It almost broke the internet yesterday.

The whole motorized kayak discussion and should they allowed in tournaments, if so should there be separate divisions. Just curious on what the opinion is here.

I think someone needs to make a kayak thats super large,one that several people can get into. Put a cooler,and tackle box in. Maybe even a trolling motor plus a large out board motor on the back of it.

maybe use some tubular tanks to keep it afloat

Have you seen the Hobie Pro Angler 17 Tandem?

What about the Frontier with a 2.5 hp gas motor?

It all has to do with what is deemed a fair playing field in tournaments. No one I know has anything against motors. Heck many of us are intrigued by them, but we do have a problem with putting yaks with motors in the same competitive class as paddle boats. It's just too much of an advantage. Have a separate division for motorized boats. It's pretty simple. If tournament organizers do that, there are zero issues.

This used to be a simple sport, but it's obvious those days are gone.

I think if people are going to use motors on kayaks they need a handicap, like 2 drift bags tied to their kayak

Or they have to pedal a generator to power the trolling motor.

Not all kayaker's are young, flat bellies that can paddle all day long. I'm one of 'em. No, I don't have a motor on my Freedom Hawk....YET! but I'm now 66 years old and soon that day is coming when I will have to get a trolling motor on it. Heck fire!! I was trying fly fishing just yesterday and need some Aleve for breakfast...shoulder and hands ore both sore. Imagine fishing/paddling for a few hours with these old bones. getting old ain't for sissies!

I think you should just use paddles or pedals... If your gonna put a motor on your Yak you might as well have a boat! Just my opinion.

Seperate divisions are needed for paddle,pedal,motor with appropriate rules for each division. The class deemed "pro" should be open to run what ya brung with limitations such as thrust. A tournament should be inclusive, not exclusive IMO. Each tourney dirctor needs to do what they see fit. Like natural selection, the fittest tournaments will survive

I hear this argument a lot. Here is a different perspective to consider. Don't feel like you have to agree but at least think about it.
I can't throw most boats in the back of my truck by myself. A boat takes gasoline, insurance, storage fees etc. There is a large gaping cavern between a kayak with an electric motor to add range to your day and an actual gas powered boat. There is also the availability to fish in the kayak without the motor which makes it very versatile for lots of platforms and can allow people who fish multiple water types to not need multiple kayaks. Tournaments are a whole different ball game and one to be considered by the tournament directors. Luckily I am not a TD so not something I have to decide.

Just one other side note, I currently don't own a motor but am looking at getting one for my saltwater kayak, a Thresher 155. Sure would make getting out to the rigs a lot quicker and easier. And if I run out of battery, I can always paddle back in. My Ride 135 is my everything else kayak and is still under paddle power.

I completely understand the application/need for motoyaks for individuals with disabilities, pre fishing for tourneys, salt water coverage, etc. Im not even saying that I would never have one. I also understand that "It isnt the kayak that puts fish in the boat", however when there is money on the line I believe that the angler should be the X factor not the kayak. The same reason live bait isnt allowed in tournaments, right? This debate will forever go on like the pedal vs paddle that has been beaten into the ground. Just my opinion

If you put a motor on it, it's no longer a yak, it's a powerboat.

I say it again..I'm waiting for the kayak that has a TM,small gas motor,at least 2 live wells with aerators,a locking box for tackle and rods,a deck to stand on and light enough that I can load it on my truck by myself. Oh, and I want it in a black/white combo,you know sort of like an Orca.

Totally agree^^^


Agreed^^^

I'm all for it.. the more the merrier. Let the pedal boys be the pizz and moaners for a while. How does it feel?
just kidding.. kinda.



P.S.. I thought when they started putting pedals in them they were no longer kayaks.

I've only fished one kayak tournament, but I've fished fished more tournaments out of a bass boat than I can count. I'm totally against motorized yaks. If you want to have a motor on something you can throw in the back of your truck get a canoe with a square back and roll on with it. To me, you have a kayak because its simple, it's not meant to have a motor, electronics, and all the other bells and whistles you find on a bass boat, although I get it with the fish finders. As a kayak angler, I would never enter a tournament that allowed motorized yaks just for the principle of it. In all actuality, it seems more of a marketing scheme to keep die-hard kayak folks from out growing the sport and getting a power boat.

I got that covered. It's called a Champion Bass Boat.....I may be seen on one at an unidentified local lake in the morning. Or not...

Problem solved, just heard from a person organizing an EK (Electric KAYAK) tournament. Some may not like them (as expressed in this thread) but they are here to stay. Once again, the tourney director will design the event as they see fit, join in if you like or not.

yep. im less likely to participate in that tourney. dont think many yak anglers would continue to participate in that tourney either.

kinda like steriods in sports. not really fair to the others that dont play butt darts

shouldnt anglers w/motor powered yaks compete in tourneys with others that are motor powered and not human powered?