Motorized my Cobra Fish and Dive.

[mazilla]

01/2012 Update: The speed control switch was apparently damaged during the install and I was missing the #5(highest) speed. BassPro sent me a new switch(free) and I got it on the yak a couple of weeks ago.

New speed results= 4-4.5MPH on #5...I've run it over 6 hours and still haven't had to paddle back with a dead battery.


Did I mention reverse is about the greatest thing you could have in a kayak? I'm loving it!

Originally Posted by mazilla

I really enjoy paddling, but I also have a love for tinkering with things...so I tossed a motor on my Fish and Dive just because.










I did a 4 hour test run on Saturday night in the big bay, worked like a charm. The motor is a BassPro Prowler 30LB, it was 99.00 so I figured it would be the best candidate to be cut up. In the bay I can keep a steady 3 MPH, seems like I could go faster in reverse however...which was kind of funky to test. It feels weird hauling ass backwards! haha


I came up with the design over the three days I spent working on it, I planned it as I went. The entire system comes off in about 3 minutes, leaving only the two "L" brackets on the boat. The remote control for the motor is just a random plastic box I had lying around, I mounted the speed control switch and the on/off LED and sealed it up with Goop, then attached the box to the boat with a velcro rectangle. In the future I plan on doing something a little more slick, I just wanted to see if it would work before putting too much effort into it.


I'm still working on a way to bring the motor up, I have a latch release in place but it only works in the full down position...I have to work on that still.


COST:

BPS "Prowler 30" - 99.00
foot peddals - 35.00
Steel - 25.00
Paint - 7.00
Misc hardware - 30.00

Approx 15 hours(mostly wasted staring at the kayak thinking )



Fire away with any questions(except any having to do with the Vessel Assist measuring tape on my hull! LOL)

[andygeekboy]

Nice work on the Cobra, what are the pedals you used?

Thanks

[mazilla]

Thanks! Still goin strong!

http://www.basspro.com/Replacement-K...0225375/128713

[danjor]

Have you looked at the lifepo4 batterys? Im thinking of useing 4 100ah 3.2v cells instead of a lead acid when i setup mine. A 100ah should weigh about 24lbs and can be discharged 80% as opposed to leads 50-60% and the life battery has no voltage sag and the current draw is linear so 100ah life battery would be the same as a 200ah lead acid due to current draw and whatnot and priced at $540 for 12v 100ah