Stumbled upon this article here: FISHING KAYAK OF THE FUTURE � TODAY

Guys you got to switch up your old kayaks to some new technology and gadget rich stuff. You run the motor by pressing a foot pedal making, it has all USB ports and batterys built in too. What a luxury it will be! LOL.

But being serious, what do you all think about these type of modern kayaks. Do they even have future? Would you switch for one of these if the price would be comparable to traditional version?

If you could afford it, fine, but is it still kayaking?

Id rather have a full size boat or a jon boat than that personally.
One of the best part of yak angling is the simplicity.
My arms and legs have never left me stranded.

I think they certainly have their place and will have a following - not as big as pedal/paddle yaks but I can see this fitting the person who maybe isn't as physically capable, wants to cover a lot of water to fish certain areas (think someone who wants to cross bays to fish flats/shallows) or just likes the convenience while enjoying some of the things that us "normal" kayakers experience - quiet, close to the water, stealth, ease of transport, etc. As battery technology advances with better reserves and lighter weight, I think they will become more popular.

There is no perfect boat for every one. Kayak makers sure have gotten creative. One benefit that has been mentioned is you can use it to pre-fish with the motor option cassette - change cassettes and be fully legal for a kayak fishing tournament. Again.....not for everybody but food for thought for some.


I agree!

Im still waiting for the 17'version that has live wells and fishing deck..

Me likey that thing is bad A$$ especially after a long day

Is this close enough? PA17T outfitted by KBB Outfitters of Titusville, FL.

People have been strapping trolling motors to kayaks for years so this isn't exactly a new idea. Some of the other features are nice but as mentioned above I also prefer the simplicity and the exercise of a regular kayak ( unless you don't consider a mirage drive hobie regular).

This is the main reason I chose to get into kayaking. I've got a 14' motor powered fishing boat for when I want to take someone along or cover more water, but I prefer the kayak for the reason mentioned above.
Most of the folks who end up buying a kayak and trying to make a motor powered fishing boat out of it, will eventually end up selling it and buy an outboard powered fishing rig.

If I were to put a motor on something, it would be a Gheenoe.

I've been fishing out of a motoyak for 4 years now. It is great however I still have a light paddle SINK for the small waters. There is no one kayak that can do it all. Paddle, pedal, troll, sail, or motor..they all have their place

I'm going to get my kayak registered so I can run a trolling motor on it next month. I'll still be using it most of the time without the trolling motor, but for those days that I want to fish some area but can only access a certain lake from the other end, or on these windy Texas days when I'm out and feel like I spend all my time paddling, those are times I want that trolling motor. Everyone has their preference. I won't look down on someone who is using a trolling motor on their yak on a calm day. If that's how they like to fish, hey, at least they're out getting their line wet instead of at home in front of a screen.

It sounds tempting, but after kayak fishing for a few years I feel like I am cheating if I use a motor or fish from a boat. I like the physical challenge dimension of fishing from a kayak. I would lose that in a motorized kayak. I am not exactly young now, but in a few years I might be changing my tune. Not getting any stronger each year.

I have a TM on my Commander, and I love it. I also have a Ride 115 that I paddle. I use them for different things. But both are for fishing. I'm surprised that Roger didn't comment on the center placement of the TM on the Predator. He's tried that, and found what I found. Trolling motors on kayaks perform and especially handle much better from the stern.

Also, the more stuff you add to the kayak, the more it weighs, and the more cluttered it gets. I have a couple of different batteries I use in my Commander, depending on how long/far my trip is. I don't put the battery in until it is in the water. I'm 6'5" and no weakling, but I can tell you handling my Commander with TM, custom seat and batteries in place is very awkward and just asking for an accident.

Lastly, I think the biggest improvements that can be made immediately are in props. And no one (outside of Torqeedo) seems to be looking at it. I'm running a 10" dia RC plane prop with 6" pitch, and it is over 1 mph faster than the Machete II prop that came on the TM. If you saw it, you would understand when I say there HAS TO BE ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT IN PROPS. I would buy the Torqeedo prop at $100 because they claim it is that good, but everyone I've spoken to that is connected to Torqeedo in any way is absolutely smug to the point of being irritating.

But tomorrow I'll be fishing from my bass boat. Just sayin'.