Nucanoe Unlimited w/a Torqeedo UL 1103 AC Motor = Happy Customer!

[@glennlamont4018]

I have this boat and I get 6.2 top speed. I have it set up where it does chop air a little when it first gets going, but for the river I get pretty shallow. In big water I may have to drop it down a few inches. Jake I think Jeff says it’s ok for that prop as far as efficiency if it cavitates a little?

[@JakeHarshman]

A little cavitation is ok. As long as it stops once under way.

[@jamesxiong6288]

Hey Jake were you going full throttle when you were in the rapids? I plan to fish alot of dams where the current is very similiar in some spots.

[@JakeHarshman]

While fishing I was not.

[@jamesxiong6288]

@@JakeHarshman oh thats good to know then. Do you know what percentage throttle you were set at ?

[@JakeHarshman]

@@jamesxiong6288 I don't

[@fishntools]

Hands down, the BIGGEST downside to the Torqeedo concept is its propitiatory battery! Biggest attraction, its controller can withstand the occasional roll-over.

[@JakeHarshman]

I'd argue that having the integrated battery system is a no stress, worry free, technologically advanced option. But your opinion is valid in some regard

[@romeroharris6008]

Go with new port i did built my own battery lasts all day long by the way newport vessels has a 3hp equivalent as well

[@JakeHarshman]

@@romeroharris6008 take your knock off advice somewhere else, not here on this channel

[@kevinhiggins7478]

Hey Jake, Great videos. I recently switched over to an 1103 (that I got from Innovative Sportsman on your recommendation) from a bow mount on my Nucanoe Unlimited as well. Been very happy so far but wanted to run a couple things by you and Randy. 1. I have the rock guard so the motor housing and prop is protected but the skeg still seems like it will take a bit of a beating in shallow water. Do you guys protect it at all with keel guard or anything? 2. The retract cord setup on my nucanoe doesn't work very well based on the weight of the 1103. In fact I pulled the pulley out of the side of the kayak the other day raising the motor. Trying to figure out how to through bolt that pulley. Just curious if Randy or any other followers had experienced that. Thanks man and tight lines!

[@JakeHarshman]

My skeg on my motor looks like it has been to war, that's normal. You can bend the forks of the rock guard down and out to protect the motor a little more. I can't speak to the pulley system on yours but I run a pulley on my motor raise arm and also another near the front that lets me pull back towards me vs pushing outwards away from me.

[@kevinhiggins7478]

@@JakeHarshman Awesome, Thanks Jake. Appreciate the insight!

[@JakeHarshman]

No problem sir!

[@rjd7697]

Yes but is it nearly 2K better than the Newport motor if I only fish small lakes and ponds?

[@JakeHarshman]

Your numbers are slightly off there. That's a misrepresentation of the price difference. If you calculate the cost of a lithium battery and making that battery waterproof... You are very near the cost of the comparable motor that Torqeedo makes (the UL 403AC). When you consider the upsides of the TQ vs the NV... meaning the accurate GPS calculated range, the high end lithium used in the batteries, etc... the added cost is worth it in my opinion.

[@JakeHarshman]

So yes it is 2K better

[@glennlamont4018]

Jake, I have the same boat, it was at Tray’s shop when you glued the h rails on your itrek. I get 6.2 out of mine, I do get some cavitation when I first get going, but it allows me to get pretty shallow on the river. I think Jeff said that prop can run efficiently right around the surface at rest, does that sound right? I might have to move it down a few inches for bigger water and waves. BTW I was thinking about getting my wife an itrek 11, she doesn’t want to paddle and I could use it on creeks and hard access places I can’t get my heavy unlimited too. Do you have any time in the itrek yet? Would you recommend that over the lynx?

[@JakeHarshman]

That sounds about right as far as your prop depth. 6.2 isn't bad with that hull design. The iTrek is a great platform, so is the Lynx. I'd caution you with both of the following things though. The iTrek is extremely lightweight... the down side of that is that Hobie used less thick material to make it so light. Don't drag it anywhere, buy the Inflatable Cart Hobie makes if you can find one. The Lynx is not a good option for areas with rocks. It gets gouged up really easy and can even be punctured if dropped. Additionally, it's got really loud hull slap in current. I'd pick the iTrek over the Lynx if those were my two options.

[@riverpirate1022]

Ghetto spot locking in that riffle like you did then punching out of has to be hard on your battery times. Are you fishing this way with a 100ah Lifepo4? How long does it last like this? What about adding a trolling motor to the front, separate battery?

[@JakeHarshman]

It's not hard on the battery at all. Torqeedo batteries are designed to be used this way. The Torqeedo is an all inclusive system, battery, motor and throttle. It's why this product is more expensive than other kayak designed options. I fish on one battery most of the time and it almost always lasts a full day with power left over. Only in rare cases will I have to reload a second battery. A trolling motor on the front would never work for this river. There are far too many shallow areas or boulders that would prohibit effective use of a trolling motor here.

[@riverpirate1022]

@@JakeHarshman Thanks for the info! Let me clarify, by "hard on the battery" I meant draining it fast, since trolling motors are only good for a hand full of hours at full speed, and in this heavy current you're running the motor constantly. Do these come with larger than 100ah batteries? Are they 24v or 36v systems? Yea 55lb 12v trolling motors aren't going to be able to handle that current, shallow has little to do with it though, I run real shallow all the time in the Rappahannock and S Shenandoah etc. Wow even carrying extra batteries, yea that's working it hard man lol. Yes, these things are hella expensive (read way overpriced) but seems to do a good job for the task if you are rich enough to afford a motor that costs more than the kayak. I will have to keep dreaming of that as I am still trying to save up for an ipilot unit lol.

[@JakeHarshman]

@@riverpirate1022 Sure it will drain it quicker but... in this instance, I fished for about 6 hrs and ended with 50% battery. Torqeedo 1103s come with one 915wh battery. Shallow has everything to do with it. I'm running this thing in less than a foot of water in some instances. You will not find a trolling motor that will do this for you in a kayak without cavitating. The extra battery weighs less than a 100ah Lithium and I store it in my front hatch to balance the weight front and back. I don't buy off on this system being overpriced. The batteries are high standard. They lose only 4% power capacity per year which is way less. than most standard lithium batteries. They're IP67 waterproof, there is no wiring that needs to be done to make it work, it's just plug and play. Plus there's a GPS indicator in the battery that gives you EXACT speed and range calculations based on current power consumption at the throttle control. That technology itself is worth it to me.

[@riverpirate1022]

@@JakeHarshman Very cool. After some research it looks like Torqeedo is a 24v system which is how you're getting away with this type of use. Also, their 915wh rated battery is actually only about 40ah roughly. 24v systems are more efficient than 12v, and less than 36v. This explains some of the crazy high price, based on comparable motors and batteries. Now I see how their battery weighs less than a 100ah Lifepo4, they are less then half the capacity (thanks to 24v) They are all overpriced, because they are the latest hype. If you can afford it more power to you, most normal folks can't afford an electric motor luxury that costs more than their kayak, that's my biggest complaint here. Water proof is really nice, same with wiring. Losing 4% capacity per year huh? Not sure that's very good as I fly electric RC airplanes and drones, if my overpriced lithium batteries lost 4% a year I would be pissed. I also use mine a lot more often and harder in most cases. Granted mine are smaller, I have lithium's from over 5 years ago that are still well over 95% capacity. I can't find any info but I guess Torqeedo is using Lifepo4 batteries, those are supposed to be just as good as my standard lithium ion or "lipo's" as we call'em. Either way thanks for the good convo, I will keep dreaming of being able to afford something like this for my river fishing. I'm still trying to save up for an ipilot bow mount and 100ah Lifepo4 battery for it lol.

[@RaulCPena]

Do you have a trailer build?

[@JakeHarshman]

I will add that to the production list, it won't be fancy but what I have fits my needs.

[@jeffreyriddle4645]

Your at the "shit dispensary " !!

[@JakeHarshman]

lol I know what the water is lol

[@foulfredy]

Your not going to be able to there things that the 1103 can do with any motor including the 403 which is comparable to the Newport vessels motor. The 1103 is a beast. The 403 from the same manufacturer can't even compare.

[@JakeHarshman]

The 1103 is a superior product, I agree

[@fishingwithundercoverbaits9305]

We will have to do this again after i reach out to tray @sportsmansinnovations to get the necessary equipment to make some changes.

[@JakeHarshman]

You have a KZbin channel? I didn't know this...

[@fishingwithundercoverbaits9305]

@@JakeHarshman its in the works lol

[@JakeHarshman]

I subscribed!

[@JakeHarshman]

Check the other comment as far as the prop depth.

[@fishingwithundercoverbaits9305]

@@JakeHarshman yea i saw that time to lighten it up