An overpowered boat, or kayak, is unsafe, and keeping safety in mind, most small outboard boat engines are too big and powerful for kayaks – even for the stablest kayak, which is the W500. However, smaller outboard gas motors are hard to find.

We advise to outfit your W500 with at least one large size outrigger, in case you’re going to use a 2 HP outboard motor with it. We do not recommend using bigger and more powerful engines, simply because going too fast in such a small boat can be dangerous, as both directional stability (tracking) and lateral stability are reduced at high speed that can be reached with such motors. Also, the more powerful the engine, the heavier it is, which could lead to steering problems.

As for smaller outboard gas engines that would not require the use of outriggers, we’ve been able to find only a few models that have a capacity smaller than 2 HP:
A business named Florida Outboard Motors & Engines offers a 1.2 HP, 2 stroke outboard engine weighing 16 lbs, and a business named Island Hopper Small Outboard Engines offers a 1.5 HP, 2 stroke outboard engine weighing 16 lbs as well. This weight is equivalent to that of a small, 30 lbs thrust electric motor.
Both motors are made by BridgeStone.

More on motors for kayaks: http://wavewalk.com/blog/2008/07/14/thrust-in-electric-trolling-motors-for-fishing-kayaks/

NEW: read more about motorizing fishing kayaks >>

Here is an example of such mount that works with our W500:

The main advantages of this type of motor mount are -

Best Comfort
The steering handle is conveniently located on your side, and does not require that you turn sideways or backward, or hold your arm behind your back.  This is the easiest way to steer by hand, and it’s preferable from an ergonomic standpoint.

Quick and Easy to Install
You attach this motor mount to your W500 fishing kayak using two clamps – It’s quick (takes about 1 minute), easy (no tools needed), and does not require that you drill holes in the hull.

Versatility
1. You can attach the motor on either side of your W fishing kayak, and easily switch sides. This can be an advantage especially if there’s a strong side wind blowing.
2. You can easily and quickly dismount the motor mount, and store it, as well as the electric motor in the W500 hull tips. It’s convenient in case you no longer feel like using the motor, or if you’re going in very shallow water where the propeller might be stuck, or damaged, or in water where seaweed is abundant, and where paddling works better than trolling with a motor.

DIY Clamp Mounted Mount For Electric Trolling Motor

Here is a schematic description of an easy to make DIY clamp mount for an electric trolling motor for your W500 fishing kayak:

Motor Mount Safety Device:

You can mount the vertical part of the motor mount on a hinge (see figure below), so that in case the motor hits an underwater obstacle, it would bounce up, thus reducing or altogether avoiding possible damage to it -

Optional Outrigger
The clamp mount for trolling motor featuring in Jim’s video is offered with an optional outrigger, with an adjustable height system. This device enables driving the kayak with the outrigger outside the water. Note: An outrigger is not a must-have, and you can drive the motorized W500 without it, as shown in the video. However, an outrigger may be useful in case you’re outfitting your W500 with a heavier, more powerful gas powered outboard motor.

Here is an example of an electric trolling motor mounted on such a mount:

For more info, see full article >>

NEW: read more about motorizing fishing kayaks >>

Those of you who’ve visited our blog before already know that Brian has a genius and a passion for kayak outfitting and rigging projects-

Says Brian:

-”I have been away having left shoulder surgery, total replacement, so I am presently thinking of no more paddling for me at all. Dr says “mild” shoulder work in a few months PT time.

I put my W kayak in the water this morning and tried-out the folding amas. Wow!, when I tried my hardest to make it tip , I could not. Just like standing on a concrete floor. Solid, solid as I never thought it would be. That is saying a dickens of a lot, coming from me. I could not budge it at all.

I did find it was a tad hard to keep course though. Once the turn was made tho it kept good tracking. I think that with the two batteries and motor gone, it will sail well with a Genoa jib, and NO mainsail.

Cheers,, Brian”

Brian's sailing W500 Kayak

More on Brian’s electric motor setup for his kayak >>

NEW: read more about motorizing fishing kayaks >>

To the best of my knowledge, so far only one W kayak angler has used such an outboard motor: Jim McGilvray, from Norfolk, UK, who rigged his 2007 W300 fishing kayak with a 2.5, 4 stroke engine, and a pair of DIY outriggers.
This is the movie Jim sent us, over two years ago:

This rig allows for more than trolling, obviously. The speed and stability are remarkable.

NEW: read more about motorizing fishing kayaks >>

Roxanne Davis from Connecticut is a seasoned kayak fisherwoman who has owned and rigged two early models of the W300 series, and reviewed them. Now she got a new W500, and this is her initial review:

-”I can say three things about it so far: “I LOVE IT” – The room in it is just perfect.”

-”I was on Rainbow Reservoir testing my W500 on a very wind day, and more boat traffic then I had expected. It handled like a dream, tracked great, and pushed threw the winds, with gusts up to 25mph, and constant 15mph. I was amazed how well I could paddle into the wind with it without killing myself.”

-”Most motor boaters don’t care about the laws and wakes… I Had a big 18′ Deep-V powerboat fly by on plane about 20′ from me, and I rode the 2′ wake with no problem. Then I went back to fishing, turned my head just in time to see the next wake hit me, (not even sure where it came from??) I didn’t panic, and let it hit sideways, and the W500 just gently swayed up and over the wake, and down, and then over the second wake with ease.
The W300 would have handled it also, but not as smoothly as the W500 did.
I’m really going to have to take it on the salt now, that wake gave me the confidence this baby can take it!!

I applaud you Yoav,  you’ve taken the best yak in the world, and made it better!”

-”I broke the W500 in with 15 Smallmouth Bass, nothing huge, just fun.

She’s been officially Slimed!! 

Rox”

Rox’ new W500 with her special side rod holder

Rox’ W500 with a transducer mounted

NEW: read more about motorizing fishing kayaks >>