Kayaking can be awesome; however, people can fear it because of the paddling activity. If you do not want to keep paddling on your kayak, opt for the best motorized kayak.
Motorized kayaking is now a trend. It is good if you can jump onto the trend and get to experience such types of kayaks.
Many people would find a motorized kayak being an excellent option for providing the best transportation experience. It is also more agile, and it will help you experience the outdoors while in the water.
This guide is about the best models in the market. By the end of this guide, you should find a model that would be great for you.
Quick Picks: The Top-Rated Motorized Kayak
In a hurry? Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
What to Look For When Choosing the Best Motorized Kayak
The Motor Performance
As the name suggests, the best motorized kayak will have a motor.
Depending on the kayak design, you would have the option of adding a motor or getting one already built-in.
Getting a model with a built-in motor will always be more expensive. However, this eliminates the need to look for a compatible motor for your kayak.
When buying the motorized kayak, look at the power rating of the motor. This determines if the motor would handle its weight and any additional weight in terms of people and accessories.
Also, what are the maintenance needs? Do you have to service it often? These are some of the questions to ask yourself when picking the best motorized kayak.
Battery Performance
There are scenarios you would need to learn about the battery performance of the motorized kayaks. This only applies to the electric motors.
Some models would have the battery installed, while others might need the user to buy the battery separately.
It is better to get the battery from the same manufacturer to have consistent performance.
Keep in mind that sometimes the battery will add a lot of weight to the kayak. Some can be up to 80 pounds for the powerful kayaks. Such a motor would need a lot more batteries to power it.
Do not worry about the battery’s storage as manufacturers would have a dedicated compartment to store the batteries.
Consider the battery life when choosing the next battery for your motorized kayak. Good battery life will help you enjoy a good time out in the water.
Storage Capacity
Storage of any kayak is a general consideration everyone has to make. Let us say you want to take the kayak for fishing; you need the space to store your fishing gear.
The storage space will always be mentioned in the product description. Depending on what you anticipate to carry, always check it out to find the best motorized kayak for the job.
Size and Weight
The size and weight will likely impact agility and stability.
The larger or broader fishing kayaks will be more stable on the water. They can be great for beginners. However, they might lose more on agility and maneuverability.
The narrower and longer kayaks would not be the best for fishing. However, they can be great for other activities as they are easy to control and handle. These models would be more fun and allow for faster turns.
Budget
Your budget often determines what kind of motorized kayak you can buy. It is best if you can take the time to look for a model worth the money. The last thing you want is to spend money on a kayak that cannot live up to your expectation.
Do more research on the kayak that you want to buy before making up your mind. Read more reviews to see what people are getting for the money.
It is interesting how sometimes you might end up with the best motorized kayak that is affordable too.
Top 5 Best Motorized Kayaks
This best motorized kayak stands out from the rest because of its tri-power performance. They include the use of paddles, engine, and pedals. As such, you can switch from one mode to another depending on the needs at hand.
The kayak is compatible with the new Helix motor drive and the Helix PD pedal drive system. Please note that these two are sold separately. So, you might have to incur some additional costs equipping your motorized kayak with the latest engine.
This kayak has a flat platform for standing, especially when fishing. You will notice that the balance is unmatched compared to what you get with some models. Also, it features SMART Hull technology important for improving stability, responsiveness, and acceleration.
You will like the kayak for being ultra-comfortable thanks to several seat adjustability options. The seat can be adjusted up to 3 positions. This will make it easier for you to find the right position comfortable for you.
Pros
- The kayak features essential angling accessories
- It can be equipped with a powerful engine
- It is a stable kayak while standing
Cons
- The engine is sold separately
If you are not on a budget, then this is the best motorized kayak for the money. It is designed to be an all-round motorized kayak to help anyone get started with fishing easily. This includes having GPS so that you can always track your movements.
The kayak is saltwater ready for versatility. You would not have to worry that your engine would not handle the saltwater conditions. To make it better, the motor is also easily controlled through a Bluetooth connection. Fishing is easier with this motorized kayak.
This is also seen as a high-end fishing machine. This is because it will get you to the fishing spot a lot faster compared to the non-motorized kayaks. Once you are at the spot, it can maintain its position without moving around so that you can go ahead to enjoy fishing.
The kayak is also equipped with more weight capacity than its competitors. This is because its maximum weight capacity is 558 pounds. Such a weight capacity means you can easily have more gear onboard for your fishing activities.
Pros
- It has a powerful motor
- The motor can be controlled remotely
- The kayak can hold a lot of weight
Cons
- The motor battery is not included
This is another Wilderness Systems motorized kayak on the list. It shows how good the brand is at making the best kayaks. It is designed to have an advanced tactical angling system, making it modern and good at its job.
Users will like it for its compatibility with the new Helix MD motor drive. The motor is all about more power, performance, maneuverability, and ease of use. The users who get the new motor would recommend it to any new users.
Another thing you will like about this best motorized kayak is the customizable platform. The manufacturer allows for the addition of accessories you might need for fishing or other activities. Its unmatchable stability is another reason for getting the kayak today.
The seat has a patented suspension so that you can have the best comfort. If you plan on fishing the whole day, then comfort is what you need. The seat can also be adjusted through several positions such as high, low, and recline.
Pros
- It works with the advanced Helix MD motor drive
- The seat is comfortable
- Attaching and removing accessories is easy
Cons
- It is heavy thus not the easiest to move around
Being an electric motorized kayak makes it interesting. Many people would be interested in seeing how its performance would be when taking it for explorations or fishing.
To make it stand out as the best motorized kayak, it has a transparent body construction. So, when you take it for fishing or other activities, you can explore everything around you. The result is that you will enjoy a unique viewing experience.
Many people would always enjoy the ultimate kayaking experience in this kayak as it works in any water condition. If there is a place you have always wanted to enjoy kayaking, then go ahead and get this kayak.
The model also features a powerful motor. This motor helps in moving you around to the best water spots. Having 2 paddles equips you with an additional form of moving the kayak. Let us say the battery runs out when you are out in the water; then, the paddles help you get back safely.
Pros
- The kayak is made of durable materials
- It is a lightweight kayak for ease of moving it around
- It features a powerful trolling motor
Cons
- The overall storage capacity could be better
This is another top option as the best motorized kayak in the market. It is loved for having a saltwater-ready trolling motor. This motor is all about performance so that you can take your kayak to where you want without much of a problem.
The motor is also technologically advanced. This is because it can easily be controlled via Bluetooth. You simply connect it to the remote and have an easier time controlling your kayak.
The seat also stands out as an important feature of the kayak as it is comfortable. The use of a premium dual-layer Textilene mesh seat makes it comfortable and breathable. This seat is also adjustable to different positions for more comfort.
Users love it for its maximum weight capacity too. It comes with a 660-pound weight capacity. This means that you would love to use it more often with all your fishing gear.
Other things you will like about the kayak include customizable accessory tracks, cushioned floor pads, a tackle box, and more. Such accessories make the kayak versatile.
Pros
- The motor is powerful
- The mesh seat is breathable and comfortable
- It allows for the attachment of several accessories
Cons
- It is pricey
FAQs
Why should you choose a kayak having a motor?
The main reason you would do this is that you want to save on energy and avoid paddling. The motorized kayak will help you to explore the waters without worrying about paddling all the time.
Are motorized kayaks durable?
The durability depends on a lot of things. Such include the materials used to make the kayak, motor reliability, and usage. Take the time to research more about the kayak before picking the best one for the job.
Are batteries included in a motorized kayak?
It depends on the model. Some of the electric models would come with a battery, while others might need the user to get the battery separately. The manufacturer will always indicate if you have to get the battery separately or not.
Is it expensive to buy a motorized kayak?
In most cases, you will find motorized kayaks being more expensive than regular kayaks. This might mean you have to dig deeper into your pockets to find the best kayak for the money. If you do proper research, you are likely to come across some slightly cheaper models too.
Conclusion
The use of a motor to propel your kayak is something many people would want. What is important is that you always take the time to look for the best among the many options available. The list above of the best motorized kayaks should be a great start. You would know where to start and get the best kayak for various applications.
If you end up buying the best motorized kayak, go ahead and explore the waters. You should have a great time kayaking than before when you had to paddle all day long. Take a break and enjoy the various activities in the water.