Dan's Motorized W
Fishing Kayak
Dan Carroll is a Vermont W kayak fisherman who tried many fishing kayaks before he finally chose a 2007 W fishing kayak. He wrote a boat review about his boat for this website. Following his initial enthusiasm with it, Dan outfitted his W fishing kayak with an electric trolling motor system.
Full speed ahead with a 36 lb. thrust electric motor -
The wake's form shows Dan's W kayak is moving faster than its hull speed
-"I think it is great Wavewalk has the outfitting section on its web sight. I have used several ideas from it and it has helped me come up with a few of my own. I have the carpet in, the foam paddle holder and the milk crate - Lots of fun."
Dan's "Mean, green machine" in action
-"Most of the time you would be sitting, but sometimes you could stand if you want a slow troll and fish the banks. Also you can move the battery into the seat position to keep the weight even if you want to adjust motor height or clean weeds off the prop."
Dan's electric trolling W fishing kayak fully rigged and dry docked on his lawn
Dan Carroll is a Vermont W kayak fisherman who tried many fishing kayaks before he finally chose a 2007 W fishing kayak. He wrote a boat review about his boat for this website. Following his initial enthusiasm with it, Dan outfitted his W fishing kayak with an electric trolling motor system.
Click to play video with audio
Dan: -"This
system is very well balanced with the motor in the front,
the battery in the middle and me in the back."
the battery in the middle and me in the back."
Full speed ahead with a 36 lb. thrust electric motor -
The wake's form shows Dan's W kayak is moving faster than its hull speed
-"I
would say it went really well for the first run. The W does sit lower
in the water with the added weight. But she moved right along with this
36 lb. thrust motor. Other then feeling a little more unstable then
usual when sitting still it handled fine."
Dan: -"The
mounting plate is made of aluminum with a piece of pressure treated
2x4 on it. I drilled and mounted four bolts with fender washers and nuts under
and on top. That way I can take the plate on and off quickly with wing nuts."
2x4 on it. I drilled and mounted four bolts with fender washers and nuts under
and on top. That way I can take the plate on and off quickly with wing nuts."
-"I think it is great Wavewalk has the outfitting section on its web sight. I have used several ideas from it and it has helped me come up with a few of my own. I have the carpet in, the foam paddle holder and the milk crate - Lots of fun."
Dan's "Mean, green machine" in action
-"Most of the time you would be sitting, but sometimes you could stand if you want a slow troll and fish the banks. Also you can move the battery into the seat position to keep the weight even if you want to adjust motor height or clean weeds off the prop."
Dan's electric trolling W fishing kayak fully rigged and dry docked on his lawn
Nice catch on Dan's first fishing trip in his motorized W kayak.
Front view of Dan's electric W fishing kayak
"You can adjust the motor height below the hull when you first get in the water. And with the 90 at the end of the pole you can run it sitting or standing. "
Close up on Dan's ingenious project
Dan standing in his 2007 W kayak before he added an electric trolling motor to it. Read more