Electric trolling kayak- Attention purists and Hobie owners! Ignore this thread!

You're welcome. And thanks. That battery link alone will help me tremendously in my project planning.

So I'm ready for re-launch. Here are some photos. Feedback welcome!

Mounted alll the electrical in an MTM drybox. Its a bit bigger than needed, but I have dry storage to boot! All the switchery and lighting and such all purchased on the internet on the cheap. The FF was one I had taken off my power boat before I sold it.

Erik

More photos

By the way... This is a Shorai LiFeP04 battery. It is rated at 36ah and 540CCA weighing in under 5 lbs!

In reality the 36ah translates to about 12 hours before recharge. With the Minn Kota Maximizer I should have no problem with extended troll times.

On the lithium batteries, there are several new manufacturers I have seen emerge on market just in the last several months. When I started this I thought I would have to go to China to get what I wanted at a decent price. For those that are shopping for a Lithium battery, Here are some of the ones I found:
http://www.ballisticparts.com/
http://www.alienmotion.com/
http://www.super-b.com/
http://www.shoraipower.com

Yes the initial cost is more expensive, but if you consider the total life cycle costs of a battery you will likely find they arent any more expensive than a Lead Acid battery- as long as they are maintained correctly.

excellent, nice project and info, thanks for the links on Li batteries...but why all the 'hatin' on Hobies?   

I have a new MinnKota 34# doing nothing and before the Kings hit the Siuslaw in late August, I plan to have that mounted, perhaps on the front, of my PA12...pedal and electric power seems like a good combination for some situations..like getting back to the launch against the current/tide and after the wind kicks up some chop....

..to quote Oddball from Kelly's Heroes: "...you see man, we like to feel we can get out of trouble, quicker than we got into it."

cheers, roger
 

Pretty neat PVC pipe motor mount on the Hobie Kayak website, I just put one together for my MinnKota.  Cost---$12  !!!

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=45937&hilit=motor&sid=e96802d7aaa4b0636d40fa79171f0429&start=0

Pretty neat PVC pipe motor mount on the Hobie Kayak website, I just put one together for my MinnKota.  Cost---$12  !!!

http://www.hobiecat.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=26&t=45937&hilit=motor&sid=e96802d7aaa4b0636d40fa79171f0429&start=0

sweet and that basic approach could probably be adopted for other sorts of recessed rod holders...thanks for sharing the link.

but why all the 'hatin' on Hobies?   
[/quote]

No hobie hatin' here... just a little ribbn'. As a matter of fact if I could swing it I would have one added to my fleet! I guess I just like to ruffle a few feathers.

I took it out today, and played. No fishing- just a good seaworthy run around to see how she fares.... And boy was I impressed! Its got a whole lot more get-up-and-go torque than I expected, and top speed was acceptable also very manouverable!I was cruising around for a few hours at full speed bursts and several miles and my voltage only dropped about .5 volts Now I'm excited to go catch some fish with it!

Erik

I am just stoked about the Li battery links that you posted, really going to be looking into one of those as an alternative to a small AGM...roger

Browneyesvictum, thank you so much for starting this thread. I took a lot of inspiration from it to work on my bassyaks setup. I thought you might get a kick out of seeing my setup.

Quick Breakdown :

 -Minn-kota 45 thrust lb motor
 -Shorai 36 AH lithium (lifeP04) 540 CCA - @ 4.96lbs ea. & 35AH
 -Internally wired in parallel configuration inside a Pelican 1490 Case
 -Marinco Trolling Motor Plug & Receptacle
 -Turnology Ah Meter
 -Minnkota Power Maximizer (This is my alternative to the bassyaks "EM" or "EK"option)
 -Native center console
 -Native spray skirts
 -Kayakfishingstuff battery box
 -Liberator transducer mount
 -Hummingbird hd 598si side imaging sonar
 -Trail Trekker Kayak Cart

Photos:


























 




I have more information up on a thread on yakfisher:

http://www.yakfisher.net/smffiles/index.php?topic=7968.0

Thanks again for the direction and links guys!

Very cool setup. It looks like you've got quite a bit of work into that.

You gonna bring that thing down and troll for some Salmon?

Very Very nice! I can tell you put a lot of pride in that workmanship! I hope to see you on the water!

By the way... I found that battery does NOT like to be drained very low! Im using the Techmate Lithium Optimate for a charger, and told me it was damaged and it wouldn't charge it. It took a while of messaging it back slowly to get it back to health...  Actually I dont blame the battery. It was just because of this charge. I would rather prolong the life of the battery with a good charger that wont let me cause harm.

By the way Roy. YES! Im ready for catching Salmon! Im up for Siuslaw in August or even down there, whenever there is a good run. Give me a shout!

Ill race you in your hobie? 

Thanks guys. I used to really like modifying cars, and after I moved into a place without a garage, I found myself scratching that itch with the kayak rigging instead. I appreicate the heads up on the battery too. I will keep you all posted if I run into any trouble. 

I have never fished for salmon before, so sombody will have to help me get dailed in. I have yet to run into another kayak angler on the water, so im for sure going to keep an eye on some of the local events / meet ups.