Hobie getting darker still....

I'm a big Hobie Mirage fan but adding the motor seems to really take you out of the Kayak fishing world.  Why not just get rid of the yak and buy an aluminum boat with a motor.  Mirage kayaks may not be as pure as paddling kayaks, but to me, the definition of a kayak changes when the motor is added.  Isn't a kayak a human powered boat?  I didn't check a dictionary but that would be my definition. 

Amen! IMO: keep-it-simple. The more moving mechanisims you put on a plastic kayak, your more likely gonna spend on maintinance, fix-kits and replacement parts. AND, your adding weight to a kayak that's already heavy as it is. Speaking of weight -  I wonder how easy it would be to do a self rescue with all the added bling? BUT I'am curious and would like to demo one.....paging Chucke!

I see the cat is out of the bag on the Torqueedo.  I take a lot of pride fishing from human powered crafts, but the idea of zipping around or extending my range sounds like a lot fun.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't want one or at least try one.

The motor would certainly disqualify someone from most kayak fishing derby, but if it'll get you out and fishing more often, who gives a crap whether you're paddler, peddler, or motor guy.
I think its great for guys with disablities.

Just don't ever forget to bring a paddle whether or not you plan to use it.

I second Chuck's notion about people with disabilities really benefiting from this.  Honestly though, as far as the benefits of it are concerned for a healthy kayaker, you can do just as well without the thing. 

I know for a fact that the slow speed is doable on the hobie outback.  As far as sitting in my kayak for 6 hours at a time, yeah, I dont know about that.  The average for me is usually 5 hours.  The fast speed is also doable with turbo fins on an adventure, but not for more than 10 minutes.

OMG I see a trolling motor hack in my future!

I used to use a small 25ft/lb motor on my canoe and it would get us going way too fast!  with a car battery we had about 3 hours of trolling time...

this looks like something nice for the big lakes when you want to get back into some coves away from basscar and paddle once there...  or cleaerlake, when trying to get across the lake without being a speedbump for the race boats....

a cheap used electric trolling motor and some fab work...bang its done 

There more my shoulder hurts from paddling the more I like ideas like this

I see a Hobie in your future... 

Z

Looks like they made a mirage drive mount for it after all: http://www.kayakfishingmagazine.net/gear-guide/90-new-fishing-kayaks/647-hobie-evolve-powered-by-torqeedo.html

someday i want a hobie

Who needs a Torqueedo motor?
I saw some true ingenuity last week: a guy mounted a prop to a weed-whacker and stuck it off the back of an aluminum boat! He just fired it up and stuck it off the back of the boat, and they were cruising at like 5mph!

Who needs a Torqueedo motor?
I saw some true ingenuity last week: a guy mounted a prop to a weed-whacker and stuck it off the back of an aluminum boat! He just fired it up and stuck it off the back of the boat, and they were cruising at like 5mph!

Genius    Did you take a picture?

Who needs a Torqueedo motor?
I saw some true ingenuity last week: a guy mounted a prop to a weed-whacker and stuck it off the back of an aluminum boat! He just fired it up and stuck it off the back of the boat, and they were cruising at like 5mph!

Just like the ubiquitous "longtail" boats in Southeast Asia. Some of the bigger ones run car engines but smaller boats, esp in poorer areas often just have small motors, like post-hole diggers. I think they use similar setups in other locales, too; maybe Central & South America.

full size: http://iguide.travel/photos/Thailand-16.jpg

typical smaller engine: http://www.shaftpropeller.com/longtail.htm 

at the races! http://www.john-tom.com/Klong16/Race150cc2.MPG