My Electric Kayak Machine

Things you need:

1.  A electric motor rigged to your kayak with a DIY kit or maybe one of these...http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,34224.msg365364.html#msg365364

2.  MSO- Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin, basically stating that we,whatever your kayak company, made the kayak and that you own it.  It's like a pink slip for a vehicle but instead for your kayak.  In order to retain a MSO certificate you'll need to email your kayak's company your kayak's serial number, model and color, your name, mailing address and let them know you want to register your kayak since your  putting a motor on your kayak.  The MSO helps the process, but if you don't have one please refer to http://www.dmv.ca.gov/boatsinfo/boatreg.htm under How do I register my Vessel?

3.  Boat 101 forms filled out.  http://dmv.ca.gov/forms/boat/boat101.htm  (If you can't finish filling out this from DMV will help you)
Turn in this from along with the MSO documentation to DMV and pay your registration fee.  Mine was $49.  You will then receive your DMV certificate printout (The title will be sent out in couple of weeks) then you might be directed to another window and receive your California Vessel Sticker. 

4.  You want to buy some 3 inch Number/Alphabetic stickers from any hardware department so you can place the CF number on your hull.  http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Abc/registration.pdf

5.  Make sure you read http://dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Abc/ or more importantly on 6. Required Equipment http://dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Abc/Required_Equipment.pdf to make sure you'll be in compliant

This info is for those that want to pursue into adding or buying a kayak with an electric motor.  Also read http://www.kayakfishingsupplies.com/servlet/Page?template=motorized-kayaks before your proceed.




1.  Front view
2.  Pull cord to tilt the motor

So I guess we won't see you at any more competitions.

Motors definitely have their place, I'm just not ready to give in yet.

Why would you need an MSO? The only time I've ever seen them used is on custom motorcycle frames....so dmv/chp knows they're not stolen.  The frames come with an mso at purchase.  Boats can be registered as homemade and assigned hid numbers but I've never heard of anyone needing an mso for a boat.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

So I guess we won't see you at any more competitions.

Motors definitely have their place, I'm just not ready to give in yet.

That depends on Yakhopper.  Also, with the bassyaks kit you can always remove the motor and battery just like that and your back to paddling. 

Why would you need an MSO? The only time I've ever seen them used is on custom motorcycle frames....so Dav/Chip knows they're not stolen.  The frames come with an mos at purchase.  Boats can be registered as homemade and assigned hid numbers but I've never heard of anyone needing an mos for a boat.

Sent from my DROIDX using Shoptalk

Thanks much!  I've did some changing up top.  As for needed an MSO.  I thought it's the easily way to processing the registration part since that was what Ocean Kayak told me.  If you know of anything else please fill free to add so I can change it?     

 

  Why bother?  When I bought my OB, I wasn't thinking "How can I mount a motor to this"  If you want a motor buy a boat.

    Phuch em...   put the damm motor on it and hold a paddle in your hand if those guys with the 50 cal. machine guns  come cruising by.   
   Best advice someone gave me once is " Just Do it, let them find you "...  don't ask for permission from the government.   Next thing they'll see there's a source of revenue and want registration on all kayaks... then paddleboards... and on and on.

I've been using an electric motor for two years now.   No one has ever challenged me about not having registration numbers on my little plastic boat.    And I do almost always paddle along with the motor when the harbor patrol is out. I think of it as " electric assist"   not electric motored.
   There's no requirement to put a license plate on an electric assist bicycle.. why should it be any different for a kayak.

 It's bad enough that the Department of Homeland Security requires a registration number in two locations on a plastic kayak.  The reason for this is " to locate the rightful owner".    Yet,  who has ever registered their kayak with the CG, or had that serial number used to trace a stolen kayak?   I'd bet you could count the number of times this has happened with one finger.   It's  about  "obesity in government"   not obesity in a kayak.   

  Why bother?  When I bought my BO, I wasn't thinking "How can I mount a motor to this"  If you want a motor buy a boat.

      One could say the same about a mirage drive then,..  " If you want to pedal buy a bike"
    I've heard that before and   I guess I just don't understand why some people have a negative  attitude towards those who want  electric motors on a yak.   It's not like it will be spewing smoke across the water, or noise,,, or a wake disturbance.     Seem to me it's about fishing and just enjoying a day on the water, less about how you propel yourself across it.     
 

I gave my reasons already for not buying a boat and I don't want to reply that again. 

But being that I'd wanted to stay in the kayak fishing game my option was only for another kayak but nothing, not even a Hobie really satisfy my need mainly because of the sitting position, or it's wide or too big.  The only other kayak that I'd felt best suited for me was Ocean Kayak's Ultra 4.3, but damm that's alot.  That's were the the electric motor came in.  I understand that not everyone likes the idea of an electric kayak and that's fine.   

Plus, I thought it was great that I would  be able to tow the folks at the HOW events who couldn't or didn't want to paddle/peddle a kayak. 

I've been using an electric motor for two years now.   No one has ever challenged me about not having registration numbers on my little plastic boat.    And I do almost always paddle along with the motor when the harbor patrol is out. I think of it as " electric assist"   not electric motored.

The DMV sees it quite differently. From http://dmv.ca.gov/boatsinfo/boatreg.htm

What Vessels Must be Registered?

Generally, every sail-powered vessel over eight feet in length and every motor-driven vessel (regardless of length) that is not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard which is used or on the waters of this state are subject to registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The vessel must be located in California.

So just because you motored around for 2 years without getting a ticket does not mean that it is legal. You can probably drive all your life without wearing a seat belt and not be ticketed. But you better hope you never run into a hard ass LEO.

I want to see some pics of your setup, Yester. Did you rig a trolling motor to the stern of a Trident? I've got an old Minnkota 30lbs troller and believe me, I've thought about it!

I want to see some pics of your setup, Yester. Did you rig a trolling motor to the stern of a Trident? I've got an old Minnkota 30lbs troller and believe me, I've thought about it!

I'm having trouble posting pictures at this time so will try again later.  It's a sterndrive but with the bracket from bassyaks kit.  I heard from other forms that he used to sell the bracket but because of the complications that people had trying with their own DIY kit that he stoped selling them.   

The bracket mounted to the minn kota bracket mount are secured by 2 screws, 2 washers, 2 nuts.  There was a gap  issue with one of the four bolts that holds the bracket to the kayak so I'd ended putting 3 washers.   

The hardest issue with bassyaks kit was placement of the throttle switch along with kill switch.  Parden for the sloppy job but had to make sure there was enough goop.  Foot braces are Sea-Lect Kayak Foot Braces.  Bolts and nuts had to be replaced, also had to cut about half of the adjustment rod section.  I Still have an extra foot brace http://www.duckworksbbs.com/hardware/canoe-kayak/footbrace/index.htm for $35.  I'd paid $40 and some change after shipping.

Inside the hull.  Wire tucking still needs some work along with securing the battery with foam and a strap. 

1.  Rearend hatch
2.  Middle hatch looking back
3.  Middle hatch looking at the wires for switches
4.  Front hatch with battery.  Some of the SouthCal kayakers recommended the 1500 series for Odyssey batteries.  So I purchased a Odyssey 34/78-PC1500DT 12v 62Ah AGM Pure Lead (weight 48lbs)

  I see you have the remote  release kit with that too.    Looks like a nice install job.      If you raise the motor so it's not set so deep,    the steering will be positioned a little higher on the shaft.   That should give you leverage to be able to raise the motor with your feet when coming into skinny waters.

Thanks!  Pictures of my anchor set-up along with my camera mount.  And my DIY milkcrate cart...
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,16164.msg161149.html#msg161149