Kayak Motor Mount: Power a Kayka with a Trolling Motor

If you’ve searched around, you will find different kinds of mounting options for kayaks. Check out the pros and cons for each to find the one best suited for your particular kayak.

Transom Mounts

A kayak transom mount helps fix the trolling motor on the stern. It’s one of the most common and simple kayak motor mounts.

The transom mount is usually more space-saving and lightweight. So if you want to take a long trip and bring extra stuff (batteries, food, tent, sleeping bag, etc) and don’t have any room to spare on the bow for foot control, it’s a great choice to go for a stern mount.

Also, a transom mount trolling motor is more affordable than a bow mount. The control and response are immediate from the tiller.

The only concern with kayak transom mount is that you might not be able to reach directly behind you since transom mount trolling motors usually come with a tiller.

Bow Mounts

By comparison, a bow mount plate or bracket allows you to mount the trolling motor to the gunwale. And this brings a whole lot of benefits (at the cost of a higher price):

• It’s much more efficient to pull a kayak than pushing, especially in the wind.
• A bow mount can accommodate the spotlock feature which helps hold your position, and this feature simply won’t work on the stern.
• A bow mount is much more maneuverable with far greater control, especially when positioning in tight spaces.

Extra tip: There are even bow mount kits designed for transom mount trolling motors. That way, you can easily use your current transom mount trolling motor as a bow mount and save money.

Side Mounts

If the bow mount and stern mount don’t work for you, you can also attach the trolling motor to the side of your kayak with side mounts.

Just be cautious that you will probably move cockeyed across the water, since mounting the trolling motor on the side will affect the balance of the kayak and the efficiency of the motor. The thing is, the motor will generate more torque if you put it away from the centerline, and this makes the turning awkward.

To solve the problem, you can add an outrigger to the kayak and mount the motor between the kayak and the outrigger. It would also make your kayak more stable.

Also, you may put the motor on one side and the battery on the other side as a counterbalance to adjust the center of gravity.

Having kayak motor mounts to add a trolling motor is like a game changer. It’s a must-have addition if you are looking for better performance and more versatility for your kayaks.

Enhanced Performance

A kayak motor mount allows you to enjoy the convenience of kayaks as well as the benefits of a motor. You will feel the difference on upwind travels or in some harsh boating environments.

It makes kayaking much more efficient. For example, the ePropulsion eLite kayak motor delivers a 5 mph top speed. That way, you are able to cover more fishing areas more quickly without fatigue.

Versatility

If you need to control the boat hands-free while fishing, getting a trolling motor with a kayak motor mount would be the easiest solution.

Besides that, trolling motors offer extended capabilities for fishing, touring, and recreation. For example, pinpoint GPS can help hold position in the wind so you don’t need to constantly paddle to avoid getting blown out of position.

Looking to motorize your kayak with a trolling motor on a mount?

Here are the top 4 things you need to consider to help you decide whether a kayak with trolling motor mount is right for you.

Legal Concerns

Most states don’t require that you have a registration tag or sticker on your kayak if it has no motor. However, if you put a motor on it, you will probably need to register it, otherwise you will get a ticket. Be sure to check local regulations regarding the use of kayaks with trolling motors in your fishing areas.

Safety

Putting a motor on your kayak offers an extra level of safety and security onboard. The kayak motor allows you to quickly reach shore in case of emergency and helps you deal with adverse boating conditions.

Some advanced kayak motors feature a digital display so you can stay informed of the battery status all the time and get you home safely.

Weight

Some of you might worry that a trolling motor would add extra weight and more difficulty with loading, unloading, and transport.

So it’s important to choose a lightweight kayak motor. For example, the ePropulsion eLite kayak motor weighs only 14.7 lbs (with battery integrated) so it won’t affect the balance point.

Don’t forget to check the boat’s capacity plate and make sure the extra weight is within the limit. If your kayak is rated for 500 pounds, it means the kayak can safely support 500 lbs maximum including the people, gear, and weight of the boat.

Choose the Right Motor

There are some outboard motors that come with an “out of the box” setup, requiring minimun neeed of custom fabrication in mounting.

For example, ePropulsion eLite features an integrated battery and mounting clamp bracket, so you can add the trolling motor to your kayak easily in a few minutes without having to fabricate anything or bother with the wiring.

Looking for the best kayak motor for mounting?

To help narrow down what kayak motor (mount) models might work for you, here we list the top 2 options recommended by both beginners and professionals.

If you want the easiest “out of the box” motor solutions for kayaks, be sure to check them out first.

The installation of kayak motor mounts is quick and easy. Just follow the tips below to help you set up a trolling motor for your kayak smoothly:

• Read the instructions carefully. It’s important to follow the instructions from the manufacturer and gather all the necessary tools and parts for building the structure that will hold your kayak motor.
• Attach and secure the kayak motor mounts properly. Choose a preferred spot for mounting (usually behind the cockpit or the stern), drill holes, insert screws, and then secure them tightly. Now the kayak with trolling motor mount is ready for use.
• Conduct tests. Place your trolling motor into the position on the kayak motor mount and run a test to see how the kayak motor mount works in natural water conditions.
• Perform a safety check. Don’t forget to do thorough testing before use, which includes visual inspection for no loose joints or misaligned parts and balance check. This may involve tweaking to ensure safety.

1. Are there other types of mounts for outboard motors and inboard motors?

Apart from the popular bow mount, transom mount, and side mount for kayaks, you can also see engine mounts. They are designed for those who already have an outboard and want to augment your setup.

2. Can I DIY the kayak motor mount?

Yes, you can DIY a kayak motor mount for cheap to fit your specific kayak model. There are a lot of video tutorials online that show you the steps.

3. Can you put a motor on any kayak?

Yes, absolutely. You can motorize any kayak with a simple kayak motor mount. If there is no one available for your specific model, you can make one yourself.

4. Is the kayak with a trolling motor the best option?

It depends on your purpose. If you kayak for sightseeing and exercise mainly, the trolling motor is not necessary. However, if most of your interest is in fishing, a trolling motor would be a game changer that allows you to focus on fishing more than paddling.