KayakDIY–Builds, Reviews &DIY Boat Projects
Builds · Reviews · Rigging
On October 6, Minn Kota made its biggest move in years: it launched a whole new “One Seamless Fishing System” and folded Humminbird in under the Minn Kota name. New fish finders, new trolling motors, new maps, new app, the works. Here is what actually happened, and what it means for those of us who
Minn Kota Absorbs Humminbird: What the Merger Means for Kayak Anglers (2026) Read More »
I have been running Bixpy motors on my kayaks for years. They are sleek, quiet, and dead reliable. But the number one question I get about them is simple: “How do I actually mount this thing on MY kayak?” Until now, the answer was: drill holes in your hull, buy a kayak-specific adapter, or get
Inflatable Boats · Reviews 16′ of inflatable boat, room for 8 adults plus 1 child, rated up to a 40 hp (15″ shaft / 175 lbs) tube outboard. Here is an honest, spec-by-spec look at the SD488: what it does well, what it costs, and who it is actually for. Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn
16′ Inflatable Boats SD488 Review Read More »
A fish finder will not catch fish for you, but the right one will show you exactly where they are. Here are my honest picks, from the best live sonar value on the market to the budget kings under $200. New for October 2026: Minn Kota just launched its X Series fish finders (7 to
Best Fish Finder for Kayaks 2026: My Honest Picks Read More »
I own three pedal kayaks. I run two more in my rental business. I have pedaled just about every drive system on the market, and sold the ones that did not make the cut. Here is what I actually think. The Best Pedal Drive: Old Town PDL The Old Town PDL drive is my favorite
Best Pedal Kayaks 2026: My Top Picks After Testing Them All Read More »
Pick the wrong battery and your fish finder dies at noon. Pick the right one and you stop thinking about power entirely. Here is exactly what I run and why. The Short Answer: 12V 20Ah Lithium (for Electronics) For running a fish finder all day, I run a 12V 20Ah LiFePO4 battery. It is the
Best Kayak Battery for Fish Finders 2026: What Size You Need Read More »
I have tested just about every kayak motor on the market. Most are fine. A few are great. And a couple you should stay far away from. Here are my actual picks, not sponsored rankings, just what I would tell a friend. My Top 3 Kayak Motors 1. AutoBoat GPS Smart Head: Best Overall AutoBoat
Best Kayak Motors 2026: My Top 3 Picks (and One to Avoid) Read More »
Paddle Kayaks · Fishing The Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 is the kayak that made motorized fishing mainstream. A 45-pound thrust Minn Kota motor with GPS Spot-Lock, controlled by a remote in your hand or foot braces on the deck, in a 13-foot 6-inch hull built like a tank. Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a
Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 136 Review Read More »
Motorized Kayaks · Fishing Want to cover the whole lake without lifting a paddle? The Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota takes the compact, stable 106 hull and adds a factory-installed 45-pound-thrust trolling motor. Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links in this article, at no extra cost to
Old Town Sportsman 106 Minn Kota Review: Motorized Fishing Read More »
Motorized Kayaks · Fishing The Sonata 106 MK is the quirkiest boat on this list, and I mean that as a compliment. Old Town took a 10-foot-6 sit-on-top, built in a Minn Kota electric motor, added Bluetooth speakers and LED cockpit lights, and called it a day. Affiliate disclosure: KayakDIY may earn a commission from
Old Town Sonata 106 MK Fishing Kayak Review Read More »