What happens when you peddle/paddle while using a motor?

Hi everyone,

I'm curious if an electric motor on a kayak works like an electric motor on a bicycle. On an "pedal assist" electric bike you can still get a workout but go faster and farther...kind of like having super power.

Does it work the same on a kayak if you paddle when the motor is on? Say for example, if your normal speed under human power is 3MPH. And you had a motor that would move you along at 3MPH with only the motor. What would happen when you started paddling at your normal speed?

Thanks for your input.

Dave

I like to peddle along with the motor. It makes the peddling easier and the battery lasts longer.https://imgur.com/KXiapqQ Sometimes when I get back to the beach, there will be a crowd waiting to see who it is.

I have a Bixpy on the Revolution rudder. With the motor going, my speed increases by about half but the pedal effort decreases. There is a max speed whatever I do or use probably related to hull design.

We have a Hobie Oasis kayak with an Evolve (Torqeedo) electric motor on the rudder. We hardly ever paddle unless the water is just too shallow for the pedals or motor. We almost always use the pedal drives and motor together. This increases our speed versus pedaling alone, and increases our range versus motor alone.

A typical day for us is between 12 and 25 miles. Depending on how hard we want to work I will set the motor between 100 and 200 watts (WOT is just over 400 watts) to maintain an average speed around 4 mph. Because of the GPS in the motor system, we can see in realtime the effects of wind, current, and pedal effort on our speed and range and adjust as needed. We usually try to reserve 60-65% of the battery for the return leg.

On a downwind run with decent wind we usually use the motor and sail together and just relax and enjoy the ride at 5 mph.

Peter

Awesome, thanks for the input. I'm glad to hear that human power can still be used with good effect. I was concerned that the human power would be fighting against the motor...with the motor trying to maintain whatever speed. Glad that's not the case.

Take care everyone.