Pedal vs motorized fishing kayak

I noticed that pedal kayaks are much more common that motorized fishing kayaks.  I'm curious why this is?  I know the obvious factors:

1. Added cost
2. Need to register motorized kayaks
3. Weight/complexity

I'm considering getting a motorized kayak that has a saltwater rated motor, specifically, the Old Town Predator MK.  Are there any other considerations I should think about?

My main motivations for going motorized are:

1. Speed
2. Able to get out of potential bad situations faster
3. I think having a motor would allow me to concentrate more on fishing
4. To a small extent laziness (not going to lie).  Though I do plan to paddle mostly and use the motor mainly for trolling.

I'm also thinking that having a motor and having to think about battery would prevent me from venturing out too far and hence lower risk (mostly a concern for ocean use).

Thanks,

Brian

One of the benefits I like most about a pedal kayak is the exercise.  If I want to get anywhere fast, I'd use my PB.

For me, pedaling is about getting exercise and the next simplest thing after hand paddling.

Having a motor is great, but comes with a tradeoff (for exactly the reasons that you've mentioned)

I think weight and added cleaning time deters me away.  Getting a motorized kayak pretty much pushes me to buy a trailer.  Now storage becomes an issue. I already spend a good hour cleaning my Outback and catch of the day.  Adding the time to clean a motor and trailer doesn’t sound fun. 

If I was to go that far, then buying a PB to take my wife and kid would be more logical. 

I went with a kayak motor to save weight. I started out with a pedal drive but being that I’m old and weak it was to difficult for me to cartop. I sold it, and bought an Eddyline Caribbean 14 that weighs just 50lbs, so I have no problem moving it around. It was great for everything except trolling for salmon, and dealing with fast currents like at Tomales Bay.

I decided to add a Torqeedo 403 ultralight kayak motor. It weighs about 20lbs with battery. Even after trolling for 6-7 hours the battery has not gone below 80%. Top speed is 6mph +- depending on winds, and current. The motor and battery are removed for car topping so everything is still easy for me. It takes and additional 5-7 minutes of setup time. I would rate the installation on the Eddyline as difficult but doable. I had to add foot pedal steering, and get backing plates into inaccessible areas. The are pricey at around $2,300.00 but very high quality, and salt rated.

I still try to paddle quite a bit, and the last time at Shelter Cove, and Timber Cove I didn’t use it at all. For me it has worked out great.

Thanks everyone for the responses.  I also really liked the idea of getting exercise with a pedal drive.  I figured I could make up the exercise aspect by paddling out to my intended fishing spot.  As for getting a PB, I thought about that, but at this point, I'm not quite ready go to that extreme (baby steps first  )  though I have a feeling something like that might happen down the road.

 It was great for everything except trolling for salmon, and dealing with fast currents like at Tomales Bay.

Do you have any type of outrigger system or considering any for those type of situations ?

 Lifting a hobie on to the top of my CRV has become a chore now a days. 

Alex

I've been using the Torqeedo for over 10 yrs now...     Modified the mounting system so that it can be rigged in under a minute.
  It also cut the weight down considerably..     
  One other option is the Bixpy motors..  Lithium, Not as fast,,, but I sure  Love the wireless wrist control.   

 It was great for everything except trolling for salmon, and dealing with fast currents like at Tomales Bay.

Do you have any type of outrigger system or considering any for those type of situations ?

 Lifting a hobie on to the top of my CRV has become a chore now a days. 

Alex

No it’s just the standard Caribbean.

damn that torqueedo is pretty cool.  could put one of those on my trident for less than the cost of upgrading to a hobie. hmm

Someone needs to come up with an electric assist mirage drive, sort of like electric assist bikes.

Someone needs to come up with an electric assist mirage drive, sort of like electric assist bikes.

That's a very cool idea.

My biggest concern is when you flip over the motorized kayak...
I met a guy (non-NCKAer) who DIY outfit to his kayak for a small motor, but he told me each time he capsizes he has to call for help (and I've seen him getting rescued at HMB once and heard happened to him a few other times).
I believe these new system like the Oldtowns or Wilderness very stream lined and fit to the kayaks, but adding more weight might make hard to flip kayak back over. I believe any kayak you should be able to self rescue, but some of these big kayaks I have some concerns...
Another thing I worry is if the motor craps out there, then now what?
With motor you can go far pretty quick easy, but if it dies on you far away, you have to paddle back with lots of weight.
You probably don't have a friend with you since they probably don't have a motor, so sometime happen you might be all alone & far away...
At least the padels only adds ~8-15lb depends on the company, and you should be able to flip back up most of sea worthy pedal kayak then you should be able to go back how many miles you came out with your human power.
This is just my concern & mainly for the ocean, but the technology is advancing & batteries & motors are becoming more reliable, so might be nice additions...?
Whatever you choose, be safe out there    

...each time he capsizes he has to call for help (and I've seen him getting rescued at HMB once and heard happened to him a few other times).

Yikes. That sounds reckless and selfish. We are lucky that private boaters almost always help those in need and the Coast Guard rescues everyone for free, but with behavior like this that might change.

From Uminchu:

"Another thing I worry is if the motor craps out there, then now what?
With motor you can go far pretty quick easy, but if it dies on you far away, you have to paddle back with lots of weight.
You probably don't have a friend with you since they probably don't have a motor, so sometime happen you might be all alone & far away... "


So far my motor has crapped out 3 times. Twice a got my braided line caught in the prop. Those two times I just started paddling. The other time was at Tomales Bay when Eel grass jammed the prop. I just paddled over to a beach, and cleared it out. I do not go further away from the launch with the motor than I would paddling.