Tournaments and Trolling Motors

I've rigged my kayak with a trolling motor a couple years ago.  After using it several times, I decided it's not worth the extra drama.  It weighs a lot for one thing, with the battery and all, and I already have a battleship of a kayak.  I'd sell it if I thought anyone would want it. 

I really appreciate that I'm allowed to participate in the tournaments I attend with my Hobie, as there have been some who participate and take exception to the peddle advantage.   

But the fact remains; kayak manufacturers are equipping kayaks with motors and it's likely to expand to many other brands and models in the future.  The poll is valid and I imagine this discussion will evolve with the evolution of the technology.  It's always up to the director but what of the prizes?  I recall a couple years ago, the main raffle prize at GS9 (I think) was a Old Town Predator with a trolling motor.  How will sponsors respond to requests of support when their prizes are not allowed to even participate in the event it's showcased? 

I am going to sponsor a tournament where only motors are allowed. Nobody can paddle at all. You can not even take a paddle with you. Participants will be checked at launch for any paddles on board. The winner gets a new kayak with a motor. Entry is $250. The tourney will be called "Ditch the Paddle". Limited to the first 20 entries. It is a multi species tourney. The smallest total inches of 3 combined fish will count. Greenling, Rockfish, Ling and Cabs only. Must be of legal size to count. Pre pay entry. If there are not 20 entries the tourney is cancelled. No refunds. Tell your friends.

Great tourney idea rob I am in providing you make a requirement of a minimum 7" fish finder screen which must be touchscreen and wifi capable. Also please keep the species list the same but hold the tourney at liberty island or somewhere more centrally located do no one has to travel to far. 

Great tourney idea rob I am in providing you make a requirement of a minimum 7" fish finder screen which must be touchscreen and wifi capable. Also please keep the species list the same but hold the tourney at liberty island or somewhere more centrally located do no one has to travel to far. 

Want to co-host it with me? I will cut you in on the massive profit these tourneys bring in.

Now ask me why I don't do tournaments   To many egos get in the way of the fun

I have to disagree with this statement. The fun and community is still the biggest part of the events, IMO, and what has drawn me since the first one I went to in '08. I've only been to one that got real serious and it was summarily reformatted to repair it.

Quite a few people attend tournement events but do not "compete" as it is not their thing, nobody else seems to mind or bother them for it, they are glad to have them there, too.

Your examples are all jacked.  Running vs bicycle is not the same as people using a kayak propelled by different methods.  If using your crazy logic, then an airplane can compete against the runner. 

FYI, I have seen paddlers troll longer and faster than people on Hobies, so I don't consider it a HUGE advantage.  That being said, a motor is a totally different thing, doesn't require any energy from the user to propel it.

If you want to join the friendly conversation you should be respectful.

A Hobie adds a mechanical advantage to the human power the way a bicycle adds a mechanical advantage.

I'm glad you've expressed your opinion. You are entitled to think what you want.

I see nothing disrespectufl in his reply.

I don't either, but he seems to think so.  I think hes upset about what everyone must be thinking of him right now.  : smt044

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

  that's why I said that to you. 

Traildad, you clearly have a mental disability.  Nothing you said this entire thread makes any sense.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

You're so cute!

And you're retarded.   

Quite a few people attend tournement events but do not "compete" as it is not their thing, nobody else seems to mind or bother them for it, they are glad to have them there, too.

Your examples are all jacked.  Running vs bicycle is not the same as people using a kayak propelled by different methods.  If using your crazy logic, then an airplane can compete against the runner. 

FYI, I have seen paddlers troll longer and faster than people on Hobies, so I don't consider it a HUGE advantage.  That being said, a motor is a totally different thing, doesn't require any energy from the user to propel it.

If you want to join the friendly conversation you should be respectful.

A Hobie adds a mechanical advantage to the human power the way a bicycle adds a mechanical advantage.

I'm glad you've expressed your opinion. You are entitled to think what you want.

I see nothing disrespectufl in his reply.

I don't either, but he seems to think so.  I think hes upset about what everyone must be thinking of him right now.  : smt044

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

  that's why I said that to you. 

Traildad, you clearly have a mental disability.  Nothing you said this entire thread makes any sense.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

You're so cute!

And you're retarded.   

So cute and nice too.   

Your examples are all jacked.  Running vs bicycle is not the same as people using a kayak propelled by different methods.  If using your crazy logic, then an airplane can compete against the runner. 

FYI, I have seen paddlers troll longer and faster than people on Hobies, so I don't consider it a HUGE advantage.  That being said, a motor is a totally different thing, doesn't require any energy from the user to propel it.

If you want to join the friendly conversation you should be respectful.

A Hobie adds a mechanical advantage to the human power the way a bicycle adds a mechanical advantage.

I'm glad you've expressed your opinion. You are entitled to think what you want.

I see nothing disrespectufl in his reply.

I don't either, but he seems to think so.  I think hes upset about what everyone must be thinking of him right now.  : smt044

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

  that's why I said that to you. 

Traildad, you clearly have a mental disability.  Nothing you said this entire thread makes any sense.

Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk

You're so cute!

And you're retarded.   

So cute and nice too.   

I like happy ending 

I am going to sponsor a tournament where only motors are allowed. Nobody can paddle at all. You can not even take a paddle with you. Participants will be checked at launch for any paddles on board. The winner gets a new kayak with a motor. Entry is $250. The tourney will be called "Ditch the Paddle". Limited to the first 20 entries. It is a multi species tourney. The smallest total inches of 3 combined fish will count. Greenling, Rockfish, Ling and Cabs only. Must be of legal size to count. Pre pay entry. If there are not 20 entries the tourney is cancelled. No refunds. Tell your friends.

No paddle equals big fine if caught.  Any vessel powered by a motor must have a paddle on board.

Now this a a big issue?
It must be winter !
:0(

It's really not a big issue.  A tournament director gets to set the rules - its his tournament.  As long as those rules are set up far enough in advance and with enough notice, then people are able to make their own choices as to whether or not to compete. 

^ This

Whether the rules allow or prohibit motors, as long as they're set well in advance and don't succumb to a last minute "let's ask the crowd" change, then we all have the choice to sign up and participate or not.

That being said, personally, I feel that there is a distinction between motor-driven vs. pedaled or paddled vessels.

I am going to sponsor a tournament where only motors are allowed. Nobody can paddle at all. You can not even take a paddle with you. Participants will be checked at launch for any paddles on board. The winner gets a new kayak with a motor. Entry is $250. The tourney will be called "Ditch the Paddle". Limited to the first 20 entries. It is a multi species tourney. The smallest total inches of 3 combined fish will count. Greenling, Rockfish, Ling and Cabs only. Must be of legal size to count. Pre pay entry. If there are not 20 entries the tourney is cancelled. No refunds. Tell your friends.

Okay.

Hey Rob,

Some jackass is hosting a tournament called "Ditch the paddle" 

Here's a list of kayak fishing tournaments/events that are organized or attended by members of our club: http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=70000.0
I would anticipate another ~25 tournaments/events in 2017. None of them currently allow motors. And as far as I can recall, none of them ever did...and we've been doing this for like 12 years. That doesn't mean they'll never be allowed; it just means that someone will probably have to organize a new/their own tournament if they want to allow motors. But we shouldn't take these events for granted--nothing is guaranteed. Because these are grass roots, community-based events that require a lot of time & effort to pull off. Most guys do it because they love kayak fishing and want to share the excitement with friends. So, it can appear a little disrespectful when someone comes along and suggests that their event should change to allow motors or some other wide-sweeping accomodation. That's why I voted to leave the decision to each individual tournament director/committee.

I just checked the rules of last year's tournaments and some do not allow motors. I saw one that specifically does allow electric motors. I also saw some that make no mention of motors. So with some of the major tournaments making no mention in the rules, it seems like a reasonable topic to discuss. Isn't it better to address this now rather than having people freak out when a registered competitor is seen launching with a motor on their kayak and the rules don't prohibit it? The only thing I have suggested is that we consider the question, take a poll and discuss the topic. Does that seem disrespectful to you?

But the fact remains; kayak manufacturers are equipping kayaks with motors and it's likely to expand to many other brands and models in the future.  The poll is valid and I imagine this discussion will evolve with the evolution of the technology.  It's always up to the director but what of the prizes?  I recall a couple years ago, the main raffle prize at GS9 (I think) was a Old Town Predator with a trolling motor.  How will sponsors respond to requests of support when their prizes are not allowed to even participate in the event it's showcased?

+1

But the fact remains; kayak manufacturers are equipping kayaks with motors and it's likely to expand to many other brands and models in the future.  The poll is valid and I imagine this discussion will evolve with the evolution of the technology.  It's always up to the director but what of the prizes?  I recall a couple years ago, the main raffle prize at GS9 (I think) was a Old Town Predator with a trolling motor.  How will sponsors respond to requests of support when their prizes are not allowed to even participate in the event it's showcased?

The sponsors can always repond to request for support with their products that don't feature motors.