Motorized Kayaks Review: Buying Tips & Best Features

Introduction To Motorized Kayaks

Introduction

If you like to spend time on a lake enjoying your friends and family, exploring and fishing, then motorized kayaks are a great option. When machines do the hard work for us, then life becomes more comfortable. In kayaking, the electric motor makes our life easier and comfortable.

Motorized kayaks are an excellent option for the kayakers; they help them travel faster, reduce the hard work of paddling the kayak manually, and spend more time kayaking on the water. If you are looking for a motorized kayak for the first time or are thinking of upgrading your old kayak, you need to be aware of the features of the best-motorized kayaks.

Choosing a new motorized kayak isn’t a simple task, especially for those who never purchased one before.

Essential Considerations for An Ideal Motorized Kayak

A customer can get confused with various issues while buying a motorized kayak if he doesn’t know the basic features of kayaks.

There are some pretty tricks to know before purchasing a motorized kayak. Kayaks can be for various purposes, such as for easy touring on calm water, or complex control in fast-moving water.

Some Basic Requirements to be Considered

If you have a kayak and you want to add or set an electric trolling motor onto the kayak, maintain all the laws and regulations regarding such craft. For example, you will require a CF number and affix them to the kayak, all the safety equipment, and adequate running lights.

An ideal motorized kayak must have these features. You can power the motorized kayak by pedals. There are many hybrid kayaks; you can power those via motors or pedals. The motor is an additional feature to make your trip easier.

When you choose a motorized kayak, consider the kayak’s materials, the weight capacity of the motorized kayak, and whether it includes a motor. It’s more important to check the weight capacity of the kayak. If you usually go fishing alone, you don’t need a kayak with an enormous weight capacity.

However, you will need a motorized kayak with a vast capacity if you want to go on kayaking tours with companions; you will surely need extra space then. They relate the type of the motor and the kayak materials to the weight capacity of the motorized kayak. Materials used for a kayak are canvas, carbon fiber, wood, polyethylene, polyester, neoprene rubberized fabric, Kevlar, etc.

Easy Entry and Exit

The motorized kayaks should have easy access and exit system. A sit-on-top kayak is suitable for easily getting off in the water and the car. It has more handles and ensures a better grip. It also has drawbacks. It’s challenging to flip the kayak and also free it from the water.

Battery Issues

People having bass boats usually use trolling motors. Trolling motors consume a lot of battery power. Even a 10 amp hour battery for a motorized fishing kayak may not be enough.

So, using a large marine deep cycle battery, you can run the kayak motors for a long time. Large marine deep cycle batteries are about twice the sizes of average car batteries. These batteries are expensive, big, bulky, and heavy.

Recent developments in battery technology have introduced lighter alternatives to these batteries, which will make things easier for the kayakers. However, while using the large deep cycle battery, secure the battery properly because severe damage can happen if it bounces around or gets displaced in the kayak.

Also, there are options to use lithium batteries, which are much lighter than the deep cycle batteries. Lithium batteries usually weigh less than six pounds.

Storage

The kayaks usually have two types of storage. Dry hatch is good for keeping electronic devices or other things, which have to be kept dry. Bungee system storage is also suitable for keeping necessary things; you can store your essential items, even your tent. But a dry hatch is better for keeping things dry.

Rod Holders and Paddle Clips

Top-rated kayaks usually have rod holders. You can keep your rod in the holder when you cast your line. So you can stay relaxed.

Paddle clips hook the paddle and get it attached in the boat. Thus, you can stow the kayak paddles safely when you are enjoying snacks or fishing.

Motor Consideration in The Surf

Keep in mind while purchasing whether the kayak has a motor. It’s a significant issue because many kayaks on the market now are kayaks with motor mounts. All kayaks don’t come with motors. In that case, go through further hassle as you will have to purchase the motor and arrange its setup. It’s better to buy kayaks with built-in motors.

You can face problems with the motor if you launch through the surf regularly. The motor presents a hazard, and there’s also the extra weight of the battery. So, these things need a proper arrangement in the kayak so you don’t get into trouble. Usually, any motorized kayak gets hindered in the surf.

Motor with Rudder and Other Similar Features

It’s essential to be aware of all the involved features of the motorized kayak you’re getting. Narrow down the options according to desired features. Some motors can replace the mirage drive system, and you can also mount these motors on the rudder.

These motors often come with lithium batteries. Many kayaks also have features like GPS receivers, speedometers. You can add these features even after buying your kayak, depending on compatibility. Such systems offer you a significant kayaking experience. But kayaks having such systems are usually expensive.

Conclusion

Motorized kayaks are the best options at present for kayaking tours and fishing. Kayaking is a great recreational activity and an extreme hobby, making people return for more action again and again. We hope the discussions have helped you to understand the basic features of motorized kayaks so you can choose the most suitable motorized kayak for you while purchasing.