Kayak trolling motors

The father in law picked up an Outback 19” model, he is a double amputee and ain’t interested in paddling or peddling. We’re looking at several options, one question i have … is a water snake at 24 lbs of thrust as good as a Minn Kota with 30 lbs of thrust? New to the electric motor gig so any advise or suggestions would be appreciated. Feel free to link what you got.

I use a watersnake on my sea eagle 380x inflatable.  I’m 200lbs and carry 50-75 lbs of gear.  I can easily reach 4mph and have trolled a 6hr day and with plenty of juice left in my 100ah LiFePo4 battery at the end of the day.  Haven’t tried it on my Bigwater yet but am pretty confident it will work well.

I have the 24# Watersnake. for my Outbacks.
I haven't used it too much, certainly have nothing to compare it to.
I was able to hold position in the current, just below Willamette Falls, with it maxed out.

One thing I will say, is make the motor so it does not pivot. Being centered in the boat (front to back), it's almost impossible to steer with. Keep the motor straight, and continue to use the rudder.

I hope this helps!

I wish somebody manufactured a trolling motor with spot lock capability which I could lock into the Mirage Drive hole of a Hobie kayak.

How about 45 lb of thrust?  Might not be the most efficient but he will be noticed!

Have you talked with rogerdodger about his thrusters set-up?  Seems to be a viable option.

I wish somebody manufactured a trolling motor with spot lock capability which I could lock into the Mirage Drive hole of a Hobie kayak.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133834765948#vi__app-cvip-panel

Your wish came true, pops ordered the last one in stock, but I’ll report after he uses it.

I wish somebody manufactured a trolling motor with spot lock capability which I could lock into the Mirage Drive hole of a Hobie kayak.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133834765948#vi__app-cvip-panel

Your wish came true, pops ordered the last one in stock, but I’ll report after he uses it.

Not sure if the water snake qualifies as a "spot lock" (automatic one anyway).

I wish somebody manufactured a trolling motor with spot lock capability which I could lock into the Mirage Drive hole of a Hobie kayak.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133834765948#vi__app-cvip-panel

Your wish came true, pops ordered the last one in stock, but I’ll report after he uses it.

Not sure if the water snake qualifies as a "spot lock" (automatic one anyway).

The WaterSnake trolling motor doesn't have any GPS-controlled spot lock features, but you can swivel the propeller from side to side to turn your kayak into the wind and current to manually hold yourself stationary over the bottom. It's an electric version of Hobie's 360 drive.  I'll be interested to hear how convenient it is to control the speed and direction of the propeller, and/or to turn the propeller on and off, to hold yourself stationary over the bottom.

I cannot reliably steer with the Watersnake itself, while it's plugged into the Mirage Drive port.
I actually modified it a bit, so it can't turn, and only use the kayak rudder to turn. As for speed, mine has two settings, low and high. I have not yet clocked myself to see how fast it will propel my Outback, but at a guess seems to be a lil slower than the fastest I can peddle manually (sprint peddling, not sustained).

I wish somebody manufactured a trolling motor with spot lock capability which I could lock into the Mirage Drive hole of a Hobie kayak.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/133834765948#vi__app-cvip-panel

Your wish came true, pops ordered the last one in stock, but I’ll report after he uses it.

Not sure if the water snake qualifies as a "spot lock" (automatic one anyway).

The WaterSnake trolling motor doesn't have any GPS-controlled spot lock features, but you can swivel the propeller from side to side to turn your kayak into the wind and current to manually hold yourself stationary over the bottom. It's an electric version of Hobie's 360 drive.  I'll be interested to hear how convenient it is to control the speed and direction of the propeller, and/or to turn the propeller on and off, to hold yourself stationary over the bottom.

Misunderstood you Pete, I thought you mentioned lock in forward for rudder only steering. No T1 kickers for a kayak.