A kayak equipped with a motor gives you great freedom to explore and travel longer distances.
If you want a motorized kayak that will perform well, you will need to spend more money. Do your homework before you go on any long fishing excursions.
What is a high-performance motorized kayak?
A kayak that is both seaworthy and powered by an outboard gas motor is a high-performance motor kayak. Wavewalk’s W700 is a high-performance, catamaran motor kayak, and Wavewalk’s S4 is an ultralight cartop catamaran microskiff that works perfectly as a high-performance motor kayak.
SOT and sit-in kayaks are not suitable for powerful motors because their form is not stable enough and there are ergonomic issues that prevent both effective driving and safe operation of the motor.
Electric motors are only suitable for use over short distances on flat water, such as when trolling or paddling with assistance.
Why Motorize Your Kayak?
A motor increases your kayak’s speed and range. This can be crucial in situations where you might otherwise be stranded far from home. Therefore, a motor can make kayak fishing or touring much safer.
A second point to consider is that a motor can be helpful if you’re tired or not able to paddle to where you want to go.
If you are fishing from a kayak, a trolling motor can be useful for trolling and for quickly moving to different fishing spots.
How To Choose The Best Motorized Kayak
Are You An Experienced Or Beginner Angler?
A motorized fishing kayak is significantly different from a traditional paddle kayak in how it is operated.
I would recommend that you practice operating a kayak motor in a controlled environment, like a calm lake, before taking it into more challenging conditions.
Fishing kayaks that are high quality and meant to be used with a motor can be very expensive. This is before you even buy the trolling or electric motor.
If you are new to kayak fishing and are unsure of how much time you will want to spend paddling or fishing, it may be a good idea to start with a less expensive kayak like the Lifetime Angler 100 before purchasing a more expensive, high-performance kayak.
Do You Want To Stand Up?
Motorized fishing kayaks that allow the angler to stand up and cast their line are preferred by many, as it provides a better experience than sitting down like in a traditional boat.
The elevated position provides a better view of the water, making it easier to spot fish and cast more accurately.
Before purchasing a standing desk, it is recommended that you check with the manufacturer to see if they have any specific recommendations.
There are some kayaks that are designed to be stable so that you can safely stand in them in choppy water, while others may only be safe to stand in if the water is calm.
Some features that will make it easier to stand up on a paddleboard are stand assist straps or dedicated standing decks with tacky surfaces.
Storage Capacity
If you have a boat that can hold a trolling motor, you probably have more storage space than you will ever need.
A typical feature of these kayaks is a large stern “tank-well” storage area, where gear such as tackle boxes or coolers can be secured with bungee cords.
At the front of the boat, there is typically a watertight hatch that can hold less gear, but protects it from the weather.
If you want to go on trips lasting more than one day, find a motorized kayak with some kind of waterproof storage. That way you won’t ruin your camping trip by having a wet sleeping bag.
See what the load capacity of your boat is in accordance to the specifications. This number corresponds to how many pounds the kayak can safely carry with the motor and paddler(s) combined.
Short Or Long Trips
If you buy a kayak with a motor, you’ll be able to go on longer trips.
How fast the motorized kayak goes will give you an idea of how long your trips will take.
In addition to making sure you have the necessary storage space as we discussed above, having a comfortable seat can make your trip much more enjoyable.
If you have the opportunity, sit in the fishing kayak you’re considering before you purchase it to make sure that you’re comfortable in it.
A padded bottom and back, with adjustable straps, will make your boat more comfortable.
Foot pedals that can be easily adjusted are great for bracing and taking stress off your back.
Other Features
Cheaper kayaks are not as good as more expensive ones because they are not as high-end.
If you want to go fishing, it’s a good idea to pick a boat that has multiple rod holders, and preferably a paddle holder too so that everything stays put when you’re not using it.
Motorized kayaks that have some sort of adaptor that allows for customization are the best.
If you want to add a Go-Pro, fish finder, extra fishing gear, or depth sounder to your kayak, there are many tracks, sliders, or gear mounts that can make this possible.
Inflatable Vs Hard-Sided
Although inflatable kayaks are often seen as being less durable than other types, their puncture-resistant nylon construction often makes them just as tough and long lasting.
Inflatables provide the convenience of easy storage and transportation.
They can be stored in a closet and they don’t take up a lot of space so they can fit in the trunk of any vehicle.
You will need a bit more time to set up the inflatable kayak and have access to a pump. However, in most cases, this is easy to do.
Hard-sided boats are often quite heavy, with some models designed to be compatible with motors weighing up to 150 pounds.
While their rigidity may make them seem less stable, it actually allows them to go faster and perform better in dynamic water conditions.
Tandem Vs Single
This is determined by how often you see yourself paddling with a partner.
One advantage of a tandem kayak over two singles is that it is easier to store and transport. However, a tandem kayak cannot always be paddled by one person.
Out of the many motorized kayaks on this list, only a limited few can fit a second paddler.
Someone will need to help you carry the canoe to and from the body of water.
Best Motorized Kayaks
A kayak that is compatible with a motor offers the ability to explore and travel much further distances than before. This allows for a much greater sense of freedom and exploration.
You must do your research if you want to get the best motorized kayak, especially if you plan on using it for long fishing trips.
Old Town Predator MK Fishing Kayak With Motor
The Predator MK kayak from Old Town is packed with features and has handy accessories, making it one of the best motorized kayaks on the market.
The Predator is a wider and more stable kayak than most others with a weight capacity of 600 pounds.
The stand-assist straps give you the confidence you need to be able to stand and cast in most water conditions.
The extra features on this kayak include paddle rests, paddle holders, six scupper holes, and a removable mounting plate. You’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.
Key features
- Built-in Trolling motor
- Foot-controlled rudder system
- A large stertank wellll is accessible from the water
- Multiple USB charge ports
- Sonor mounting plate
Colorado XT Inflatable Pontoon Boat
Although it may not appear to be a kayak, the Colorado XT is high-performing and deserves a spot on this list.
The boat is designed to be rowed like a boat, with two paddles, rather than a kayak.
While the trolling motor mount is fine, the storage area for the battery pack is right behind the seat. If the battery is too heavy, you may find the boat feels unbalanced.
Some people find it awkward to steer with the mount in its current position, but there is a simple way to fix this.
The design of the kayak means that there is a lot of space to store things and it is very durable and can be used in any type of water conditions.
Key features
- Easy to assemble and take down
- Transportation wheel for easy launch
- Tons of storage options
Wilderness System Radar 115
The Radar 115 is a kayak designed for fishing that can be propelled in three ways: by pedals, paddles, or an engine.
The extra equipment gives me extra confidence that I will be safe if something goes wrong.
The Helix MD motor drive system is compatible with both of the available sizes.
To switch between engine and pedal power, all you have to do is lift one and lock the other in place.
The Radar 115 has a speed of six miles per hour, a large storage space, and is stable, making it a good choice for anglers.
Key features
- Easy to switch between pedal and engine power
- Gear rails for customization
- Trolling motor weighs just 15 pounds
Hobie Mirage Pro Angler 14
The Pro Angler 14 from Hobie Mirage can be propelled in the same ways as the Radar 15.
This kayak is good for fishing in all kinds of conditions, whether it be lakes, rivers, or the open ocean.
The pedal system helps you stay in one place when it’s windy or when you’re pedaling upstream. The wide deck can hold up to 8 fishing rods.
The Pro Angler 14 has an H-rail mounting system which allows for customization of the boat to the user’s specifications.
Adding a comfortable and adjustable seat with plenty of lumbar support will make this an incredibly comfortable boat that you won’t want to leave.
Key features
- Weighs almost 150 pounds
- Only room for one paddler
- Integrated dual-control steering
NuCanoe Frontier 12 Kayak
The NuCanoe Frontier 12 is a hybrid design that is a combination of the best aspects of kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards. It doesn’t matter to the NuCanoe Frontier 12 how you categorize it.
The company is too busy building a platform with multiple electric motor mount locations in the bow and stern to be able to create a new product.
This type of mount can be controlled easily from the seat, while the other type has to be controlled by a handheld remote.
The Frontier 12 has a weight capacity of 650 pounds, which is higher than any other class of kayak, making it good not only for fishing, but also for extended trips and hunting.
Key features
- Biggest weight capacity in its class
- Minn Kota and Riptide trolling motors recommended
- Plenty of room for the electric motor’s battery pack
Lifetime Sport Fisher Angler 100 Kayak
Although it may not have the features or on-water performance of other motorized fishing kayaks, the Angler 100 is much less expensive.
This boat is perfect for families and couples because it has enough room for two paddlers and one smaller passenger.
The weight capacity is 500 pounds, which is enough for most fishermen.
The seats are soft and have many footrests to fit paddlers well no matter what their size is.
This is the cheapest hard-sided kayak that is still of good enough quality to install an engine on. The only downside is that there are no paddle holders or other ways to install a fish finder or GPS.
Key features
- Not much in the way of custom options
- Large stern transom for mounting a kayak motor
- Can hold up to three people
Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person
The Sevylor Coleman Colorado is the most affordable motorized fishing kayak on the market.
This is a durable two-person kayak made from tough nylon material.
It is designed with multiple air chambers so that even if one chamber springs a leak, you will still be able to float back to shore.
Although it can be difficult to personalize an inflatable, Sevylor Coleman has managed to do so in a few clever ways. For example, they have sewn mesh pockets onto the interior of the hull for storing gear, and included multiple adjustable rod holders so that fishing can be done without having to use one’s hands.
Key features
- Impressive 470-pound load capacity for an inflatable
- Room to fit two people comfortably
- Limited to lakes and non-whitewater rivers
Conclusion
A motorized fishing kayak is much faster than a traditional kayak, so you can explore your local watersheds more thoroughly.
Topping the list are two models, the Old Town Predator MK and the Wilderness Tarpon 140. The former is packed with features and top-of-the-line performance, while the latter is great for fishing or just relaxing in the good weather.
The Hobie Mirage is a great kayak with a well-designed pedal system that makes up for its heavy weight.
