Trolling motors are an excellent way to most the most out of your time in the river, lake, ocean, or wherever you choose to take your kayak. After all, kayaking can be strenuous on your muscles, take up all of your free hand space, and create loud noises and large splashes. If you are a fisherman, this can be a recipe for disaster. Even if you are not a fisherman, it can be much more relaxing to have a motor take care of the hassle of keeping the boat moving for you.
Many people turn to trolling motors for the reasons above, or for personal ones. However, finding the best kayak trolling motor can be difficult if you are completely new to how they work. On this page, we will break down what we believe to be the best trolling motor for kayak, review various others, and then describe all of the features which might make you consider a different product. We will also provide you with the basic information that you need to quickly set up your trolling motor using a kayak trolling motor mount.
Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Transom Mounted Trolling Motor
This kayak trolling motor is a great option for people who are on a tight budget and are sick of rowing manually with oars. Although the price may make you skeptical, it comes with a two-year warranty. So if it does end up breaking within two years, you can at least work with the manufacturer to get it working again.
Specifications:
- 12-volt freshwater trolling motor
- 5 forward speeds, 3 reserve speeds.
- Sturdy composite shaft.
- 30 lbs. thrust.
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty.
This product has a nice battery life, comes with pretty strong parts (at least for the motor and shaft), and can last a considerably long time if you are sure to maintain it carefully. However, if you are reckless with it, it will break prematurely. Finally, since this model isn’t designed for saltwater, you will have to stay away from the ocean and stick to the river or lake.
Pros:
- Good battery life.
- Strong construction.
- Long composite shaft.
- Affordable price.
Cons:
- Not for saltwater.
- Low thrust.
- Requires careful maintenance.
Considering that this model has the same amount of speeds as other high-end trolling motors, comes at a very affordable price, and has a warranty, there is little reason that somebody with a small budget shouldn’t take a chance with it. However, if your budget is higher than 100 you should probably just get a nicer model to ensure a healthy life.
Newport Vessels NV-Series Thrust Electric Trolling Motor
This product likely isn’t the best trolling motor for kayak but it has its own set of unique features which makes it heavily worth mentioning. For starters, there is an indestructible motor head that is designed to take a beating, then another, and another.
Specifications:
- 12-volt fresh/saltwater trolling motor.
- 5 forward speeds, 3 reverse speeds.
- Strong 30-inch shaft.
- 36 lbs. thrust.
- Indestructible motorhead.
Like many other top trolling motors for kayaking, this product has 8 speeds, is quiet on the water, and can be installed within a few hours with the right parts and tools. It has a reasonable price and comes with an LED battery meter so that you can keep track of how long you can remain in the water.
Pros:
- Very quiet on the water.
- LED battery meter.
- Stainless steel construction.
- Reasonable price.
Cons:
- Some plastic parts.
- The top isn’t sealed well.
There are two things you should be aware of before purchasing this product. For starters, the top can easily allow water into the casing since it isn’t sealed extremely. There are also plastic parts which can easily break. However, careful maintenance and use can eliminate these problems completely.
Minn Kota Endura C2 Endrua C2 55 Trolling Motor
If you want the best trolling motor for kayak, start here. This product has an impressive 36” (or 42”) shaft but also has a model which measures 42 inches long. This makes it long enough to suit most people’s needs and comes with indestructible parts and a generous two-year warranty.
Specifications:
- 12-volt fresh/saltwater trolling motor.
- 5 forward speeds, 3 reverse speeds.
- Indestructible composite shaft.
- 30 – 55 lbs thrust.
- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
Since one of the main ideas of a trolling motor is to stay quiet on the water, there aren’t any more levels of speed with this product. However, it boasts an incredible battery life which outshines most of the competition.
Pros:
- Extremely durable shaft.
- Excellent battery life.
- Fast and quiet on the water.
- Resistant to warping and UV rays.
Cons:
- A tad expensive.
Another feature that stands out with this product is that it is resistant to warping, bending, and harmful UV rays. The noise level of this motor is so minimal that you might not even believe that it is a motor. Just keep in mind that it is a tad expensive and requires you to have a high budget.
Saturn 55 Lbs Short-Shaft Electric Trolling Motor
If you value features like an LED battery life indicator and an extendable handle over other things like noise control, this is another great trolling motor to consider. Don’t get us wrong here, this product is very quiet in the water. However, it does tend to vibrate more than other motors.
Specifications:
- 12-volt fresh/saltwater trolling motor.
- 5 forward speeds, 3 reverse speeds.
- Extendable handle to 13.8”
- 55 lbs. thrust.
- 1-year manufacturer’s warranty.
The adjustable depth collar, standard 8-speed engineering, and one-year warranty are a couple other things that really stick out with this product. It can also be used both in freshwater and saltwater, making it capable of use just about anywhere.
Pros:
- The handle can adjust angles.
- Displays battery life.
- Adjustable depth collar.
- Powerful thrust.
- Reasonable price.
Cons:
- Can break rather easily with waves.
- Vibrates more than other models.
Keep in mind that this model isn’t for entry-level budgets. This is a high-quality trolling motor that anybody should consider over the more affordable ones due to its unique features. In any case, don’t expect for this product to hold up with large ocean waves since they can break the motor.
Cloud Mountain 60LBS Thrust Electric Trolling Motor
This is another great option for people who want a kayak for both fresh and saltwater use. It comes with a nice LED battery life indicator, making it easy to stay on top of how much longer you can be in the water. It comes with a sturdy fiberglass composite shaft and a nice one-year warranty.
Specifications:
- 12-volt fresh/saltwater trolling motor.
- 5 forward speeds, 3 reverse speeds.
- Fiberglass composite shaft.
- LED power indicator.
- 60 lbs. thrust.
- 1-year warranty.
This is a great choice for people who have a medium budget that doesn’t necessarily want the best trolling motor for kayak, but not the worst one either. It is versatile, quiet while in use, and relatively lightweight compared to some other models.
Pros:
- Works great in all types of water.
- Very quiet on the water.
- LED battery indicator.
- Powerful thrust.
- Reasonable price.
Cons:
- Plastic positioning levers.
When it comes to trolling motors, plastic parts are not very desirable. This product has positioning levers made of plastic, which might not matter if you choose to get a mount (like this one) which comes with stronger parts.
Brocraft Universal Mount for Kayak Trolling Motors
Although some of the above products may come with mounting parts, typically you will find plastic parts which can be easily broken. If you are okay with this, just be sure to carefully maintain your trolling motor mount carefully so that you don’t run into problems in the water. We highly recommend that you get a high-quality mount like this one to eliminate any potential setbacks.
If you would rather get a high-quality mount that works universally on kayaks, this product from Brocraft is our favorite. It comes with Marine grade alloy and nylon parts and easily adjusts for left or right-handed operation. It can easily adjust for different hull lengths, install at any angle, and is easy to install. Best of all, it is durable and will last much longer than a stock one with plastic parts.
Best Trolling Motor for Kayak: Buying Guide
Now that we have looked at the best trolling motor for kayak options, let’s go ahead and break down all of the remaining information that you need to be aware of so that you can make an informed purchasing decision. Careful research is very important to eliminate problems down the line.
Registering your Motor Mount
Depending on your location, you may need to have your kayak registered. This is especially true if you use a kayak with a trolling motor. If you live in the United States, make sure to check the DMV website to see if your kayak needs to be registered.
However, do not let this be a setback in purchasing a kayak or trolling motor for kayak. The fee is normally very reasonable. You will likely have to carry a certificate of registration, and perhaps also registration numbers handy on the boat to ensure you don’t alarm your local park ranger, or police.
Water Type
It is nice to have a trolling motor that can be used both in saltwater and freshwater. Especially if you live near the ocean. If you don’t ever imagine taking your kayak to the ocean, you might be okay with simply getting a model that will solely work on freshwater.
In any case, keep this in mind when you purchase a trolling motor. Some work solely on freshwater, others work both on fresh and saltwater. The only product mentioned above which works solely on freshwater is the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Transom Mounted Trolling Motor.
Mounting Equipment
As briefly stated above, some products may come with mounting equipment. However, in our experience stock mounts can contain plastic parts which can easily break, eliminating the purpose of even getting a trolling motor with an included mount in the first place.
If you want to ensure that your trolling motor lasts a long time, and stays in place, getting a nice mount is important. One great aftermarket mount that everybody should consider is the Brocraft Universal Mount for Kayak Trolling Motors since it comes with sturdy parts and is very reasonably priced.
Anybody who uses a mount with plastic parts can make it last a long time, no doubt. With careful use and responsibility typically comes a long life. This is true for any product. However, many people want the peace of mind that their mount won’t break in the middle of the water. Understandably so.
Kayak Length
This should be one of the first things that you look at when you get a trolling motor for your kayak. The size of your kayak is important in helping you discover how much battery power and thrust that you need in a motor. After all, these things aren’t made to push a yacht across the ocean by any means. Kayaks smaller than 16 feet will be suitable with a 12V power source.
Weight and Loading Limits
A good rule of thumb is to have a trolling motor with at least 2 lbs. of thrust for every 100 lbs. of boat weight. This includes yourself and all the gear you take with you.
Kayak Trolling Motor Overview and Summary
To get the best trolling motor for kayak, you need to start by first setting your budget. If you have around $100, you will be able to at least purchase a trolling motor, but with a slightly higher budget, you start to get better features, better thrust, and so on. In any case, it is also imperative that you consider getting an aftermarket kayak trolling motor mount to eliminate any potential problems. One great one to consider is the Brocraft Universal Mount for Kayak Trolling Motors.
If you want the best kayak trolling motor, you should start by checking out the Minn Kota Endura C2 Endrua C2 55 Trolling Motor. Although it may not be the most affordable option, it has a nice thrust, a generous warranty, is extremely quiet on the water, and has plenty of composite shaft length for anybody’s needs. If you just want a lot of thrust, consider getting the Cloud Mountain 60LBS Thrust Electric Trolling Motor, which has an impressive 60 lbs. of thrusting power. Lastly, if you are on a tight budget and need to save some extra money, your best option is the Minn Kota Endura C2 30 Transom Mounted Trolling Motor.