DIY Trolling Motor

Anyone try this. It looks simple enough. I don't see any downside.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHjteqNflS4

I see no reason a small auxillary power source can't be added to small boats in order to extend the range and lessen the physical requirements (especially with us older folks).
Especially in big water (salt water) where things like changing winds and current can occur anytime, making it difficult for us to make it back in to safety.
My situation is I only have so many pedal strokes in me. I have been out offshore many times where the conditions have changed and I had difficulty getting back in and ran out of physical energy trying to peddle my kayak back to safety against the wind and current. A good example is the passes we have to go thru to get out to the ocean. The current in the passes is around 5-6 mph, making it nearly impossible to get back in with just pedal power.
Having that alternate power source I consider to be very valuable, I have suffered leg cramps where I could no longer pedal effectively. Yes we can always break out the paddles, (been there done that, reluctantly).
The current downside to battery/electrics is speed and range which are both very finite. In other words you get yourself in trouble you have maybe 20 minutes of power available, what if it only gets you halfway back, your basically screwed.
I'm a firm believer in having the capability (battery/electric, or gas). But I much prefer to add that power via a tilt down motor, that you can elect to use or not use with your pedal drive ( using both at the same time). This greatly extends the range of the electrics, and lessens the physical burden of peddling. Basically instead of having to peddle at 80 cpm to get back in to safety, which I can do but can only maintain for a mile or so, then I'm used up. In contrast with aux battery electrics I can maintain the same speeds via peddling and electrics at the same time, but only need to peddle at 40 cpm (cycles per minute), which is a pace both my wife and I can maintain for ten hours if needed.
I have very strong feeling that instead of using either sail, or pedal/paddle, or aux power. All power sources need to be combined, (sail, and, pedal, and aux power, all at the same time (tri-power).
If there is usable wind, put the kayak sail up (we have never launched a Hobie kayak in ten yrs without a sail kit strapped to the side of the kayak). If the wind/chop, current get too strong and you have to peddle at a pace higher than your physical abilities can maintain, then drop the motor in the water and use it so you can peddle at a less physically exhausting maintainable pace to get you back home to safety. Doing so will quadruple your electrics range, and prevent complete exhaustion.
I'm not telling anyone what to do or not to do (I could care less what anyone else does), I'm just suggesting that removing the primary power source on a peddle boat is a silly exercise in my opinion.
FE

This is really simple and quick to make and will work with any Hobie kayak that has the molded in rod holders:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xa-XJ5G9vU

this is a good idea.....thanks..

One of my complaints about the evolve drive, and the trolling motors mounted in the mirage slot is high risk of possible damage in shallow water, (ya never know when that's sneaking up on you).
Tom's setup or a swing up trolling motor when you not using it doesn't need to be in the water at all (huge drag penalty on kayaks). My opinion is you should always pedal 100% of the time whether sailing or using the electrics, with the electrics you don't need tobpedal nearly as hard, (like at a walking pace, at a pace you can maintain for hours on end, plus it's good exercise.
FE

What I'm looking for is a motor to use after a 5-6 hr day of pedaling. Currently, I need to watch the tides very closely so I don't end up fighting it on my return trip. I often fish a channel between two inlets, and that water can really move.
A motor would be more of a back-up for me.

There is another new player out there called Bixby with what looks to be a promising lightweight product for kayaks. I'm kinda waiting around for the thing to come out, and hear from other Hobie users. From what I'm gathering from their website is it will be a flip down type motor (the type I like).
We are scuba divers and one of their units can be used to propel divers, It would be cool for us if we could use the same unit for dual uses. As backup propulsion for the kayak and then disconnect and pop the underwater battery on for diving. Well thats the theory anyway, I have to see one in operation before jumping in another hole (I've jumped into many lol).
Yea we have our TI all souped up with massive sail sets and big twin outboards, and our current rig has a hundred mile per day range offshore. But fact of the matter is we use just the kayak mode as well (in my opinion the TI kayak is the hest and fastest kayak Hobie makes), and having a motor system like you are describing (or a bixby waterjet (if it works)) would be a useful addition to our boat as well (as backup propulsion). I think the key item for me will be the battery, I have zero desire to haul around a pair of 65lb batteries on my TI kayak (been there done that).
Let us know what you end up with.
FE

I built one of those long before "Bixby" did and used it on my Pro Angler nearly six years ago. It is superior to a common trolling motor in many ways and works very well. I was able to get my Pro Angler up to a little over 6 MPH with it.

I had wondered if the design would go anywhere - apparently it did.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxp-74y9ih8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2y9jL_SJd4

Yea Tom I remember it well and was one of the guys peppering you with 10,000 questions.
At the time I had been working on a personal flying machine for a couple years, and was all studied up on ducted fan tech. Thinking it would also have good application in water propulsion. Then I got side tracked in my wing crap and all the aerodynamics involved with that.
Now that the pwm drive/motor tech and the battery tech have caught up with reality. I'm planning to jump back in.
Of course I'll still need to design and build all my own props, I'm envisioning mounting a pair of those bixby (or similar) ducted fan systems to my TI.
As everyone knows my end game (to complete the EC 300 mile race in experimental electric class 6 nonstop averaging 10-12mph in under 24hrs utilizing my wing tech and high end electric/battery/solar), It will likely still be a while (5 yrs) before I can pull that one off).
BTW I really enjoyed your stuff back then, which I thought was ground breaking at the time. Thinking someone has finally broken the 30 yr old trolling motor crazy thinking that everyone was following like sheep.
FE

Now, the next question is which is the best trolling motor for the $$ for SW fishing. I guess 24lb thrust should be enough for my Revo13.

Downside would be our state requirement to register the boat, fees and insurance to boot. Canoes and kayaks avoid registration unless they have a motor. Oh and the watersnake motor doesn't appear to be available in North America at this time.

Broadwaytackle.com is getting a shipment in next month. I spoke to Larry the owner. He said they have arrived on the west coast and will be at his location soon. I just ordered one. Now....looking for a decent battery that won't sink my yak !!

+1

Water snake/Motorguide/Sevylor - all the same motor from the same manufacturer.

Broadwaytackle.com is getting a shipment in next month. I spoke to Larry the owner. He said they have arrived on the west coast and will be at his location soon. I just ordered one. Now....looking for a decent battery that won't sink my yak !!

I ordered mine about 3 weeks ago, Larry said they should be in by early Febuary!
Patrick