Gas motor mount for the AI

I finally got some time to put together a gas motor mount for the AI, just in time for chasing salmon. I saw a few designs on the internet, I don't like any of them. I want something that takes very little time to put on and take off. I don't want a whole bunch of extra dead weight or take up too much space. And I want it to be reversible. Most importantly, I don't want to drill a single hole on the kayak.

Here's what I did. When not installed, I can use the Scotty mounts for normal rod holder use. Takes less than a minute to install or take off. Feels very solid, but I need to test it to confirm. I'll let the pictures do the talking. Thanks for looking.

ernest




















ps. The piece that goes inside the Scotty is 3D printed.



The green pieces below the aluminum bar are for cushioning the bar so that it won't scratch up the plastic and the Aka mount. 3D printed with flexible TPU filament.

Just curious, now that you've "motorized" your kayak, don't you technically have to register it now?

Just curious, now that you've "motorized" your kayak, don't you technically have to register it now?

Yes. I planned on doing so before I can test the motor.

Very impressed, and it looks rock solid.

Where did you get those large orange knobs? I could put some of those to good use...

Wow sweet setup I like it! Great work!

Just curious, now that you've "motorized" your kayak, don't you technically have to register it now?

Yes. I planned on doing so before I can test the motor.

Nice design.  My dad is a boat guy and keeps pushing me to throw a motor onto to my yak.  Not sure if he helping out or wants to see me go crazy and go airbourne with it.

Paying registration fees is the only reason I haven't really tried doing it yet.
Do you know how much the fees are?

Where did you get those large orange knobs? I could put some of those to good use...

Used mostly for wood working projects. These are probably the best design I've seen because I can put quality stainless steel nuts and bolts it them.
https://www.woodpeck.com/multiknob.html

Just curious, now that you've "motorized" your kayak, don't you technically have to register it now?

technically he would have had to register an "AI" anyways.

Two words Ernest - “Bad Ass” - you never fail to impress. Quality work right there brother! Can’t wait to see it on the water.


Geoff

Just curious, now that you've "motorized" your kayak, don't you technically have to register it now?

technically he would have had to register an "AI" anyways.

Why is that?  Does it have to do with an AI's length?

You have to register it for sailing.

Just curious, now that you've "motorized" your kayak, don't you technically have to register it now?

technically he would have had to register an "AI" anyways.

Why is that?  Does it have to do with an AI's length?

Any non-motorized sailboat over 8' in length is supposed to be registered

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/boatsinfo/boatreg

But, that does not seem to be enforced...

Thanks for the post and writeup!  I'm interested in the "1x6" piece of aluminum you use where the motor actually mounts. Where did you get that?  I currently use synthetic deck board for my motor mount and downrigger mounts.  It doesn't rust but its heavy.  I'd like to swap it out for something lighter...

Also, you may want to consider trimming off the excess as it will plow through the water when you are heeling over sailing.  I even trimmed mine at an angle.  Inevitably the motor gets soaked with saltwater when heeling in a fast sail but whatever my old motor was only a couple hundred bucks.

Thanks!

I'm interested in the "1x6" piece of aluminum you use where the motor actually mounts. Where did you get that?

Also, you may want to consider trimming off the excess as it will plow through the water when you are heeling over sailing.  I even trimmed mine at an angle.  Inevitably the motor gets soaked with saltwater when heeling in a fast sail but whatever my old motor was only a couple hundred bucks.

Thanks!

The aluminum bar I used is a 1.5"x4" retangular tube. 1/8" thick. I got it from "Alan Steel & Supply Co" in "505 E Bayshore Rd, Redwood City, CA 94063". They have many different sizes.

Thanks for the tip about trimming off the excess. I actually didn't think there's any excess, but what do I know. Since I'm mostly not gonna use the sail, I may not encounter the issue you faced. I am thinking about adding a couple inches to the spot where the motor mounts to the bar. I have no doubt I'll need to make modifications once I test it on water.

Gotcha, thanks for the info!  I'll go check them out.  Here's the excess that I had to trim off my boat, I boxed it in blue