I wanted an easier way to get to the fish with out so much work. I notice Hobie has the evolve motor system and it gave me an idea of mounting one on mine. Since I don't have $2000 extra to buy the Hobie evolve, this was the next best thing. I end up buying a Minn Kota C2 30 here on TFF. I originally mounted the trolling motor on the side using wood braces and what not, i hated it because it kept getting in my way. Went on TKF and saw someone who mounted a a trolling motor on their rudder. So I stole the design. Here it is.







Here is the throttle control:



I bought a cabellas 178 amp deep cycle AGM battery. A 30lb thrust trolling motor is about 30 amp, so I should be good for 6 hrs at full throttle.

I like the rudder mount idea because I can still use my mirage drive. Thinking I can probably get 7mph when using both my trolling motor and mirage drive.

Here is the negative. The trolling motor is heavy and so is the battery. I think I added about 80lbs to the kayak. Also, since the motor is so heavy, I can't stow my rudder while in the water. So I better be extra careful while trolling or im screwed if i get a line tangle in my rudder.

Love it!!!!

Sweet, I just finished rigging mine but I used the drive hole, I'll try to get some pics

How did u get the trolling motor to fit in the mirage drive hole? Mine barely fits and I didn't want to mess with it while in then water

That would be nice to use to get back on those long trips!

Great setup, Very clean.

Way to go with the throttle control.

Ok, took it out for a test spin today at hubbarb. Looked at weather report last night and the forecast was for 7mph winds. I call BS, the wind was more than 25mph. My initial thought was that it was hard to steer because their was so much torque. After about an hour on the water, I found a way to resolve that by lowering the speed on the motor, move my rudder then increase the speed. Going against the wind was a challenge but was able to maintain a steady 4mph. With the wind, I managed close to 5mph but never going past it. Here is a positive about the high wind and waves, my kayak got a free power wash!

I as on the water for about 3hrs and the voltage of my battery never dropped below 10.5vdc. As a matter a fact, after 2hrs on the water, at full thrust, the voltage actually increased to 11.7vdc. I am not sure how accurate the FF at determining the actual voltage, but I have no doubt I can be out for an additional 3-4hrs.

Reverse works quite well going against the wind.

Conclusion, with this trolling motor, I will definitely get more slim on my kayak. I definitely recommend this for anyone who does alot of lake fishing or going BTB.

What was the process with TP&W to get the TX numbers for the yak? Do they go by the numbers on the motor or the yak. I've been looking into doing something similar to my PA.

Mine is rigged and ready to go... Can't wait to test it out!!

Are you worried about the extra stress on the rudder? That's a lot more weight and torque.

You need the s/n from the kayak. I think you only need to register the motor if its gas driven over a certain amount of hp. You can either bring them paperwork stating the s/n of your yak, take a picture if its clearly visible. I went ahead and used a pencil and just shade it through the paper.

considering the hobie evolve can be mounted on the rudder itself, I don't see a problem.

I'm willing to bet the eVolve is much lighter in weight than the TM you used even with the mods you did to it. With its weight & propulsion under the right conditions, either rudder or the rudder line is going to give...IMO. Great idea though evn if you "borrowed" the idea from some one else

sounds like somebody sipping the haterade! Lol

Well... There are 2 of us now with this design so we will thoroughly test it out. Just happy that I don't have to be scared of Texoma or tawakoni anymore. Chasing birds and going on 5 mile runs will now be a breeze.

I tend to agree with REN...not sure how long that fin (and related fin mount) will hold up under that kind of stress.

But it is cool and I would love to see some pics or video of it in use.

I hear that. Hoping to go to proctor next weekend. Need my fix since its been just benbrook for a while.

Not hating just giving my opinion is all. The eVolve will be mine someday now that I'm working now just have to star saving.

@tuan - you have a Hobie why would you be scared of Twok or Texoma? I've been on both with 25mph winds without any issues

You weigh far less than anyone else I have ever seen in a hobie and therefor create less drag, draft, displacement and any other physics property used to calculate energy required for momentum in a boat, just saying.

you're correct, the evolve weight is about 19lbs. I looked over the rudder system, Hobie did a fine piece of engineering. This kayak we meant to take a beating, I am sure a little pressure wont break it (i hope).

actually, i didn't steal the idea. I thought about installing it on the rudder when i saw a video of someone putting a trolling motor in the mirage drive hole.

yeah! wassup with all the hate Ren? I thought we were like brothers separated at birth and reunited because of our love for fishing.

Nice looking mod. Keep posting as you develop it.

Phill

I like fishing the open lake and hate taking an hour to get from point A to B. Plus being tired when I get there. Fish with me sometime and see how much water I cover.

Maybe that's why I slaughtered zombie & shaun in a race


If I can keep up with Zombie (he's a paddling fool I tell ya), I think I will be able to hang with you

I want to go! Can I hook a rope up to you and tiger and drink all tigers beer on the way to the honey hole? Heck I could even troll on the way there.

You weren't invited....right Tuan?

silence! I keel u!...

As long as he bring lots of beer.. I may consider it!! It's his
Turn to bring the beer anyways!!! Right Tiger??? Lol

nati light might be in my budget

EXCUSE ME????? You beat who? I seem to remember you driving in to a tree and loosing the race...

Mine fit easy...I looked around and bought a bass pro shop brand trolling motor, two blade prop, it was the smallest, 30 lb thrust.
I made a mount through an extra cassete, and cut the shaft down by about 10 inches.
i'm trying to figure out to post pics.

He'll yeah its your turn Mike. Cmon, at least miller light.

Ok ok ok, let me rephrase that...."Maybe that's why I was on my way to slaughtering zombie & shaun in a race until someone, I won't name any names, but his initials are shaun russell, ran me into a tree"

He'll yeah its your turn Mike. Cmon, at least miller light. [/quote]. C'Mon MSN, lake water tastes better then miller. Tell you what I will bring some Holland beer for me and Tuan and a 6 pack of piss in a can for tiger. Hahaha if your lucky I might get it on the Oklahoma side.

As long as it's not naughty light. U going Friday?

Nope gotta work.

Oh Yeah.... I'm ready to go!!!

I see you let tiger take a picture with your fish! WTG man don't want to let him feel left out....haha I'm sipping the haterade too. That was a nice mess of fish guys......this guy is jelious!

So no need to register?

Yes. You need to register

Just goes to show you don't really need an Evolve in order to evolve.

Oh ok

That's a nice mod BTW

So drqtn44 and myself headed out to Twok. Here is a video of drqtn44 at full throttle while dragging about 20lbs of fish.

Haha!!! I'm a movie star now!! Lol