This is out second day testing of W500 kayak powered by a 2HP Honda gas outboard engine.
This time we tested it in tandem, with a second adult on board.
The W kayak seen in this video is loaded with about 390 lbs, which is over the maximum 360 lbs load we recommend.
The passenger in the front is effectively protected from spray by a cockpit cover made of half a small tarp that cost $5. Not a single drop of water got into the cockpit during this entire voyage, and the cockpit cover wasn’t really necessary.
We kept a W paddle on board to help us pole while launching and beaching in shallow water, and as a contingency plan.
The kayak was very stable, even when we turned at full throttle.
Read more about motorizing your fishing kayak >>
I don’t think it’s possible to do this with one of the small electric trolling motors commonly used with kayaks.
I can see the w500 can serving as a tender for big leisure boats, replacing a small dinghy.
Nice little touring boat… You added an extra foam noodle in the back?
CJ
CJ,
Some big boat owners already use W kayaks as tenders, so I guess the option of adding an outboard motor would make the idea more popular.
Pete,
Another problem you’d have using a W500 in tandem with an electric trolling motor is the weight of the battery.
For this reason, we would have not tried going in tandem had the motor been electric.
We added a fifth ‘jumbo’ floatation module in the back (color: yellow), since with the extra fixed weight of the outboard motor no flotation is redundant.
Yoav
This is getting serious! This morning I even went to the Honda website for some reason. Can’t say why, I was just compelled. WOW, surely it is not because of your recent success adding an outboard. Hmmm that might explain why I found myself out in the yard this morning at first light looking over the W500 and having visions. Even in tandem the motor W500 appears to handle just fine. By the way you really do need to contact Honda, they owe you big time for making them look so good.
Thanks Jeff,
It was fun beyond belief! 😀
Yoav
This nimble and sporty craft combines the long range and better comfort of fishing motorboats with the stealth and better access of fishing kayaks, plus the super mobility of W kayaks. It brings kayak fishing to a new level.
Outstanding Video Yoav. 🙂
I’m designing a motor mount for my next project…….can we guess what that
will be? 🙂
Tight lines and be safe all.
Rox
Hey Yoav……….The motor looks great but may be tricky to operate in our skinny water with all its oyster bars. Is the gasoline located inside one of the rear hulls?
Gary,
The gas tank is in the top part of the motor. This is definitely not a solution for skinny water 😉
Rox,
My 1st guess: a rocket! 😀
Yoav
Wow! I didn’t imagine going in tandem with 2hp wkayak.
No spray is unbelievable too.
Mine is equipped with side stabilizers instead of extra floating module.
It sinks rarely in the water, but gives me more stability in mind.
What do you think of side stabilizers?
Thanks Sungjin,
In think stabilizers are not really necessary, but if you feel you need them, why not?
After you get used to driving your motorized W500, you’d probably stop using stabilizers.
Practice makes perfect 😀
Yoav
I like the possibility of the motorized W500 but I think at my age, I would definitely want the stabilizers. Could be a great possibility….Honda should love you!!
Bev,
I understand your concern about the stability of such a small vessel equipped with a powerful, 2HP motor.
However, stabilizers don’t seem to be a necessity after you get used to this combination, as I believe our motorized tandem a motorized stand up movies show.
As a kayak pro, you surely know that getting used to a new boat takes some time, and in this case it takes little time, because the W500 is so stable and easy to control.
We have many elderly clients, as you can see from our website’s ‘Reviews’ section