The W720 Kayak Skiff is a lightweight twin-hull (true catamaran) that’s 31 inches wide, and weighs 85 lbs. It is extremely stable for its size, and in fact it’s more stable than much bigger and wider kayaks, but still, it is a very small craft, which is why it is rated for motors up to 3 HP (effectively 2.5 HP) and not more.

A W720 outfitted with a bigger, more powerful motor is overpowered, which means that it is illegal in states that forbid overpowering boats, and potentially hazardous to drive everywhere, regardless of laws.
The overpowered W720 kayak skiffs that feature in demo videos are driven by experienced professionals whose job is to test new boat designs, including in special and even extreme conditions.

Many owners like to outfit their boat, and in rare cases this includes outfitting it with a motor that’s too heavy and powerful for it, and does not comply with the boat’s power rating.
There is no effective way to stop people from doing this except recommending that they don’t, but those who feel they must try this should be aware that the standard motor mount that comes with the W720 does not support motors bigger and more powerful than the 3 HP for which this kayak is rated. Therefore, they must build a special motor mount for their overpowering project, and attach it properly to their W720, or reinforce the standard unit that ships with this kayak.
Failing to do so is hazardous and could cause serious accidents and damage to the kayak.

Any reinforcement must include making the mounting plate thicker as well as adding attachment points to the wooden saddle bracket and to the hull, including steel hardware. Special attention must be given to avoid unnecessary perforations in the hull, and to properly seal the ones that are needed for the project.

The picture below shows a reinforced W720 motor mount, for illustration purpose only – This is not a recommendation.

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.

Attaching The Fuel Tank In the Front Of The W720 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 helps in keeping the bow down and the boat level, which improves its trim, namely its speed.
The 3 gallon fuel tank from Tohatsu fits perfectly at the bottom of an S4 hull, but since the W720 hulls are too narrow for this, the next best location for it was on top of the saddle.

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.

 

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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.

 

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

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 –