Choosing A Motorized Fishing Kayak: What To Look For

The motorized kayak fits in a unique space in the fishing world. Over the last few years, these boats have grown popular for combining the size and maneuverability of a kayak with the power of a small motor. As fishing kayaks have grown more complex, with more tools and space for gear, it was almost inevitable that the next step would be a motor to help push all that extra weight around.

One important note: Check to see if your state requires motorized kayaks to be registered like other motorboats do. In many states, even a temporarily-attached trolling motor on a small boat subjects that boat to the same laws as other motorboats.

MOTORIZED KAYAK BENEFITS

A fishing kayak with a motor is the best of all possible worlds for many people. These plucky, upbeat boats combine the stealth of a kayak with the power of a motor. Here are some advantages to taking a motorized kayak out on the water:

• Most kayak motors are electric, which is better for the environment than a gas-powered trolling motor. This also means you don’t have to carry flammable (and heavy) fuel on your boat.
• Motorized kayaks let you fight the fish, not the current. You can travel further (and faster) than you would otherwise, which is useful if you have limited time for fishing.
• When you get to your favorite fishing spot, you’ll still have strength in your arms for casting.
• Motor power is helpful when facing adverse conditions, from strong currents to injuries.
• Motorized kayaking is more accessible for a broader spectrum of people.
• Kayaks are more nimble and maneuverable than a traditional motorboat, and can access places other boats can’t.
• Electric motors make less noise than other boat motors. (Just watch your throttle, since prop speed is what makes the most noise below the waterline.)
• Electric motors don’t pollute the water the same way that 2- and 4-stroke engines, which is especially great news if you eat what you catch.
• Fishing kayak features like storage and rod holders help you make the most of your space

HOW TO CHOOSE A MOTORIZED FISHING KAYAK

There’s a lot to consider when buying a fishing kayak, and throwing a motor in the mix adds even more to think about. Here are some factors to keep in mind when finding the boat that’s best for you.

A SOLID KAYAK

While the kayak motor is important, you also want to make sure you find a solid fishing kayak. Consider things like the comfort of the kayak seats. Do you have leg room? Is the seat comfortable enough that your back can spend all day in it?

Another consideration is room for accessories. Are there places to stow rods when you aren’t using them, or to mount them when you are? Can you attach a fish finder? Are there places to put a cooler for fish? Are there racks for accessories? If the boat doesn’t come with these features, there should at least be room for them.

Stability is important for a kayak. It’s extra important for a fishing kayak, and even more so when there’s a motor involved. You want to keep your fish and equipment secure. Generally, the wider a kayak is, the more stable. Fishing kayaks are usually on the wider side to account for everything you need to bring.

WEIGHT

Adding a motor to a kayak is going to increase the weight, but you still need to be able to transport and car-top your boat. After all, not everyone has a trailer or a pickup. You also want to look at the boat’s weight (and the weight of the motor) vs. its overall capacity. The more usable capacity the boat has, the more equipment you can bring and fish you can catch.

A related question is--how easy is it to remove the motor? Being able to take the motor out and replace it as needed can make a huge difference in how easy it is to carry and maneuver outside of the water.

Finally, how is the weight distributed? A motor will require the use of a deep cycle battery, which can weigh as much as 50 lbs. Storing the battery as low as possible without throwing off the balance of the kayak is very important.

EASE OF USE

Intuitive design is an important factor in a solid motorized kayak. A steep learning curve is never fun, for tools or for toys. The faster you can learn your kayak motor, the faster you can get back to fishing.

HANDS-FREE OPERATION

When you’ve got a fish on the line, the last thing you want to be doing is fighting your boat to keep it in place. There are a few ways around that, including pedal kayaks and motorized kayaks.  But not all of these boats are created equal, and some are better than others at giving you a true hands-free experience, so you can focus on fishing.

POWER

Top speed is going to vary wildly depending on how heavy your kayak is and how it’s built. It’s more useful to think of boat motors in terms of thrust. In general, you want at least 2 pounds of thrust per 100 pounds of weight. In smooth water, that should be plenty to get a kayak going about as fast as a kayak is capable of going. But in rough water, and other situations, having some extra oomph can make a big difference.

THE OLD TOWN SPORTSMAN AUTOPILOT

Ok, sure, we’re biased, but hear us out. We set out to completely reimagine what an angler could do with a motorized kayak. We believe that the AutoPilot lives up to that potential in a way no other boat has before. Here’s why:

COMFORT

You’re taken care of on the comfort front. The Sportsman motorized kayaks use dual-layer Textilene. It’s durable, UV-resistant, and easy to clean. A mid-layer of 3D mesh adds comfort, without getting in the way of the Textilene’s natural breathability. The seat is also adjustable, so that you can position yourself for maximum comfort.

WEIGHT

The Sportsman AutoPilot 120 and 136 both use the low-profile, double-U hull construction used in the Topwater family. That careful engineering saves weight, making them easier to carry around. But they’re both ready to load down with all the gear you might need. Here are the specs:

Sportsman AutoPilot 120:

• Total Boat Capacity: 558 lbs.

• Assembled Hull Weight: 119 lbs.

• Motor Console Weight: 24 lbs.

• Usable capacity for People and Gear: 415 lbs.

Sportsman Autopilot 136:

• Total Boat Capacity: 660 lbs.

• Assembled Hull Weight: 119 lbs.

• Motor Console Weight: 24 lbs.

• Usable Capacity for People and Gear: 512 lbs.

On top of the weight-conscious design, both boats let you easily remove the motor console, so the kayaks are easier to lift and stow. The motor is also fairly easy to remove, to lighten your kayak even more. A quick-release bracket keeps the motor secure in the water, but it’s easy to dock and remove. Popping out the motor can take some weight off when stowing the kayak on top of your car.

STABILITY

The low-profile, double-U hull construction doesn’t just save on weight. It also makes the boat more stable. For added stability, both AutoPilot models are 37 inches wide, giving them plenty of help in staying upright.

And while the boat’s stability is important, yours is, too. Non-slip EVA foam floor pads make it easier to keep your footing when you stand up in the boat.

EASE OF USE

The Sportsman AutoPilot was designed to balance ease of use with groundbreaking fishing features. The Bluetooth-connected i-Pilot remote lets you control the boat with a touch of a thumb. The GPS-enabled SpotLock feature lets you hold position in wind and current, letting you focus on fishing instead of positioning your kayak. You can maintain direction with the “heading” setting, and change speed and direction with the touch of a button. You can also download the i-Pilot app on your mobile device and bring that, instead.

But not all enhancements are high-tech. The Autopilot also features an extra-large rudder for easier control, whether you’re moving forward or in reverse. And if you want to paddle, the motor console is easy to remove and the kayak comes with a storable floor plug.

ROOM FOR ACCESSORIES

The AutoPilot comes decked out with all the storage options and rigging  you could ever hope for.

• There’s plenty of pocketing along the side for tools and tackle
• Four 18” accessory tracks along the sides provide an easy place for mounting gear
• A total of four flush mount rod holders (two in front, two in back) are there when you need them, and out of the way when you don’t
• There’s a channel for you to set your favorite tournament catch tray into, so you can securely measure your catch. You can also stow your catch tray in a special, out-of-the-way spot when you’re not using it
• The open cockpit is spacious, with plenty of room to organize
• A huge stern tank well has plenty of room to secure large coolers, tackle crates, and whatever else you may need
• A custom tackle box is included to help you stay organized
• Shallow water anchor mounting inserts let you mount a secondary option for staying put

HANDS-FREE MANEUVERABILITY

Sure, the i-Pilot remote is handy, but is it hands-free? It can be! The Spot Lock feature is great for hunkering down in one spot, with no extra effort on your part. But you can navigate hands-free, as well. A foot brace steering option lets you maneuver without the remote, and without having to take your hands off the rod.

POWER

The AutoPilot is powered by a Minn Kota Powerdrive trolling motor with 45 lbs. of thrust. Minn Kota trolling motors like the Endura are angler favorites for adding to a kayak after the fact. But the AutoPilot was designed around the use of a trolling motor, and features a seamless integration. One of the best motors on the market fits right in and locks in place like it belongs there—because it does.

THE SPORTSMAN 106 POWERED BY MINN KOTA

Another option is the Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota. Instead of the i-Pilot remote, this intuitive kayak offers another form of control. A throttle-style thrust control lever gives you a straightforward way to control your forward and reverse momentum, and the same extra-large rudder as the AutoPilot gives you easy control in either direction.

In fact, the 106 Powered by Minn Kota has similar top speed and power as the AutoPilot, though it’s scaled down and doesn’t have the remote control option. It still has plenty going for it:.

• Comfort: It has the same premium seating, though the height isn’t adjustable
• Weight: As you would imagine, the 106 is a little lighter than its larger counterparts, and a little easier to carry around..But it still has plenty of capacity.
  • Total Boat Capacity: 525 lbs.
  • Assembled Hull Weight: 104 lbs.
  • Motor Console Weight: 17 lbs.
  • Usable Capacity for People and Gear: 404 lbs.
• Stability: The 106 has the same low profile and double-U hull shape that keeps the others steady in the water, whether you’re seated or standing on the non-slip EVA foam deck pads.
• Ease of Use: The throttle-style thrust lever is about as easy to use as they come. It may not give you quite as many options as the remote, but it’s also a lot more familiar.
• Room for Accessories: All of the tricks for storing and stowing are still here from the AutoPilot, if scaled down a bit for size.
  • Pocketing along the side for tools and tackle.
  • Four 18” tracks for mounting accessories
  • One forward-facing and two rear-facing flush mounted rod holders
  • Tournament tray channel and storage
  • Large, easy-to-organize open cockpit
  • Large aft tank well
  • Custom tackle box included
  • Shallow water anchor mounting inserts
• Hands-Free Maneuverability: The 106 Powered by Minn Kota lacks the remote control with its Spot Lock feature, but it does have foot brace steering that lets you maneuver anywhere you could want without using your hands.
• Power: Like the AutoPilot, the 106 Powered by Minn Kota uses a 45 lb. thrust  electric motor.

MORE POWER TO YOU!

Sportsman fishing kayaks aren’t just helpful, they’re fun. Maybe you opt for the light, accessible versatility of the Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota. Or maybe you’d prefer the high-tech power of the Autopilot line. The Sportsman AutoPilot 120 is perfect for lakes, ponds, slow-moving rivers, and near-shore fishing expeditions. The Sportsman Autopilot 136 is great for larger anglers, larger bodies of water, or saltwater expeditions.

Whichever model you opt for, these motorized fishing kayaks give you unprecedented range and hands-free control that lets you focus on fishing. Whether you’re out to win tournaments or just to have a fun, carefree day on the water, Sportsman kayaks with Minn Kota motors put the power to have the perfect day in your hands.