Hobie Pro Angler Trolling Motor System for Kayak Fishing

Рет қаралды 5,727

2 жыл бұрын

I developed this system way back in 2010 for myself and a fishing buddy's then new Hobie Pro-Anglers. I sort of kept the thing close to the vest as I thought it might have some commercial value (it did and does) but after a dozen+ years decided to just put it out there. In that time I have been constantly amused by all the complicated, overblown, heavy and Mirage Drive negating kayak trolling motor systems. Simple is better. Less is more.
Somebody will almost surely knock this off. Until then you can make your own - two PVC T-Fittings and a couple straight sections, cut your motor of choice off from the head, route the wires to a 4-way plug, put a receptacle on the boat stern and run the wires to a place next to the seat where you located the original motor switch. Rig up a plug system for your battery and you're done. Lightweight, simply, quick to rig and works like a charm.
Here are two videos showing the system in use way back when. The first was taken with the first prototype and a Watersnake (Sevelor) 18lb thrust motor. The second is with a Motor Guide (Sevelor) 36lb thrust motor. The latter gave us over 6MPH top speed. We tried larger and higher thrust motors but never did any better, just went through battery life more quickly.
• Hobie
• ProAngler Speed

Пікірлер: 52

@user-sj7gp1hs5t Жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing. I just bought a trolling motor to put on my pro angler.

@RussW. Жыл бұрын

Well done sir, well done.

@jackhenry4874 2 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing your system is awesome !

@stevec979 5 ай бұрын

Thank you Tom. I’ve been trying to decide between side mount and rear mount. Too many options from all the videos of “the best way to mount”. This is the epitome of KIS.

@TheBoociferjones Жыл бұрын

this is the greatest thing ive ever seen. and if you wanted to lift the motor you could tie a string to it and just pull it up from the seat.

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Thanks. I offered it to Hobie back in 2010 but they were heavily invested with Torqueedo so they didn't explore my system.

@BassManStrikes Жыл бұрын

Would need a riser added to it in order to lift it with a cord. should be doable though.

@BazGardner Жыл бұрын

You = legend. Thank you

@imd1super615 Жыл бұрын

Well done

@BassManStrikes Жыл бұрын

If you could make it a snap in with a pin and keep the motor shaft longer you could lift it with a cord from the seat.

@trebel Жыл бұрын

greatly appreciated thank you very much

@jeckoafuego4326 Жыл бұрын

Amazing video. You're right someone will knock that off. One question? How you get the PVC pipe around the back handle of kayak???

@TheTroutman85 Жыл бұрын

Can we get a step by step process of this? Thanks in advance

@johnhalet Жыл бұрын

thanks for your response. i removed the allen head screws but there are 2 rivets as well and I didnt want to mess with them yet. Is my handle setup different than your handle? Can you describe the size of the pvc used in your video? Do the 2- Tfittings work independently of each other?

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Drill the rivets out. Use whatever pvc pipe slides closely over the rear handle tube.

@gregsweeney4199 Жыл бұрын

Awesome design. I'm doing a diy version for my pro angler out here in San diego. Can I ask what plug you used for the 4 trolling motor wires into the hull? I don't want to drill into my pro angler without the right hardware. Thank you!

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

I forget. But the one I used is metal and handles a 4 wire system. Very compact unlike some of the larger plugs used on trolling motors. I'll see if I can find the make and model.

@leslyons2723 Жыл бұрын

Can you do a step by step i want too do this with my pa14

@Art-bk6pg 11 ай бұрын

Will this work on a Hovie PA 17T?

@tonyallen1953 Жыл бұрын

Just come across your video Tom.This is amazing so simple and cheap to do how did you seal the cables coming out shaft.

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Get a piece of foam and punch a short section (round) that you can push down in the shaft past the wire (the wires will extend along the inside of the shaft and the foam will compress to allow that. Then, pour some GOOP into the shaft that will seal the top of the foam. the foam will keep the GOOP from traveling any further down and into the motor area. Now drill a small hole in the shaft just above the sealed foam plub and bring the wires out of the hole and connect to your electrical fitting. You can seal the hole as well for added insurance against water intrusion.

@tonyallen1953 Жыл бұрын

@@TomKirkman1 Thanks Tom

@johnhalet Жыл бұрын

i have 2015 PA 12. How do you remove the rear handle from the kayak to slip the PVC over the HTube? My rod holders only accept 1 1/2 od pvc. Is this strong enough to build the PVC trolling motor bracket as seen in your other videos?

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

There are two allen head screws in the end caps of the rear handle.

@johnhalet Жыл бұрын

@@TomKirkman1 I removed the 2 allen head bolts but there are is a rivet at each end of the handle as well. What size are you T-fittings? They dont seem to work independently of each other so how did you connect them? I would assume you put on the first t then a pvc tube then the other t fitting. Lengthen each T fitting with smaller piece of pvc? Did you seal the end of the TM shaft to prevent water from getting in but maybe the PVC protects it enough. Going to use my setup in saltwater. Thanks again for your response

@jonathanyoung877 Жыл бұрын

Man this is amazing!! Hobie missed out on this. But i been trying to figure out did you replace a section of the handle this pvc or is it just like a pvc sleeve over the handle… whats the means of connection to the handle?

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

It slides over the factory handle tube.

@shaunmceniery632 Жыл бұрын

What size pvc please

@danisantos523 Жыл бұрын

Very nice. I like your design, thanks for sharing it. Just one question. What length did you cut your motor down to?

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

The best shaft length is going to vary based on your boat and your weight. Do this - get in the boat in a couple or three feet of water and make a mark at the waterline on the hull. You want the shaft length set so that the tip of prop will be at least 4 inches below that level. This prevents cavitation when underway.

@dustinhema5215 Жыл бұрын

How is it with ocean current? are you able to paddle at the same time motor is in use?and when you come to a stop does motor float up and hit kayak when forward motion is engaged?

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

You can paddle or pedal at the same time. The motor does not float so no, it will not rise up when paddling or pedaling. Well, unless you think you can paddle or pedal at well over maybe 15 to 20 MPH.

@dustinhema5215 Жыл бұрын

Thank you 🤙🏽

@YakShoreOutdoors Жыл бұрын

What kind of speed do you get from this? Is this speed while pedaling also or just motor?

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Due to the design and intended use of most trolling motors, you're only going to get about 4 knots from any trolling motor on any kayak.

@mikeliban573 27 күн бұрын

Awesome !!! How far you have the motor lowered and How is it in reverse ? ( not that one needs that a lot, but ..?)

@TomKirkman1 26 күн бұрын

You need to set your motor depth so that the prop won't cavitate in use. I try to keep the prop tips about 3 to 4 inches below water level.

@DNYS8N Жыл бұрын

No idea how to install an easy mount for trolling motor on a hobos adventure island, tried looked still can’t find

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Just look under my video channel. Go back a few years because I made these about 10 or more years ago.

@jasonstone8222 Жыл бұрын

Believe this is what I'm going to attempt to do to my 1st kayak. Just bought a 360 14 PA. I too have looked at all the set ups and to me your idea by far is the most intelligent in my honest opinion. I do have some questions. 1. Where can I acquire the switch? 2. Where it plugs into boat.....what is that plug mount called and where do I obtain it? 3.(please forgive my ignorance on electrical things. Just really need your help to make this happen on my boat) you called the plug end a 4 way electrical plug I believe? Like a 4 way on a trailer? 4. When you put the boat in reverse does the boat actually go in reverse or does the motor try to come up to the surface of water? (Not that I really care if it works or not since I have a 360. Just be happy for the fwd ability. 5. Will this idea work with any and all trolling motors? If not please elaborate. 6. (Is hard to see detail in video on my phone) what was used to keep shaft and motor in center and not sliding left and right? Thanks for the video. You should make a kit and patent it and make some $$$......I'd appreciate a call If you have the time or want to. 423 457 8285. Jason.

@timngraceosullivan954 9 күн бұрын

You're a genius, but one question. How do you keep the motor from kicking up in reverse.

@TomKirkman1 8 күн бұрын

I have a line that can be cleated to prevent that, but rarely use it.

@timngraceosullivan954 8 күн бұрын

@@TomKirkman1 Thanks!

@danisantos523 Жыл бұрын

Tom, which trolling motor system do you prefer for your Pro Angler? This one or the one you made to fit into your kayak's fishing rod holder? I like them both and having a hard time trying to decide which one I'd like to attempt to make.

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Depends on the Kayak. On the pro-angler the rear handle just makes it so easy to do it this way. And since I trailer it the motor never comes off. If was toting the boat on a rack or pickup bed, I want to be able to remove the motor so I'd stick with the rod holder mount for those.

@danisantos523 Жыл бұрын

@@TomKirkman1 I appreciate you Tom...Thanks

@jeckoafuego4326 Жыл бұрын

Does anybody know how he got PVC around kayak back handle

@TomKirkman1 Жыл бұрын

Take the handle off, drill out the rivets and disassemble the handle parts.

@rickhall6171 9 ай бұрын

Take out the 2 Allen screws holding the handle to the kayak, and drill out one of the rivets that hold the end pieces to the round handle. Slide the pvc t’s onto the handle, join the the two with a short piece of pipe, adjusting for width and angle, glue, paint, and reassemble minus the one rivet. I’m doin mine now, and the previous owner had already removed one of the rivet’s on mine but you can’t even tell it… I hope this helps, I know I’m not very articulate lol