Who’s kayak is this at HMB I forgot your name?

i find it very amusing that when a kayak put a motor on it, he gets hated on more than boaters lol Not sure where the hate comes from...

I got the idea last year when a good friend show me that I could modified my current 2015 outback with an ama/tramp setup, I'm like sign me up. I like tinkering around with things and when i saw it in action and after numerous research I was all in.

At any rate, its all about being practical. I could buy a boat but when weighing the advantage/disadvantage of it, I didn't want the

1. up keep of the boat
2. storage
3. tolling it 150-200 miles each weekend to the ocean which would cost more in gas and wear/tear on the car.
4. insurance cost
5. additional boat launch cost

So hence why I went forward with modifying my Outback to allow for an outboard motor. I could still use my kayak by itself without the motor but having the advantage of the tramp for extra storage, carrying dog or person, stability, etc...Although it is a tad slower. I did it a few times without motor and it wasn't as bad as you think. Also since I'm not trailing it, I don't have to drive 55 mph and take forever to get to the location lol

The setup time with the ama/tramp and motor is only an extra 10 minutes. It doesn't take that much space in the car for two aka, motor mount, and motor. The ama goes on top of the car with the kayak.

The beauty of this setup is that I can launch where the typical kayak launch. I can go all day without being tired. There has been numerous time I drove 3-4 hrs (I live in Fresno) to the ocean and only to be turn away due to the wind condition. Not anymore, I would go and launch even when its windy or swelly since my setup is capable of handling the condition.

I can go multiple day trips going 20-30 miles each day and not get tired. Enjoying my time on the water and catch fish. Then on the long drive home, I'm not as tired as before. Since when I go, I typically only get an hour or so of sleep.

I also did this so I can take someone out fishing with me! I have done it multiple times and it is very stable. The dog on the back, I'm either on the tramp or in the cockpit or vice versa. I didn't do this to take advantage of in a tournament. If I were in a tournament then I wouldn't use a motor. Thats the beauty of this setup. When I want to enter a tournament, I can still use my current kayak without the motor and just use the mirage drive.

At any rate and example, on Friday salmon fishing in Bolinas, I fish from 6 am until 5 pm covering 30 miles but was able to come home with salmon. Some of the boaters out there were skunk and I feel fortunate to land one. On Thursday I only fish 6 am until noon and was able to score a 36 inch/24 lb salmon. It was windy as hell but was able to get out and score.

Sorry for the long post but with the hating on kayak with motor, I don't really post anymore. This one I just feel like I had to say something.

Jbister...good luck with your build!! You will love it.

Just wonder - since this can't be used for large sail (i.e. AI/TI vs. "hobie kayak sail"), what is advantage of this vs. inflatable kayak outriggers/sidekicks?

I can see pros of
- looks (!!) and
- tramp space

But
- $$$
- transport
- less drag OTW when needed, when not under motor (arms can be raised)
- ability to paddle

The cost is always subjective. The transport is just 2 aka and an ama. Without the tramp deploy you can paddle. When surf launching, I don't deploy my tramp and just use my paddle to break though. Since the ama supply additional stability, my kayak doesn't turn sideway when going through the surf. When I surf launch the kayak by itself in the past without the ama, I notice the wave tend to push the kayak one way or another. Now with the ama it doesn't do that. This is for launching and landing. I feel more safer to launch and land with the ama.

As for when the motor dies...I made sure I understand the in and out of the motor. I always carry extra part for the motor ie spark plugs, tools to change out the spark, and extra fuel. Tindering and knowing how a motor works help in case I need to disgnose it on the water!! Like with anything...always be prepare for the worst

 It's definitely a cool option to have.  Time to up grade my outback!

i find it very amusing that when a kayak put a motor on it, he gets hated on more than boaters lol Not sure where the hate comes from...

I got the idea last year when a good friend show me that I could modified my current 2015 outback with an ama/tramp setup, I'm like sign me up. I like tinkering around with things and when i saw it in action and after numerous research I was all in.

At any rate, its all about being practical. I could buy a boat but when weighing the advantage/disadvantage of it, I didn't want the

1. up keep of the boat
2. storage
3. tolling it 150-200 miles each weekend to the ocean which would cost more in gas and wear/tear on the car.
4. insurance cost
5. additional boat launch cost

So hence why I went forward with modifying my Outback to allow for an outboard motor. I could still use my kayak by itself without the motor but having the advantage of the tramp for extra storage, carrying dog or person, stability, etc...Although it is a tad slower. I did it a few times without motor and it wasn't as bad as you think. Also since I'm not trailing it, I don't have to drive 55 mph and take forever to get to the location lol

The setup time with the ama/tramp and motor is only an extra 10 minutes. It doesn't take that much space in the car for two aka, motor mount, and motor. The ama goes on top of the car with the kayak.

The beauty of this setup is that I can launch where the typical kayak launch. I can go all day without being tired. There has been numerous time I drove 3-4 hrs (I live in Fresno) to the ocean and only to be turn away due to the wind condition. Not anymore, I would go and launch even when its windy or swelly since my setup is capable of handling the condition.

I can go multiple day trips going 20-30 miles each day and not get tired. Enjoying my time on the water and catch fish. Then on the long drive home, I'm not as tired as before. Since when I go, I typically only get an hour or so of sleep.

I also did this so I can take someone out fishing with me! I have done it multiple times and it is very stable. The dog on the back, I'm either on the tramp or in the cockpit or vice versa. I didn't do this to take advantage of in a tournament. If I were in a tournament then I wouldn't use a motor. Thats the beauty of this setup. When I want to enter a tournament, I can still use my current kayak without the motor and just use the mirage drive.

At any rate and example, on Friday salmon fishing in Bolinas, I fish from 6 am until 5 pm covering 30 miles but was able to come home with salmon. Some of the boaters out there were skunk and I feel fortunate to land one. On Thursday I only fish 6 am until noon and was able to score a 36 inch/24 lb salmon. It was windy as hell but was able to get out and score.

Sorry for the long post but with the hating on kayak with motor, I don't really post anymore. This one I just feel like I had to say something.

Jbister...good luck with your build!! You will love it.

I added a Torqeedo to my Eddyline Caribbean and haven’t noticed any animosity from the group, on the board, or at events. I was getting beat after a few hours of salmon trolling last year and decided to make it easier. At trolling speed it runs over 24 hours on the stock battery. The Eddyline weighs 50 pounds so it is easy for me to move around, and then an additional 10 minutes of set up time. The battery and motor are a little over 20 pounds. Mounting everything was a challenge but doable.

I'm really glad you posted something so long Crazy.  I'm impressed enough with someone willing to drive from fresno to Rockaway in search of salmon.  it's awesome to see the innovation and determination.

I agree with all of your Pros for the motor on the kayak vs getting a boat.   I started off getting into the kayak to see if I wanted to buy a boat later on, you know start small, work my way up, and everything just keeps pointing towards kayak, and no boat. 

there's just something you can't beat by being able to beach launch easily by yourself almost anywhere you want to go, and the cost difference is still quite huge.  I have a huge affection towards kayaks with ama/akas.

i find it very amusing that when a kayak put a motor on it, he gets hated on more than boaters lol Not sure where the hate comes from...

I got the idea last year when a good friend show me that I could modified my current 2015 outback with an ama/tramp setup, I'm like sign me up. I like tinkering around with things and when i saw it in action and after numerous research I was all in.

At any rate, its all about being practical. I could buy a boat but when weighing the advantage/disadvantage of it, I didn't want the

1. up keep of the boat
2. storage
3. tolling it 150-200 miles each weekend to the ocean which would cost more in gas and wear/tear on the car.
4. insurance cost
5. additional boat launch cost

So hence why I went forward with modifying my Outback to allow for an outboard motor. I could still use my kayak by itself without the motor but having the advantage of the tramp for extra storage, carrying dog or person, stability, etc...Although it is a tad slower. I did it a few times without motor and it wasn't as bad as you think. Also since I'm not trailing it, I don't have to drive 55 mph and take forever to get to the location lol

The setup time with the ama/tramp and motor is only an extra 10 minutes. It doesn't take that much space in the car for two aka, motor mount, and motor. The ama goes on top of the car with the kayak.

The beauty of this setup is that I can launch where the typical kayak launch. I can go all day without being tired. There has been numerous time I drove 3-4 hrs (I live in Fresno) to the ocean and only to be turn away due to the wind condition. Not anymore, I would go and launch even when its windy or swelly since my setup is capable of handling the condition.

I can go multiple day trips going 20-30 miles each day and not get tired. Enjoying my time on the water and catch fish. Then on the long drive home, I'm not as tired as before. Since when I go, I typically only get an hour or so of sleep.

I also did this so I can take someone out fishing with me! I have done it multiple times and it is very stable. The dog on the back, I'm either on the tramp or in the cockpit or vice versa. I didn't do this to take advantage of in a tournament. If I were in a tournament then I wouldn't use a motor. Thats the beauty of this setup. When I want to enter a tournament, I can still use my current kayak without the motor and just use the mirage drive.

At any rate and example, on Friday salmon fishing in Bolinas, I fish from 6 am until 5 pm covering 30 miles but was able to come home with salmon. Some of the boaters out there were skunk and I feel fortunate to land one. On Thursday I only fish 6 am until noon and was able to score a 36 inch/24 lb salmon. It was windy as hell but was able to get out and score.

Sorry for the long post but with the hating on kayak with motor, I don't really post anymore. This one I just feel like I had to say something.

Jbister...good luck with your build!! You will love it.
Yes to all you said. I know I will love it. Ordered the outrigger and the build will proceed beginning of next year. Looking forward to sharing my experiences about it.

If it costs around $1200 for the parts, instead of trying to mimic an AI, why not just buy a used AI? They were going for around $1800-$2000. All you have to do is install an engine mount and you're all set.

If it costs around $1200 for the parts, instead of trying to mimic an AI, why not just buy a used AI? They were going for around $1800-$2000. All you have to do is install an engine mount and you're all set.

13 foot kayak instead of 16 foot, newer seat design weighs a lot less.  Those are all reasons I'm thinking about.

13 foot kayak instead of 16 foot, newer seat design weighs a lot less.  Those are all reasons I'm thinking about.

Understood. If you don't mind, let me list a few other points just for thoughts...
For ~$2k, you get a full sailing kayak;
You can choose to put a motor on it;
3 extra ft is not all that different in terms of storage or transport, but if you can't store another kayak, then not much you can do. (I own both Revo 13 and AI. I used my Revo 13 a total of two times this year due to not willing to risk beach launching the AI w/ motor.);
AI has extra capacity and stability;
You can mod a boat seat for around ~$100. It's no less comfortable than the new hobie seat;
A revo 13 is only marginally lighter than the AI w/o amas;
And last but not least, save headaches of having to locate/order parts, and no need to mod the kayak (although modding can be fun). 

13 foot kayak instead of 16 foot, newer seat design weighs a lot less.  Those are all reasons I'm thinking about.

Understood. If you don't mind, let me list a few other points just for thoughts...
For ~$2k, you get a full sailing kayak;
You can choose to put a motor on it;
3 extra ft is not all that different in terms of storage or transport, but you can't store another kayak, then not much you can do. (I own both Revo 13 and AI. I used my Revo 13 a total of two times this year due to not willing to risk beach launching the AI w/ motor.);
AI has extra capacity and stability;
You can mod a boat seat for around ~$100. It's no less comfortable than the new hobie seat;
A revo 13 is only marginally lighter than the AI w/o amas;
And last but not least, safe headache of having to locate/order parts, and no need to mod the kayak (although modding can be fun). 

I agree with you to a point. The AI is A LOT heavier than a revo or an outback. I help Chet and a few other AI out a few times and man I don't think i can do it by myself lol

The AI hull is definitely faster design! If I didn't have a kayak then definitely would consider getting a used AI.

The most expensive part in the project is the ama (the shipping cost is crazy!!) and Hobie has to custom make it for special order hence the 4-6 week time frame. How do I know...I had to wait 2+ month to get it lol with a lot of back and forth with CCK.

Next would be the tramp. The other part is fairly cheap. I have a spreadsheet of the cost at home. I do agree that its a lot of headache to order all the little parts. I think I ran down to home depot a few times and or have to order extra screw or nuts lol

The install is a little tricky for the outback. The rear xbar mount especially. I had to think of a creative idea on how to screw in the nut and washer. I used a gopro with liveview on my phone so I can see where the bolt is....its like doing surgery!! 

The revo isn't that bad since the rear hatch is pretty close to the rear xbar mount. This mod is definitely not for everyone. I surely been enjoying it each time I'm on the water

Jon, please show me how you beach launch your hybrid at Bolinas next year 

Easy just don’t deploy the tramp and use your paddle like how you would normally beach launch the revo. Or do what Chet does and push it out and start the motor then hop in and gun it lol

On the landing. I either roll up the tramp and use the motor/paddle to steer or just use the motor and gun it in. Easy peasy lol

I have the pro AI on the landing on the last outing maybe I’ll edit it and put it online

Come out with us next year and go hog hunting

13 foot kayak instead of 16 foot, newer seat design weighs a lot less.  Those are all reasons I'm thinking about.

Understood. If you don't mind, let me list a few other points just for thoughts...
For ~$2k, you get a full sailing kayak;
You can choose to put a motor on it;
3 extra ft is not all that different in terms of storage or transport, but you can't store another kayak, then not much you can do. (I own both Revo 13 and AI. I used my Revo 13 a total of two times this year due to not willing to risk beach launching the AI w/ motor.);
AI has extra capacity and stability;
You can mod a boat seat for around ~$100. It's no less comfortable than the new hobie seat;
A revo 13 is only marginally lighter than the AI w/o amas;
And last but not least, safe headache of having to locate/order parts, and no need to mod the kayak (although modding can be fun). 

an extra 3 feet of kayak would make storing it in my garage near impossible.

i find it very amusing that when a kayak put a motor on it, he gets hated on more than boaters lol Not sure where the hate comes from...

I'm not sure where it comes from either, as I don't recall seeing that on this forum.

I have an AI, but no motor. I'll probably get a motor one day, and then all of the posts by people like you who have motorized their kayaks will be valuable in helping me get it setup right. So, please keep posting!

If it costs around $1200 for the parts, instead of trying to mimic an AI, why not just buy a used AI? They were going for around $1800-$2000. All you have to do is install an engine mount and you're all set.

I’m using the 2019 revo 13 because it will fit in my storage plus I love the new seat so buying a older AI just seamed pointless. I will get tons of use out of it.