Greetings from Portland

Hey, I'm Richard.  I've been kayaking for several years now.  I started out with an Ocean Kayak Malibu2XL after having so much fun riding waves in Lahaina and Kaneohe on vacation.  But a few years back, someone opened their car door on me while I was cycling and broke my hand.  Being that I also had a bad shoulder from while I was in the Army a long time ago, I decided to buy a 2nd kayak--a Hobie Oasis.  It's been a lot of fun as well. 

My spouse and I try to go out regularly on the water.  We'll typically do about 12 miles or so on each trip.  But last couple years, I've had knee issues so I broke down and bought a Suzuki df2.5 outboard.  I also have a sail for the Hobie and Spring Creek stabilizers.

As far as fishing... don't know a darn thing about it.  Whenever I used to go out fishing off the jetties with my dad as a kid, I remember not catching a damn thing... that and my dad trying to kill me with 2nd hand smoke in his pickup.  I do however go kayak crabbing and clamming out at Tillamook Bay and get some pretty good hauls. 

Anyway, I'd love to learn and hope to do a lot of trips in the coming year.  I need to put my smoker to regular use!

Welcome aboard, I live in Tillamook keep your eyes open for invites, outboard you say..... I got a bow line 

Thanks Mojo!  You're lucky--Tillamook Bay is heaven on earth.  Someday, I'll find a nice property out there.  I look forward to learning everything I can from you guys and I'm happy to provide towing service for that education.

I am also new to the NWKA.  How do you like your Suziki 2.5?  I have been considering one for my Adventure Island as alternate propulsion when getting to the fishing spots. 

The Suzuki is all joy.  You're probably looking at a long shaft model for your AI.  I also have a Newport Vessels electric trolling motor and it's nice but nowhere near the power... plus it's a pain lugging the big-ass battery around.  While that set up is definitely quieter and more eco-friendly, it probably weighs almost twice as much.

I really wish I had room in my garage for an AI.  I need to head over to West Coast Sailing soon to see if it's feasible to stick AI x-bars and an aka, ama, tramp on my Oasis.

Yea, I have a 45 lbs. thrust electric motor for my Bluesky 360.  The whole really heavy deep cycle battery thing is a pain and you don't get very much time per charge.  Handy for covering water to get to the fishing spots.  I have been debating short vs long shaft.  Most likely go long shaft.

The AI is sweet for sure but storage (and transport) can be an issue.  I have modeled getting spare AKA rear cross bars and creating a removable system to put Akas and one Ama on my outback.  Should be possible.  A PA 12 or 14 would be easier and I have seen several of these on the web.  For me, all I need are the two crossbars.  Too many other projects right now. 

I didn't want to go with the longer outboard because I like things compact.  However, after reading about other engines like the Mercury / Tohatsu 3.5 having issues with spray gumming things up, I'm happy I went with the long shaft… not that that necessarily helps much but I just feel like I have a little more margin of safety. 

Funny you should mention Mercury/Tohatsu and their spray "issue".  That is one of the reasons I asked you about your Suzuki.  Again, Thanks!  Good to know.