Building a fishing kayak, with a Minnkota Ulterra

Pic 3

Pic 4

Today I started the wiring for the 24 and 12 volt system. 6 guage marine wire for the 24 volt trolling motor system with a 60 amp circuit breaker on the positive cable, as can be seen in this picture.

On the bow I am waiting for a 24 volt through the hull plug…. Should be here tomorrow. That will be to plug in the trolling motor.

At the rear of the kayak are the two lifepo4 100 AH batteries hooked up in series…. Also awaiting a through the hull plug to hook them up. After that some wire shielding and the 24 volt system is complete.

Also today I got started on the 12 volt system by cutting a hole in the centre hatch and installing the control panel which will control all the electronics, interior lighting, navigation lighting, bilge pump… it also contains a voltage meter, A12 volt barrel type connection and two USB ports for charging the phone or VHS radio. It will run from a 30 AH lithium battery.

Nice rig..
You going to have a rooster tail off the back with 80lb thrust motor. Lol.
Enjoy Longish.

Thx Fishmagnet but no...a prop only displaces so much water but the torque will be great and the battery charge will last longer as less power needed. I expect a top end of about 10 to 12 MPH.

{{{{{{{{{{{True top speed ended up being 6 mph.}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Arnie

While I don't have a kayak, I can see the advantages of having one.
Yours look like a very serious fishing machine... imagine,
all that for a $1000 bucks...lol.

Multiply that by 18 and your close....Salmon fishing is very expensive and when you do it from a Hobie it is dastardly expensive. I am however having a ball putting this yak together, for me the thrill is actually the challenge of fishing salmon out of a fully loaded Kayak. Once I complete it I will dress it up and do a full video walkthrough.

Arnie.

Today I fabricated an aluminum holding bracket for the lifepo4 batteries that will power the trolling motor. Next is a battery tie down.

I made this bracket to hold the base of the batteries in place and I will then strap a tie down over the top covers of the batteries.....in case I tip over, I won't lose my batteries. Everything has to be tied down or tethered on a kayak just in case.

It will do double duty as it will also be used in the 14 ft tinny I use. The trolling motor will also do double duty on the tinny.

I just ordered some rubber isolater pads for the bottom corners of the bracket, to protect from damage to the kayak.

With batteries in place.

longfish, that is an impressive looking yak. I get about 5mph pulling my boat with my 80lb, that is a 20ft jon boat with lots of weight and can go all day. You will should be able to go a lot longer on a charge. Just curious as how you get the yak to the water, can I assume you use a trailer. If so you might consider another RAM mount with a claw end. I didn't like how mine bounced around when trailering so I added one to hold it solid while transporting.

Oh boy, you are gonna fly on the lake....

Thanks Sabmgb...I am thinking it will probably do 10 to 12 mph. I don't use a trailer....I have a F150 with a bed extender so it gets a pretty soft ride. Yes I do it that way to avoid a trailer and the rougher ride. I also expect to get a full day out of it....I normally fish for about 6 to 8 hours. I also do not put the toys on it till I get there...it all clips on pretty quick.


Note: Top end ended up being 6mph and have ran the batteries for a 12 hour period and still did not quit.

Arnie