebook and you'll get plenty of feedback from other owners there.  There are some great trolling motor install on them.  There is also a guy who custom makes trolling motors for kayaks.

[J Francho]

Good advice from @Hawkeye21.  No better resource than others that have been there, done that.  I think you pushing it pretty close with the weight.  You'll want test drive with weight burden on the hull, see what to expect.  You can probably do this weight lifting gear.  Put the weight where you intend to locate the actual battery and TM.  Then take her out for a paddle.  I know with my 80 lb. son on board, mine doesn't turn as easily, and we're barely at half the capacity.

[Darren.]

I run a 30lb MinnKota on my Ultimate 12. 300lb weight

limit, I believe. I downsized the battery to a 35AH that

only weighs 26lbs from an 85AH that weighed about 60

pounds or whatever. It was so heavy.

 

Anyhow, dunno rules for your area, but you'll be fine with

a 30.

 

The only issue I have, ok, 2 issues, with the Torqueedo are

the reports that it is much noisier, and second, the price.

But I'd love one anyhow, it's just they're as expensive as

a kayak.

 

If you're a DIYer the 30 is the way to go. Mine is similar in

design to a BassYak.

[DomQ]

3 hours ago, Hawkeye21 said:

Join the Catch 120 group on Facebook and you'll get plenty of feedback from other owners there.  There are some great trolling motor install on them.  There is also a guy who custom makes trolling motors for kayaks.

Really!!! I didn't even know there was a group for them! Thanks man!

2 hours ago, J Francho said:

Good advice from @Hawkeye21.  No better resource than others that have been there, done that.  I think you pushing it pretty close with the weight.  You'll want test drive with weight burden on the hull, see what to expect.  You can probably do this weight lifting gear.  Put the weight where you intend to locate the actual battery and TM.  Then take her out for a paddle.  I know with my 80 lb. son on board, mine doesn't turn as easily, and we're barely at half the capacity.

Thanks for the advise buddy, youre always there to help me out!

2 hours ago, Darren. said:

I run a 30lb MinnKota on my Ultimate 12. 300lb weight

limit, I believe. I downsized the battery to a 35AH that

only weighs 26lbs from an 85AH that weighed about 60

pounds or whatever. It was so heavy.

 

Anyhow, dunno rules for your area, but you'll be fine with

a 30.

 

The only issue I have, ok, 2 issues, with the Torqueedo are

the reports that it is much noisier, and second, the price.

But I'd love one anyhow, it's just they're as expensive as

a kayak.

 

If you're a DIYer the 30 is the way to go. Mine is similar in

design to a BassYak.

I'm pretty handy if I do say so myself, its about 140 bucks at my tackle shops here so price isn't an issue, the current battery I use is a small 12v that I have for my gps I forget the AH but I probably need a bigger one if I wanted to run both, or I may pick up another one and run them both on one circuit for the motor and gps

[Darren.]

1 hour ago, DomQ said:

I'm pretty handy if I do say so myself, its about 140 bucks at my tackle shops here so price isn't an issue, the current battery I use is a small 12v that I have for my gps I forget the AH but I probably need a bigger one if I wanted to run both, or I may pick up another one and run them both on one circuit for the motor and gps

Then I'd opt for the 30. Look around for a mount. I found

mine at a local Tru Value. Do use stainless hardware if you

can. Mine is mod'd to use my foot pedals for steering.

 

And I bought a separate (this past fall) PWM controller so

that instead of 5 speeds up, 3 back I get infinite up and back.

 

Set me back for less than $100. Worth the $, IMO.

[DomQ]

1 hour ago, Darren. said:

Then I'd opt for the 30. Look around for a mount. I found

mine at a local Tru Value. Do use stainless hardware if you

can. Mine is mod'd to use my foot pedals for steering.

 

And I bought a separate (this past fall) PWM controller so

that instead of 5 speeds up, 3 back I get infinite up and back.

 

Set me back for less than $100. Worth the $, IMO.

Ya ill most likely use a 2x4 and all stainless bolts and nuts, and get some stainless brackets to attach to a pvc tubing from both rod holders to mount it to the yak