Should I put a trolling motor on my 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. Smaller vessels like kayaks benefit more from a 55 lb thrust trolling motor due to their lighter weight and ease of maneuverability. These motors can propel kayaks at speeds up to 5 mph under ideal conditions.Can the control head be turned 180 degrees so the motor can be used from the bow of the boat? Yes it can! You can follow our Transom To Bow Mount Guide for instructions on how to change your motor into a bow mounting trolling motor.A longer shafted trolling motor will protrude deeper into the water and can prevent you from going in shallower areas. The only caveat to this is if the bow mount is a handle control and allows you to change the height of the power head.There are differences of opinion about the best trolling speed or speed range. Some kayak anglers prefer very low speeds. I generally try to keep my speed in the range of 1. I am moving with or against the current).Mounted at the front of the boat, bow-mounted trolling motors offer the most control and accuracy. Because they pull the boat rather than push it, they provide better maneuverability, especially in wind or current.
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. Using a higher voltage can put wear and tear on the motor and potentially damage some of the internal components and ruin your motor. If you can find a 12V Lithium battery with an output rated less than 13. V, this could safely be used with the 12v trolling motors we sell.Regularly using a starter battery with a trolling motor can ruin both the battery and even the motor. There are two types of deep-cycle 12-volt batteries that are recommended for electric trolling motor use: Lead Acid Wet-Cell & AGM batteries.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.If you have a 12-volt trolling motor, you can choose from several 12-volt options. If you have a 24-volt motor, you can use two 12-volt batteries in series or a single 24-volt battery. If you have a 36-volt motor, you can use three 12-volt batteries in series or a single 36-volt battery.
Where is the best place to put a trolling motor on a kayak?
Choose a preferred spot for mounting (usually behind the cockpit or the stern), drill holes, insert screws, and then secure them tightly. Now the kayak with trolling motor mount is ready for use. It is legal to put a trolling motor on a kayak in most places. But you can’t just attach a motor and go on your merry way. Making this addition to your kayak opens you up to more legal requirements and considerations.Choose a preferred spot for mounting (usually behind the cockpit or the stern), drill holes, insert screws, and then secure them tightly. Now the kayak with trolling motor mount is ready for use.
Why do trolling motors only go 5 mph?
The reason for this is because the maximum speed is determined by the propeller speed, or RPMs. Propeller speed is determined by the amount of current that can be passed through the coil, therefore a 12V trolling motor is limited by only having twelve volts available. 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.In short, the 12v vs 24v trolling motor decision comes down to power vs simplicity. A 12V system wins on ease of maintenance, while a 24V setup—especially with lithium—wins on long-term efficiency and performance.A 24-volt trolling motor is generally better if you need more power and longer run time, while a 12-volt motor is ideal for smaller boats and short trips.Trolling motors are offered in 12V, 12/24V, 24V and 36V versions, with the most powerful ones offering more than 100lb. Maximum thrusts at different voltages are approximately 12V/55lb. V/80lb.