Motorised Kayak Modification for Feel Free Lure 115

This is a very simple mod that allows you to easily mount and stow the motor. It took me a couple hours one afternoon.You can steer very simply and the motor height can be made to suit your preference.
Some points to keep in mind if your gonna do this to your Lure... The motor bullet is best fitted if its a flush shaped bullet like those in the 40lb Minn Kota range. Some have a larger pointed bullet and can be a bit of a squeeze or not fit at all if you go too big or have a 3 bladed prop. The Tilt Tiller throttle allows for a completely stowed motor so you can drift with no prop drag. If you have a motor that doesn't tilt, you may not be able to completely stow it whilst fishing.
I don't think the hole for the sonar pod is strong enough to take a motor without the aluminium transom. What I have done, still allows for the sonar pod to slide straight in without the motor in place.
I also ground down the prop protection keel about 10mm to allow it to slide in and out easier... This keel is still deeper than the deepest point of the prop.
You can cut the shaft with a hacksaw, just wet it as you go or wear a mask and clothing because the fibres are irritating and airborne if ur cutting dry. Be careful not to cut the wiring as you go or as you red rill you motor head screw down hole.
Hope this Helps ;) There are plenty of cheap second hand Minn Kota 40lbs around that match mine... it's a weapon for fishing from now ;)
Subscribe to my channel and come say G'day on my Facebook page.

[@mariuszsympatyczny8221]

The beauty of a intelligent design is its simplicity - so is this one - pretty cool, thanks a bunch, nice work greatly appreciated.

[@mylurebox]

Stoked to hear you can appreciate this. I love it more than any kayak motorized system I’ve seen. It’s a winner

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

I like the creativity. I have the same kayak and I hope to add a trolling motor to it this year. At least do it before next year's season. Thank you for the in-depth (no pun intended) tutorial.

[@mylurebox]

John Brown mate it’s an absolute game changer !

[@bbryder17]

Awesome video! And a super sick mod!! Well done man!! Love this!!

[@skyking8424]

You have the best trolling motor set-up I've found for Lure 11.5 and I suppose 13.5 also. Thanx for posting it. I put a 3-1/2" wedge inside the sonar hole to level the shaft when the motor is down, which also allows for more control over the tilt/pitch of the blade when it's down. I had to cut off just a bit of the motor's fin to allow more clearance for tilting it up. The handle on my motor doesn't bend like your's, so I just cut 6" off the handle to allow for the necessary clearance needed to tilt it up. I lock the motor when it's down and steer with my foot pedals and rudder, which leaves both hands free for trolling. Thanks again for the idea.

[@mrgowson]

Hi Sky King, do you have any pictures you could send me of the finished product. I have found that in top gear the motor really kicks back violently. Even after reinforcing the transom....

[@skyking8424]

Hello MrG: I made mine almost exactly the way he did. I use a 36lb thrust motor with no problem. My sonar hole is slanted on the inside mounting wall, and that wedge inside there levels it vertically. More control over the pitch also. I bought a jewelers rubber bench block off amazon 6x4x3/4 inch and cut a wedge to fit in the hole. I also used a bench block for the outside of the hole - just slide it in place and tighten the mounting wing nuts. It's a bit tricky to cut the wedge - I did it slowly with a regular wood saw. Hope this helps - GL

[@haciendadad]

ingenius idea! Best approach yet!!

[@mylurebox]

Joey Garcia thanks Joey. I think so too. It’s amazing to fish from.

[@grahamdonaldson29]

Great innovative result John 👍

[@mylurebox]

Good to hear you like it mate. The kayak is a dream to fish from. I still can’t believe how snug the motor slipped in. A total fluke from what the feel free boys have told me. Haha

[@shredderatwork]

Perfect modification! Awesome dude!

[@shredderatwork]

What do you think, is the steering fin in back required?

[@alanhughes1262]

great way of setting this up the manufacturer now supplying kayaks with centre electric drives, in victoria no licence or rego needed

[@mylurebox]

Yeah Alan. How good. The motor makes a massive difference to the ease of fishing

[@phillipiacobacci1369]

Very well done, thanks for the video and idea, congrats

[@mylurebox]

Phillip Iacobacci great to hear you’ve got something from it ;) it’s a game changer

[@tailslapexplore6887]

great vid and kayak mate, cheers.

[@mrgowson]

I have just finished these mods and it was harder than you made out. Got there in the end, but it took me a while:)

[@theresedignard7445]

Very creative. Love it.

[@mylurebox]

Good to hear you think so. It’s a game changer for casting lures

[@juang971]

Hello from South Texas Thank you for the input on upgrading the lure. That was very helpful tip. On the video, was that on full power down the river?

[@spike9wood]

Great modification thanks

[@qball2000able]

Nice work

[@johnkraemer5505]

Very nice! Well done!

[@lestergarabito608]

Wow thank you soooo much for this video

[@mylurebox]

Lester Garabito it’s a game changer ;)

[@gregeberhardt1711]

why did you cut the aluminium into 2 bits instead of a single 'U" shape? Was that to keep the centre console able to clip into the middle?

[@skyking8424]

I'm working on your idea, it's excellent, however, I will upgrade it a bit and reinforce the inside part of the sonar hole (which is slanted) so the transom mount itself doesn't dig into the fiberglass on the inside of the hole. A piece of rubber in there should work. Thanx for the idea. I let you know how it works when I get there.

[@tranquilhavens4534]

The modifications you made are absolutely magic!!! Can you give me the details of the Minn Kota you used when you get a chance. I know you said the model etc but I'm a tad deaf :-) Cheers, Graeme

[@mylurebox]

Tranquil Havens hi Graham. You’re looking for a 40lb minn Kota Saltwater series with a prop bullet that ya no lip on the join. It’s a flush join which means it’s a slightly thinner prop to fit through the hole in the yak. I’m not sure exactly the models. There’s at least two. I’ll have to check out the ones next time I get a look and get back to you

[@tranquilhavens4534]

Thanx mate. Researched Kayaks and saw the Lure 11.5 and fell in love. Then I found you vid on the Minn Kota mods and hooked. It will be my first Kayak. My son just bought his first one the other day and will be having it's maiden run today. I'm pretty sure you said the Minn Kota was an RT40/sc/s. PS. Sent you a 'Friend' request on Facebook :-)

[@Shakingstevesallotment]

best I've seen

[@chibanoojisan]

GOOD!　My kayak is also an engine.

[@cemalbuyuksavas2197]

Hi 👋, Can i get your opinion; i did same with lure 11.5 and minnkota 45 lbs same modifications but When its speed reaches the fifth level, it constantly shifts to the left. Do you know why?

[@SoulHamm45s]

Hi John.. loving the vids...keep em comin .... but really interested in the motorised mods on your 115 yak.. ... which prompted me to modify my perception pilot 12 with a trolling motor... had a few hiccups but no huge dramas in carrying out the mod, but really wanted to know is there a specific height the trolling motor/props should be in the water... as I cant seem to find anything on the internet... either that or Im not looking hard enough !!.. LOL ....... be interested on your thoughts

[@LovingIdaho]

I did mine a little different . I couldnt slow the motor slow enough for trolling , so added a pwm .

[@LovingIdaho]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/p6SreaGhlrKGeZo

[@mylurebox]

That’s fantastic mate ;) ideal for trolling eh. More control with a PWM.

[@LovingIdaho]

@@mylurebox, I have been really enjoying it . I ran the wires thru the hull after I made sure my pwm was not going to overheat . I added a downrigger and have been having a great time catching fish up and down the snake river .

[@Lucky13Twice]

Fantastic!!!!!!

[@ozziebrazilfishingfelippeg3961]

Hey mate that looks awesome! Just wondering what battery you are using it? Thanks

[@mylurebox]

Ozzie/Brazil Fishing Felippe Gapski I use a big 110aH. You don't really need something that big though. I can do 2 day missions with it. A 65ah is plenty for a half day cruising and fishing

[@ozziebrazilfishingfelippeg3961]

mylurebox thanks mate 👍🏼

[@bobclapper2672]

That’s Bad Ass ~!!

[@mylurebox]

bob clapper it’s a full game changer ;)

[@bricemorgan7164]

Hey John just going back through your kayak videos. Love the channel. I'm down the south coast nsw. Just a quick question on the minn kota do u know if there is any difference between yours and the RT40 SC/T ? Looking at doing the same set-up. Your thoughts would be great. Thanks mate

[@berniede-vreeze3663]

Kayak is low at the stern,how much do you weigh?

[@reganfisher6729]

Awesome video and love the setup How much did it cost for the kayak and motor together?

[@mylurebox]

Hi Regan. They’re an expensive rig brand new. I think around $1800 plus motor. I got this one off Guntree for $1000 and the motor for $150. Even at that for a kayak, I reckon it’s a stretch. Having said all that, by god it’s a weapon for casting the creeks and almost handfree with incredible ease and responsiveness.

[@reganfisher6729]

@@mylurebox yeah ok thanks, i have a hobie outback, but dunno whether to change to a kayak with a motor, how fast do you go with a motor?

[@freshwaterexperience6058]

Does this turn good? With just the motor it does it turn kind of awkward? Just curious. I need to know if I need the rudder or not along with this mod

[@tailslapexplore6887]

do you think that motor is powerful enough for PPB mate?

[@nickels-fishing]

How fast do you go with your 40lbs motor? Looks awesome, great work.

[@mylurebox]

Peter Nickels about 7km/hour

[@Shoalie]

How wide is the aluminum flat bar you used?

[@fishingwcp]

Wonder if that round work for my wilderness radar115

[@mylurebox]

Chris Pearce it needs about 70mm width to be a shot ;)

[@Lucky13Twice]

Why do you need to adjust the shafts height? Does it run better if the propeller is deeper?

[@mylurebox]

Wireline .Cables Iv given it some breathing room so anything floating like sticks that I might go over won't catch so easy... And so I didn't cut it too short in the first instance.

[@stevencarroll7809]

Hi John Im also on the GC any thoughts on the Lure 13.5 ?

[@mylurebox]

Steven Carroll they’ve got lots more storage. I would go for it if you are certain of motor modifying. Great for calm water.

[@stevencarroll7809]

Thanks John it's only a few months old $1700 ! don't think I can pass it up. The sonar pod looks the same couldn't see them changing it I hope not as you've done all the work on the minnkota mod

[@skinnydog6665]

Hey John. Where did you buy this kayak in SE Qld? I'm very keen on this setup

[@mylurebox]

Hi mate. Ross at ActiveWatersports at Molendinar is the distributor. On the Gold Coast. ;) you can find the details on their Facebook page feelfree kayak (aust)

[@skinnydog6665]

mylurebox thanks mate

[@thebaitdrop]

Nice!

[@el7areef1]

How did you make the cut inside the sonar pod

[@mrgowson]

What size rivets did you use?

[@andrewrussell4478]

How many kilo is your deep cycle Battery ?

[@mylurebox]

27kg I’m pretty sure

[@andrewrussell4478]

Cheers Mate 🐟🎣👍🏼

[@timhawkins6099]

Where did you get the toe rudders?

[@mylurebox]

Mate they came with the rig when I got it through Active Watersports.

[@andrewevans8131]

Hey just wondering if you could send the exact model of the trolling unit please

[@mylurebox]

Hi Andrew. It’s a 40lb min kota riptide ST

[@andrewevans8131]

@@mylurebox thank you very much for that as I have a lure 11.5 the same as you

[@andrewevans8131]

Looking at doing the same install as you looks good what you have done

[@myluresstuckinatree2111]

Boss Mod

[@Castathon]

Big big big frothy

[@RajeshSharma-uk6yp]

Can u do this on an big fish 120?? Anyone

[@mylurebox]

Not sure mate sorry. Anyone else know ?

[@ps3Rambo21]

ridiculous in a bad way

[@pescaamizade6589]

Nice!