New OK yak with trolling motor
 

check this out dudes, best solution for a trolling motor on a yak I've seen:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7PNU2fhJFJ8

Very sweet looking setup. Wonder what the price tag will be on something like that.

Very cool, but where the heck are the rod holders? I would think that a fisherman might want somewhere to put the rods while trolling.

JohnnyD
 

2000 clams

Be better of buying a hobie.

Only 2? I would think it would be more.

Same price as a hobie.

True, but twice the headache and much heavier when adding in a battery.

most saltwater trolling motors run around 6 hundred bucks
this model completely eliminates the shaft altogether
which i think is a fantastic idea

but i agree :point: no rod holders seen

Nice design.

Three questions come to mind:

1. What "range" will a fully charged 30 lb Pb battery yield?
2. If the battery runs out of juice, how would paddling the yak with all that weight feel?
3. Where can I test drive one? :)

Again, nice design.

battery life
 

i think he said around 5 hours
of constant use....

i get about that much in my john boat or a little more

I like the steering system controlled with your feet-that rocks
the shut off feature, the rudder and speed adjustment are real cool options ...

while i like the Hobie concept i don't like pedaling
when i can adjust the dial... or crank the handle
of a trolling motor

in the best world :
you'd have this set up "in a hobie"
for when the battery goes dead then you can paddle or
pedal ..... your way back and not be stuck

in my case i got blown to the opposite shore in fierce winds.........
the battery was real low and couldn't deal with
25 mph gusts...so then i had to get out and tow the boat
back on foot.... which is why i want both systems!

Good feedback. Great point. hobie-style paddles + battery/motor would be a really cool combo.

Can you buy a hobie power insert seperately?

i think so

if my memory serves me correctly

I heard hobie is working on a model that will incorporate both technologies.

yeah I hear that too about hobie developing a similar one.

good point about paddling this thing with the extra weight, It would be a challenge and not ideal, but doable if you are stranded.

on the rod holders, even on the angler editions, OK only has the flush mounts behind the seat that really aren't that useful. Rod holder placement is such an individual preference thing, they are better off just leaving it to the angler to install on their own.

I just think that if you are going to market a kayak to fishermen, you should put in rod holders. Even if it's just 2 behind the seat, at least you have a place to keep rods while you're paddling or motoring along. Having to istall a Scotty holder in front isn't such a big deal, but having to flush mount a couple gets to be a bit much when you're already paying that much for a yak.

I disagree what does the battery weigh? 30 lbs? I use my kayak for fishing and i weight it down many a time also briught back fish that weighed more than that.

looks basically like the motors on the mini subs and AUV's we make parts for. I've made tons of housings for motors just like that. Great application. Looks like it moves right along too. Lazy mans kayaking, my kind of fishing.

yeah that's true I guess, I mean even with the battery maybe 50lbs tops. plus the motor is so streamlined there isnt' a ton a drag to hamper paddling.

don't get me wrong, I'm all over this thing when I can afford it!

Looks cool to me but would need to be registered and probably require some extra safety gear to be stowed on board.If I could have a yak @ my current residence I'd go for it.Could easily troll in some current with it then run the motor back up against and set up again.

in the best world :
you'd have this set up "in a hobie"
for when the battery goes dead then you can paddle or
pedal ..... your way back and not be stuck

in my case i got blown to the opposite shore in fierce winds.........
the battery was real low and couldn't deal with
25 mph gusts...so then i had to get out and tow the boat
back on foot.... which is why i want both systems![/QUOTE]

Raven

If you're willing and able to make the investment why not get the Hobie Adventure Island for about twice the price as the Outback.

The A.I. is fast, and with outriggers (aka's and ama's) has about a 9 ft beam so it's solid as a rock or you can fish it Hawaiian style with just one outrigger like I do and still have great stability.

With the 52 sq ft roller furling sail (15 ft mast), when it gets real windy, instead of getting blown to the opposite shore you can put up the sail and have a ball.

Lately, when I hear a "small craft advisory" broadcast, which I believe means 15-20 kt winds I can't help grinning, pump my fist in the air and go sailing or high speed trolling for bluefish. No kidding.

It's also a great conversation starter as people are always walking up and commenting about what a nice looking rig it is or commenting about the great job I did retrofitting my kayak with sail, outriggers etc. I guess most people here in Rhode Island haven't even seen a picture of one and I've never seen another one on the water.

Youtube has some great videos taken from the seat of a Hobie A.I. under sail if you want to check it out.

Brad

p.s. The quality of the boat and components is outstanding.