Electric Kayaks

Howdy All,

Here are some links to electric yaks, both commercially built and DIY, if anyone is interested:

Kayacht.com   

Paul Howey, the Founder / Inventor of Kayacht is a cool guy.   I asked him about batteries and he says he uses the Gruber Power Services brand 34 Amp Hour sealed non-spillable maintenance AGM U1 size lead acid batteries, which weigh only 25 lbs.   BUT  “You get about 45 minutes run time at full speed with a 30lb thrust Minn Kota motor and possibly up to three hours of run time at the slowest speeds, depending on water and wind conditions, etc.”   Paul also looked at Lithium Ion batteries but said the cost was outrageous, about $600. wholesale plus a very expensive charging system.   So I guess I’ll be sticking to standard deep cycle marine batteries.  Too heavy for a kayak I reckon, but our tandem 13 foot Bobcat Boat can run all day on two batteries.

Here is a DYI electric yak: 

http://kfs.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/220603834/m/4561081851   (Pretty cool IMHO.)

Bobcatboats.com  (I bought one of these before I came to my senses and got a kayak.   See pictures below.)

I should note that I keep a long rope with a floating marker attached to our batteries on the Bobcat Boat, in case we ever get dumped, so that the batteries can be retrieved.  The Bobcat Boat is very stable and has flotation foam, and we only use it on calm waters, but just in case, since the last thing we need is batteries at the bottom of our rivers.

Personally I like the exercise of human powered yaks, but sometimes the electric Bobcat is handy, when there are two of us on Big River (Mendocino) loaded with water testing equipment, and I can run the boat completely hands free, except for the simple speed control switch.   But would I recommend the Bobcat?   Probably not.  Though very well crafted (fiberglass) very stable, with lots of room and runs like a quiet dream on the water, it is VERY heavy (130 lbs without batteries!) and expensive.   Better to have a yak.   The Bobcats were designed thirty years ago by a Louisiana swamp fisherman who wanted to build the exact boat he wanted for his own use.

Here are some pictures of the Bobcat for the curious.   That’s a Hobie Sport on the saw horses.

-Matt   

Looks like Quiteman's from a long time ago.

http://www.martialartsacademy.org/quietmanelectrickayak.htm

It sure looks tippy with that high seat ...

Hi ganoderma

The Bobcat is very stable.   Two people can stand up in it no problem.   I tried to capsize it, and I couldn't.   It also has floatation foam injected in the bow and stern.   I love the boat, just that it was expensive and is heavy.   Great on the water, but obviously not a kayak.

-Matt

Another variation on the electric kayak theme:



http://www.vikingkayak.com.au/fishing_kayaks.htm#Tempo%20Fisherman%20XS

45 minutes of run time...just enough juice to get you 4-5 miles from home before it dies.

These things, along with every home spun variation I have ever seen bring the suck.  They never actually run long enough for a full day of fishing.  The battery croaks and then you get stuck paddling a yak with an extra 70 pounds of junk on board.  Add in the extra weight and handling hassle, registration etc...I simply don't get it.

IMHO if you don't want to paddle just buy a real PB and get over it...or...spend enough time paddling to realize its fun...not "work".  I actually enjoy paddling, and don't see my self ever owning another PB, electric or otherwise. 

We've taken the Bobcat Boat way up Big River in Mendocino about seven miles and back on a single 12 volt marine battery, depending on the tides. We carry two batteries and it paddles okay too, like a wide canoe. I know, it's NOT a kayak, but it's a well designed boat, IMHO.

Indeed.  The bobcat does however look well manufactured.  FYI- Malibu was supposed to be coming out with an e-yak for the last few years, but I haven't seen an progress on the so called "x-fatcor sd or stealth".

I notice that "Quietman" likes using his Cobra Fish-n-Dive electric.  He likes to use the motor and paddle at the same time, and he can fit one of his children in the front molded child seat.   Nice:

http://www.martialartsacademy.org/quietmanelectrickayak.htm

It seems that the Cobra FnD is designed for an electric option, and his electric set up looks very simple, using the milk crate to hold both the battery and his catch tank and to serve as a base for the very simple 2 x 4 motor mount. Also is easily removable. By far the simplest and least expensive electric set up I have seen.   But I'll just keep on pedaling and paddling until I'm simply too old. 

-Matt

The battery croaks and then you get stuck paddling a yak with an extra 70 pounds of junk on board.  Add in the extra weight and handling hassle, registration etc...I simply don't get it.

Amen to that  And can you imagine trying to self rescue your self with all that added bling bling on the craft  IMO: I would NEVER consider owning one. I'd rather just get a nice wide and stable jon boat that fits on the back of my truck bed 

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/boa/463488559.html  Good Deal here

I have thought about making my own electric powered SOT for about a year now. I've drawn diagrams and everything! LOL!

But the main limitation is money…like so many other things, right?

Here's how I'd set it up:
-install one of those new Minnkota trolling motors that are designed to attach to the outboard. Mount it on a flat part of the hull, toward the stern. Ideal setup would be a mounting plate or bracket that would allow for easy removal, in case you want to 'just paddle.' The RipTide model would be best because they're designed for saltwater. Check it: http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/item-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21286-cat601107&id=0038069018092a&navCount=2&podId=0038069&parentId=cat601107&masterpathid=&navAction=push&catalogCode=2UG&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601107&hasJS=true

-then you'd be able to control speed with the included handheld remote. Or you could even buy one of those wireless Co-Pilot remotes. THAT would be cool!  http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat21276-cat21286-cat21380_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat21380&navAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=5&parentType=index&parentId=cat21380&id=0017795
 
This type of setup would require a rudder system to control direction. Otherwise, you'd need to use your paddle to control direction (and you might as well just paddle the thing if that’s the case). The added weight would definitely affect the kayak's performance. The weight of the battery alone is a major factor. But if you could find a way to install the battery in the middle of the kayak (instead of toward the stern), maybe it would be balanced better. And, there's also the chance that you'll electrocute yourself. But hey, that just makes it even more exciting!

I know the Malibu X Factor has an optional motor mount for an electric trolling motor.

That Bobcat boat looks pretty cool. It would be great for duck hunting!
PK

Before I found NCKA, I was a lot more inexperienced and insecure about venturing out too far and I had explored ways to increase my effective range using a kayak.  In particular I was looking for a form of propulsion that I could use as a backup up to get me back if an offshore wind kicked in unexpectedly.  I made a harness out of carbon fiber and aluminum channel so I didn't have to put any holes in my kayak. I was using an outboard then.  Advantage was that I could get a lot more energy from a liter of gas than you would from a heavy battery.  The outboard I used was a, now hard to get, 1.2 HP Gamefisher that weighs only 13 lbs.  Only outboard I know of that you can put on one side of a kayak without seriously affecting its stability. Only trouble is that it moves you along at a fast enough clip that if you hit waves tangentially, you could potentially get pitched out, so I had to add a kill switch and make sure that I would only open it up fully when I was hitting the waves head on.  I don't use it now (as the use of alternative propulsion is clearly frowned on by some), but I do use a Minn Kota 30 on the harness at times that my tendinitis makes multi-day paddling trips difficult.

I've been called arrogant about my kayaking views, and for good reason. But I can see how plenty of folks would like a small kayak-like electric boat. Done right, you could cruise for hours without effort, and in a boat that approximates the weight of a rigged Hobie Adventure. And since you can't Eskimo roll either, they are both equally kayaks

I saw one that was pretty slick one time. It was about 12 feet long. The battery mounted right behind the driver. It also used a small inboard motor. The owner claimed hours of cruising and about 80 lbs total weight.

A 36 lb motor is pretty powerful I haven't used one on a kayak, but the one I have will push my 14 cataraft, my wife and myself at a pretty good clip. 4 mph maybe? Thats about 450 lbs of weight, plus the drag of two pontoons. If you look at performance charts of kayaks, you'll see that 10 lbs of continuous thrust gets you in the 5 mph neighborhood.

Regards,
Scott