Best Kayak Trolling Motor For 2021

When you decide to go fishing on your kayak, most likely you are very well prepared, and the most frustrating thing can be when you are fully ready, and as you start to paddle, it takes hours for you to reach a good spot for you to fish. The best way is to get a small and quiet trolling motor, especially if you wish to go on your boat over a long distance.

What is a trolling motor?

A trolling motor is a small and quiet engine that runs on electricity. The good thing about this motor is that it can move toward places where fish are, but it does not make a huge sound, so you can get near fish and catch them easily. Sometimes you might be in the right spot, but you need to make small adjustments, and in this case, this motor is very useful because it does not require you to make a loud noise, and you can easily move and get in a better spot to catch fishes.

This is usually placed on the bow of boats, and you can operate this by foot when you are fishing.

Best Kayak Trolling Motor For 2021

★ Top Pick	Product	Price	Ratings
	Newport’s vessels kayak series 55lb trolling motor See Details	Check Price	4.7
	Minn Kota Traxxis 55 pound trolling motor See Details	Check Price	4.4
	Saturn 55lb short shaft trolling motor See Details	Check Price	4.3
	Goplus 46 and 55lb thrust trolling motors See Details	Check Price	4.6
	Haswing W20 20lb. Trolling motor See Details	Check Price	4.2

Newport’s vessels kayak series 55lb trolling motor

This motor is designed with keeping kayakers in mind, and you can get 55 pounds of thrust from this motor. This thrust is enough for a 2700 pound boat, so for your small one, it will be more than sufficient. There is a great 24-inch adjustable shaft, and the adjustability is a great feature it has. When you look for motors, the shaft should be about 24 inches ideally.

There is great battery life, and if you take the boat at lower speeds, you will get a much better battery life. If you have any issues, you can contact their customer care, and they are great so that they will help you out. However, this motor can be quite heavy as it weighs 23 pounds.

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Minn Kota Traxxis 55 pound trolling motor

Minn knots is a well-known name in the trolling motor world. It can power a kayak very well as it has 30 pounds of thrust. Avoid this motor if you wish to take it in saltwater as it is best for freshwater only. If you decide to take it in saltwater, then make sure you rinse it well after you use it, and do not be surprised if you see corrosion on it. There is a 6-inch long telescoping tiller. There is an eight-speed transmission that features five forward and three reverse gears. This is a great lightweight motor that is built very well.

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Saturn 55lb short shaft trolling motor

The Saturn shaft offers 55 pounds of trust, and it is designed by keeping kayaks in mind. This engine is manufactured by hashing, and it is made in a way to withstand both saltwater well as freshwater. However, make sure that you rinse the motor well after use, especially in saltwater, so that it can last longer. You can submerge the propellor well because of the great 24-inch propeller staff.

This features an eight-speed transmission with five forward and three back. There is an extendable handle, and you can easily reach the throttle while it is mounted on the transom behind you. This engine is very light at just 17 pounds and with a great battery too this ensure that you can use the motor for a long time. The customer service at Saturn is great; however, some customers have complained about quality issues.

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Goplus 46 and 55lb thrust trolling motors

There are two versions of the motors that you can buy from goplus. A 45 and a 55-pound motor which is a lot of thrusts. The 46-pound motor weighs 19.4 lbs, while the bigger motor weighs 22 lbs. If you choose the more powerful motor, that will mean that you will have lesser battery life. These models will come with a 6-inch telescopic handle with eight speeds, five forward and three backward.

The shaft will be made out of fiberglass, which ensures that it will not rust, and it is very tough as well. The prop head is aluminum, while the blades are plastic. This means that all these materials can handle saltwater easily. The battery life is excellent, and some users have said that they get up to 8 to ten hours of use.

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Haswing W20 20lb. Trolling motor

This motor is designed especially for the needs of kayaks, canoes, and other smaller boats. This motor isn’t the fastest, but 20 pounds is enough to get you between places. This motor is super light and weighs just 8 pounds, which explains the low power, but this also increases the battery life. The shaft is made of cast aluminum, and it is designed for freshwater and saltwater. However, some customers have reported quality issues with this product.

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Why Should You Buy One?

They are fast –

Sometimes, the fishing area might be very far, and getting there by using paddles can take a lot of time, so it is best to use a trolling motor in this case.

They are quiet –

A gas-powered motor makes a lot of noise. However, an electric motor is almost silent, and it will not scare any fish away, and you can go close to the fish and catch them easily by using the motor.

Power –

These motors are designed to push boats that weigh more than 1500 pounds, so there is no need to be worried that your motor is underpowered. Two pounds per hundred is the loading weight rule, making it very powerful to move the boat. A speed boat might go over the water as speed increases, but this is not the case with this motor. More thrust will not help it. The power is measured in pounds and not horsepower.

Batteries –

As the trolling motor increases, it will require more electricity from the batteries. E.g., A 24V system needs two 12v batteries while a 36V system needs three batteries. A 12V system that requires a single battery is more than enough. Therefore, it is important to find a motor to keep your boat alive for as long as possible.

Mounting system –

Trolling motors are made for bow mounting on bass boats, and many designs have a sliding hinge, which allows them to be raised and lowered back into the water. The problem is that this will not work for kayakers. You will have to look for a transom mounting system that fits in the scuppers behind where you sit. These are adjustable, and they fit in most kayaks. They will provide you with a bar to mount your motor. However, you should try and avoid the bow mount on you’re yak.

Shaft length –

Usually, shaft lengths are quite long. The shaft between the engine and the propellor can belong because it has to go from the gunnel of the base of the boat to the water below and keep the propellor fully submerged. However, the long shafts can be problematic for kayaks, so all the motors mentioned are short shafts.

The propellor has to be underwater –

When the propellor is underwater, it can stop air from being sucked from the surface and making a lot of noise.

Careful measurements are very important –

After you attach the mount, you need to measure the horizontal bar to the surface of the water and add about 15 to 16 inches( 12 inches normally but 3 to 4 inches extra in case it is necessary). In extreme cases, you might have to add 5 to 6 inches extra to it.

Control type –

You might find many different control systems in the market, and these systems usually have some form of a foot pedal operation. The foot pedals are good for bass boats, but they are not useful for kayaks. This happens because these boats offer many thrusts, which can cause the boat to lurch forward, and it isn’t easy to control this when you are on your feet.

Tiller handle –

If you wish to use your kayak while seated, you can use a tiller handle. There are more expensive remote control options, but those are quite expensive while the tiller is quite cheap.

Weight –

Weight is something that you need to be very well aware of in a kayak. Keep the kayak’s maximum capacity in mind at all times. The stern should be above the water, so light motors are preferred.

Legalities –

Most places need you to register your boat if there is a motor. Ensure that you check with all the local authorities before buying a boat because it is very important to register them.