Motors on Kayak's

[Drover]

Getting too old to paddle into the wind in my Yak so have started looking at an electric motor, quite like the Watersnake 34lb thrust unit as it has variable speed and extendable tiller but what are folks using as a battery and how long do they last.
My Yak is a two up job and I know if I had a Hobie I wouldn't need a motor, anyone want to swap ?????

 

[macca]

Make sure it has a kill switch tethered to you. It has been known that people have fallen out but the yak kept motoring away. Your biggest issue will be the wiring, as stuff in kayaks corrodes badly.

 

[Colsar]

30lb minn kota straight to 100 ah deep cycle battery with in line fuse, variable speed , ext handle.

kill switch a great idea @macca , solder all connections heat shrink and thin smear of silicone over the top , spray motor and terminals etc with inox (wd40).

water snakes made in China and bit cheaper, minn kota out of USA , good warranty if you have issues , and the australian distributor is in Hemmant QLD. (BLA)

Given the corrosion side of things , keep in mind water snake have a std open circuit board, mini kota a full sealed resin board.

or food for thought , a sail , from a brand called "ocean kayak" ?

 

[Drover]

Now that I've been looking into it the battery weight is the biggest problem, sail sound like a better option, I don't want to be lugging a heavy battery around as well. A small 2stroke would be cheaper and lighter.............just smelly and noisier.

 

[macca]

or a Hobie:fish2:

 

[Drover]

or a Hobie:fish2:

be nice but I could buy a small african nation for the same price.