Is it worth putting a trolling motor on a kayak?
Whether you’re sea kayaking, river kayaking, or paddling a local lake, kayakers fall in love with the minimal impacts such a small and quiet boat has on the surrounding environment. While exercise is a primary part of their appeal, a kayak trolling motor can be a great investment to offer some relief on long paddles. Step 1: choose the right trolling motor thrust power: choose a motor with enough thrust to handle your kayak’s size and weight. For most kayaks, a motor with 30-55 pounds of thrust is sufficient.Trolling Motor Thrust Rating For instance, a trolling motor with 30-55 lbs of thrust typically pairs well with a 12V battery with at least 50Ah, while motors with 70 lbs or more thrust may require higher-capacity batteries with at least 100Ah.Answer: Although they won’t work on every single type and kind of kayak, electronic trolling motors are a common add-on to many kayaks. Most sit-on-top kayaks can be equipped with an electronic trolling motor or something similar.Using this formula the popular Newport Vessels NV-Series 55lb Thrust Trolling Motor is rated as 624 watts at the highest forward speed and so 624/746 = 0.Trolling Motor Thrust Rating For instance, a trolling motor with 30-55 lbs of thrust typically pairs well with a 12V battery with at least 50Ah, while motors with 70 lbs or more thrust may require higher-capacity batteries with at least 100Ah.
How long will a trolling motor last on a kayak?
Generally, a 100Ah trolling motor battery can power a kayak for an entire day. If you’re planning a half-day water adventure, a 50Ah trolling motor battery is enough. Ideal for medium-sized (less than 100 lbs) boats, a 24V trolling motor battery system offers increased power and longer runtime compared to a 12V system. It provides a good balance between performance and cost-efficiency. If you have a moderately sized boat and require more power, a 24V system is a recommended choice.When it comes to power and performance, a 24-volt trolling motor battery offers distinct advantages. The doubled voltage capabilities translate to more thrust, which is vital for larger boats, especially in windy or rough conditions.Advantages of 24V Systems: Higher Power Capacity: Can power high-demand devices like air conditioners, refrigerators, or large solar setups. Fewer Components: Because 24V systems can handle higher loads with fewer batteries, they tend to require less wiring, less space, and fewer batteries than their 12V counterparts.Ideal for medium-sized (less than 100 lbs) boats, a 24V trolling motor battery system offers increased power and longer runtime compared to a 12V system. It provides a good balance between performance and cost-efficiency. If you have a moderately sized boat and require more power, a 24V system is a recommended choice.
What’s the lifespan of a trolling motor?
Age of the Motor: Most trolling motors have a lifespan of about 5-10 years, depending on usage. If your motor is nearing the end of its lifespan and experiencing major issues, replacing it may be the best option. Typically, with regular use and proper care, you can expect your trolling motor to last anywhere from 5 to 7 years before significant wear and tear start to show. That said, this lifespan can be extended or shortened based on how frequently the motor is used and whether it’s appropriately maintained.LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) battery is the best type of trolling motor battery due to its superior performance and durability. Firstly, they can last up to 10-years lifespan, far outlasting lead-acid batteries that typically last only 2-3 years.
How long will a 100Ah battery last with a 55 lb thrust trolling motor?
In general, a 100Ah trolling motor battery will run a 55 lb thrust trolling motor for about 2 hours at full throttle, 4–5 hours at 50% speed, and up to 8–10 hours at 25% throttle, which is enough to meet a full-day fishing experience for anglers. With a 12V 20Ah lithium battery, the battery can theoretically supply 20 amps of current for one hour. If your trolling motor draws 20 amps, you can expect about one hour of runtime. If it draws less, say 10 amps, you could extend the runtime to about two hours.The speed of a 36, 46 or 40lb thrust trolling motor on a 7. A 55lb thrust trolling motor in similar circumstances will achieve around 4 miles per hour. A 62lb thrust motor will reach about 4.In general, a 100Ah trolling motor battery will run a 55 lb thrust trolling motor for about 2 hours at full throttle, 4–5 hours at 50% speed, and up to 8–10 hours at 25% throttle, which is enough to meet a full-day fishing experience for anglers.As a general estimate: At full speed, if your motor draws 50 amps, a 100Ah battery would last about 2 hours. At half speed, drawing around 20–25 amps, it could last 4–5 hours. At a lower throttle (10–12 amps), you could get 8–10 hours of use.Many factors determine how long a 24V trolling motor battery lasts—the sea conditions, the size of the boat, and even the tides. For a traditional craft with a 24-volt trolling motor battery (16-22 feet in length), the general runtime is about half a day.