Can You Put A Trolling Motor On Any Kayak?

Mounting a trolling motor on a kayak can provide significant advantages for kayak fishing, especially in saltwater or freshwater conditions. However, it is important to consider the boat’s design and compatibility with the motor. Many companies and custom designers offer purpose-built mounting brackets for kayak trolling motors, which can be easily installed on most fishing kayaks.

Inflatable kayaks can also be used with a trolling motor, but it is crucial to position it correctly and reinforce the structure if necessary. There are several trolling motors designed for inflatable kayaks, and there are many great videos on YouTube for building your own custom mount.

Federal laws prohibit the use of a trolling motor on old kayaks, but on new kayaks, you can add a motor. Most kayak manufacturers do not offer mounting kits designed for their boats, so side-mounted trolling motors should be as light as possible to de-balance the kayak. The motor can be placed on the bow or stern, depending on available space on the kayak. Store-bought mounts can be used for this purpose.

Bow-mounted trolling motors are typically made for the deck of a boat, where you can stand, apply your foot, stow and deploy pedals, and enjoy the benefits of kayak fishing. However, it is not dangerous to use a trolling motor on a kayak for fishing, except when the wiring is damaged.

In conclusion, mounting a trolling motor on a kayak is legal as long as you follow the rules and follow the proper modifications and DIY spirit. However, it is essential to consider the specific design and compatibility of the kayak before installing it.

How to attach a trolling motor to a kayak?

So let’s get started step one is really simple you’re just gonna place your trolling motor on your kayak. Make sure it’s secured. Make sure all the wires are out of the way.

Do trolling motors spook fish?

Species of Fish. Although any fish in shallow water tends to spook more than a fish swimming in deep water, bonefish, tarpon and permit tend to be warier than redfish and trout. There’s also anecdotal evidence that older fish and resident populations under heavy fishing pressure have learned the sound of a trolling motor means danger.

• Trolling-Motor Pros. Gives the ability to cover more water
• Can be programmed to ­follow a route
• Never gets tired (until the battery fails)
• Many can be controlled from anywhere on the boat with a remote control fob
• A live-sonar transducer can be attached to the shaft to provide a movable view of what’s below and forward

• Trolling-Motor Cons. Can bump the bottom or scare fish if used in really shallow water
• If used aggressively, the variable noise and resultant bow wake can spook fish
• Can hurt seagrass
• Motors can break down

What size trolling motor is best for a kayak?

Thrust. Most electric kayak motors range from about 30 to 55 pounds of thrust that will easily move a kayak on the water. The most popular choice would be a 30-pound thrust electric motor for most average sized kayaks. For larger and heavier kayaks a more powerful 50-55-pound thrust motor might be necessary. If you are looking at longer distances and higher speeds more battery power will be required as well.

Speed. If you are looking for speed with an electric motor most will hit an average of three miles per hour. Some will reach speeds up to 7 miles per hour. Remember that the more speed you create the faster the battery will drain. Studies have shown that reducing your speed just 20 percent will increase your range up to 80 percent. It is wise to not run at full speed as you might end up stranded far from your launch with a dead battery.

Can you put a trolling motor on a regular kayak?

This is our first choice for akayak motor mount, which is why we offer it as an option when you purchase out kayak motors. This is the best that money can buy and fits on most kayaks. It’s made with quality materials such as: Anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel and UV Stabilized Reinforced plastics. This kit is extremely durable and built to last for fresh or saltwater use. When this kit is assembled and installed, it is stable and allows very little sway or movement. Not only can you remove the kit if you would like, but the base mounts are compatible with other Railblaza accessories ranging from rod holders to camera mounts. You can switch from paddling to your kayak trolling motor in under 30 seconds!

Installing this kit requires drilling into your kayak to ensure this kit is secure and stable. This requires tools and can be daunting for some people. The mounting surface also needs to be flat for this mount to be compatible.

A reasonable priced trolling motor mount for your fishing kayak. $135.99 is right between the pricing for your uncles garage model and Railblaza. This isn’t out of the reach for everyone who is considering a trolling motor mount for their kayak. It’s made with marine grade aluminum which is durable and corrosion resistant for use in saltwater. This mount is also adjustable to fit varying kayak widths and is adjustable to work on different mounting angles.

Downside is that this motor mount is only rated for 35lbs of thrust, which doesn’t inspire much confidence in it’s strength and durability. This kayak motor mount won’t be able to support the 55lb kayak trolling motor that many Newport Vessels customers own. This kit also requires you to drill into the hull of your kayak. However, the mounting equipment provided is not enough to provide a secure and stable mount, with only four screws to hold your new kayak trolling motor. If you are going to risk drilling into your kayak hull, might as well get something secure that you know will work.

How fast will a 55lb trolling motor go?

The speed of a 36, 46 or 40lb thrust trolling motor on a 7.5-foot boat with a 200-pound load on quiet water will be around 3.5 miles per hour. A 55lb thrust trolling motor in similar circumstances will achieve around 4 miles per hour. A 62lb thrust motor will reach about 4.5 miles per hours. Finally, an 86lb thrust motor can get up to about 5 miles per hour.

Although these motors are not intended for speedy maneuvering, they provide sufficient power for light work on a smalldinghy boat. Beyond subtle movement to avoid scaring away fish, electric motors are also adept at tight, low-speed maneuvers. This makes them a great choice for sailboats which may otherwise struggle close in with other boats when the wind isn’t quite right.

Get Your Electric Trolling Motor Today. Newport Vessels offers some of the best freshwater/saltwater trolling motors you can find. Beyond offering various thrust levels and sizes, we also have some of the best prices in the business. You’ll find that our motors offer all the power and utility you could want at a fraction of the cost of comparable alternatives.

How deep should a trolling motor be for a kayak?

A Few Important Rules to Remember. Submersion Rule: You’ll want the top of the motorsubmerged at LEAST 12″ under the water to ensure adequate power and to prevent noisycavitation which will scare fish. The charts above will help you determine what shaft length achieves this (given different distances to the water, the shaft portion above the mount, etc) but it’s still a good idea to keep this 12″ figure in mind.

Always Go Long:If you’re struggling to decide between two lengths, pick the longer one. If the shaft ends up being a bit too long, you can always adjust the shaft depth upward with the depth collar adjustment found on nearly all trolling motors. But if you pick a shaft that’s too short, you’re simply out of luck.

Measuring The Shaft Length Of Your Current Motor. If you’re trying to determine how long your existing shaft is – or take measurements on your own boat – it’s helpful to know exactly how the shaft is measured. Shaft measurements are generally taken from the base of the motor head to top of the propeller housing, as seen below, however there are exceptions that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and perhaps even model to model. As a result, this type of measurement will only give you the approximate length of your current motor.

How fast will a trolling motor move a kayak?

How Fast Will a Kayak Go with a Trolling Motor?. The average speed for a paddle kayak is three miles per hour. Most pedal kayaks can go steady at four or five miles per hour. Without any effort, a trolling motor will push a kayak at six to 10 miles per hour into a headwind and opposing current. But speed comes at a cost. Running the motor at top speed will quickly deplete the battery. The best strategy is to throttle the motor at 80 percent or less of max-speed. You’ll go a little slower, but save a lot of battery power.

Types of Motors. There are many options for adding a motor to a kayak. Traditional trolling motors, electric outboards and small turbines each have their place. Or, check out one of the many motorized kayaks available from major manufactures. Each choice has pros and cons, check out our suggestions below for getting the best motorized kayak for you.

Trolling Motors. The first efforts to motorize a kayak relied on existing electric trolling motors. These light and nimble powerplants are designed to allow a gas boater to switch to electric power to maneuver the boat while he’s fishing. Trolling motors feature a large propeller, skinny shaft and small head unit.

How much thrust do I need for a kayak trolling motor?

Obviously the larger and heavier a boat the more thrust required to propel it through the water. As a rule of thumb you want to have about 2 pounds of thrust for every 100lbs of weight. So for a fishing kayak with a total weight of 600 pounds—including occupants and gear—a minimum thrust of 12 lbs is required (600/100*2). Twelve pounds doesn’t sound like much thrust and it really isn’t. It’s a minimum and not what I’d use for a 600 pound kayak setup.

So the first step is to determine how much your kayak weighs. You don’t really need a precise measurement here. A close estimate will suffice. The following chart lists the fully loaded weight (kayak weight + weight capacity) of the most common kayak types.

Note: Fully loaded weight includes weight of the kayak, passenger and gear. Inflatable kayaks include both single and 2-person. Tandem kayaks includes both inflatable and non-inflatable kayaks.

Can you put a trolling motor on a regular canoe?

So let’s get to the question: can you put a trolling motor on a canoe? In short, yes, but there are several considerations you will need to take into account. Keep on reading to find out what they are.

As small as canoes are, maneuvering and paddling ourway around the water with them takes some physical effort. While thetraditional way of canoeing is great, it’s nice to get around effortlesslywhile de-stressing on your fishing day. So let’s get to the question: can youput a trolling motor on a canoe? In short, yes, but there are severalconsiderations you will need to take into account. Keep on reading to find outwhat they are.

Can You Put a Trolling Motor on a Canoe?. Adding a trolling motor to your canoe is possible.There are two main types of motors that people commonly use to motorize theircanoes. These two trolling motors are:

• Electric powered trolling motors
• Gas powered electric motors

Is a trolling motor on a kayak worth it?

JR Rowlands adds: “Using a motor while kayak fishing has become a major asset. First, from a physical energy standpoint I can travel greater distances without fatigue being an issue.

“Second, pinpoint GPS is huge when it comes to holding position in the wind. Being able to lock myself down in a given spot means more time fishing and less time fighting the conditions on any given day.

“Finally, like many of the items we have on our kayaks, it’s another tool in the belt. It may not be a necessity, but it’s sure nice to have!”

Matt Trucks’ opinion is that an electric outboard with a foot brace steering system is the very best way to kayak fish hands-free.

How fast will a 30lb trolling motor go?

Electric trolling motors are chosen by thrust. Higher pounds of thrustWILL NOTmove a boat faster. In fact two 55 pound thrust motors will not move you any faster than one 30 pound thrust motor. Higher thrust 12V trolling motors are designed for bigger heavier boats with larger payloads. The maximum speed of a trolling motor is 5 mph regardless of how many pounds of thrust. The 55# thrust MinnKota Endura with all the new electronic gadgetry is overkill. Save your money! Pick up a MinnKota 30# Endura at half the price of the larger thrust trolling motors.

The twist-grip speed control ona MinnKota has 5 speeds forward. On the topof the MinnKota Endura motor are markings, actually a reference graph that show how many hours your boat willrun at speeds 1 thru 5. If you ran it continuously at the highest speed (5 MPH) the battery would last two hours, Speed 4 – 4 hours, speed 3 –8 hours, speed 2-12 hours, and the lowest speed 1 -16 hours. I find that by prudent use I can enjoy a weekend on the water between charges.

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