Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge - View Single Post

DanaPT · 02-21-2012, 10:58 AM

2 years ago, I bought a used x factor set up w/ a minkota trolling motor. It Has the peddle steering system and the 6 speed control forward 3 reverse. All nicely mounted. The motor is a pretty cool feature, but since my fateful smashing last summer by the surf, I haven't used the motor cause I'm too lazy to install the new control knob/switch I lost.

In action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXkw4...56AUAAAAAAAbAA

The lay-out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGTu...ebAUAAAAAAAcAA

Pluses:
- nice to have a little extra help when the hands are doing other things AND you don't have a Hobie Mdrive.

Negatives:
- Requires a big/heavy marine battery (that's what I use)
- Supposed to get CF #s on a motorized watercraft
- I can use it for almost a full day, but it zaps a bunch of juice from the battery and eventually I don't enough juice for the fish finder and almost always have to paddle back.
- When the motor running, steering into kelp, or your own fishing line is a drag (I've done that too).
- Having to climb towards the back of a yak w/o spilling into the drink is always exciting when attaching or detaching the motor while at sea. (I usually go covert and paddle in/out of the harbor cause I just don't need to be hassled by OC's finest).

All that said, I am working to get my motor situated cause the option to use it when I want would be nice BUT not necessary.

Fish on.

02-21-2012, 10:58 AM	#8
DanaPT Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: South OC Posts: 1,605	Still not entirely sold on the motor . . 2 years ago, I bought a used x factor set up w/ a minkota trolling motor. It Has the peddle steering system and the 6 speed control forward 3 reverse. All nicely mounted. The motor is a pretty cool feature, but since my fateful smashing last summer by the surf, I haven't used the motor cause I'm too lazy to install the new control knob/switch I lost. In action: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXkw4...56AUAAAAAAAbAA The lay-out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDGTu...ebAUAAAAAAAcAA Pluses: - nice to have a little extra help when the hands are doing other things AND you don't have a Hobie Mdrive. Negatives: - Requires a big/heavy marine battery (that's what I use) - Supposed to get CF #s on a motorized watercraft - I can use it for almost a full day, but it zaps a bunch of juice from the battery and eventually I don't enough juice for the fish finder and almost always have to paddle back. - When the motor running, steering into kelp, or your own fishing line is a drag (I've done that too). - Having to climb towards the back of a yak w/o spilling into the drink is always exciting when attaching or detaching the motor while at sea. (I usually go covert and paddle in/out of the harbor cause I just don't need to be hassled by OC's finest). All that said, I am working to get my motor situated cause the option to use it when I want would be nice BUT not necessary. Fish on.