I need this! Thanks so much!

Wow! Didn’t know this existed. Almost bought an Xi3 but this will work better. Was going to be a challenge mounting xi3, plus 2x the price, also my father-in-law has old Minn Kota Riptide sitting in garage that works great which he said I could have! Booyah! Looks like should ship mid September.

@@teachitandlearnit that is awesome. The Riptide is the motor I’m currently using for when I fish saltwater. If you end up in SW Florida let’s go fishing together! ❤️

What trolling motor mount is that

I'm with @@Banogonoski, are you using the NyVoozy Transom Trolling Motor Mount?

A lot cheaper than other GPS motor solutions for kayaks and it works better. Way easier to mount, lighter weight, and I like the controls/app features better. Old Town AutoPilot is nearly $5000! Many other GPS motors will be $1300+ and harder to mount. This setup you can actually mid-hull mount in pods or pedal drive areas. The new route follow modes are totally sick. Big fan of this company….so much so I’m putting my money where my mouth is and becoming a co-owner for U.S. We will build up manufacturing in Georgia. You can get 5% off order by using discount code KayakDIY at TBNation.net We have been working hard to decrease pricing further, but it isn’t really necessary. AutoBoat has been selling very well at current pricing. AutoBoat’s mission is to bring the latest Marine Fishing technology to the masses. However, we will not please everyone with pricing. Some people have the idea that it is somehow inferior to other GPS motors just because it is new to the U.S territory. In fact it actually has more features and higher accuracy in tests. It has been used for past 3yrs in South America by professional famous anglers (example: Jonny Hoffman) on Amazon River. The AutoBoat pricing is nearly half of what most other GPS motors are. AutoBoat is more versatile to mount, modular design allows easy motor upgrade and customer repair should anything become damaged. If anything is to fail it would likely be the trolling motor and not AutoBoat. AutoBoat is built pretty robust. The whole system is tool-less design and installs in 2-3 minutes. We also have kayak mount manufacturers on board who have already designed motor mounts perfect for AutoBoat. YakGadget has tons of motor mounts.

that's what I was thinking but then thought maybe it was the whole gps thing ... aksmaniyak did a project with same remote moror funtions for only about $170

Compared to XI3 I'll take this XI3 does none of this

I'm a software engineer. I've been contemplating building my own, which wouldn't be that hard technically, but there is a lot of time you would have to spend testing and retesting and so on. I think I could build the motor controller, with remote for about $150, Steering mechanism with a stepping motor and that cute little collar thing that goes on the shaft, and Add the GPS for about $25 - $50, have to 3-D print a few parts, might take 5 or 6 prints to get it just right. So, let's say, all in maybe $400. Plus, about 20-100 hours of my otherwise limited time. Then me trying to remember enough calculus to do the math... Doable. But, I give myself a value of $25/hr (which is WAY below my standard going rate), then I will be adding from $500 - $2500 to the build. At that, I consider $700 to be a bargain. I hope they sell 10,000 of these.

@@richardhasting6046 I'm a software engineer with an electronic engineering degree too, considering the time and testing, I'd rather just spend the money and be on the water ASAP. The parts aren't the issue, it would be the research time and the manufacturing. I 100% that this is a great idea and if a popular fishing related company built this, it wouldn't be just $700, add $1000 to the price if Minn Kota did this, but they won't do it because it cuts into their version for spot loc. These toys are not for the average joe kayak fisherman, just like $5k kayaks. It is next level kayak fishing. The best part of this is that it features can easily be added. I expect, some knock offs, but Autoboat is the name that most know by now, and the future looks great for them!

@JasonSipe16 can you provide some information on your DIY version? I'd love to learn more.

For $650 it better change some kind of game

@@MrTerickg go price a Minn Kota spot lock or Garmin Force trolling motor, this is a game changer.

Thanks. Preorders won’t ship until mid September. Got some cool features being added. Also the entire video was filmed with gen1 unit and gen2 is built even better with more capabilities and durability in mind. Gen 1 design was used for about 3yrs in South America by thousands of anglers. Gen 2 takes all those 3yrs of angler suggestions and design improvements. Gen 2 units will be shipped in pre-orders.

Happy AutoBoat is working for your kayak. 😊👊

What makes you more likely to go with this over an XI3? Cost savings between the autoboat adapter and a transom mount trolling motor is marginal, depending on the trolling motor you get.

I just got mines from tinyboatnation thanks brother gonna take it out this week really excited 😊

AutoBoat has loads of app features releasing soon. One feature is gonna make creating routes so freaking easy. Basically waypoint stringing. Also some features I can’t discuss yet. Pretty stoked how this company is dialed in to the needs of not just boat owners, but kayak anglers. AutoBoat has worked with me and several other kayak anglers to improve the user experience for users of all types of watercraft.

For the low price of $650 it could be yours! Lol just ho buy an xi3. Buying this and a cheap trolling motor will still cost more than it. Ita not worth it for this price. Even if you already have a trolling motor, just go spend the extra 75 bucks and get the quality product with proven reliability.

I got more videos coming. I just rigged AutoBoat up on the bow of my Hobie PA. Plan to work with YakGadget to get more transom trolling motor mounts developed for kayaks. We specifically want a Hobie pedal drive motor mount with AutoBoat integrated. Tons of AutoBoat customers have already put AutoBoat motors in their pods on kayaks like FeelFree, Bonafide, and more. I love AutoBoat so much that I joined the company. I’m now a co-owner in AutoBoat USA. We are going to bring technology to the masses by making it as affordable as possible YET ultra-reliable and feature rich.

AutoBoat had been around and sold thousands of units in South America. They are just new to USA. They will be based in Oxford Georgia. I personally think the AutoBoat GPS performance and features are better than Ipilot. It seems to hold tighter on anchor mode.

Just got mine mocked up in the front "T-bar" pedal drive mount on my BKC PK14 tandem. I use the pedal drive in the rear slot, and lift/lower the Autoboat via a 3:1 "Z"pulley system at the rear seat.

Tell me what and how you would like me to best show the GPS anchor mode to you. BTW I can’t use term “spot lock” since that is technically trademarked. We are just calling it anchor mode for now. 😉 I’m open to suggestions. Want to make the best possible reviews and content for viewers.

The best way to show anchor mode is to hit anchor mode close to a dock or stump, something that is fixed, where we can see the vessel isn't moving. You could do the same using a drone, to show it isn't moving. The vessel will adjust for the wind, but it shouldn't move off of the GPS point where it was engaged.

@@peterlong9629 I will work at getting that footage. My wife is back in hospital. I will be taking KZfaq break for few days to be with her. TinyBoatNation channel also has one of the AutoBoat units and we are working together to bring the units to America. AutoBoat has been serving South America for 3yr+ with thousands of units in hands of fisherman. They have a video in Portuguese that shows anchor mode holding tight to a bouy market. I think it compared AutoBoat to another brand of GPS motors. I will say the GPS seems more accurate than others and the system tries to hold a much tighter proximity to it’s mark.

Let me know if you have questions. I’m good about responding to DM ( messages) on Instagram

Wish I had all those skills. Damn smart. 👊

Brazilian people are awesome. They have a rich culture in fishing. I’ve spent many hours talking with the AutoBoat creator and owner. We are constantly improving the AutoBoat product based on feedback of customers and desire to have the most feature rich GPS motor system on the market at the lowest price. I am joining AutoBoat. I believe in this Brazilian man’s dream and it has become my dream as well. 😊👊 We are going to take over the USA market.

Right on! You should come visit and we can do some bowfishing in the flats.

@@KayakDIY don't tempt me with a good time.

I saw that as well.

*STERN MOUNT MODE:* simply flips steering so it isn’t inverted. That way when you hit left it goes left and when hitting right it goes right. Without “Stern Mount Mode” the controls would be inverted. Navpoint and all route follow modes WILL NOT work when mounted on stern. Anchor mode WILL WORK when mounted on stern. All brands of GPS motors won’t work on stern for heading (navpoint) or route follow modes……the difference is AutoBoat at least has the stern mount mode so steering is more intuitive rather than inverted. Hope this info helps.

@@KayakDIY Thanks for the clarification!

The GPS of AutoBoat is actually more accurate AND IT IS NOT BY PHONE. Haswing has crap customer service and that is why my friends chose not to carry their motors in store. We like AutoBoat GPS features more. We also like if motor burns out we simply replace $40-119 motor and move AutoBoat to new motor. With Xi3, ipilot, Cayman, the motor burns out and you are out the entire price of the system. AutoBoat has thousands of units in service and great track history. The new units shipping are GEN 2 and have tons of improvements making it even more reliable and better performing. I’ve used GEN 1 for past year and helping test GEN 2.

Definitely has changed the way I rig my kayaks. Every kayak I have is rigged with this motor system in mind. The app updates recently have been awesome.

AutoBoat actually has more features and actually it has a more accurate GPS. They have route follow, backtrack, jog, anchoring, & one unique feature I can’t disclose yet I also find it to be more of a better investment because I owned spot lock Minn Kota and motor burnt out which resulted in me having to throw away $1300. If motor burns out on AutoBoat I just replace it with another readily available $40-119 motor and put AutoBoat on new motor without tools in about 2-3mins. Plus the GEN 2 AutoBoat system is smaller than one im using in video and has more capabilities now and moving into future. For Jon Boat you can even use AutoBoat with 48in Pro Controll motor which is designed to clamp onto Jon Boat gunnels. In fact Pro Controll have expressed significant interest in the system. I can understand your skepticism. AutoBoat isn’t a new company nor a new product. It is just new to the U.S market. They have thousands of units in service over the last 3 years. They will be based in Oxford, Georgia.

also keep in mind many of the advanced featers of a Ipilot or motorguides equivalent need a supported graph that is $700+ to get more than just spotlock/heading. wish this was an option for me when I setup my Jon last spring, woudl of gone this route.

@@KayakDIY Is the one being sold by TBnation the gen 2??

Several people have fashioned release setups for the tilt lock on popular trolling motors. Search “tethered tilt lock mod”.

I never use that phrase….but it definitely is fitting. Totally a game changer🔥 So easy to mount on pretty much any kayak to boat. Been tested for over 3 years! Adding new insane features to app that no other GPS motors have. All for only $649. Compared to heavier and more expensive bow mount motors this is a no brainer. I’m putting transom mounts on all my kayaks and skiffs. Companies like YakGadget are already making mounts for several paddle & pedal kayaks. Going to be awesome!

Biggest thing is to make sure the motor doesn’t have a “digital variable speed controller). If the motor has a basic 5 speed manual tiller and not the variable tiller it should work effortlessly. For Minn Kota motors like Endura Max you have a digital speed controller in the head unit which needs to be bypassed in order to work with AutoBoat. As far as I know Endura C2 motors are not digital and are 5 speed. Basically AutoBoat is a digital speed controller and it needs full access to the motor. AutoBoat can not run correctly if it is delivering power through a motor head that has a digital/variable speed controller inside. We have customers with Endura Max units that bypassed digital speed control in motor head and use AutoBoat.

Message KayakDIY on Instagram or facebook. I can send you screen recordings of the app and explain. 😊👊

Thanks so much for your prompt reply and yes please 🙏

AutoBoat GPS Smart Modes *Navpoint heading mode* is like shooting a laser straight. The gps motor will hold that heading. *Anchor lock mode* uses motor to hold your position within a few feet of where you press the button. *Manual route mode* string waypoints on map and follow that route *Record route mode* record your movement as a route then return days later and follow that route. *Navpoint Heading Jog* when using Navpoint heading you can jog left or right if there is an obstruction ahead. This is done by holding left or right and letting off when you are on heading you want to NOTE: if mounting on stern you can use app to put into stern mount mode. This flips the left and right controls so they are intuitive and not inverted. When in stern mount you can only use steering/speed controls/ & anchor mode…..all other smart modes mentioned above don’t work. When mounted in center of kayak/boat or on bow all smart features work. Second Note: in app you can set custom gain settings for different size vessels. This is nice because it will tone down the power for small kayak vs large boat. That way you don’t get thrown off. Many other brands don’t have this. Third Note: the blue remote has further range than phones using app. Consider having both available in case a remote battery dies. Fourth Note: gps calibration should be done outside ideally on the water. It takes about 5 seconds but helps with accuracy. No harm in recalibrating often, but not necessary. Fifth note: don’t flip your motor head. This can malposition the electrical internals to be above GPS. This can lead to interference. GPS puck blue arrow must be facing direction of forward thrust when mounted. Many people get this wrong and it can cause inaccurate erratic behavior. The system is very reliable and predictable…but if you install it wrong it predictably creates erratic behavior. We are here to help though. 😉👍

*Full Guide Here:* kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nKicmsKa0a2UpZc.htmlsi=W-GViMKFgDlMeGof

As long as the motor can fit through the pedal drive hole it likely would work. Just need to make mount. I’m planning to make mount for my Hobie Pro Angler. The motor fits in my pro angler. I just need to get the mount figured out. Should be easy.

I got video somewhere posted. Can’t remember if it is on here or not. Might be on FB or IG. If I don’t have it on KZfaq I will upload. I put a bow mount for AutoBoat on the Pa12. Works even better. I used ketch mount and attached a transom mount to that.

*Correct.* Any AutoBoat in-service currently or being shipped will have the ability to navigate to waypoint. The app will also have a really cool new feature coming out in January where the user can string together multiple waypoints to create a route quickly. AutoBoat is available at TBNation.net You can use discount code: KayakDIY

*Definitely my next plan.* 😬👊 Have a few options and ideas for it.

Me too!!

they offer drop in mounts for hobie pro angler with reg troll motor for 180 perhaps 360 mount for peddles is way different? look like a foam insert that locks in hobie mount area collared aeound a NV or MK motor...ebay has had them off and on...ever seen those? might work? they work for hobie pro 180 kayaks...????

I’m waiting to see the pedal drive conversion

I'm doing the pedal drive conversion for my slayer 10. Hate that damn propel drive.

You need to do GPS calibration and operation outside in open air environment. Ideally on water. AutoBoat won’t allow calibration with a poor signal and it does this for safety reasons. The system relies on an accurate initial calibration to perform at its best…this means a strong gps signal is needed….thus indoor calibration is not recommended. “Without calibration” anchor lock and other gps features don’t work. After calibration is successful and beeps 3 times then anchor modes and other gps features will be activated. Also you can recalibrate as often as you want. No issues. If you ever have questions message me on Instagram or FB. I can link up with you on video chat and talk you through it. I became a co-owner in AutoBoat. I’m trying to help the company grow in the kayaking world and not just the bass boat/powerboat world. We are the only GPS motor company with smart settings that can be activated specifically for kayaks. Our app is 100% free too.

Need to have a basic 30-55lb trolling motor like the MinnKota or Newport - the motor/gear attachment is designed specifically for those shafts and the power/throttle system in those motors

I’ve had mine for over a year. I was first person in USA to have one. I helped the company get distribution in the USA. The product was already popular in South America for last 3-4years. The electronics inside box are coated with water barrier. Box can handle heavy splashing but is not designed for submersion. It “maybe” could handle short term submersion. Remote is rated waterproof and will be relatively inexpensive to replace if needed. Other components are made of very strong glass filled polymer. AutoBoat is way more reliable than my buddies $3000 Rhodan gps trolling motor which keeps getting fried by rain water.

Thanks for the reply. I did end up ordering a unit last night off. I plan on using this on my 14foot boat. Thanks for the response I appreciate it.

AutoBoat Stern mount will mean you can’t use route follow modes or Navpoint heading mode. It will still do anchor mode and remote steering when mounted on stern. All GPS trolling motors are this way…not just AutoBoat. However, AutoBoat is cool because it has stern mount mode setting which flips controls so it doesn’t have inverted steering. AutoBoat can do things other GPS motors can’t.

If motor is on front you face wind and current. If motor is on stern you face away.

Thanks. Pretty stoked about the possibilities of this system and future boat builds. I can now add GPS remote propulsion where I previously couldn’t.

Thanks. Worked hard to get it available to viewers here in the U.S. In case some are hesitant about a “new product”. We had thousands of AutoBoat units in service for 3+ years in Brazil which has a huge fishing tourism economy along the Amazon river. Major anglers travel to Brazil to fish for monster fish on the Amazon river. This is just the first time getting the product to the USA. We made some hardware advancements and feature improvements to it since the first generation units. We intentionally looked hard for failure points. We wanted to make this fit the widest array of possible motors with the least effort in installation. Install is tool-less and can be done in about 3 mins. You calibrate for your area once for your area and rarely need to calibrate again. Calibration is easy with push and hold of “N” button on remote or via app. The AutoBoat system tries to hold tighter to anchor point than many other motors. There are great videos on it that our Brazilian brothers have done. They had bouys they tried to stay close to with anchor mode and you can see other brands holding a larger distance from bouy and AutoBoat holding a tighter “closer” distance. The app is always going to be free and customers may get new features added in months ahead. I know of one new feature in the works which will blow people’s minds.

Inside the phone app there is auto navigation and GPS waypoint functionality

It cannot. In future they can look into 24v and 36v systems. Biggest thing is most of those motors have digital esc. AutoBoat cannot connect to motors with digital esc….the motors internal digital esc would need to be bypassed. For example AutoBoat easily attaches to Minn Kota Endura 5 speed tiller motors but the “Endura Max” motors which have digital ESC would need the ESC bypassed so AutoBoat could work. The other factor is currently AutoBoat Pro System works for up to 12v 55lb thrust. The motorized AutoBoat geared collar also only fits certain shaft diameters and it secures via the factory motor steering lock. Full compatibility is found on link in video description. You can use discount code: KayakDIY

Motorized collar fits shaft no problem if you bought a listed compatible motor. If you bought an unlisted motor like Watersnake ASP T24 then you would need to DIY a lot more to make it work. I'm looking into building something for Hobie. Still brainstorming a few ideas. I built some prototypes.

​@@KayakDIYI successfully mounted autoboat to a t24 by disassembling the watersnake bracket, flipping it upside down, and 3d printing a mount that uses the two existing bolt holes already on the kayak.

One AutoBoat system per motor. Each AutoBoat unit supports up to 55lb thrust. Can’t recall any situation where I would put two GPS motors on one vessel. Eventually AutoBoat can evaluate releases of 24v and 36v systems for ultra large boats. I’ve been running 45lb thrust Riptide with AutoBoat most days in the gulf and it did pretty great job in strong tide channels. I ran it on a 14ft boat.

Yes. The AutoBoat depth collar adjusts height (draft). You can still tilt motor up and down as well. FULL GUIDE: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nKicmsKa0a2UpZc.htmlsi=W-GViMKFgDlMeGof

My LiTime 100ah Mini battery lasts me typically two days of fishing or more. It is worth every penny. The battery only weighs 19lbs and is super compact. It holds a charge when not in use unlike leaf acids I have owned. I’m out all day when I go fishing (8hrs+). The motor isn’t always running full power. Sometimes I’m running anchor mode. Sometimes I’m using route follow mode at low speed to fish mangrove coastal line. I would say I can get 2-3 days of use before recharging. www.litime.com/products/litime-12v-100ah-mini-lifepo4-lithium-battery-upgraded-100a-bms-max-1280wh-energy?ref=k8l6rYjiXC_Dlb

NO - if you enable stern mount mode you really only can use anchor mode and your normal steering and speed controls. You will NOT have features like route follow or Navpoint heading. If you mount motor on stern and enable stern mount mode you are getting benefit of the system flipping the left and right controls so they aren’t inverted. This makes steering more intuitive. This is a feature unique to AutoBoat that we wanted incorporated. I repeat you do not have other features working in stern mount…only steering and anchor mode. In anchor mode via the stern it will be holding your position but you will be facing backwards in the current. Hope this makes sense. That is how all GPS motors would operate unless they have a 2nd heading sensor mounted in the bow (expensive). **Only way that it would be possible to keep all features and mount on stern would be if we had an additional heading gps sensor mounted on the bow.

Working on solutions for mounting AutoBoat GPS enhanced motors in multiple kayaks. Also hired full time video editor to help me with channel.

I mounted a watersnake on my native slayer 10 propel. I 3D printed a mount for it. I gotta say though, the Autoboat main unit is badly designed as far as cable management. I'm struggling trying to find a way to do a clean install since A) you have wires coming from two directions B) power wires are too stiff C) the yellow and blue connector make it difficult to do an in-hull install.

“Any” brand gps motor will turn you all around crazy “IF” there isn’t much current or wind. “IF” there is a lot of environmental factors moving you off course of your anchor point the gps motor actually does better at holding you tight to position and there is less vessel swaying. The GPS motor will point into the environmental forces and there will be less vessel swaying. Low wind low current equals more vessel swaying. AutoBoat reacts to the environment. What I can say confidently is AutoBoat’s GPS system is about as accurate as you can get in the marine world. It seems to hold tighter than other brands tested. AutoBoat has new features not mentioned in this video: waypoint stringing for route follow modes, Navpoint heading jog modes, custom gain settings, stern mount mode feature, and more.

@@KayakDIY in your opinion, does a bow mounted spot lock trolling motor, work better at holding you in a decent position, or is it relatively the same as a stern mounted? I like the stern mounted position because it seems like you have more room, but don’t want the spot lock feature to be useless ya know.

Yes remote is waterproof IP67

I Keep AutoBoat installed on the trolling motor. I only disconnect battery occasionally for charging or swapping batteries since I have two batteries.

Short answer is no. Multiple reason. Likely different shaft diameters, voltage is too high, thrust is too high, and likely has different mounting requirements than what the trolling motor has. Most large motors like that have digital maximizers (esc) which need to be bypassed to work with AutoBoat. For example the 12v Endura Max needs esc bypassed to work with AutoBoat but the basic 5 speed tiller Minn Kota Endura motor fits easily with no modifications.

No. I didn’t notice anchor mode holding better in stern vs mid hull mount. I like mid hull pedal drive mount because Navpoint heading mode works. In stern mount Navpoint heading mode won’t work for any brand of gps trolling motor including AutoBoat. The biggest factor for perceived performance of anchor mode is current or wind. The more current or wind the less the kayak/boat swings around. The AutoBoat GPS motor points into wind/current when it is higher and you get virtually no swinging around movement. Basically anchor mode in super calm waters with low wind will result in more boat swing and no clear pointing of motor since their is no clear environmental factor pushing it off course in a particular direction. This results in user perception of motor struggling to hold position, but really it isn’t. All GPS motors act the same in this manner. However, for people unfamiliar with GPS motors I thought I would mention. I’ve ran anchor mode for hours in a noticeable outgoing tide canal with almost no movement off course. Love this system.

The Watersnake Geo Is like $1700+ everywhere on google. AutoBoat is $649. That isn’t a little extra…that is a lot extra. Plus I prefer AutoBoat features and it’s size/weight.

@@KayakDIY autoboat in Australia would be $1000aud add a average motor for $300aud. Geospot 65lb $1699aud. $399aud diference in price for an off the shelf unit. Thats a$257usd price difference.

I will never look at an xi3, ipilot, or anything the same again. Just heavy bulky & archaic in appearance to me. Feels like I’m looking at a Nokia when I could have a iPhone. That is the feeling I get now. I can mount AutoBoat on literally any boat/kayak/etc. I can even put AutoBoat in pedal drive of kayaks. Bow mounts like Xi3 limit me on mounting and are heavy and awkward to dismount and store when not in use. I heavily prefer this transom style mount. Not to mention if i burn out my motor or damage it I can slap the adapter on another motor and be good to go. However, I have had cheap 5 speed Minn Kota Enduras last 10+yrs no problem. Tons of used ones too for $40. Just don’t see the fascination with Xi3. Also have no idea where you find new Xi3 motors for $900. You should buy them all and resell because going rate is $1300+.

If the boat has a trolling motor transom mount it should work!

I believe TinyBoatNation channel did a uphaul downhaul pull cord system. As discussed stern mounting nearly all brands of GPS motors will result in not have capability to use Navpoint heading modes or map route follow modes. Essentially it would try to pull kayak backwards if you engage those modes. However, other functions like anchor mode and steering can still work well. I know a few guys are adding them on the back of their jetski for fishing. I’ve found a few compact transom mounts (on Amazon) I’m playing with installing on the bows of some of my kayaks. Then I can quickly drop AutoBoat onto whatever kayak I want to use for the day. Being that it is lighter and easier to mount I’m pretty stoked.

@@KayakDIYI just purchased the Autoboat and the NV Kayak Series 55LBS TM! I’d be very interested in the bow mounting adaptation.

It is saltwater rated. AutoBoat box gives you more speeds and acts like a PWM to increase battery performance. AutoBoat is currently rated for up to 55lb thrust which operate at just slightly below 60amps.

im sure soon someone will figure it out.

The vessel will sway a lot more in GPS anchor if there is not much wind or current. In heavy current AutoBoat points into the current and the vessel doesn’t move much at all. Hope that makes sense. That is with most GPS motors.

@@KayakDIYyea but does having it on the back make the front move more? I’m debating on pod mount vs rear mount

We know it can on some motors. However, at this moment for ease of customer install we recommend installing per owner manual. 😉 NOTE: If you install GPS in motor head or in wrong location it can possibly cause GPS electro-magnetic interference. For best “consistent”results we recommend installing per owners manual. This has resulted in best consistent performance. The latest GPS puck has been refined to be even better than we have in my video. It has better “no tool” mount and is more robust. AutoBoat has spent years looking for flaws and redesigning before introducing in the U.S. They have thousands of AutoBoats in service for the past 3yrs in their home country of Brazil. This has allowed us to have a lot of confidence in the product and to work out kinks. The app is always going to be free and will allow for new features and further performance improvements overtime.

Have a few people working on that project with me. We know it is easily possible. We just want to make it easy for everyone to do. For other brand kayaks YakGadget makes pod mounts for motors which make it easy to add AutoBoat trolling motor.

will this device work with Watersnake 24lb, which lot of people use in Hobie PA paddle drive well? @@KayakDIY

Anything watercraft designed for a clamp on transom style trolling motor should be seamless and easy. It is simply a trolling motor with AutoBoat adapter kit attached. I just put one on my inflatable pedal kayak. It performed great and held me anchored even in 19-31mph winds. I had used a Minn Kota riptide 45 with AutoBoat. Although if you aren’t in saltwater much a basic C2 Endura 30 would be cheap and likely plenty of power.

Watersnake t24 has 1” diameter shaft. The AutoBoat system is for 1-1/8” to I believe around 1-1/4”. That is really the only limiting factor. If there was enough demand we could bring the 1” shaft version to USA. The larger shaft version currently in the USA fits the most motors so that is why it was brought to USA. They are currently made in Brazil, but we are ramping up manufacturing in Georgia soon. I’m joining the AutoBoat USA team as a co-owner. I believe in the creator, Eduardo Mata, and his engineering team. We are gonna build great things for American Anglers over the next few years. ❤️ I will still film competition and other motor brands when opportunities arise. I will try to maintain as limited bias as possible and during those periods express my bias or disconnect myself from AutoBoat to give as fair review as possible. I usually try to let the product to the talking and show the viewer the performance. So in many regards my opinions are not even voiced.

Thank you for the info. Watersnake t24 has small drive profile and can easily fit through the Hobie's drive hole (some other kayak brands also use the same drive). Other brands of trolling motors are too large. I think the idea of having spot lock in the center of kayak versus bow mounted one is much better for the rough water conditions. It will be Hobie 360 drive and Old Town Auto Pilot in the same package. If this drive will be used only for the spot lock, with 20 Ah lithium battery placed inside head of the motor, it will be possible to build 'wireless' device. But if difference only in the shaft diameter - some simple adapter will work too.@@KayakDIY

*1.)* In stern mount it might appear to have bow swing, but that is more noticeable in less current and less wind. I filmed in minimal current and wind. I then speed up the clip to show the boat staying in position, but that gave the undesirable appearance of bow swing. In current or wind the motor will point to the current or wind and stay more stationary than what the video showed. You can see this in some of the other videos. The GPS is actually pretty dang impressive. If you stern mount AutoBoat then you lose route follow and Navpoint heading modes. *2.)* Your trolling motor tiller handle will be turned to speed 5. This opens up the internal motor speed control to accept full power. Then AutoBoat is attached and delivers only the speed necessary or what you desire via remote/app. AutoBoat is a digital speed controller that increases your motor's efficiency so it consumes less battery than it normally would. To answer your question simply: Yes, AutoBoat fully controls speed and steering of your motor via app or included remote.

@@KayakDIY Thank you!

If it is the same as this motor here then yes it will work with AutoBoat seamlessly. www.bluewateroutriggers.com/products/minn-kota-trolling-motor-1352238 If you buy AutoBoat use discount code *KayakDIY* to save some money.

@@KayakDIY Yes, it looks the same. Thank you!

😎👊 I will be posting more videos on this motor system and my skiff soon. Just had family member in hospital so had to take small break from filming.

Used “Ketch PA12 mount” and attached “Newport Motor Mount” to it by drilling and tapping holes in the aluminum Ketch Mount. Message me on Instagram @kayakdiy and I will send you pics/vids of the mount setup.

Thanks for the quick response. I will send a message soon. Ive been binging your videos and @TinyBoatNation for hours and just planning in my head how I would mount mine with a one objective mount and newport transom mount.@@KayakDIY

Maybe they will agree to quote you for shipment outside U.S. Use link in video description or comments and contact TBNation.

The only consideration for mounting to Watersnake motors that I see is securing the AutoBoat motorized collar to the motor. With Minn Kota motor we do this by utilizing the motor’s factory steering lock. If your motor doesn’t have that you would need to make a bracket. That way the AutoBoat motorized collar stays in fixed position and spins the motor.

Digital trolling motors with variable digital speed controllers are not easily compatible. The AutoBoat system was designed to work with basic $40-199 5 speed motors. It works with several brands.

The new features are app based. For instance right now they are preparing to release new feature I'm calling "WAYPOINT STRINGING ROUTE CREATION" ...this will allow you to rapidly create a route via dropped waypoints on the App's map and follow it.

Definitely better if mounted in bow, pedal drive, or stern (stern mounting/behind seat will have limited GPS features). All GPS motors do better with pulling kayak instead of pushing. When any brand GPS motor is behind you it is pushing the kayak and it doesn’t know where the bow is or how long the kayak is so heading mode doesn’t work.

@@KayakDIY can you tell me the meaning of pushing and pulling? Is it meaning the trolling motor using backwards mode to move forward?

30-55lb thrust motors. Beyond 55lb thrust and it doesn’t work well. They will eventually make one for larger motors. I’ve never had connection issues. In fact I feel this AutoBoat GPS is stronger than Xi3’s GPS.

@@KayakDIY doesn't work well? I'm pretty needy for a gps auto pilot for my setup I wish there could be a solution. It just manually turns the shaft of the motor, so the brand doesn't matter does it? Sucks because I can't find any other products that do what this can

Where you finding a new xi3 WITH GPS for $1000? Everywhere I see is $1300+ on average. The Xi3 is sold at $1000 without GPS. AutoBoat is $649 and many people already have compatible motors lying around. If xi3 motor craps out you are out $1300. If AutoBoat motor craps out you are out $40-$119 and can be back on water in 3 mins by swapping adapter to new motor.

@@KayakDIY aswing have for 1000€ with gps