outboard motors.

[martinw]

been looking at some different kayak angling sites and i cant understand why people put these electric outboard motors on their kayaks , i thought kayaking was about you, a kayak, a paddle and a bit of physical exertion? if your going to do that why not buy a boat? you wouldn't buy a new seahog, ditch the outboard and buy a paddle ;D ;D ok, some people might say, well its handy if you get tired and cant paddle anymore, but you should know your paddling capabilities, know how far you can push yourself, so you shouldn't get tired. However there may well be a good reason for having one

[The Image ™]

Back up engine. If you're going a long way out and a strong offshore wind gets up it could save your bacon. I think John McQueen tried it. Don't know his result though. I'm more interested in the sail version (more natural). They sell these in Brookbanks. Anyone tried one out yet? Here's one below.

[martinw]

I still think that it defeats the object of having a kayak, yeah handy if you get into trouble like you say, but you can avoid that through good prior planning and preparation. how far out is far?? again kayak fishing is all about getting to those nooks and crannies that shore and boat anglers cant get to, isn't it?? if you want to fish far out, book or buy a boat, you shouldn't put yourself in that position where you need an engine. just think of all that energy your going to use paddling all that weight around.

[The Image ™]

The best laid plans can fail. My Christmas match of 2003 was forecast force 3 to 4 and it turned out as a force 9 gale with gusts of force 12. If you'd kayaked 5 miles out, that'd be a problem! It all depends on how much you want to do. Both you and me are still at the phase where we're happy to be half a mile out but what about those experienced yakkers that fancy paddling halfway to the Isle of Man? I think a 2nd mode of propulsion would be a 'must'!

[stitch]

Hello Martin
As The Image said i have a electric outboard a Motorguide 30 pushing out 30lbs of thrust which is about 1hp. At the beginning i think i was blinded by the American sites were a motor assisted kayak is as normal to them as beans on toast is to us. Looking at the range of one battery charge really impressed me, one chap told of twenty mile as the norm and more if the paddler assisted the motor as well, of course the weather and sea state have a part to play in all this. I only had two outings last year with the motor so it was more of a new experience with fine tweaking thrown in.
The handling was good in a straight line with minor adjustments on the tiller but turning was a different matter, it seamed as though turning through 180 degrees would take about 50ft maybe more, i think not having a keel had something to do with this as the boat would slide across the water during the turn.

If someone asked me about putting a motor on their boat the advice i would give would be, make sure you have everything else first and buy the motor last. For the price of the set up you can buy a fishfinder and GPS or VHF radio which is of more use. As for my motor set up i think it definately has its place after all thousands of American kayak fishermen cant be wrong but as far as i am concerned i will use it for trolling lets say two rods in the holders one with a popper and the other a floating diver.

For anyone new to kayak fishing i would like to finish off by saying there is no substitute for paddle power. Time on the water brings its rewards of experience, fitness and knowing your own limits.

Happy paddling

John



Motor battery set up

[tribble]

I was out with john when he tried his engine on both occasions. In my opinion it is not worth it you can paddle faster with out it. when you go into all these small coves everyone has been dreaming about you could end up breaking you prop on the rocks and as some of you have noticed coming in when there are small waves you can get trown off your kayak coming in and your motor will end up destroyed.
If anyone does decide to get one you also have to think of break downs if it should break down when you are more than 2 miles into your trip you have got all that exta weight to paddle with which will slow you down
You need to build your fittness up first and then think realy hard before you go and buy one