Trolling motor for Itiwit 3 inflatable kayak, DIY

I finally had time to take my inflatable kayak out to test my DIY bilge pump trolling motor. Everything worked great. I want to use it for trolling, so I need it to be just a little faster. I might buy the next size up bilge pumps. I designed the rack so that I can put a trolling motor on it if I want. We'll see what happens next time!

[@spankynginanyo]

great! you're genius man! nice idea because your version is economical. thank you so much for the post

[@Randy2747]

Great job! I didn't think it was go to work! I'm impressed! And super cheap! Great job! 👍

[@franciscojavier3625]

*I bought this model for my 14 ft Jon boat. **enjoyable.fishing** recommend love it!!! It pushes my boat with ease ( 2 men 220 each). I would highly recommend this to anyone.*

[@thebluepill1496]

Mike, this may have applications in the mini boat community. Genius my friend!

[@oneplusone686]

Thank you so much Mike. I've been looking for something light weight and simple and doesn't burn too much amp. I'd probable hook up 2 switches (left/right) so i don't have to set up the rudder.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I thought about that, but because the motors are close together, the turning radius would be too wide.

[@SailingFrolic]

I wanna see more of this and the sail kit, Mike! I really think your PVC mounting is spot on to what the kayak community needs for cheaper propulsion options at a budget everyone can enjoy. Your sail kit was pretty magnificent, quite sad I didn't see more of it. I'm going to be doing a sailing build on my Excursion Pro K2 But I just might use the PVC mounting method you used for a trolling motor.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I'm definitely going to use bigger bilge pumps. These ones are a little slow, but still work. If I ever get around to it, I'll buy the bigger bilge pumps and make a video.

[@divertechnology]

that´s great.. but.. consider the power.. probably if you put 20 or 100 motors.. even in that case is better and cheaper than a commercial motor

[@MaswantoAceh]

Nice mike, i like this pump

[@brianvandy4002]

I could see using it with the paddles. Kind of like pedal assist on an eBike. I could see it helping against a relatively slow river current.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

Exactly! It's great with paddling against the wind.

[@banshee107]

OMG, I love this!!

[@midestinoelmundo]

You can flat The pipe for more SPEED of the water. 🤔

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

Yep!..but already sold the kayak. I'm making things for my paddleboard now.

[@scotthoggan2115]

Fantastic idea mike your onto something here sell your idea to decathlon all the best from bonnie scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@brianvandy4002]

I bet you could improve the thrust by finding a fitting to put on the outlet that restricts the size. That's how jet engines work. It looks like about a 1" fitting, if you could find a 1" to 3/4" or 1/2", you should get more thrust.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I actually have 2 different sized nozzles that reduce the pvc outlet nozzle size. I might not have focused on that part in that video.

[@brianvandy4002]

@@mikesyoutubechannel6367 I didn't see that in either of the videos. Thanks for the great idea. We do a lot of swimming while in the lake or rivers, so I don't really want a spinning blade. This is also MUCH cheaper and lighter than a trolling motor. I'm tempted to try a 2000ah pump, but they seem much more expensive (like 5x the cost) so I may just stick with the 1100's and just use them as a paddle assist when I'm going up river. I can't believe how low draw those are.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

The 1100 gph pumps are a lite slow, but draw less amps. I might go with the bigger ones.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I don't know how to copy the link, but check my videos for the original mock up of the nozzles. I show them in that video. I used a heat gun to manipulate the pvc.

[@FernandoTrindadePT]

Hello. Super nice idea, I think I will be doing one. Did you upgrade it to a stronger pump set? And how long did it work with this battery, do you remember? This is really neat and cheap to build, congrats!!!

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I actually just took it apart the other day to use the pumps for something else. I sold the kayak. Now I have a 15 foot inflatable paddleboard with a gas motir on it. Waaay more fun!

[@pgerry9400]

When the lady tied it , at 6:30 min only 1 Thruster was working. I have a similar Kayak and will try your morning system but with a MinnKota motor.

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

Both bilge pumps worked. One was under water (so you couldn't see the water spraying out) because the way I had the floor sitting in the kayak. It was leaning more to the right. I thought the same thing and checked when she came back. When I'm in it, they both stay underwater and you can barely even tell that they are on.

[@myparadiseonbantayanisland9030]

It looked like only one pump was running when your wife tested it. I live on Bantayan Island and am building a boat in Liloan.

[@paultrimble9390]

Yes sir more power.

[@adamr8628]

Works better if the output of the bilge pump is above the waterline

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I'll have to try that just to see!

[@bambatsa1310]

Good job! i am planning on making something similar for my itiwit 3. maybe with a stronger pump(?). Have you tried something stronger?

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I was thinking of going with bigger pumps, too...if I try it, I'll post it. I want it to go just a little faster for trolling when I fish.

[@catherineharris4746]

Outstanding👍👍👍👍

[@cyberspider78910]

put pumps in series, you will get more flow and same pressure. Put pump in parallel, you will get high pressure and same flow...Basic chemical engineering principle....good luck..This is a good innovation actually..

[@cranjs1]

looks great as do the things in your other videos, how is the battery life? how long did it run for?

[@gokhankeles8998]

You must try with Hoverboard engine as well. Better than bilge pump cordless drill May be trolling motor while thinking consumption and thrust

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I never thought of that...I'll check it out.

[@timmiller4979]

Mike, enjoyed your dyi video. Wife and I recently bought area eagle tandem 465, 44# 15 ft craft. I am 200# wife 140#,67 and 71 y/o respectively. What size of jet would u recommend 1100 GPM or up to 3000GPM. Plus will your pvc structure handle this thrust. Excellent video. Using lake only thanks Tim from Oklahoma

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

We were able to go about 1-2 kph... I'm 220lb and my wife is about 85 lbs. If you can get 3,000 gph pumps for a good price, you'll go faster for sure. I only got the smaller ones because they draw less amps from the battery and last longer. I used 1 1/4 outside diameter pvc. I think that would be fine for bigger motors. It would be easy to brace them more if needed.

[@youtube4fun_894]

SICK!!!!

[@seanfalconer7182]

GENIUS

[@dipimage1935]

How do the pumps suck water if there are algae in it?.. or impurities. Big bravo. Now can you float with more then 5kmph? How long is the battery lasting?

[@paizaltech]

Great idea, how long the battery can last with that thruster?

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

We ran the 2 bilge pumps for about 50 minutes and it still did not die. It's a 12v 20ah battery. I didn't want to drain it all the way. It had a 12.8v charge on it when I checked the battery later that day.

[@collowood]

Put a solar panel upfront unlimited power.

[@kevinwelsh7490]

great idea. maybe try a bow thruster? I don't know what they are like. Will you make kayak adventure videos in Philippines? (paddling power OK). Or do you know a channel that has kayak adventure videos, day trips?

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

I'll be making videos about paddling around Cebu. I've had a hard time finding groups near me that are up for going on adventures. Just me and my friend kayak around. I'll have to look into a bow thruster system and see how it works.

[@BloodRavenX9]

Interesting idea. How do you keep the rudder's pipe from sliding (at the cross connector) all the way down from it's current position?

[@sweetpineapples3753]

cool

[@SnjurCro]

Just install cheap trolling motor and you will fly :D

[@user-rh5jp2sh4s]

Did you try using stronger pumps...or different nozzle shape size

[@mjt106]

Génial 👌👌👌

[@quasimodo5177]

But only for sweetwater

[@GETGRIP]

how much was the wife ?

[@mikesyoutubechannel6367]

Lol...get your own wife. Hahaha