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 is my top pick because it has GPS anchor mode (Spot-Lock), it is one of the less expensive options, and it is remarkably resilient to water splashes and temporary submersion: unlike other motors I have tested. It turns your existing 12V trolling motor (30–55 lb thrust) into a GPS machine.
Battery I recommend: WattCycle 12V 100Ah Mini Bluetooth. I can fish all day running GPS anchor modes and trolling mangroves. The capacity-to-weight ratio is amazing and it is affordable. At 100% throttle expect 2–2.5 hours, but nobody fishes at full throttle all day.
Read my full AutoBoat guide | Check price at TBNation
2. Bixpy with K-Power Module: Sleekest Setup
Bixpy makes one of the best kayak motor kits in the industry: sleek, easy to mount on a wide array of kayaks, and very reliable. I have used the standard PP-378 battery for years and consistently get 6 hours of typical mixed-speed use.
The smart money move: Skip Bixpy’s $999 PP-768 battery (768Wh). Get the K-Power Module kit and pair it with a $249 WattCycle 24V 50Ah battery. That gives you 1280Wh for far less money, and frees you from proprietary parts. This is what I recommend for large fishing kayaks.
3. Newport NK300 HD: Most Power
The Newport NK300 HD is my pick over the NK180 because I rarely wish I had less power, and 36V batteries do not cost much more than 24V these days. The NK300 HD is only about $200 more than the NK180. At 7–10% throttle, the NK300 HD outperforms the NK180 at 20–25%, so the motor barely works and sips battery.
Battery I recommend: WattCycle 36V 50Ah (~29.5 lbs). On this setup: ~1 hour at max speed (6 mph), up to 4 hours cruising at 4.5–5 mph (10–15 miles), or 6–16 hours trolling at low speed (25+ miles). Some people run 100Ah, but at 67 lbs that is a lot of weight in a kayak.
One Motor to Avoid
Texas Power PaddleI owned the Remora model for the Hobie PA 14 and had constant connection issues. Sometimes it would turn on, sometimes it would not. I would also steer clear of Haswing trolling motors: friends who distribute multiple brands tell me the after-sales customer support is terrible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best motor for a fishing kayak?
For most kayak anglers, the AutoBoat GPS Smart Head is the best pick: GPS anchor mode at a reasonable price, and it works with the trolling motor you may already own. If you want an all-in-one sleek system, go Bixpy with the K-Power Module. If you want maximum power, the Newport NK300 HD.
What size battery do I need for a kayak trolling motor?
For a 12V motor: 100Ah lithium (I use the WattCycle 12V 100Ah Mini) handles a full day. For 24V systems (Bixpy with K-Power): 50Ah. For 36V (Newport NK300 HD): 50Ah. Lithium is worth it: half the weight and double the usable capacity of lead-acid.
Should I get the Newport NK180 or NK300 HD?
The NK300 HD. The 36V batteries do not cost much more than 24V, the motor is only about $200 more, and you will never wish you had less power. The only reason to pick the NK180 is a very light kayak setup where every pound matters.
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