Motorized my Cobra Fish and Dive. - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

mazilla · 10-10-2011, 08:25 AM

I really enjoy paddling, but I also have a love for tinkering with things...so I tossed a motor on my Fish and Dive just because.

I did a 4 hour test run on Saturday night in the big bay, worked like a charm. The motor is a BassPro Prowler 30LB, it was 99.00 so I figured it would be the best candidate to be cut up. In the bay I can keep a steady 3 MPH, seems like I could go faster in reverse however...which was kind of funky to test. It feels weird hauling ass backwards! haha

I came up with the design over the three days I spent working on it, I planned it as I went. The entire system comes off in about 3 minutes, leaving only the two "L" brackets on the boat. The remote control for the motor is just a random plastic box I had lying around, I mounted the speed control switch and the on/off LED and sealed it up with Goop, then attached the box to the boat with a velcro rectangle. In the future I plan on doing something a little more slick, I just wanted to see if it would work before putting too much effort into it.

I'm still working on a way to bring the motor up, I have a latch release in place but it only works in the full down position...I have to work on that still.

COST:

BPS "Prowler 30" - 99.00
foot peddals - 35.00
Steel - 25.00
Paint - 7.00
Misc hardware - 30.00

Approx 15 hours(mostly wasted staring at the kayak thinking

)

Fire away with any questions(except any having to do with the Vessel Assist measuring tape on my hull! LOL)

sdfisher · 10-10-2011, 08:32 AM

That looks pretty cool. make hooping in the bay easy.
Do you have to register it since it has a motor on it?

mazilla · 10-10-2011, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sdfisher

That looks pretty cool. make hooping in the bay easy.
Do you have to register it since it has a motor on it?

Yeah, I need a CF #. Which is kind of ironic considering I was happy to be free of the CF # burden when I sold my boat and switched to kayaking 100% of the time. I'm going to mount the Cf# to the motor mount so I don't have those fugly numbers on the yak when I'm motorless...so I can still be part of the cool crowd.

StinkyMatt · 10-10-2011, 09:28 AM

Will anyone ever say anything to you about having a little silent electric on a yak?

Maybe...

Probably not.

I had my 3 person Canoe with a motor out in Newport and San Diego bays numerous times, talked to harbor patrol and DFG for various reasons and not once did they even mention it.

Probably not a big deal to register it.

mazilla · 10-10-2011, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StinkyMatt

Will anyone ever say anything to you about having a little silent electric on a yak?

Maybe...

Probably not.

I had my 3 person Canoe with a motor out in Newport and San Diego bays numerous times, talked to harbor patrol and DFG for various reasons and not once did they even mention it.

Probably not a big deal to register it.

I have a feeling I'll be doing a lot of "test runs" on the motor "I just installed last night".

And yeah, it is very very quiet...my buddy couldn't hear me until I was a few feet away during the test run. I kept sneaking up on him and doing fly-by's while he was jigging. LOL

Right now I'm hauling a HUGE deep cycle battery, 125AH...it must weigh 65 lbs by itself, I'd like to see the difference in speed when the yaks not hauling 400lbs(I'm 250LBS myself). I need to get out today and find a suitable battery, both lightweight and with enough amps to power the motor on the 6+ hour sessions we go on.

sdfishman · 10-10-2011, 10:50 AM

USS MAZ haha. I'm going to tie a rope to you next time. The reverse on that thing is comedy..

salty pirate · 10-10-2011, 04:06 PM

nice work on the steel.

I put a troling motor on an outrigger canoe it went about 5mph till it ran out of juice. had to paddle back with the extra 80 lbs

.

mazilla · 10-11-2011, 01:52 PM

I'm still looking for a battery, trying not to spend 200.00 on an Optima deep cycle if I don't have to. I have this brand new giant walmart deep cycle if somebody wants to trade for a smaller deep cycle....

Any suggestions on an affordable battery that will last??

ericko · 10-11-2011, 07:25 PM

Im liken it, good luck on the battery..

Bennyblanco · 10-11-2011, 07:56 PM

Look into an oddyssey battery it's supposed to be like an optima with 1/4 of the weight. About $150

that is a great rig .great inventions were born in a garage.good job.

ChefT · 10-11-2011, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazilla

Yeah, I need a CF #. :

Talk to George.... he is known around here for helping folks out with this....

jorluivil · 10-12-2011, 03:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChefT

Talk to George.... he is known around here for helping folks out with this....

Should I get out the price list and my Zimbabwe billing address?

mazilla · 11-15-2011, 03:00 PM

Just an update, still running strong with no issues to report...and I still haven't switched batteries, this dang Walmart battery has gone over 6 hours with plenty of charge left. I can't get myself to sacrafice battery power for weight, it seems stupid IMO given the amount of work it takes to paddle this load now.

JeffB · 12-19-2011, 12:58 PM

my brother wants to do something like this to his. How much did it cost ya?

ericko · 12-19-2011, 09:14 PM

the price is on the bottom of the 1st post

Billy V · 12-19-2011, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazilla

I'm still looking for a battery, trying not to spend 200.00 on an Optima deep cycle if I don't have to. I have this brand new giant walmart deep cycle if somebody wants to trade for a smaller deep cycle....

Any suggestions on an affordable battery that will last??

Costco

Aaron&Julie · 12-20-2011, 03:08 AM

Nice setup. Very impressive.
We also use a deep cycle marine battery purchased from Walmart, only when we go on bug trips. It's called EverStart. The good, well under $100, the bad, they weigh over 50lbs. My digital scale only goes to 50lb (supposedly). I just weighed it, it showed 52lbs, but I always believed it to be 60-65lbs, which may be more accurate.
Also, supposedly, it's been known not to keep a charge very well, according to some blogs we've read. While it charges to about 12.8 or 12.9 Vdc, after 3 or 4 days it may dip down to 12.5 Vdc, or thereabouts. We just slap on a fresh charge right before leaving (maybe 10-15 minutes), and we're good for about 5 miles using our Minnekota "Endura" 30 lb. thrust trolling motors, which are mounted on a 2"x4", which is mounted on one of our milk crates. The 2"x4" extends off the side of our 'yaks. The crate also holds the battery in it, plus a 5 gallon bucket for holding our bugs. We occasionally will fish for halibut prior to bug fishing at night. When we do, we substitute a different 5 gallon bait bucket modified with a pump (also from Walmart) to keep 'dines alive.

mazilla · 02-01-2012, 06:48 AM

Update: The speed control switch was apparently damaged during the install and I was missing the #5(highest) speed. BassPro sent me a new switch(free) and I got it on the yak a couple of weeks ago.

New speed results= 4-4.5MPH on #5...I've run it over 6 hours and still haven't had to paddle back with a dead battery.

Did I mention reverse is about the greatest thing you could have in a kayak? I'm loving it!

sdfishman · 02-01-2012, 06:51 AM

Not a big fan of your reverse

.. Next trip out wire cutters are a must haha..

mazilla · 02-01-2012, 06:51 AM

01/2012 Update: The speed control switch was apparently damaged during the install and I was missing the #5(highest) speed. BassPro sent me a new switch(free) and I got it on the yak a couple of weeks ago.

New speed results= 4-4.5MPH on #5...I've run it over 6 hours and still haven't had to paddle back with a dead battery.

Did I mention reverse is about the greatest thing you could have in a kayak? I'm loving it!

Quote:

Originally Posted by mazilla

I really enjoy paddling, but I also have a love for tinkering with things...so I tossed a motor on my Fish and Dive just because.

I did a 4 hour test run on Saturday night in the big bay, worked like a charm. The motor is a BassPro Prowler 30LB, it was 99.00 so I figured it would be the best candidate to be cut up. In the bay I can keep a steady 3 MPH, seems like I could go faster in reverse however...which was kind of funky to test. It feels weird hauling ass backwards! haha

I came up with the design over the three days I spent working on it, I planned it as I went. The entire system comes off in about 3 minutes, leaving only the two "L" brackets on the boat. The remote control for the motor is just a random plastic box I had lying around, I mounted the speed control switch and the on/off LED and sealed it up with Goop, then attached the box to the boat with a velcro rectangle. In the future I plan on doing something a little more slick, I just wanted to see if it would work before putting too much effort into it.

I'm still working on a way to bring the motor up, I have a latch release in place but it only works in the full down position...I have to work on that still.

COST:

BPS "Prowler 30" - 99.00
foot peddals - 35.00
Steel - 25.00
Paint - 7.00
Misc hardware - 30.00

Approx 15 hours(mostly wasted staring at the kayak thinking

)

Fire away with any questions(except any having to do with the Vessel Assist measuring tape on my hull! LOL)

10-10-2011, 08:25 AM	#1
mazilla advocatus diaboli Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 154	Motorized my Cobra Fish and Dive. I really enjoy paddling, but I also have a love for tinkering with things...so I tossed a motor on my Fish and Dive just because. I did a 4 hour test run on Saturday night in the big bay, worked like a charm. The motor is a BassPro Prowler 30LB, it was 99.00 so I figured it would be the best candidate to be cut up. In the bay I can keep a steady 3 MPH, seems like I could go faster in reverse however...which was kind of funky to test. It feels weird hauling ass backwards! haha I came up with the design over the three days I spent working on it, I planned it as I went. The entire system comes off in about 3 minutes, leaving only the two "L" brackets on the boat. The remote control for the motor is just a random plastic box I had lying around, I mounted the speed control switch and the on/off LED and sealed it up with Goop, then attached the box to the boat with a velcro rectangle. In the future I plan on doing something a little more slick, I just wanted to see if it would work before putting too much effort into it. I'm still working on a way to bring the motor up, I have a latch release in place but it only works in the full down position...I have to work on that still. COST: BPS "Prowler 30" - 99.00 foot peddals - 35.00 Steel - 25.00 Paint - 7.00 Misc hardware - 30.00 Approx 15 hours(mostly wasted staring at the kayak thinking ) Fire away with any questions(except any having to do with the Vessel Assist measuring tape on my hull! LOL) Last edited by mazilla; 10-10-2011 at 09:41 AM.

10-10-2011, 04:06 PM	#7
salty pirate Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: where the hell is Temecula Posts: 268	nice work on the steel. I put a troling motor on an outrigger canoe it went about 5mph till it ran out of juice. had to paddle back with the extra 80 lbs.

12-19-2011, 12:58 PM	#14
JeffB Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: La Jolla Posts: 1,216	my brother wants to do something like this to his. How much did it cost ya? __________________ If you're looking for me I'm

12-20-2011, 03:08 AM	#17
Aaron&Julie Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Spring Valley Posts: 1,400	Nice setup. Very impressive. We also use a deep cycle marine battery purchased from Walmart, only when we go on bug trips. It's called EverStart. The good, well under $100, the bad, they weigh over 50lbs. My digital scale only goes to 50lb (supposedly). I just weighed it, it showed 52lbs, but I always believed it to be 60-65lbs, which may be more accurate. Also, supposedly, it's been known not to keep a charge very well, according to some blogs we've read. While it charges to about 12.8 or 12.9 Vdc, after 3 or 4 days it may dip down to 12.5 Vdc, or thereabouts. We just slap on a fresh charge right before leaving (maybe 10-15 minutes), and we're good for about 5 miles using our Minnekota "Endura" 30 lb. thrust trolling motors, which are mounted on a 2"x4", which is mounted on one of our milk crates. The 2"x4" extends off the side of our 'yaks. The crate also holds the battery in it, plus a 5 gallon bucket for holding our bugs. We occasionally will fish for halibut prior to bug fishing at night. When we do, we substitute a different 5 gallon bait bucket modified with a pump (also from Walmart) to keep 'dines alive. __________________ "Never say die"

10-10-2011, 08:32 AM	#2
sdfisher Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Diego Posts: 179	That looks pretty cool. make hooping in the bay easy. Do you have to register it since it has a motor on it?

10-10-2011, 09:28 AM	#4
StinkyMatt Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Under a bridge Posts: 2,168	Will anyone ever say anything to you about having a little silent electric on a yak? Maybe... Probably not. I had my 3 person Canoe with a motor out in Newport and San Diego bays numerous times, talked to harbor patrol and DFG for various reasons and not once did they even mention it. Probably not a big deal to register it.

10-10-2011, 10:50 AM	#6
sdfishman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 115	USS MAZ haha. I'm going to tie a rope to you next time. The reverse on that thing is comedy..

10-11-2011, 01:52 PM	#8
mazilla advocatus diaboli Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 154	I'm still looking for a battery, trying not to spend 200.00 on an Optima deep cycle if I don't have to. I have this brand new giant walmart deep cycle if somebody wants to trade for a smaller deep cycle.... Any suggestions on an affordable battery that will last??

10-11-2011, 07:25 PM	#9
ericko Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntington beach Posts: 594	Im liken it, good luck on the battery..

10-11-2011, 07:56 PM	#10
Bennyblanco Ironman Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Inland empire Posts: 175	Look into an oddyssey battery it's supposed to be like an optima with 1/4 of the weight. About $150 that is a great rig .great inventions were born in a garage.good job.

11-15-2011, 03:00 PM	#13
mazilla advocatus diaboli Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 154	Just an update, still running strong with no issues to report...and I still haven't switched batteries, this dang Walmart battery has gone over 6 hours with plenty of charge left. I can't get myself to sacrafice battery power for weight, it seems stupid IMO given the amount of work it takes to paddle this load now.

12-19-2011, 09:14 PM	#15
ericko Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Huntington beach Posts: 594	the price is on the bottom of the 1st post

02-01-2012, 06:48 AM	#18
mazilla advocatus diaboli Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: San Diego Posts: 154	Update: The speed control switch was apparently damaged during the install and I was missing the #5(highest) speed. BassPro sent me a new switch(free) and I got it on the yak a couple of weeks ago. New speed results= 4-4.5MPH on #5...I've run it over 6 hours and still haven't had to paddle back with a dead battery. Did I mention reverse is about the greatest thing you could have in a kayak? I'm loving it!

02-01-2012, 06:51 AM	#19
sdfishman Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Chula Vista Posts: 115	Not a big fan of your reverse .. Next trip out wire cutters are a must haha..