Hobie Motor Mount 2

Electric motor mount for Hobie kayaks. Simple, lightweight, effective, durable and inexpensive.
For those that might wonder - the black band on the tube that inserts into the rod holder is a thin rubber sleeve to both center the tube and protect the rod holder/hull. Forgot to mention it in the video. Not absolutely necessary, but a little additional touch you may wish to consider.
And yes, the motor is fixed in place. You continue to steer with your boat's rudder.
In a subsequent video, I'll show it live, in use, on the water.

[@daviddelgado323]

I copied your mount sir, its been serving me well for the past 3 years. Thank you for sharing.

[@aceburns8673]

A 1 1/2" pvc pipe will not fit into a Outback rod holder, its a hair too tight. UNLESS you make four equally spaced slits in the pipe approx the length of the holder. Then it will collapse just enough to squeeze in, snugly. I had a problem making the kayak track straight. No matter how far I turned the tiller. I snugged the clamps tighter and used a bungie to stop the motor from wanting to go to the side because of the thrust. Worked great. I'm scooting along like there's no tomorrow.Thanks Tom!

[@arkster00]

Thank you for posting this. Very informative and useful. Will be using this with a bixpy on my revo 13. This will allow for clearing any weeds/kelp that might get stuck on the motor as it's very easy reachable.

[@JohnSims3]

EXCELLENT! This set up allows you to keep the pedals in place...

[@judyseger6733]

Had a friend make this for me and tested it on the Revo. 13 and a Torqeedo ultralight 403. This mount addressed all the prior issues with poor turning radius and cavitation. What a difference! Wish I had seen this 4 years ago. Thank you!

[@TomKirkman1]

Glad you found it useful. I have made a half dozen of these for my Hobie kayaks and every one of them has worked perfectly. No issues to date.

[@beachrepairs5215]

Made this mount for my Outback with an MK 30. Works perfect. Thanks Tom!

[@Markborn1969]

Had some issues finding the clamps in Aus, finally got it finished and tested last weekend. Very easy to use and so stable. Thanks for sharing Tom

[@TomKirkman1]

Outstanding. Hope you enjoy it.

[@dwntwnall4unme]

Thank you very much for the improved video.

[@lov2playtn]

Good stuff, Tom....

[@actnswfreshwaterfishing4979]

HI great idea thanks for posting this video

[@GarthVader68]

Thanks for the detail. Added to my to do list. Maybe modify idea to hold sonar

[@gaddkeltner]

I used 1" clamps. I fish saltwater, and as they were not stainless I sprayed them with Flex Seal to give them a rubberized coating. Got them at Ace Hardware.

[@TomKirkman1]

I use a variety of motors, from an 18lb thrust Sevylor to a 30lb thrust Motor Guide. I haven't found any additional thrust to gain you any more speed, just less battery run time. Most often I use a 35 amp hour "mart cart" battery. But this video is really about the mount, not the motor or battery.

[@Bixpy]

Ingenious!

[@moedaturk]

Hey mate Could you post up what pieces we need and how you made it with sizes etc This looks solid!

[@edgarfisher7224]

Excellent idea. Just ordered a 55lbs thrust motor for my AI.

[@TomKirkman1]

I think you're going to find that the 55lb thrust motor is overkill and instead of delivering more speed, will simply drain the battery more quickly.

[@edgarfisher7224]

True

[@milton_quadros]

Muito bom. Rápido e caceteiro. Very good. Fast and smart.

[@ytrichg99]

Tom Thanks for your fine, clear videos. You have a a lot of good ideas. I have a RIDE115 and wish to add a similar trolling motor. I already own a 34 lb thrust Minnkota. It weighs 13 lbs. I believe I read that your TM has 18 lbs thrust. Please advise the make/model/ weight of the one you use to drive your Hobie. I would be happy to switch to another trolling motor to save weight. 34 lbs drives my 16 ft skiff very well. surely the yak doesn't need much. thanks Rich

[@CurtisTheFlyer]

This is a great idea. I am going to do this for our Pro Anglers. How about filling the tubes with insulating foam. Should be enough to keep it afloat in a capsize.

[@TomKirkman1]

If you put foam in the unit, or cap the end, it will attempt to float up and out of the rod holder. So make sure that nothing you put in the tube/s is below the water line.

[@TomKirkman1]

It's just a standard PVC end cap. Try to get one that is fairly flat on the end. Some are rounded.

[@vutang6701]

Question, what is that end cap call? Tried looking for it at home Depot but no luck. And what size are those pipes? Thanks

[@TomKirkman1]

Yes, it will work the same way. The PA hull is wider at the top than the bottom, so it works the same way. You'll need to get the geometry right, that's all.

[@PowrPix24]

Tom, would you have a video of this motor mount in action?

[@TomKirkman1]

Sure, look under my videos for "motor mount in use." KZbin won't let me post a link. But it's in my video library. You should easily be able to find it.

[@gerardtsang4913]

Those 2 pole clamps are very hard to find, what size is it and what do they call exactly? Where did you get yours?

[@caseymoore223]

Those 2 clamps are called minerallac straps or conduit hangers, used for hanging electrical conduit, looks like 1" or 3/4 size. I don't think home depot sells those, call a electrical supply store they will have them for sure

[@joshheath1386]

I got mine at Home Depot, but not sure that all locations have those sizes.

[@gaddkeltner]

Lowes had a bunch of sizes when I checked today

[@chamientertainment676]

gaddkeltner Gibb

[@peternohlmans4588]

hi tom how deep under the hull is the propeller im making as well i have a watersnake 34 lb thanks mate good idear

[@ibezag0]

The cap that has the conduit hangers install in it, what is it called, I've been to a few big box hardware stores and can not find that piece

[@Trouthunter1964]

Hi Tom. I am from Denmark and I want to know the name of your trailer to the Hobie.

[@dwntwnall4unme]

Been looking at my PA 12, the rod holders angle outwards and the there is no ridge at the center point. Do you think it would work for the PA 12?

[@awdieee]

Tom, what size PVC pipe are you using on the Hobie? I measure the rod holder on my PA 14 and it is 1 3/4". Do I get a 1.5" PVC pipe? Thanks.

[@etolentino13]

The rear rod holders are not the same size nor angle for all hobie mirage drive kayaks. I have the older hobie outback and can only fit the 1" pvc through it. I have had to change the "geometry" to make it do-able but it doesn't feel nearly as secure as yours looks. Hopefully it works out.

[@judyseger6733]

I would like to use this setup with a Revo 13 and a torqeedo Ultralight 403. How is the turning radius if I do NOT remove the motor and want to use only the Hobie rudder and pedals at times.

[@TomKirkman1]

The same as if you did not have the motor.

[@symtex223]

I bought the material. Lets see if I can get it to work..

[@symtex223]

It looks as though my 2012 PA12 does not have the same rod holder angle as yours. It angles outwards.

[@Trouthunter1964]

Hi Tom. These parts u r using i the video are NOT availeble i Denmark. I have a Outback where i Want to put a Talamat 48 On. It weights about 8 kg. (16 pound) do u know which web sites I Can buy the parts. All the Best from Denmark. BTW Nice vids about mount On Hobies.

[@jorgegatica8065]

I just mounted a 34 lb thrust watersnake motor on my hobie pro angler 12 using your idea, I must say it works well, where is your battery mounted ?

[@TomKirkman1]

I use a small 35 amp hour battery and set it in the tank well behind the seat.

[@gerardtsang4913]

Where did you get those 2 pole clamps and what do they call exactly? What size is it?

[@vacuatus]

@@gerardtsang4913 The clamps are for emt conduit and are called a Mae West clamp at any electrical supply house.

[@bomiwonabi]

With deeez nuts!!!

[@vacuatus]

Hi Tom have you ever tried this with two trolling motors, one on each side? Would be interesting to see if you got more than 3.2 mph.

[@TomKirkman1]

The weight of an additional battery, loss of storage, etc., would likely negate any slight increase in speed you might get. I do suspect that twin motors would increase your speed more than simply going to a higher thrust motor, which never seems help much. More prop surface in the water is the key.

[@lengray7804]

@@TomKirkman1 the outback hull will top.out at 5-6 mph regardless of motor thrust/hp

[@gaddkeltner]

What size motor shaft do you use with this set up ?

[@TomKirkman1]

Whatever you want.

[@ytrichg99]

Not sure what happened..but..I asked about the model/make/weight of the TM you use..and the battery info, also please. seems my first reply disappeared. thanks Rich

[@TomKirkman1]

And 18 to 24lb thrust trolling motor will push most kayaks every bit as fast as larger 30, 40, 50lb thrust motors, but with far less battery drain.

[@comicsgod53]

Neat idea.Too bad it does not show how to make it or what size pvc pipe to use,measurements etc.

[@TomKirkman1]

It's all explained in the video. Watch it again. Impossible to tell you what sizes to use or the measurement - each boat will be different.

[@lengray7804]

Hello Tom, I made one of these a few years ago and it works great (ended up attaching a transom oard with large bolts so incould raise and lower the motor as needed). I can't seem to find the video #1 where you actually make it. Can you let me know if possible to get it posted back up or provide a link? 8 want to send to a friend who wants to make one.

[@TomKirkman1]

Not sure but this might be the one you want. kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4qqnX6qfsSGnac

[@harveysugerman8926]

Can you provide the specs on this mounting system?

[@TomKirkman1]

I'd like to be really can't. As I explained in the video, the shape of your hull will dictate the lengths, angles, etc., of the pieces involved. These plastic boats are not precision machined items - each model and even different boats of the same model are all going to be at least slightly different. All you need to get it right is your boat. Everything you need is right there.

[@rabbitskinner]

+TomKirkman1 -the basic specs would be helpful mate...

[@TomKirkman1]

There are no basic specs. They will be different for every boat. I have shown how to obtain the proper specs for your boat in this video.

[@gaddkeltner]

I checked PVC sizes...1 1/4" is a bit small, and 1 1/2" is too large...guess I'll build up the 1 1/4" with something...

[@gabrielplumbingcollc9291]

gaddkeltner duct tape

[@TomKirkman1]

Not a good idea to fill the tubes with anything. Once you make them buoyant, every swell you pass through will try to lift the mount out of the rod holder.

[@Bueno100868]

What are the dimensions? thank you.