Replacing kayak pedal drive for motor.

[Gera]

Hi, 

I'm thinking of adding a motor to my Old Town top water PDL, while the pedals are great, when I take it to larger bodies of water, I wish I had a motor to explore new areas easier. I'm currently thinking of adding a Bixpy J-2 motor. I'm just not sure if adding it is worth it or should I just keep my pedal drive. 

I don't want to add large trolling motor since I carry mi yak on the top of my SUB. removing large components makes rigging time before launching ever longer.. on the other side I remember those hot summer days when the last thing I wanted is to pedal or when you know you need to move but your next point is so far. 

 

Also, pedal drives are expensive and I'm sure once I have a motor I wont be using that drive much, and since these are so unique, its not like I will be able to sell it. I just bought my kayak back in June. 

 

how did you decide to add a motor to your kayak?? do you think is was worth the extra cost?? how do I justify the extra cost while I have that very expensive PDL (need to convince myself I'm doing the right thing) 

 

 

 

[CrashVector]

Research whether your state will require you to register your kayak after you add a motor to it or not.

 

If so, you'll have to cough up the bill of sale, etc.

 

That may make a difference.

[Fishingmickey]

Hello Gera,

     I added a Torqueedo 1103AC to my PA14.  It was a cry once buy once thing for me. It has it's pluses and minuses.

     Pluses are it is a all integrated system. It has the battery, motor, motor mount and controller as a package. It is a 155lb thrust motor equivalent to about 3hp.  Full throttle is about 6.0 - 6.3 mph. Half throttle is 4.7 to 5 mph.  I'm a fairly large guy and I have the kayak loaded. The controller really helps with battery usage. It tells you charge remaining in percentage, it also tells you how much your drawing when running. I can remove it from my kayak in less then five minutes. It is compact and as light weight as a 155lb thrust electric motor can be.  I'm also able to keep my pedal drive in place. I use it mostly for moving distances and from spot to spot.
     Minuses are it was expensive, really expensive at about 2,600 base cost.  It is a specialty item, it will only work with Torqueedo batteries (1100 watts, 100AH equivalent or so). A spare battery was about 800. Spare prop and shear pin was another 100.  So when I considered the overall cost of installing a trolling motor and battery it wasn't that far off from one of the spot lock motors with adding in the cost of a 80 - 100ah lithium battery to power it.

     I'd love to have a spot lock trolling motor but there is a lot more involved to mounting and rigging one of those motors on a kayak. Maybe in my next build. 

     The Bixpy motor looks like a fine small light package and will probably serve your purposes just fine. I don't know about the J2's. Website says about 80#'s thrust. but I think the J1 was pretty lightweight in pounds thrust (35 - 40 lbs thrust). 

     Another one to consider is the Newport vessels motor that is out now. It is considerably cheaper then both of the above, but no battery. It runs off of a 24 volt system.

Good luck in your quest to motorize your kayak. 

Fishingmickey

 

     

Yes, I did have to register my kayak with the state and put on numbers. I had to provide the manufactures certificate of origin and a photo of the serial number to get my numbers and registration sticker. IMHO it was worth it. 

FM

[flyfisher]

I have seen a lot of issues posted on the J2 motors and people wanting to trade back to the J1.  It was high on my list when I motorized this year but I went with the Newport Vessels NK180s and have been extremely happy.   I run with 30ah lithium, 2 12v wired to give me 24 and all in I was under $1300 total investment plus another $100 or so for registering and titling my kayak here in VA which is good for 3 years.  

 

I can run 5+ miles upstream and float back and on lakes I have only burned the battery out when I was trying to by running full speed for over an hour to get back to the ramp.  

 

I wish I did it a few years earlier but the torqueedo price was just too much to justify.  

[Bluebasser86]

A big part of why I went with a pedal instead of power is to avoid the hassle of the batteries and registering my kayak. I can still cover a lot of water with it (Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL), without messing with expensive batteries and having it registered. 

[CrashVector]

24 minutes ago, Bluebasser86 said:

A big part of why I went with a pedal instead of power is to avoid the hassle of the batteries and registering my kayak. I can still cover a lot of water with it (Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL), without messing with expensive batteries and having it registered. 

 

To each his own, but I'd think putting a motor on a kayak kinda defeats a lot of the purpose of buying a kayak vs just getting a small boat.

[Gera]

Unfortunately Michigan is one of those states that requires registration. while it is a hassle, it’s a one day thing and it last 3 years as well. Luckily I didn’t lose the documents and the cost is not a big issue.

 

Thanks for the J2 issues comment, I will look into more detail about it.

 

Those Newport Vessels trolling motors look great, unfortunately they don’t have an adapter for my kayak, one of the biggest sell points for me on the Bixpy is that they have an adapter for my old town, and while I’m handy enough to make mods, I don’t want to over complicate my rig (even more)

8 hours ago, CrashVector said:

 

To each his own, but I'd think putting a motor on a kayak kinda defeats a lot of the purpose of buying a kayak vs just getting a small boat.

 

Te solution of every question and post I have placed in this board, its a boat... I guess that is the ultime solution.. 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

37 minutes ago, Gera said:

Te solution of every question and post I have placed in this board, its a boat... I guess that is the ultime solution.

That was my solution - went from TM powered canoe to a 14' Tin-boat that I'm modifying this winter.

[Bankc]

My kayak doesn't have a pedal option.  So a trolling motor was an obvious upgrade.  It makes an enormous difference on large lakes.  Being able to travel large distances with ease completely changes how you approach the lake.  Also, since I'm in Oklahoma where it's always windy and the weather is unpredictable, having a trolling motor is almost a safety issue.  

However, trolling motors aren't as nimble as pedals.  They're a lot harder to control.  And with the added battery, they change the stability of the kayak and eat up a lot of room.  So they don't solve everything.  I typically only use my trolling motor on bigger lakes.  Plus, you'll either need a large, heavy battery or an expensive lithium battery, because trolling motors eat up a LOT of power.  Especially when they're your only source of locomotion.

 

So if you go that route, which I do recommend, I'd also recommend not selling off your peddles.  You may find them more useful in different situations.  Plus, some lakes and ponds may not allow motors.  

[Darth-Baiter]

Registration seems like no big deal to me. For me, cost and inconvenience are the bigger factors. 
 

i expecting my Hobie Outback in three weeks. My motivation is the power pole mounting points in back where I can put a Torqueedo.  
 

having said that, I’m still perfectly okay with kicking my kayak on a 12 mile days.  Im

pretty d**n fast in my Hobie Compass.  I can do 4mph while gently sweating. 3mph is like walking on a sidewalk effort wise. 
 

the motor just seems so cool.  Makes crossing bigger lake San easier decision.  

17 hours ago, Fishingmickey said:

Hello Gera,

     I added a Torqueedo 1103AC to my PA14.  It was a cry once buy once thing for me. It has it's pluses and minuses.

     Pluses are it is a all integrated system. It has the battery, motor, motor mount and controller as a package. It is a 155lb thrust motor equivalent to about 3hp.  Full throttle is about 6.0 - 6.3 mph. Half throttle is 4.7 to 5 mph.  I'm a fairly large guy and I have the kayak loaded. The controller really helps with battery usage. It tells you charge remaining in percentage, it also tells you how much your drawing when running. I can remove it from my kayak in less then five minutes. It is compact and as light weight as a 155lb thrust electric motor can be.  I'm also able to keep my pedal drive in place. I use it mostly for moving distances and from spot to spot.
     Minuses are it was expensive, really expensive at about 2,600 base cost.  It is a specialty item, it will only work with Torqueedo batteries (1100 watts, 100AH equivalent or so). A spare battery was about 800. Spare prop and shear pin was another 100.  So when I considered the overall cost of installing a trolling motor and battery it wasn't that far off from one of the spot lock motors with adding in the cost of a 80 - 100ah lithium battery to power it.

     I'd love to have a spot lock trolling motor but there is a lot more involved to mounting and rigging one of those motors on a kayak. Maybe in my next build. 

     The Bixpy motor looks like a fine small light package and will probably serve your purposes just fine. I don't know about the J2's. Website says about 80#'s thrust. but I think the J1 was pretty lightweight in pounds thrust (35 - 40 lbs thrust). 

     Another one to consider is the Newport vessels motor that is out now. It is considerably cheaper then both of the above, but no battery. It runs off of a 24 volt system.

Good luck in your quest to motorize your kayak. 

Fishingmickey

 

     

Yes, I did have to register my kayak with the state and put on numbers. I had to provide the manufactures certificate of origin and a photo of the serial number to get my numbers and registration sticker. IMHO it was worth it. 

FM

Can I sidebar with you about your real life experience?   Love to hear more. 

[Fishingmickey]

43 minutes ago, Darth-Baiter said:

 

Can I sidebar with you about your real life experience?   Love to hear more. 

Sure, I'd be happy to let you know how it has been. I've had it for about a year and a half now, I got one of the first one's shipped to the US.

[Darth-Baiter]

22 minutes ago, Fishingmickey said:

Sure, I'd be happy to let you know how it has been. I've had it for about a year and a half now, I got one of the first one's shipped to the US.

Thanks. I’ll send you a PM later. 

[JbroBass]

11 hours ago, CrashVector said:

 

To each his own, but I'd think putting a motor on a kayak kinda defeats a lot of the purpose of buying a kayak vs just getting a small boat.

 

My thoughts are that the kayak is more versatile, since just because you have it set up to use a motor, it doesn't mean you can't take it out barebones and get into places that are difficult or off limits to a small boat, while still choosing to go out fully outfitted with a motor and electronics in other situations. 

[CrashVector]

1 hour ago, JbroBass said:

 

My thoughts are that the kayak is more versatile, since just because you have it set up to use a motor, it doesn't mean you can't take it out barebones and get into places that are difficult or off limits to a small boat, while still choosing to go out fully outfitted with a motor and electronics in other situations. 

True.

[Hawkeye21]

I added a trolling motor to my kayak last year and it is awesome.  I went with the Motorguide Xi3 kayak model with GPS.  If you're getting a motor then spend the extra cash for GPS.  It's such a huge difference maker when fishing.

 

Ignore anyone that says a motor takes away from fishing from a kayak.  Do what you makes you happy and what helps you enjoy fishing.

[flyfisher]

11 hours ago, Gera said:

Unfortunately Michigan is one of those states that requires registration. while it is a hassle, it’s a one day thing and it last 3 years as well. Luckily I didn’t lose the documents and the cost is not a big issue.

 

Thanks for the J2 issues comment, I will look into more detail about it.

 

Those Newport Vessels trolling motors look great, unfortunately they don’t have an adapter for my kayak, one of the biggest sell points for me on the Bixpy is that they have an adapter for my old town, and while I’m handy enough to make mods, I don’t want to over complicate my rig (even more)

 

Te solution of every question and post I have placed in this board, its a boat... I guess that is the ultime solution.. 

 

 

they use the same 4 bolt as a power pole would so if there is an adapter for that it should work.  

On 11/8/2021 at 5:32 PM, Fishingmickey said:

Hello Gera,

     I added a Torqueedo 1103AC to my PA14.  It was a cry once buy once thing for me. It has it's pluses and minuses.

     Pluses are it is a all integrated system. It has the battery, motor, motor mount and controller as a package. It is a 155lb thrust motor equivalent to about 3hp.  Full throttle is about 6.0 - 6.3 mph. Half throttle is 4.7 to 5 mph.  I'm a fairly large guy and I have the kayak loaded. The controller really helps with battery usage. It tells you charge remaining in percentage, it also tells you how much your drawing when running. I can remove it from my kayak in less then five minutes. It is compact and as light weight as a 155lb thrust electric motor can be.  I'm also able to keep my pedal drive in place. I use it mostly for moving distances and from spot to spot.
     Minuses are it was expensive, really expensive at about 2,600 base cost.  It is a specialty item, it will only work with Torqueedo batteries (1100 watts, 100AH equivalent or so). A spare battery was about 800. Spare prop and shear pin was another 100.  So when I considered the overall cost of installing a trolling motor and battery it wasn't that far off from one of the spot lock motors with adding in the cost of a 80 - 100ah lithium battery to power it.

     I'd love to have a spot lock trolling motor but there is a lot more involved to mounting and rigging one of those motors on a kayak. Maybe in my next build. 

     The Bixpy motor looks like a fine small light package and will probably serve your purposes just fine. I don't know about the J2's. Website says about 80#'s thrust. but I think the J1 was pretty lightweight in pounds thrust (35 - 40 lbs thrust). 

     Another one to consider is the Newport vessels motor that is out now. It is considerably cheaper then both of the above, but no battery. It runs off of a 24 volt system.

Good luck in your quest to motorize your kayak. 

Fishingmickey

 

     

Yes, I did have to register my kayak with the state and put on numbers. I had to provide the manufactures certificate of origin and a photo of the serial number to get my numbers and registration sticker. IMHO it was worth it. 

FM

Good info but some is a little off.  The torqueedo battery isn't 100 AH equivalent, it is closer to 30 AH.  The Bixpy J2 is listed as 33lb output.  

It is nice to have multiple options though.  

[Fishingmickey]

11 hours ago, flyfisher said:

they use the same 4 bolt as a power pole would so if there is an adapter for that it should work.  

Good info but some is a little off.  The torqueedo battery isn't 100 AH equivalent, it is closer to 30 AH.  The Bixpy J2 is listed as 33lb output.  

It is nice to have multiple options though.  

I have the larger of the two Torqueedo batteries and your right it does show 31 AH at 29.6 volts. 

FM

[Krux5506]

On 11/8/2021 at 4:53 PM, Gera said:

Also, pedal drives are expensive and I'm sure once I have a motor I wont be using that drive much, and since these are so unique, its not like I will be able to sell it. I just bought my kayak back in June. 

 

 

 

 

That kayak is pretty common and therefore I don't think selling the drive would be all that out of the question. I'm not sure you'd really get top dollar for it but there's definitely value there that could help offset the cost of the motor. 

[Gera]

1 hour ago, Krux5506 said:

That kayak is pretty common and therefore I don't think selling the drive would be all that out of the question. I'm not sure you'd really get top dollar for it but there's definitely value there that could help offset the cost of the motor. 

 

At this point, I guess I'll just eat the cost and keep it. like mention before its nice to have the flexibility to use it when need it. Now its only the regret of not buying the powered Minn kota one, it has spot lock!! 

I did bought it right a the middle of the pandemic and I was lucky to find one anyway. but still.. 

 

[schplurg]

Why not keep the pedals and add the motor? Or Am I misunderstanding? Maybe it's a money thing? If so then you probably wouldn't go for the Torqeedo I'm guessing.

 

That's what I will do if I ever add a TM to my Sportsman PDL 106. Lift the pedals out of the water when I want to use the motor, cover the hole (optionally) with something made to fit (DIY like I did or buy one), then lower the motor. Or just keep the pedals in the water the whole time (ala Greg Blanchard sometimes).

 

If I add a motor it would only be for getting from point A to point B. I wouldn't want a motor for the smaller adjustments needed when fishing around docks or close to shore.

 

BTW I would mount the motor in the back or front, not where the pedals go. Maybe that's the difference.

[Gera]

17 hours ago, schplurg said:

Why not keep the pedals and add the motor? Or Am I misunderstanding? Maybe it's a money thing? If so then you probably wouldn't go for the Torqeedo I'm guessing.

 

That's what I will do if I ever add a TM to my Sportsman PDL 106. Lift the pedals out of the water when I want to use the motor, cover the hole (optionally) with something made to fit (DIY like I did or buy one), then lower the motor. Or just keep the pedals in the water the whole time (ala Greg Blanchard sometimes).

 

If I add a motor it would only be for getting from point A to point B. I wouldn't want a motor for the smaller adjustments needed when fishing around docks or close to shore.

 

BTW I would mount the motor in the back or front, not where the pedals go. Maybe that's the difference.

 

I'll keep the pedal drive, there is an option with the bixpy to keep them both by placing the motor in the rudder. 

On using a torqeedo. that was my first choice. but as of now, I think it may be harder to transport my kayak on the roof of my grand Cherokee with just a rudder than the mounting bracket on the torqeedo. Also, battery seems lighter. 

[Darth-Baiter]

As I understand it, you remove the torqueedo and just leave a minimum bracket during transport.  I’m not sure. 
 

if I get one I’m putting the battery in the bottom of my kayak box.  I want it outta there when I’m moving it about. 

[Boomstick]

On 11/9/2021 at 12:35 AM, Bluebasser86 said:

A big part of why I went with a pedal instead of power is to avoid the hassle of the batteries and registering my kayak. I can still cover a lot of water with it (Old Town Sportsman 120 PDL), without messing with expensive batteries and having it registered. 

How fast can you get your Sportsman up to? Any idea?

[Bluebasser86]

3 hours ago, Boomstick said:

How fast can you get your Sportsman up to? Any idea?

I usually pedal 3.2-3.5 without much effort.

[bulldog1935]

A big problem with registration is presenting a title or original purchase invoice for your kayak.