Blog

Carrying a Motorized W720 Kayak Skiff

Smaller Motors Weigh Less; Stick To The 3 HP Limit

The professional boater in this video carries a W720 Kayak Skiff outfitted with a 6 HP Tohatsu outboard that weighs 60 lbs. Due to safety reasons, the W720 Kayak Skiff is rated for motors up to 3 HP that typically weigh around 30 lbs, so carrying it is easier for users who abide by this power rating restriction.

Note that overpowering a boat is illegal in some states, and you should always wear a Personal Flotation Device (PFD / Life Jacket) when using kayaks and small boats.

Reinforced, Non-Standard Motor Mount

The photo below shows the 6 HP motor attached to a non-standard, reinforced motor mount. The W720 is not designed for use with a motor stronger and heavier than 3 HP, and driving it with bigger motors can be hazardous. The standard motor mount that ships with the W720 does not allow for using motors above the boat’s 3 HP max power rating.
The reinforcement of this motor mount includes doubling the thickness of the mounting plate and adding steel brackets as well as additional attachment points to the twin hull.

Rear view of the W720 Kayak Skiff with a 6 HP Tohatsu outboard motor mounted on a reinforced motor mount
Rear view of the W720 Kayak Skiff with a 6 HP Tohatsu outboard motor mounted on a reinforced motor mount
Attaching The Fuel Tank In the Front Of The Cockpit

The picture below shows the fuel tank attached in the front of the cockpit, with the fuel line secured under the coaming. The advantage of this setting is that the weight of the fuel tank help keeping the bow low and the boat level, which improves its trim, namely its speed.

W720 Kayak Skiff with 6 HP Tohatsu outboard motor on the beach, ready to launch
W720 Kayak Skiff with 6 HP Tohatsu outboard motor on the beach, ready to launch
Carry Handles

The W720 is a catamaran that features a carry handle at each tip of its twin hulls, a total of four handles. Since the user who shot this video held a selfie stick in one hand, he had to carry the kayak with one just hand, holding a paddle that he inserted in the two front handles. Needless to say that holding the kayak from both its carry handles is easier.

 

+ Add New Category

More fishing in Guam

By Terry Wilkison

Using the time before I get redeployed.

I’ve been experimenting with propellers of various pitch, and it seems to me that when my S4 is fully loaded (electric motor, batteries, cooler, etc), the 9″ pitch propeller isn’t necessarily the best choice, and smaller pitch propellers work as well.

 

Unmatched fishing platform in Guam

By Terry Wilkison

Guam

I’m happy to report the S4 continues to produce amazing memories. The combination of the S4 unique capabilities along with the GPS “spotlock” anchoring feature of the trolling motor has made for a fishing platform unmatched here.
I have been spending the last few months focusing on deep water fishing for new and tasty fish. I believe I am probably the first person to catch a few of these on a Wavewalk!
But more importantly I’ve made several good friends and a ton of memories here in Guam so far and the S4 craft has been an integral part of it.

Happy Holidays
Terry

Guam lagoon with S4 microskiff
S4 Microskiff anchored in Guam. Click image to enlarge.
Guam S4 Microskiff with fish on the casting deck
Click image to enlarge.

fish caught from an S4 micoskiff in Guam

Guam fishi on S4 Microskiff casting platform

Guam night fishing out of an S4 Microskiff

Guam fishing out of an S4 Microskiff
Click image to enlarge

Guam fishing out of an S4 Microskiff (

Big fish caught in Guam

Big fish caught in Guam

Big fish caught in Guam

Guam night fishing out of an S4 Microskiff

We love paddling our Wavewalk kayak, it’s very stable

By Michael Bailey

Florida

We bought our Wavewalk 700 kayak skiff used. My wife and I live near Crystal river, and we go paddling there, and watching manatees. We love our Wavewalk kayak, it’s very stable and comfortable.
I bought a new 2.5 HP Yamaha outboard gas motor with a 20 inch shaft at our local Yamaha dealership, and I made a transom motor mount for it, based on Wavewalk’s design –

transom motor mount for kayak skiff transom motor mount for kayak skiff

W720 kayak skiff FL

kayak skiff FL

Ultralight flatbed trailer for extreme portability of S4 Microskiff

By Captain Larry Jarboe

Wavewalk Adventures, Key Largo, Florida

This setup uses an inexpensive, very lightweight flatbed trailer, and an inexpensive electric bike. The idea is to be able to launch an S4 microksiff or a W720 kayak-skiff from anywhere on the island, without having to drive a car there. Works really well on the side streets and bike trails.

Launch anywhere ultralight trailer for S4 microskiff Key Largo FL
Early version

More on transporting your microskiff »