Installing an Electric Trolling Motor on your Hobie Kayak

Kayak Trolling Motor in this episode I install and test an FPV 28lb electric trolling motor kit to my Hobie Pro Angler 14 Kayak. Running through the setup on water usability and speeds. What an awesome Kayak Mod for the Hobie Pro Angler turned into a powered and motorized kayak. I then finish the vid with an amazing session catching many awesome fish.
Gear used
Hobie Pro Angler 14
FPV-POWER 28lb Trolling Motor with built in PWM
FPV-POWER Hobie Motor Mount
FPV-POWER 50AH KAYAK BATTERY AND CHARGER COMBO
The FPV Kayak Motor is a cheaper alternative to the Bixpy J-2 Outboard Electric Kayak Motor. With some clear advantages and disadvantages. We cover install, usability and speed tests to complement your fishing.
*BECOME A FISHINGMAD MEMBER* Exclusive Fishing Workshops, Exciting Monthly Giveaways, Fishing Reports with GPS Coordinates, Member Podcast, Catch of the month competitions, Interactive Maps, Gear Guides, Rigging Tutorials, Kayak Club, Tackle Talks, Sounder School, Fish Prep Lessons & More www.fishingmad.com.au/member

[@carlherbert1494]

Love your content and think you have a fantastic trolling motor set up. 6Km/hr I think is reasonable speed considering the size and weight of your yak at time 08:15 the video shows the depth of your motor and prop, the more shaft in the water means more drag. Reducing the depth may increase efficiency giving you better endurance but wont necessarily give you increased speed. I trolled KZbin for about a year learning the pros, cons and how-to’s on fitting a motor to a yak. From what Ive learnt the science around propellers is vast, each designed for a specific rpm and power range and most are around 3 to 4 inches pitch, ie in one revolution the prop will screw its self through the water 4 inches theoretically in perfect conditions. I have seen several videos where 2 bladed model aircraft propellors with 6 inch pitch have been fitted with varied degrees of success the diameter is trimmed to same as the one removed all said there is a prop company in Ohio called Kipawa, easy to find on the web, some people swear by them saying they’re efficient and increase the overall speed. Good luck!

[@fishingmad]

Wow thats very helpful information. Thank you

[@hakanyldz3721]

Great value and very stable. Comes with everything you need to get started.

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

By far the very best fishing show and instructions on KZbin mate. Very informative. I am just starting to get my gear together for a mad dash to the beaches and piers. Regrettably; no kayak or boat. Just shank's pony with a broken "rudder".

[@pbc662]

This video is awsone. Thank yoy

[@fishingmad]

You are very welcome. Thanks for watching

[@josephaerialphotography6734]

Fantastic video Alan well explaind as usual...And this why I keep watching your shows keep it up 💪👍✝️

[@fishingmad]

Thanks 👍 Really appreciate it

[@frankbacic7959]

Thanks for speedy reply 👍👍keep up the great work👍👍look forward to the next vid!

[@fishingmad]

Thank you !! plenty of good stuff on the way

[@eddieeduard5018]

I watch a lot of videos. But yours are the very best of the best. Well explained. The hole in between YOURE motor use some flat rubber or plastic cut it to feet around it and use Velcro. It will stop losing YOURE stuff. Or use bubble wrap shove it there.

[@rohantaylor1998]

Good review Alan. I use the motor to get long distances up rivers, dam and lakes. I can then change to the peddle again while fishing, then put the motor back on for the long trip home. I solved the gap problem by buying a rubber shower mat with suction cups, cutting a hole in the middle for the shaft and a slit to one long edge. This allows the mat to fit around the motor shaft and also allows the motor shaft to move/swing forward if it bumps anything. The suction cups on the shower mat stop is moving about the bottom of the kayak.

[@fishingmad]

Looks like we were thinking exactly the same the day after recording this vid i did exactly the same thing as a quick fix a shower mat at the right size with suction cups which to date is a quick and simple solution

[@mitchelljohnson202]

Great video Alan🎣

[@fishingmad]

Thanks 👍 !!

[@pa1264]

Awesome set up😁

[@fishingmad]

Thanks! 😁 Yeah its pretty crazy good now the entire setup and years of mods

[@lockyraglus3358]

Definitely inspecter gadget of kayaks

[@johnsipolis]

Good set-up Alan, like you said a lot of thinking and tinkering to get it right, I wouldn't worry too much about the speed, just sit back and take it in 😆 would be great on those into the wind heading home days. Great size whiting down there. Good on Alan.

[@fishingmad]

Thanks John, Agreed 100%

[@kwikflikzyakadventures3795]

New sub mate, from the Golden State Qld, watched a couple of vids yesterday, I love Yak squid fishing, great content, cheers.

[@fishingmad]

Awesome, thank you! Enjoy the content

[@DNYS8N]

I have looked for years willing to pay out for a trolling motor Mount and battery system for an adventure hobie mirage. At the end of the day I know little more than when I started. I’ll just figure it out. I’ll spend more time but pay out less. Too complicated for me, more power to you!

[@benonem]

this is so nice

[@fishingmad]

It sure is

[@jaredbuttigieg]

Awesome video Alan 👍🏼 I’d love to have a setup like that one day, absolutely mint 👌🏼

[@fishingmad]

Thanks Jared, yeah years of mods here and there. Its a pretty supreme setup these days

[@markreynolds4460]

Hey champ get your self some pva foam and cut to the shape around your motor hole in it where motor sits and a cut from the hole to out side after you put your motor in slide the foam around you motor and no more loosing fish or anything thanks for sharing

[@fishingmad]

Great idea, Thank you. I will 100% look into this as a solution next week

[@georgemarchesi8506]

Great video again. Thanks Alan. Can you please tell me the make and model of the trolling motor. Cheers

[@fishingmad]

FPV 28lb trolling motor. There some details on FPVs website about them

[@FishingWithMichaelTruong]

Cool setup mate. You can possibly chop up a pool noodle to cover the area of the kayak that has the motor gaps and you won't lose any more fish to the holes :D

[@fishingmad]

Yep agreed its a great idea. Im getting some 3D printed moulds made up and in the meantime have been using a shower mat.

[@FishingWithMichaelTruong]

@@fishingmad 3D printed moulds are even better. Good solution mate and I'm sure you'll be happy with it.

[@hardyakka2461]

Another great vid mate been following ur channel for ages now, first time commenting!! Would love to know how long that battery will last? Any thoughts on the 18lb watersnake?

[@fishingmad]

Thanks for following the channel. At the moment im getting about 8 hours run time, although i do a lot of stops and drifting around. Most days on the water ive had no issues with battery life. No sure how long it would last if you were say trolling the whole time on the water. My mate has a 18lb watersnake, it works but its very slow. only getting about 4ks on the water. Keep the comments coming, and thanks for following.

[@SaMaNtHa.2023]

The way the eye placement, as you can get the eye pointing straight up or bent, back words on the hook affect the way you catch your fish?

[@frankbacic7959]

Hi Al great set up👍 Was it a paternoster rig you used for the whitting? Cheers

[@fishingmad]

Thanks Frank, yeah was using 2 rods for the whiting. 1 was a standard paternoster rig and the other was a running sinker rig with the sinker above the swivel. Both worked great

[@nathansoutbackfishing]

New subscriber

[@jamesvernon4968]

Nice video 👍 where are you catching the squid. Any advice to finding them 🦑

[@eitai2001]

Hey Alan. Just discovered your channel and site yesterday, and it's reinvigorated me wanting to go fishing! Headed out today to buy some of those soft plastics you recommended ... to use with my cheap $29 Kmart rod 😂 ... not the worst rod though, 3000 reel, 10lb braid, 15lb mono (it's what I had!) ... Anyway, I wanted to ask if you have or know anyone who has taken something like the intex Mariner 3 or 4 out fishing on the Bay? I've just recently bought one to serve dual purpose, take my wife and daughter out on the lakes, but also so I can go fishing. I was thinking about either getting a 54lb or 60lb motor or a 3.5HP Petrol motor (Max it can take without heavy modifications). Either way, turns out I don't have any exemptions :( ... didn't even know I need to register it until I saw the comments below!! Would love to know if you've used one of these or similar for fishing.

[@fishingmad]

Glad to have you on the channel, heaps of helpful content. With all forms of fishing it really depends on the conditions. If you pick the right cond ( right wind strength, right wind direction, and right swell ) you will have no issues in a kayak in the bay or a mariner in the bay. the key is understanding the conditions. Knowing where to fish based on the wind and swell. Got some detailed vids on how to understand this in our members area. And ofcourse you can catch good fish even with the old kmart rods

[@eitai2001]

@@fishingmad Thanks Alan. Yeah, I'll definitely be joining.

[@TheTroutman85]

Can you send a link to that kill switch?

[@hakai7417]

Hey allan, I’m looking to buy a new lightweight rod for whiting, squid and maybe pinkies. My price range is 150 - 200 max $250 for rod and reel any suggestions?

[@Piratepeteoo]

Hi Alan how do you align the propeller to pull the motor up is a tool for this can you show me please mate

[@fishingmad]

Yeah its actually tricky, i lift the motor slightly, run it on very very slow and stop it when it looks aligned properly. It takes a few times and often left with wet hands. Ive been playing around with some tool designs but nothing permanent just ye.

[@Piratepeteoo]

Hi Alan I'm thinking that maybe we need to make up some sort of a L shape wire hook to move the propeller into alignment im thinking a tool like this is very necessary to have on board ,,,,,have look at,,,, kayak USA,,,,,,kayak trolling motor build and speed test,,,,,,on utube he's using a heavy gauge wire I've just now

[@fishingmad]

I agree completely, thats the sort of thing we have been playing with too. Ill look into the suggestion now. Thanks !!

[@theany8826]

Hi Alan love your content we fish down the southern end of bay looking to get a PA14, could you roof top this yak? Notice you trailer yours, what are your thoughts on roof racking a large yak?

[@fishingmad]

Thanks !! I would really struggle to roof top a PA14 on my own. It can be done, and I've seen people do it, but quite challenging if you fish by yourself. Some companies have made loading systems like the T-bar to make it easier, but I certainly couldn't do it.

[@theany8826]

@@fishingmad thanks Alan, how far do you recon you could walk the Hobie on its wheels, would 500 meter be a stretch? Bit of flats Footpath and gravel track to the beach then 50meters to the shore across sand! Bit of a mission!

[@abidhajher7076]

What if you mount it to the side and use it in tandem with the pedals?

[@fishingmad]

Its a good point, however you get a lot more control and space by having 1 unit in the centre. ill play around with the idea

[@benvousaime]

Great video as always Alan. I was interested to see the motor in action and you answered my concern regarding power / speed. Are you considering to get a 34/50lb ? Anything else possible to get more speed with those motors? Cheers

[@fishingmad]

Thanks !! I really appreciate it. My understanding is anything over 40lb needs to be registered as a vessel, so wil want to avoid that. The new Bixpy J2 kit costs about $2,500 and that is supposed to get to a max speed of 7 ks p/h on a hobie pro angler. They don't say whether that's fitted, eg taking into account the weight or you on the yak and your gear. Than again if its a full kilometre faster that about 15% faster, but double the cost. So its a real tough one.

[@benvousaime]

@@fishingmad the Bixpy range is certainly awesome, but don’t think I’d be ready to fork out that much for the extra speed. Somehow read reviews and the first model seems better and more reliable than the 2nd gen. I’ll be looking at 34Lb in my case, having a lighter yak it should get some ok speed. Have seen people change propeller size on their motor too, don’t know if more added speed or something else

[@fishingmad]

I agree completely, and i too was thinking of playing with some different prop sizes to see if that makes a difference. And yeah the Bixpy is crazy expensive so prob wont go down that avenue.

[@myunghong9004]

Hi, no matter whats size motor you put on, it wont change or improve speed. Maximum speed on Hobie pro angler 14 is about 7km/ hr. The hull of pro angler 14 is so bulky. You may improve torque. And use more power out of your battery. I have bixpy jets and tried with 2 hp petrol engine motor to improve speed no better results.

[@fishingmad]

Thank you that's really helpful !! Much appreciated

[@matthewparker4101]

that kayak is better than my tinny

[@fishingmad]

LOL Yeah my kayak is also better than my small runabout boat too these days

[@HarryDK]

try the bixpy j2 pls

[@Side85Winder]

Could 3d print you a cover for the motor well, made to fit and slot in. To be honest for the price of a kayak and motor you can get a fairly decent second hand tinny and have a way more capable craft for not a whole lot more.

[@fishingmad]

That's a great idea bout the 3d print for a mould as a cover. ill look into that. Yeah kayaks are very expensive these days and similar to price of an entry level tinny. There is just something special about kayak fishing

[@Side85Winder]

@@fishingmad i own a 3d printer, go fishing and live in werribiee. Usally make stuff for people and cover material/ usage costs, i just enjoy it as a side hobby. Your other options would be wood + fiberglass, or sheet metal. I did see some trawling tuna/ marlin jet head + skirts that were 3d printed in a tackle store in geelong. They were way overpriced for what i could get/ make it for.

[@fishingmad]

Thanks !!! i really appreciate it. I have a spare hobie cassette which fits in the drive well perfectly, ill prob cut or drill some holes out of it to have the motor fit in perfectly. that will be my pet project this week.

[@martinthompson2584]

circle hooks I take it?

[@louwallace4139]

Where is the link for your setup of the electrics? I’ve just scrolled through all your videos and cannot find it

[@fishingmad]

Its in the FishingMad members portal. www.fishingmad.com.au/member all of our workshops are found there.

[@louwallace4139]

@@fishingmad sorry I didn’t realise there was a paid site as well. I just thought you meant to subscribe to your KZbin channel. Cheers

[@dhjoubert39]

Nice video. Just one thing, your prop is much too deep. This is a common mistake. It should be as shallow as possible. The upper part of the diameter of the propeller should only be about 6 to 9 inches in the water. Try it.

[@fishingmad]

Thanks for the tip! I will try that for sure

[@10hanga]

Do you need to register after powering the kayak

[@collowood]

in Victoria under 40 lbs no

[@10hanga]

Cool thanks

[@speedyrigs9747]

Is that south Werribee?

[@fishingmad]

The majority of parts was filmed at Campbells Cove

[@jabrielsfishingadventure4048]

How much was the sounder?

[@fishingmad]

Lowrance Elite Ti2 they go for around $1,400. Has been superseded by Elite FS.

[@JJFishingCrazy]

We’ll secondddd

[@fishingmad]

Second is still great

[@anewrealm]

Pretty disappointed that you couldn't be bothered answering my question Alan. All the best.

[@fishingmad]

Dean what was your question. I've done so many events this week and hardly been in front of a machine and have hundreds of outstanding questions to follow-up on. I also have people monitoring incoming questions from members ?

[@anewrealm]

@@fishingmad All sorted thanks Allan.

[@FutureSerialKiller]

I need to know where I can get a kayak trailer from as I am not keen on roof racks ... If someone could let me no I would appreciate it 🇦🇺👍

[@brettduffy6323]

I think AWS in Geelong have trailers

[@FutureSerialKiller]

@@brettduffy6323 cheers mate

[@fishingmad]

Mine was from AWS in Geelong, You can also search online on marketplace, gumtree etc an even chat with jetski dealerships

[@fishingmad]

100%

[@FutureSerialKiller]

@@fishingmad okay thanks mate

[@jabrielsfishingadventure4048]

How much was all the motor stuff

[@josephaerialphotography6734]

Around $1200 battery and Motor, FPV 50amp motor battery $599, fish sounder battery 17.5amp $285

[@fishingmad]

100% correct, Thanks for answering. We will have more details on it in our members area and website soon

[@JJFishingCrazy]

Dammmm

[@fishingmad]

Enjoy the vid

[@matthewparker4101]

but not first LOL. me 8th

[@matthewparker4101]

but not first LOL. me 8th

[@leopfishing2110]

First

[@fishingmad]

Man you guys are getting quick LOL Its awesome, enjoy the vid

[@lukagrga6178]

Looks like fun. My Fish-Pro Trophy 2022 just came few weeks ago. Cant wait to have have some fun with it

[@fishingmad]

Amazing, I'm sure you will have some great times ahead with that.