Motors & Propulsion · GPS Anchoring
Spot-Lock used to mean a $3,000 trolling motor. It doesn’t anymore. Here are the GPS trolling motor setups I actually recommend for kayaks, what each one costs to get on the water, and which one fits the way you fish.
The Short Answer
Best for most kayak anglers
AutoBoat GPS Smart Head on a 12V transom trolling motor. It turns a basic 30–55 lb motor into a Spot-Lock machine for a fraction of what the big brands charge.
Code KAYAKDIY at checkout.
Best factory-built option
Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot. A 45 lb Minn Kota with Spot-Lock built into the hull. No DIY, but it’s heavy and it costs more.
Don’t need GPS at all and just want to stop paddling? That’s a different shopping list. Start with my best kayak motors picks or my Bixpy motor guide.
What a GPS Trolling Motor Actually Does
A regular trolling motor pushes you. A GPS trolling motor holds you. That’s the whole difference, and it’s a big one when you fish from a kayak, because the wind starts pushing you off your spot the second you pick up a rod.
- Spot-Lock / GPS anchor: tap a button and the motor keeps correcting to hold you over one spot. No anchor rope, no drifting off the dock piling.
- Heading lock: keeps the kayak pointed in one direction while you troll a shoreline.
- Jog: nudge your anchor point a few feet without unlocking. Handy for working down a mangrove edge.
- Route recording: drive a line once, save it, and let the motor run it again next trip.
On a kayak that means you can fish with both hands in wind and current, and it’s why GPS is the upgrade I point people to once they’re past their first motor.
GPS Options Compared
| Setup | What it is | Rough cost to get on the water | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| AutoBoat Smart Head + 12V motor | GPS head that replaces the tiller on a transom trolling motor | $949.97 head + a 12V motor (Newport NV series is $169.99 at TBNation) | DIY anglers, existing motors, jon boats and skiffs |
| Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 / 136 | Fishing kayak with a 45 lb Minn Kota and Spot-Lock built in | Premium kayak price, plus a 12V battery | Anglers who want it factory-installed and don’t mind the weight |
| VoyaX MOSSA 97 / 128 | Pedal drive, electric motor and GPS hold in one drop-in drive | $2,999 early-bird / $3,499 MSRP for the MOSSA 97 when I researched it | People who want to pedal and lock on a spot |
| Garmin Force / Minn Kota premium motors | Big-brand bow and transom GPS motors | $2,200–$3,700 before batteries | Bigger boats, or anglers already deep in those ecosystems |
Prices were checked on October 16, 2026. They change often, so check before you buy. AutoBoat Smart Heads are on pre-order right now with an end-of-October ship date.
My Pick: AutoBoat GPS Smart Head
AutoBoat is my top pick for kayak GPS because it has a real GPS anchor mode, it’s one of the less expensive ways to get one, and it has held up to splashes and temporary dunks better than other motors I’ve tested.
It’s basically a brain transplant for a trolling motor. You take the tiller head off a standard 12V transom motor (30–55 lb thrust) and bolt on the sealed AutoBoat head. Now that “dumb” motor has Spot-Lock, heading lock, route tracking, a wireless remote and a phone app.
The repair math is the part nobody talks about. If you smack a stump and break the lower unit, you replace a cheap motor and keep the GPS head. On an all-in-one premium motor, that same hit can mean replacing the whole lower unit.
What you need
- AutoBoat Smart Head GPS Pro Anchor System: $949.97 for transom motors, or $974.97 with the Minn Kota Edge bow-mount kit
- A 12V transom trolling motor, 30–55 lb thrust. A Newport NV series is $169.99 at TBNation.
- A 12V lithium battery (see below)
Get the AutoBoat at TBNation (code KAYAKDIY) See my full AutoBoat breakdown
Kayaks With GPS Built In
If you’d rather buy the whole package, these are the GPS-equipped kayaks I’ve covered:
- Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120: 12 ft, 45 lb Minn Kota with Spot-Lock and i-Pilot remote. It weighs about 152 lb fully assembled, so it’s a trailer or truck-bed boat.
- Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136: the longer big-water version.
- VoyaX MOSSA 97: pedal, electric assist and GPS SpotHold in one removable XPDL drive.
- Old Town BigWater ePDL+ 132 and ePDL+ 120 PRO: electric pedal assist. Pair one with a GPS head if you want an anchor too.
Battery: What I Run
For a 12V GPS trolling motor I use the WattCycle 12V 100Ah Mini Bluetooth LiFePO4 ($219.99 when I checked). I can fish all day running GPS anchor modes and trolling mangroves. At 100% throttle expect about 2–2.5 hours, but nobody fishes at full throttle all day.
Lithium is worth it. It’s about half the weight of lead-acid with roughly double the usable capacity, and weight matters a lot in a kayak. More on sizing in my kayak battery guide and battery box guide.
Install Basics
- Mount the motor first. Get a solid transom or side mount and make sure the prop clears the hull at the depth you’ll run.
- Swap the head. On the AutoBoat, the sealed Smart Head replaces your motor’s tiller. Follow the fit list for your motor model.
- Wire it right. Run a circuit breaker between the battery and motor, and keep connectors up off the hull floor where water collects.
- Seal every hole. If you drill for wiring or a mount, seal it with marine sealant. Tape isn’t sealing.
- Calibrate on calm water. Test Spot-Lock close to the launch before you count on it offshore.
Want to mount accessories without drilling? My kayak anchor system guide covers trolleys, poles and anchors that pair well with GPS.
What I’d Avoid
Texas Power Paddle. I owned the Remora model for the Hobie PA 14 and had constant connection issues. Sometimes it turned on, sometimes it didn’t. I’d also steer clear of Haswing trolling motors. Friends who distribute several brands tell me the after-sales support is terrible.
My Verdict
If you already own a 12V transom trolling motor, or you’re about to buy a cheap one, the AutoBoat Smart Head is the best-value GPS anchor you can put on a kayak. If you want it all factory-installed and you can handle a heavier boat, look at the Old Town AutoPilot. If you don’t need to hold a spot, skip GPS and get a lighter motor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best GPS trolling motor for a kayak?
For most kayak anglers it’s the AutoBoat GPS Smart Head on a 12V transom trolling motor (30–55 lb). You get Spot-Lock, heading lock and route tracking for about $950 plus the motor, instead of $2,200–$3,700 for big-brand GPS motors.
Can I add GPS Spot-Lock to the trolling motor I already own?
Yes, if it’s a standard 12V transom-mount motor in the 30–55 lb range, like many Newport and Minn Kota Endura-style motors. The AutoBoat head replaces the tiller. There’s also a $25 add-on kit for the Minn Kota Edge bow mount.
How long will a battery last running GPS anchor mode?
On a 12V 100Ah lithium battery I fish all day using GPS anchor modes and trolling. Full throttle the whole time would drain it in about 2–2.5 hours, but anchor mode uses short bursts, not constant full power.
Is a GPS trolling motor worth it on a kayak?
If you fish structure, docks, mangroves or anywhere with wind and current, yes. Holding position without an anchor rope changes how you fish from a kayak. If you mostly cruise and explore, a lighter non-GPS motor makes more sense.
Do I need a different battery for a 24V or 36V motor?
Yes. Match the battery voltage to the motor. For 24V systems (like Bixpy with the K-Power module) I recommend 50Ah, and for 36V motors like the Newport NK300 I recommend a WattCycle 36V 50Ah.
