Can You Put a Trolling Motor on a Kayak
Trolling is ane of the well-nigh efficient methods of kayak line-fishing. You just accept to attach your line-fishing line to the stern of your gunkhole, get going, and voila!
Y'all accept fish!
Of course though, information technology does require some planning and training to get to that place.
That's why…
Nosotros recommend you adhere a trolling motor to your kayak.
There are different reasons you to know Tin can a trolling motor exist used on a kayak? The nearly obvious is kayak angling. The forcefulness yous'd have to exert paddling would have been put to better utilise to haul your fish over into the gunkhole.
But too…
Whitewater kayakers look for this addition to their boats. They're all for speed, and information technology's no hugger-mugger that a motor is a lot faster than manual paddling.
If you're not going kayak line-fishing or coasting through the rapids, y'all may want to enjoy the scenery – and lots of it – and then you need something to propel your gunkhole forwards that picayune bit more efficiently.
That, or paddling, but exhausts you lot.
Whatever the example, trolling motors are a great assistance to many kayakers – and may just exist your new best friend.
Just there are things to consider. In this article, we're going over the of import factors of attaching a trolling motor to your kayak. And besides:
Kayak fishing is not a race. That'southward why trolling motors can go but as fast every bit v mph, fifty-fifty if you keep increasing the pounds of thrust. But that's not all there is to know about the speed, thrust, and other specs and features of a motor.
Nosotros know you're excited to larn all about it, but let's take information technology one footstep at a fourth dimension.
And so spike your seatbelts…
… we're sailing!
Can You Put a Trolling Motor on Your Kayak?
Yes, that should be possible. It's a walk in the park for someone with boating and fishing experience. And over the years, manufacturers have gone out of their manner to make it easy for u.s.a., enthusiasts.
But offset of all…
Let's make sure that nosotros're on the aforementioned boat about what a trolling motor is.
A trolling motor is an independent engine attached to either the stern or the boat's bow to propel the boat forward. A complete prepare includes an electric motor, a propeller, and controls. It'southward made only to augment the boat's primary propulsion.
Anglers use it often, just nowadays, even leisure fishers do. Trolling motors used to be large because they were made for big ships.
Just now…
You can rejoice because manufacturers take decided to cater to the needs of your kayak likewise!
They now come up in small sizes, yet powerful enough to propel a pocket-sized gunkhole. For a kayak, trolling motors usually rely on battery power. It's besides called an electric motor. And there'due south a lot to choose from.
Then, if you desire to attach i to your kayak, y'all demand to know which is the all-time trolling motor for you. Each type has advantages and disadvantages. To know more about that, you tin read this article about the all-time trolling motors on the market RIGHT Hither.
And so…
Before yous put a trolling motor on your kayak, make certain it's the type that's specifically designed for small boats.
Trolling motors for kayaks
One of the most obvious indicators of a fabricated-for-kayak trolling motor is the shaft length. The shaft is how the propeller is joined to the motor.
A kayak's hull isn't designed to become deep under the surface of the water. It floats very lightly. So, trolling motors have long shafts to get the propellers deep underwater.
If y'all're non on a strict budget, the Newport Vessels Kayak Serial may be a good choice. It has an adjustable shaft that allows yous to employ it with a kayak, canoe, or a larger gunkhole. The Minn Kota Endura is ane example of a versatile motor when it comes to its durable shaft.
Another thing…
Since it's an electric trolling motor, most likely, it has a battery indicator. Modern designs compete in how accurately the indicator displays the condition of the motor's bombardment.
Lastly is the size. Mostly, small trolling motors are meant for kayaks. The size doesn't indicate fewer pounds of thrust. It's more for the compatibility of the motor to the size of the kayak itself.
It's important to note because yous'll accept to take space for the battery on your kayak.
Will a Trolling Motor Mount Onto my Kayak?
First, bank check your kayak if it has a mount for a kayak motor. Most kayaks do, but some don't. If it'southward a whitewater kayak or a fishing kayak, in that location'south a huge chance it has a mount.
But don't fret…
If your gunkhole doesn't take a mount, there's still a way to attach a motor to it. It'south going to exist more complicated, simply not impossible.
How to mount a motor onto a kayak
Basically, what you're going to do is attach a mount to your kayak. You can do this yourself or leave it in the easily of a professional person. The latter's safer, but the old'southward more than fun!
If you lot choose the fun option, there are three ways to do information technology.
Either you adhere the mountain to the bow of the boat, the stern or transom, or the side of the stern.
Too…
You need to choose whether you want plywood, fiberglass, or a metal mount.
Whatever you lot decide on, yous're going to need a drill and screws compatible with the material of your choice. Yes, that's it!
Now you lot can…
… go to the nearest – or your favorite – kayak or gunkhole store. You can as well go online for this. And then, ask for a DIY trolling motor mount. Chances are, they have it, and you lot can purchase it.
When you become a hold of your mount, you're ready to install it. Every mount is dissimilar, and so carefully read the instructions first. And you can e'er watch instructional videos online.
And in one case you're done with that, you tin mount the trolling motor.
Generally…
The outset thing to do is attach the propeller to the motor. They're normally bought or delivered separately to avoid damage. And then, yous can install the motor on the mountain of your kayak.
If you mount the motor at the bow or the stern, you can add steering linkages to it. That would exist very functional – and also really cool.
Just then again, every trolling motor is different. We can't stress this enough: read the instructions or lookout installation videos.
And take annotation:
Trolling motors are also classified by where it'southward supposed to be mounted. These are what we telephone call the bow-mounted, stern-mounted, side-mounted, and transom mount kayak motors.
And then make sure that you buy the motor that matches where you installed the mountain.
Is It Safe to Do?
Request the safety question is understandable. A kayak, unlike total-blown boats, is meant to exist propelled through paddling. That's the way they were designed.
So the prototype of toppling over may scare you lot.
But let us tell you…
It is safe. Bring your paddle on board and habiliment a life jacket for actress precaution. It'due south a must. But there'south goose egg to be scared of virtually a trolling motor.
Just brand sure that the trolling motor installed on your kayak is working properly. And the installation itself is right.
That said…
Before you even buy a new motor for your fishing kayak, take a moment to larn a few things first.
Things to consider:
These are the features and specs that you need to look out for in choosing trolling motors for kayaks.
Thrust
The thrust of a trolling motor is the mensurate of how powerful it is. As per the standard, it'due south measured in pounds (lbs). One horsepower or 746 W of electricity is equal to around 72 to 75 pounds of thrust.
Basically, the bigger your boat, the more powerful the thrust of the trolling motor should be.
In other words…
If yous have a small boat, steer clear of motors with higher thrusts. It's fishing, not a funfair ride!
The optimal thrust for kayaks is 30 to 60 pounds. That counts equally a powerful motor. Become any college, and information technology would be similar a elevate race on h2o. Whatsoever lower, and it would defeat the purpose of buying a trolling motor.
Drag
1 of the issues about mounting a trolling motor onto a kayak – or any boat for that matter – is the drag. It'south the resistance that a moving object receives as information technology navigates on a surrounding fluid. That's why it's sometimes called "fluid resistance" or "fluid friction."
Elevate isn't always a bad matter.
It can regulate the length of the line coming off the reel of your fishing rod. But likewise much of information technology volition reduce the elevation speed or pull the fishing hooks from the fish'due south mouth.
From game to shame – nobody wants that!
The good news is…
There'southward something you lot tin exercise near it.
Most trolling motors have adjustable thrust settings. When you perceive that the drag is slowing you down and pushing the fish away from you, try reducing the thrust a trivial. In other words, you lot can reduce the drag by reducing the thrust.
Don't be discouraged if y'all don't get it right abroad. Once yous've gained more experience, it will exist like second nature to you lot.
Weight
The weight of the prepare is a significant matter. You don't want your boat at an awkward angle while you lot're riding it.
But that's non all.
Usually, loftier-thrust motors are heavier. An 80-lb thrust can take engines that weigh upwards to lx lbs. And so we need to go lower than that for a kayak or canoe.
How Fast Will I Get with a Motor?
Speed is connected to thrust. A powerful thrust means yous'll take a speedy boat ride. Just being the fastest boat is non the goal of using a trolling motor.
That said, no affair how heavy the thrust is, there's a limit to how fast a kayak trolling motor tin can become.
Again…
When trolling, you'd want a motor to lighten up your paddling load and give you an advantage over the fish. Plus, it volition help you get to your fishing spot in no time. Speed is an added feature, non the whole purpose.
The elevation speed for a kayak trolling motor is 5 miles per 60 minutes (mph).
Some motors go faster than that, especially when they have heavier thrusts. But angling kayaks don't demand that much. Nonetheless, information technology can be an advantage over rough weather or heavier boats.
What practise we recommend?
If your budget permits information technology, look for a trolling motor with different frontward and reverse speeds similar the Minn Kota Endura with its five frontwards speeds and three reverse speeds. That way, y'all can modify the setting to suit your needs.
How long volition a bombardment last with a trolling motor?
There's a short reply and a long reply to this question.
Here's the long one:
We can run the computations past measuring how a marine battery life is usually calculated – amperage hours divided past the motor amperage describe.
Amperage hours mean the length of time that a battery can supply a certain consistent amperage. For example, 100 amp hours indicates that the bombardment can supply xx amps for five hours or ten amps for 10 hours.
On the other manus, motor amperage draw is the amperage that a motor draws at a certain speed. For case, a motor may describe xx amps per hour or ten amps per hour.
At present…
Suppose that yous have a marine bombardment with 100 amp hours. Then your electric trolling motor operates at 20 amps per hour. Then, your battery volition merely last you five hours.
As for the short reply:
A 12-volt deep cycle battery with 110 amp hours is the ideal pick. Most trolling motors take an average amperage draw of 20 hours. That should at least last y'all five.five hours of run fourth dimension. The Mighty Max Bombardment falls into this category.
But these figures are heavily affected past weather condition weather condition. A resistant air current would require a higher amp draw, then it would mean less run time for your battery.
Source: https://topnotchoutdoor.com/can-a-trolling-motor-be-used-on-a-kayak/
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