Obtaining a kayak trolling motor bracket is one of those upgrades that feels like an overall total game-changer the 2nd you hit the water. I remember the first time I actually finally bit the bullet and rigged mine up; We went from combating a headwind with regard to forty minutes in order to just clicking the switch and sliding. It completely shifts how you seafood or explore, but if you don't obtain the mounting right, it could be a bit associated with a headache.
There's a lot to consider before a person start drilling openings into your hull. You have to consider the type of kayak you have, where you want the particular motor to sit, and how much weight you're in fact adding to the back or part of your motorboat. Let's break lower what you need to know therefore you don't end up with the setup that's even more of an inconvenience than a help.
Why a Bracket is Better Compared to a DIY Hack
We've most seen those YouTube videos where someone zipties a piece of 2x4 lumber for their crate and calls it a day. While I love a good budget hack as much as anyone, a devoted kayak trolling motor bracket will be almost always the better way to proceed.
Very first off, these items are built to deal with the torque. Whenever you turn that will motor on, specifically at higher speeds, it puts a surprising amount of stress within the mount. The flimsy DIY setup might hold with regard to a trip or even two, but ultimately, the vibration and stress are going to loosen things up. A true bracket is made to distribute that will force over the framework of the kayak, which keeps your motor from moving or, heaven forbid, falling into the particular lake.
Furthermore, think about the salt or the sun. If you're fishing in coastal waters, a piece of untreated wood or cheap hardware is going to get rotten or rust within no time. Many retail brackets are made from reinforced plastics, nylon, or powder-coated aluminum. They're built to reside in the weather, which usually means you aren't replacing parts each single season.
Side Mount or even Stern Mount?
This is generally the biggest decision a person have to make. Where that kayak trolling motor bracket goes may dictate how the boat handles plus how you in fact operate the motor.
The Side Mount Setup
A side bracket is probably the easiest to install if you don't have a specialized fishing kayak along with a built-in installation area. These mounting brackets usually clip on to the tracks or even bolt onto the gunwales right behind the seat.
The big in addition here is accessibility. You can reach back again and adjust the velocity or steer with all the tiller handle without having to turn your entire body around. It's immediately at your own hip. However, the particular downside is that it can make the particular kayak track the bit weird. Since the thrust isn't from the center, the boat might want in order to pull to 1 side, and you'll find yourself constantly fixing the steering. This also makes the kayak a little lopsided in terms of fat distribution, so you might have to offset that with your electric battery placement.
The Stern Mount Setup
Most serious anglers try some fine stern-mounted kayak trolling motor bracket . This places the motor straight behind you on the transom. The advantage here is ideal tracking; the motor pushes you directly from the rear, simply like a conventional motorboat.
The tricky part with a stern mount is the steerage. Unless you possess a motor with the really long deal with or you've rigged up a rudder-style foot steering program, you're going in order to be reaching method back behind your head to turn. That's why many people who go the particular stern route also invest in the remote-controlled motor or a foot-pedal setup. It's a little more complicated, but it's certainly the "pro" way to do it.
Compatibility plus Your Kayak Kind
Its not all kayak trolling motor bracket fits every single kayak. If you're paddling a sit-in recreational boat, your own options are going to be much more limited than for those who have a big, flat-top sit-on-top fishing rig.
Check out your kayak's guide or the manufacturer's website to discover if they have a proprietary bracket. Brands like Old Town, Hobie, or Wilderness Systems frequently have specific increasing points built in to the mold. When your kayak has these, use them . It'll make the installation about ten times cleaner.
In case you have a generic kayak, look for an universal bracket. These generally use a bar system that stretches throughout the width associated with the boat. Just make sure to measure the width of your kayak from the mounting stage before you buy. There's nothing more annoying than getting a package in the mail only in order to realize the pub is three ins way too short to achieve both sides.
Let's Discuss Installation
If you lastly get your kayak trolling motor bracket , the actual set up can be nerve-wracking. You're likely going in order to have to drill some holes, as well as for most of all of us, drilling right into a flawlessly good boat feels wrong.
My best suggestions? Measure four occasions and drill as soon as. Use marine-grade stainless steel hardware and also a healthy amount associated with waterproof sealant (like Lexel or 3M 5200) in the particular holes. You want to create sure that also if water splashes over the support, it's not dripping into the hollowed out hull of your kayak.
If you're using a track-mounted bracket, you're in luck—no drilling required! These just glide into the accessory tracks that many modern kayaks arrive with. They aren't quite as solid as a bolted-on bracket, but they're great if you want to be able to remove the motor setup easily intended for those days when you actually want to paddle for exercise.
Don't Forget the Weight Balance
When the kayak trolling motor bracket as well as the motor are on, you've added a significant quantity of weight to one particular end of the particular boat. In case you simply toss the battery power right close to the motor at the back again, your bow is usually going to stay up in the particular air like a popping wheelie. This makes the kayak catch the wind like a sail and makes it feel really unstable.
You've got to balance it out there. A lot of people put the particular battery as far forward as they can—usually in the front side hatch or nestled right under the particular front of the seat. You may want to buy some extra-long battery cables to achieve from the motor towards the battery, yet keep in mind that, it's worth the time and effort. A balanced kayak is really a safe kayak.
Maintaining Everything Secure
Vibration will be the foe of a kayak trolling motor bracket . Even the smoothest electric motors generate a slight hum, plus over the long day of trolling, that will vibration can rattle nuts and bolts loose.
I'm a huge fan of using nylon-insert lock nut products (Nylocs). They don't back off even with constant shaking. It's also a great idea to check your mounting hardware each few trips just to make certain everything is still snug. I've noticed too many scary stories of guys watching their motor slowly tilt more and further in to the water mainly because a bolt vibrated out halfway over the lake.
Wrap It Up
At the end of the day, adding a kayak trolling motor bracket is about making your own time on the particular water more enjoyable. Whether you're attempting to reach those far-off fishing spots that used to take an hr to paddle in order to, or you just want to keep up with your friends who may have faster boats, the motor makes the world of distinction.
Simply take your time picking the right design for your specific kayak. Don't rush the install, maintain your weight well balanced, and make sure you're using high-quality hardware. Once it's all set up, you'll probably wonder why you invested so many many years wearing your shoulder blades out using an exercise. It's an overall total game-changer for the kayak life, and truthfully, it just makes the whole experience much more fun. See a person out on the water!