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Motorizing your kayak with the right kayak trolling motor is simple, once you understand the type of kayak you own and body of water you’ll be fishing in. First, there are several types of kayaks that lend themselves to adding a trolling motor to them: Hobie® Pro Angler, Hobie® Outback, Ocean Kayak, Native Watercraft, Feel Free kayak, Old Town Kayak, Vibe kayak, Bonafide, Brooklyn kayaks, 3 Waters kayak, Ascend kayak, Pelican kayaks, and so many more. These kayaks are mostly for fishing and tend to be wide, roomy, with several hatches for storing tackle, battery, fishing rod straps, wells for live & frozen bait, not to mention a comfortable seat for a day of fishing. Some of them are designed with pedals or can be paddled, with a common issue among all of them, they move like a brick across the water and you will fatigue quickly.
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Large and stable fishing kayaks tend to be challenging to paddle or pedal especially when the weather turns from calm to rough then all bets are off. When water gets choppy, currents grows stronger and the wind blows harder, you’ll wish you had some help, period. Let's face it, young and old, myself included, would much rather fish, relax, enjoy the seen, rather can break a sweat to and from. Most fishing platforms are flat bottom and tend to create more resistance than keeled kayaks when moving across the water. This resistance can be compensated by adding a kayak motor mount in the rod holder mounts and suspending a kayak trolling motor off it.
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However, knowing the right size kayak trolling motor needed is very important, since too small of a trolling motor in the range of 18 to 24 # thrust trolling motor will be ineffective.
For example, the pounds of thrust required to push a wide and heavy kayak through the water in a calm large pond or lake may be sufficient with a 30, 32, or 36 pounds thrust kayak motor, but let the wind blow at 10mph and that motor may take forever to bring you back to your launch site, and yet, on land a 10 mph wind is a light breath, but on water consider yourself the sail.
In this case, a 46 pounds thrust kayak trolling motor would be a much better choice, because if you need the power to move across the lake fast, you’ll have the torque needed to bring you back safely on land and in a hurry.
For example, the pounds of thrust required to push a wide and heavy kayak through the water in a calm large pond or lake may be sufficient with a 30, 32, or 36 pounds thrust kayak motor, but let the wind blow at 10mph and that motor may take forever to bring you back to your launch site, and yet, on land a 10 mph wind is a light breath, but on water consider yourself the sail.
In this case, a 46 pounds thrust kayak trolling motor would be a much better choice, because if you need the power to move across the lake fast, you’ll have the torque needed to bring you back safely on land and in a hurry.
In large bodies of water, like rivers and areas where light current may exist, kayaking in a tandem kayak such as Vibe Sea Ghost 130T, Feel Free II Lure, Hobie T17, Ocean Kayak Malibu, etc., requires at the very least a 46 pounds of thrust kayak trolling motor, because pedaling or paddling up river is definitely a challenge, especially when one person is doing most of the work, while other is fishing.
Saltwater fishing in a large kayak is like fishing off a barge, comfortable and stable, but requires a 55 pound thrust kayak trolling motor. While fishing these vast waters and surf, one will require to deal with incoming and outgoing currents, that at certain times will exceed 2mph. Combine this force with choppy water or swells, in addition to a 10mph wind, and neither a 32# or 46# thrust trolling motor will make headway; you will appreciate a 55# thrust trolling motor under unexpected conditions.
Saltwater fishing in a large kayak is like fishing off a barge, comfortable and stable, but requires a 55 pound thrust kayak trolling motor. While fishing these vast waters and surf, one will require to deal with incoming and outgoing currents, that at certain times will exceed 2mph. Combine this force with choppy water or swells, in addition to a 10mph wind, and neither a 32# or 46# thrust trolling motor will make headway; you will appreciate a 55# thrust trolling motor under unexpected conditions.
Choosing the right motor for your kayak will make a big difference in your satisfaction, as too often consumers, tend to spend hundreds of dollars rigging their kayak, and then choose the basic famously advertised 30 # thrust Minn Kota trolling motor for a propulsion system; only to regret it later in the season when they encounter situations that require bigger trolling motor than the undersized bought early in the season.
Batteries play a very important role in motorized kayaking. Think of it this way, a battery is to a kayak trolling motor as a gas tank to a car. The bigger the battery the longer you can troll, fish and go places: just as the bigger the gas tank in a car, the longer range one can travel without stopping to refuel.
The most common question is how many hours can I use the motor on one charge? However, that question is difficult to answer because it depends on many variables. These variables have less to do with the pound thrust of kayak trolling motor and consumption, and more to do with girth and length of the kayak. We will be exploring batteries for kayak trolling motors further in our batteries and charger segment.
Batteries play a very important role in motorized kayaking. Think of it this way, a battery is to a kayak trolling motor as a gas tank to a car. The bigger the battery the longer you can troll, fish and go places: just as the bigger the gas tank in a car, the longer range one can travel without stopping to refuel.
The most common question is how many hours can I use the motor on one charge? However, that question is difficult to answer because it depends on many variables. These variables have less to do with the pound thrust of kayak trolling motor and consumption, and more to do with girth and length of the kayak. We will be exploring batteries for kayak trolling motors further in our batteries and charger segment.
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At Island Hopper Outboards, we have a very simple motto:
We are here to help you have more fun kayaking, fishing and touring the great outdoors all year round.
Top quality you can depend on is just the beginning from kayak trolling motors, kayak motor side mounts, kayak leaning post to kayak outriggers and stabilizers. Superior customer service through knowledgeable, credible and authentic expertise is what truly sets Island Hopper Outboards apart. We have a staff of avid kayakers who are experienced people who truly care about the quality of your next outdoor experience. We can motorized most all kayak brands on the market. We want you to be active and adventurous. We want you to explore new places and see new things.
Most important, we want you to be comfortable and happy in the outdoor playground we love every bit as much as you do.
We are here to help you have more fun kayaking, fishing and touring the great outdoors all year round.
Top quality you can depend on is just the beginning from kayak trolling motors, kayak motor side mounts, kayak leaning post to kayak outriggers and stabilizers. Superior customer service through knowledgeable, credible and authentic expertise is what truly sets Island Hopper Outboards apart. We have a staff of avid kayakers who are experienced people who truly care about the quality of your next outdoor experience. We can motorized most all kayak brands on the market. We want you to be active and adventurous. We want you to explore new places and see new things.
Most important, we want you to be comfortable and happy in the outdoor playground we love every bit as much as you do.
Our Island Hopper line of kayak trolling motors are customized for kayaks. These trolling motors are exclusively designed with a
short shaft and battery indicator. Our trolling motors are the only trolling motors for kayaks in the market that are “sealed and waterproof”
Island Hopper Outboards line of kayak trolling motors are available in Salt Water and Fresh Water, from 32lbs. to 55lbs. of thrust.
Another great feature which improves trolling control and saves battery usage is our exclusive Add-A-Rudder system.
Island Hopper Outboards is the pioneer in motorizing kayaks.
We have motorized kayaks since 2006 and carry a full in of kayak side mounts and kayak motor mounts for all kayaks
short shaft and battery indicator. Our trolling motors are the only trolling motors for kayaks in the market that are “sealed and waterproof”
Island Hopper Outboards line of kayak trolling motors are available in Salt Water and Fresh Water, from 32lbs. to 55lbs. of thrust.
Another great feature which improves trolling control and saves battery usage is our exclusive Add-A-Rudder system.
Island Hopper Outboards is the pioneer in motorizing kayaks.
We have motorized kayaks since 2006 and carry a full in of kayak side mounts and kayak motor mounts for all kayaks
Shown with a 55lb Salt water Trolling Motor
Fine kayak brands include but not limited to are Ocean Kayak, Malibu Kayak, Pelican Kayak, Bonafied Kayak, FeelFree Kayak, Santa Cruz, Riot Kayak, Wilderness System Kayak, Emotion Kayak, Native Watercraft, Old Town Canoes and Kayaks, Jackson kayak, Ascend Kayak, Vibe Kayak, Kaku Kayak, Cobra Kayak, Heritage Kayak, Hobie® Kayaks, Hobie® MirageDrive® kayaks, Perception Kayaks, Lightning kayaks, Brooklyn Kayaks, Bonafide kayaks and many more…
Not sure, call us at (727) 501-3116 or email us at info@islandhopperoutboards.com
Not sure, call us at (727) 501-3116 or email us at info@islandhopperoutboards.com
In addition to kayak trolling motors and motor mounts for kayaks, we also have a line of kayak stabilizers
a.k.a. kayak outriggers and leaning posts. Feel free to cast while standing, see further out than you would sitting in your kayak.
The outriggers provide you stability, prevention from tipping over and the ease of standing up to fish.
a.k.a. kayak outriggers and leaning posts. Feel free to cast while standing, see further out than you would sitting in your kayak.
The outriggers provide you stability, prevention from tipping over and the ease of standing up to fish.
You can depend on Island Hopper's renowned reputation for quality
kayak motor products and kayak motor mount accessories.
kayak motor products and kayak motor mount accessories.
Practical & Innovative Systems,
Most Cost Effective Kayak Trolling Motor Systems on the Market
Most Cost Effective Kayak Trolling Motor Systems on the Market