Comments on: Thrust in Electric Trolling Motors for Fishing Kayaks http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/ Kayak Fishing and Paddling Info, Stories and Movies. The New Standard in Fishing Kayaks. Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:38:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: admin http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-1003 admin Thu, 23 Oct 2008 20:18:26 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-1003 In ordinary kayaks, the heavier the kayaker the more likely he is to feel both unstable and uncomfortable, mostly because of back problems. I guess 300 lbs is a ballpark number above which I wouldn't recommend kayaking. Back pains are not a problem in the Wavewalk kayak, but for very tall and heavy people stability might be a problem, especially at high speeds the boat can reach with a gas engine. Therefore, I'd recommend outfitting the W-kayak with at least one outrigger when using a 0.5 HP or more gas engine. With electric trolling motors I'd recommend using the weakest motor possible, so that you don't drain the battery too quickly and be forced to paddle back with a 50 lbs battery and motor onboard. It's possible to take two batteries onboard the W-kayak, one at the bottom of each hull, but you'll have to take into consideration the extra weight. Some batteries are lighter for the same power. This guy from the UK outfitted his Wavewalk with a 2.5 HP gas engine: http://www.wavewalk.com/Motorized_Kayak_01.html I'd recommend placing the motor further to the side, preferably with one outrigger: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/03/13/outrigger-for-w-fishing-kayak/ for various reasons, but mainly better ergonomics when it comes to using the tiller. Yoav In ordinary kayaks, the heavier the kayaker the more likely he is to feel both unstable and uncomfortable, mostly because of back problems.
I guess 300 lbs is a ballpark number above which I wouldn’t recommend kayaking.
Back pains are not a problem in the Wavewalk kayak, but for very tall and heavy people stability might be a problem, especially at high speeds the boat can reach with a gas engine.
Therefore, I’d recommend outfitting the W-kayak with at least one outrigger when using a 0.5 HP or more gas engine.

With electric trolling motors I’d recommend using the weakest motor possible, so that you don’t drain the battery too quickly and be forced to paddle back with a 50 lbs battery and motor onboard.
It’s possible to take two batteries onboard the W-kayak, one at the bottom of each hull, but you’ll have to take into consideration the extra weight. Some batteries are lighter for the same power.
This guy from the UK outfitted his Wavewalk with a 2.5 HP gas engine: http://www.wavewalk.com/Motorized_Kayak_01.html
I’d recommend placing the motor further to the side, preferably with one outrigger: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/03/13/outrigger-for-w-fishing-kayak/ for various reasons, but mainly better ergonomics when it comes to using the tiller.
Yoav

]]> By: Georgia Fly Fishing Guide http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-1002 Georgia Fly Fishing Guide Thu, 23 Oct 2008 19:37:47 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-1002 Few thoughts: - What would you consider to be the maximum weight a person can be to even engage in Kayaking? The answer would coincide with my next question: - Knowing the maximum weight a kayak enthusiast can be, what would be the ideal type of engine to install in such a floating device? - If it's electric, would it be feasible to link an extra battery to compensate for the weight in the kayak (i.e. if the kayaker is about 300lbs). - If not electric, what size gas-powered motor would be feasible to put in such a floating device? K Thanks! Few thoughts:

- What would you consider to be the maximum weight a person can be to even engage in Kayaking? The answer would coincide with my next question:

- Knowing the maximum weight a kayak enthusiast can be, what would be the ideal type of engine to install in such a floating device?

- If it’s electric, would it be feasible to link an extra battery to compensate for the weight in the kayak (i.e. if the kayaker is about 300lbs).

- If not electric, what size gas-powered motor would be feasible to put in such a floating device?

K Thanks!

]]> By: admin http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-741 admin Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:12:15 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-741 Most experts seem to agree that for a small boat such as the W kayak an electric motor with less than 30 lbs thrust would be enough. It's important to remember that the more powerful the motor the faster it drains the battery, and a battery without power is not just useless, it's also about as heavy as a child, which means you need to work harder paddling... An electric trolling motor system consisting of Battery + Motor + Mount can weigh as much as a small, lightweight adult, but unlike such a passenger this system can't 'paddle' if the battery is empty. :D Most experts seem to agree that for a small boat such as the W kayak an electric motor with less than 30 lbs thrust would be enough.
It’s important to remember that the more powerful the motor the faster it drains the battery, and a battery without power is not just useless, it’s also about as heavy as a child, which means you need to work harder paddling…
An electric trolling motor system consisting of Battery + Motor + Mount can weigh as much as a small, lightweight adult, but unlike such a passenger this system can’t ‘paddle’ if the battery is empty.
:D

]]> By: Graham Rubens http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-740 Graham Rubens Mon, 14 Jul 2008 19:02:49 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-740 Would 36 lbs of thrust be enough for a W kayak? Would 36 lbs of thrust be enough for a W kayak?

]]> By: admin http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-739 admin Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:58:35 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-739 If you know the Amps and Volts it's easy to find the Watts (power). To convert Amps to Watts you can use the equation Watts = Amps X Volts. For example, if your fishing kayak's electric trolling motor is powered by a 12 Volt battery (typical), and its manufacturer rates it at 20 Amps, then 12 X 20 = 240 Watts. In other words, your fishing kayak would have a 1/3 HP (750/240 Watts) motor onboard. This is very little compared to gas engines, but it's not too bad compared to human power, except for the fact that the battery and motor can add almost 100 lbs to your kayak... If you know the Amps and Volts it’s easy to find the Watts (power).
To convert Amps to Watts you can use the equation
Watts = Amps X Volts.
For example, if your fishing kayak’s electric trolling motor is powered by a 12 Volt battery (typical), and its manufacturer rates it at 20 Amps, then 12 X 20 = 240 Watts.
In other words, your fishing kayak would have a 1/3 HP (750/240 Watts) motor onboard.

This is very little compared to gas engines, but it’s not too bad compared to human power, except for the fact that the battery and motor can add almost 100 lbs to your kayak…

]]> By: Al http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-738 Al Mon, 14 Jul 2008 18:42:24 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-738 One more question: I can't seem to find information on watts in electric trolling motors but some places talk about Amps. Al One more question: I can’t seem to find information on watts in electric trolling motors but some places talk about Amps.
Al

]]> By: Al http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/#comment-737 Al Mon, 14 Jul 2008 17:33:26 +0000 http://wavewalk.com/blog/?p=140#comment-737 Thanks! Al Thanks!
Al

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