My DIY kayak electric motor bracket build
Discussion
Hi,
After using my kayak around the Cornish coast, it deemed a good idea to have some kind of additional propulsion to get across the Fal estuary and help fight the strong tides down there. So I decided to try and rig up an electric motor bracket.
So this is my first mock up. Apologies for the poor photos. It was dark and just had my phone on me at the time. We've basically made a 3mm thick stainless steel bracket which mounts using the original rod holder screw holes, negating the need to drill additional holes in the boat. I've so far just used a piece of old pallet wood and some super long stainless steel bolts I had lying around (I also ran out of washers!) for a mock up to check fitment, but all seems well so far! Just need to find some good hardwood, cut it down and away I go. I plan on finishing off the mock up tomorrow and taking it out for a quick run in Lymington river in the afternoon to see how it goes.
I may also end up having to make a counterbalance weight for the other side. I have some small lead weights for this purpose.
Some photos of the work so far...
After using my kayak around the Cornish coast, it deemed a good idea to have some kind of additional propulsion to get across the Fal estuary and help fight the strong tides down there. So I decided to try and rig up an electric motor bracket.
So this is my first mock up. Apologies for the poor photos. It was dark and just had my phone on me at the time. We've basically made a 3mm thick stainless steel bracket which mounts using the original rod holder screw holes, negating the need to drill additional holes in the boat. I've so far just used a piece of old pallet wood and some super long stainless steel bolts I had lying around (I also ran out of washers!) for a mock up to check fitment, but all seems well so far! Just need to find some good hardwood, cut it down and away I go. I plan on finishing off the mock up tomorrow and taking it out for a quick run in Lymington river in the afternoon to see how it goes.
I may also end up having to make a counterbalance weight for the other side. I have some small lead weights for this purpose.
Some photos of the work so far...
Next plan is to get a good battery and box and make a kill switch. Still not sure how to do this yet. I can get a Yamaha outboard kill switch through work (I'm a Yamaha outboard dealer), but it's only rated for very low currents with very thin wires. I will have to make some kind of relay system to switch the high current supply to the electric motor.
I am also looking at a sail kit. Something like this: http://www.pacificaction.com/ as this one utilises the existing fittings in the OCean Kayak fishing boats.
Well it all works ok. Only slight problem is that it does slightly get in the way when you're paddling so need to overcome this somehow.
It motors ok though, on slow setting it works great as an aid to paddling, on mid setting it's fine to push you through the water as primary propulsion. On the fastest setting it's a little too quick I think but it's still stable in the water. Just a few fine tweaks to do and it will be ready. I have some photos and videos to sort through which I'll post up later.
It motors ok though, on slow setting it works great as an aid to paddling, on mid setting it's fine to push you through the water as primary propulsion. On the fastest setting it's a little too quick I think but it's still stable in the water. Just a few fine tweaks to do and it will be ready. I have some photos and videos to sort through which I'll post up later.
danyeates said:
Marty63 said:
plus and minus on the wind effect
Will act as a sail to either help or hinder.
That's if it is windy ??
Come again?Will act as a sail to either help or hinder.
That's if it is windy ??
it looks to be 8" x 5', either way it will act as a sail
when the wind hits it, if the wind is from behind then it will
help you along. if you are paddling into the wind you will be pushed back,
increasing effort on your behalf
although it may not be a lot it will be there , depends how strong the wind.
then again if it's that windy, start the motor.
trying to be constructive rather than negative.
Here's a vid... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpoFpvYlK8w
and another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO1CFZTbHg4
and another: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vO1CFZTbHg4
Some iPhone photos. Not the best quality as the sun was setting so light was limited!
32 lb thrust electric trolling motor, built by Minn Kota, branded Fladen Marine. I have the choice of another, a 40 lb thrust Minn Kota motor, but I think this might be overkill. I have seen a video on Youtube of someone with a 55 lb thrust motor and he pretty ugh has it on the plane. I'm conscious of weight, so may stick with the smaller (lighter motor)
I did the the battery box central and well secured with the shock cord straps, but I found it a little heavy to port, so I moved the battery to starboard to try and compensate the weight of the engine. Seems to have worked well and it now rests level. It's not particularly secure to one side though, so I may need to look into adding additional straps/shockcord. The other option is I did also leave 6" of wood overhanging the starboard side, which I could use to add some ballast weight. I do have some lead I could use for this.
Me!
32 lb thrust electric trolling motor, built by Minn Kota, branded Fladen Marine. I have the choice of another, a 40 lb thrust Minn Kota motor, but I think this might be overkill. I have seen a video on Youtube of someone with a 55 lb thrust motor and he pretty ugh has it on the plane. I'm conscious of weight, so may stick with the smaller (lighter motor)
I did the the battery box central and well secured with the shock cord straps, but I found it a little heavy to port, so I moved the battery to starboard to try and compensate the weight of the engine. Seems to have worked well and it now rests level. It's not particularly secure to one side though, so I may need to look into adding additional straps/shockcord. The other option is I did also leave 6" of wood overhanging the starboard side, which I could use to add some ballast weight. I do have some lead I could use for this.
Me!
Edited by danyeates on Sunday 2nd October 21:32
danyeates said:
I see! It's only that long because I hadn't yet cut it down. It only sticks out one side by 6" now. Obviously my body has more wind effect now than the plank.
I think your right, when you see it like that with seat and bod in place,it aint gonna make a whole lotta difference.
Nothing worse than only having six inches sticking out.
happy canoodling
daveparry said:
Please explain WHY you just didn't drill a hole behind your sitting position and mount the motor centrally?
Or am I being thick!
Because I didn't want to drill a big hole in my £800 kayak! And it would sink! Or am I being thick!
It has holes right through for drainage, but if you just drill/cut a hole right through the hull, water would pour inside the hull. Ben Jk said:
This seems to defeat the object of having a kayak IMO?
Depends what you're using it for. I'm doing long distance paddling in tidal Coastal areas that have strong currents. It's there as a safety net/paddling aid than a primary method of propulsion. Also, I sold a RIB which would often burn £100 a day but I still wanted a cheap and easy way of getting onto the water. So I use my kayak not only for paddling, but also as a cheap and easy replacement to my boat. The trolling motor allows just that. I have the flexibilit of paddling or travelling under motor (both cost nothing!) but also have the benefit of being able to fight strong winds and tides when crossing the Solent or Fal esturary.
Edited by danyeates on Monday 3rd October 08:30
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