Supposedly weekend project, from last month :) - Picture Heavy

[Badtaste2k]

So, I was browsing DIY Kayayk videos on youtube and came by this Italian (I think) guy who inspirded me to pretty much copy his idea. I take no credit for any of this, especially since Bassyaks already made a ready to go system, BUt his guy was my inspiration, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezwfbmqDBA0. Anyways, Not completely done yet. I haven't roped up the rudder for quick connect yet, but it's good enough to play with the motor this Wednesday before work!

It's just a MinnKota 30lb thrust Freshwater electric motor (I will have to run it in fresh water after use). I cut about 8 inches off the shaft and deconstructed the mount it came with. I then built a motor mount out of 1/8" aluminum. I hooked into the rudder seat mounting as well just for some extra support. Then I attached a Scotty rod holder to the mount. I took two Scotty rod holders and chopped them down then attached a quick made aluminum mount for the Rudder and made an another for the Motor bracket. The majority of the motor mount is what came with the motor, just slightly disassembled. I built some aluminum steering arms and attached them to the shaft with a SS hose mount. I also attached and eye assembly for the motor retract rope. After that it was just attaching the rudder steering links. The motor only adds about 12 pounds cut down.

For the electrical, i kept everything external. removed the speed control and extended the wires. I then just used a rubber dish washing discharge hose and some shrink tubing to make it all waterproof. I put the switch in a small utility box I had with a volume dial and gooped it up to seal it. I just attach the tubing to my side tie downs with a couple snap clips to hold it in place and the control box sits in my lap or to my right. I used a trolling motor plug into a plano box to hold my battery behind my seat. It's a 12v 35ah battery from Harbor Freight that weighs about 24 lbs. I have a circuit breaker and a kill switch for the motor, But haven't put them on just yet.

I tested it a couple weeks ago before i completely (yeah right) waterproofed the system, or installed the retract rope, and she ran pretty good. At first she was dragging ass forward but haling ass backwards. Someone reversed the + and - power cables to the switch... After that adjustment she moved great! I could cruise at speed 3 (about 3.5 mph) or troll at speed 1 (about .75 to 1 mph) and I fished from 6a to 12p (without much luck) in the harbor. If i pushed to speed 5 i would get to between 4 and 4 - 5 mph but that speed drains the battery fast I have read. Apparently the amp draw drops from 30 to 15 from speed 5 to 4 and to about 8 for speed 3, but i haven't tested that myself, just from info i found online. I checked the battery when I got home and I was at about 40%

I'm not trying to get out of paddling, but I am tired of calling it a day because of the wind or current. Plus I should be able to cover more ground and get out a bit further than i can paddling. I didn't check my speed if I paddle along with the motor, I will do that this Weds. Also, I am thinking of getting another one of these small batteries and putting it in the bow for ballast. I figure i can pull my 12v 10a battery that I using for the FF and use it instead. Plus attach a quick plug for use if necessary.

I know I will have to register it also now if I keep the motor on. I guess that will be the next thing to look into!

Let me know what you think

Dan