Hobie PA 12 Minn Kota motor build - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

Saba Slayer · 05-21-2015, 07:26 AM

Try the new Hobie plug/cassette, it is much sturdier and the locking nubs on the sides are much stronger...also...there's no need to hack up the motor..the Motor Guide R-3 fits right through the mirage drive hole. I run the cable thru the boat and use the minnkotta flushmount three-prong twist-plug for the power, rigged by the mast mount up front...nice and clean rig.

I also use a larger battery mounted behind the seat which still allows for the bait tank to fit and a longer run time. I have the same small PWC battery that you have and I use it for my Scotty power hauler... but it really doesn't give me very much run time with the trolling motor. The R-3 is only about $125. I take my mirage drive with me as backup but haven't had to use it yet.

Before I started the project I went to the "Trolling Motor Doctor" in Long Beach and we tried all his smaller (affordable) motors untill we found a good one that fit in the mirage drive hole. The R-3 with the 2 blade prop fit best. He was quite helpful and really knew all the motors very well. Since I'm on the Hobie team I tried to stay away from the Johnson products (Minn Kota).

Raskal311 · 05-21-2015, 01:23 PM

Which R3 is that, there seems to be a few different models.

Saba Slayer · 05-21-2015, 08:26 PM

Raskal
Here is a photo of the motor...

Montesdad · 05-22-2015, 06:12 AM

I remember seeing a picture of your motor before starting - gave me some ideas on my project.

I wanted an internal battery - just too many times out on the ocean on a bad in my revo, surf launches etc. - seemed best to keep the center of gravity as low as possible.

Looked at the Motorguides with 30 pounds of thrust - they will get the job done. Was down at West Marine with my yak on the top of the car and they had two of these salt water Minn Kota units left - we took it out of the box and saw that the motor housing was 3.25" and I had 3.35" of plug hole clearance and it fit with the two blade prop that comes with it. Since they were offering a discount - brought it home and went that way. If I was just doing flat water fishing and needed extended range - an exterior battery pack like yours might be the way.

Really, the only hacking I did that I now feel was necessary is to shorten the post -

With an internal battery and the R-3 motor, they'll fit on a Revo without having to go the +$2K range for a Hobie unit with a Lithium battery.

HAVABASS · 05-25-2015, 05:51 PM

If you are lazy and not a mechanic, there is always the bassyaks website....

They sell complete kits

05-21-2015, 07:26 AM	#1
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,886	new cassette Try the new Hobie plug/cassette, it is much sturdier and the locking nubs on the sides are much stronger...also...there's no need to hack up the motor..the Motor Guide R-3 fits right through the mirage drive hole. I run the cable thru the boat and use the minnkotta flushmount three-prong twist-plug for the power, rigged by the mast mount up front...nice and clean rig. I also use a larger battery mounted behind the seat which still allows for the bait tank to fit and a longer run time. I have the same small PWC battery that you have and I use it for my Scotty power hauler... but it really doesn't give me very much run time with the trolling motor. The R-3 is only about $125. I take my mirage drive with me as backup but haven't had to use it yet. Before I started the project I went to the "Trolling Motor Doctor" in Long Beach and we tried all his smaller (affordable) motors untill we found a good one that fit in the mirage drive hole. The R-3 with the 2 blade prop fit best. He was quite helpful and really knew all the motors very well. Since I'm on the Hobie team I tried to stay away from the Johnson products (Minn Kota). __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer Last edited by Saba Slayer; 05-21-2015 at 07:47 AM.

05-21-2015, 01:23 PM	#2
Raskal311 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Santa Ana/Westminster Posts: 1,258	Which R3 is that, there seems to be a few different models. __________________ Kevin Yellow PA12

05-21-2015, 08:26 PM	#3
Saba Slayer Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Palos Verdes Posts: 1,886	R-3 Raskal Here is a photo of the motor... __________________ Jim / Saba Slayer

05-22-2015, 06:12 AM	#4
Montesdad Grey Haired Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: So. Orange County Posts: 53	I remember seeing a picture of your motor before starting - gave me some ideas on my project. I wanted an internal battery - just too many times out on the ocean on a bad in my revo, surf launches etc. - seemed best to keep the center of gravity as low as possible. Looked at the Motorguides with 30 pounds of thrust - they will get the job done. Was down at West Marine with my yak on the top of the car and they had two of these salt water Minn Kota units left - we took it out of the box and saw that the motor housing was 3.25" and I had 3.35" of plug hole clearance and it fit with the two blade prop that comes with it. Since they were offering a discount - brought it home and went that way. If I was just doing flat water fishing and needed extended range - an exterior battery pack like yours might be the way. Really, the only hacking I did that I now feel was necessary is to shorten the post - With an internal battery and the R-3 motor, they'll fit on a Revo without having to go the +$2K range for a Hobie unit with a Lithium battery. __________________ - - - "I'm fishing as hard as I can" - - -

05-25-2015, 05:51 PM	#5
HAVABASS Junior Join Date: Aug 2012 Posts: 18	Alternative If you are lazy and not a mechanic, there is always the bassyaks website.... They sell complete kits

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