How to pick a kayak trolling motor that fits your boat, your battery and your water, plus our current picks on Amazon.
Most kayaks donât need much. Add up the kayak, you, your gear, the motor and the battery. Then use the common rule of about 2 lb of thrust per 100 lb of total weight. A 70 lb fishing kayak with a 200 lb paddler, 30 lb of gear and a 30 lb battery comes to about 330 lb, so 30â40 lb of thrust is plenty for calm water. Go up a size if you fish in wind, current or tide.
Kayaks sit low, so you donât need a long shaft. Most kayak setups use a 24â30 inch shaft. Measure from the motor mount to the waterline and make sure the prop will sit roughly 12 inches under the surface. A shaft thatâs too long can drag in shallow water, and one thatâs too short pulls in air in chop.
Most kayaks donât have a transom, so youâll need a mount. Options include:
With a stern mount youâll usually need a tiller extension so you can steer from your seat.
Weight matters in a kayak, which is why lithium (LiFePO4) batteries are popular here. A compact 12V lithium battery like the HQST 12V 100Ah Mini weighs a fraction of a lead-acid battery of the same capacity. For short trips, a 50Ah battery is often enough. Our battery sizing guide shows how to work out run time.
If you kayak in salt or brackish water even sometimes, buy a saltwater-rated motor. Both Newport picks above are saltwater rated. Freshwater models like the Minn Kota Endura C2 can corrode quickly in salt. Rinse any motor with fresh water after every trip.
In many states, adding a motor to a kayak means it must be registered like any other motorboat. Rules vary, so check with your stateâs boating agency before your first launch.
See every motor we compare on our trolling motors page, plus batteries and mounts and accessories.