Interesting electric propulsion.

[GeoffT]

On 3/23/2022 at 1:01 PM, afishinado said:

I got a TTP last year for my Hobie Compass.  It is mounted in the transducer cavity (I don't use a fishfinder).  I simply unscrewed the transducer plate and ran the wire through the scupper hole and screwed in the motor mount.  Nothing to cut or drill.  

 

It works as advertised.  At full power it propels the kayak at 3.5 to 4mph.  Easy pedaling with my mirage drive with the motor, I can reach 5mph to get to my fishing area. I often fish rivers and it easily takes me up stream in a decent current.  I reduce the speed and often use to slowly work my way upstream and fish hands-free.  I can also turn down the power to hold my position to fish out a spot.  I find I hardly ever anchor to fish with the TPP.  The battery pack lasts all day with power to spare for every trip so far.  Just plug in the battery pack to a wall outlet and it recharges quickly and easily.  It's a winner in my book.  Good luck with it if you get one.

Excellent!  Thanks for your report.  I use a FF so I'd be getting the integrated rudder motor instead.  Looks like an easy swap with the regular rudder.  

 

Having said that, I'm still having trouble pulling the trigger because it's almost 2 grand for a moderately powered motor.   I'm now looking at the Newport Vessels NK-180S which is significantly cheaper (even with having to buy your own battery) and far more powerful.   In addition, there's a Torqeedo Evolve V2 for sale on ebay I could get for even less - but I doubt I'll go for it because I would prefer to keep my pedal drive in place and use readily when needed. 

Edited March 24, 2022 by GeoffT

[GeoffT]

@afishinado do you fish in currents?  I’m wondering how well the TPP does in currents.  Thanks 

[gobigblue]

1 hour ago, GeoffT said:

Excellent!  Thanks for your report.  I use a FF so I'd be getting the integrated motor rudder instead.  Looks like an easy swab with the regular rudder.  

 

Having said that, I'm still having a trouble pulling the trigger because it's almost 2 grand for a moderately powered motor.   I'm now looking at the Newport Vessels NK-180S which is significantly cheaper (even with having to buy your own battery) and far more powerful.   In addition, there's a Torqeedo Evolve V2 for sale on ebay I could get for even less - but I doubt I'll go for it because I would prefer to keep my pedal drive in place and use readily when needed. 

yea imo its way overpriced for only 3.5mph.  my diy hack job t24 gets me 3.5 as a standalone, when i combine it with the mirage drive, regular speed no wind or tide i can comfortably get to 5.  it really excels when i fish freshwater because i can fish nearly every lake fully in nj(exception hopatcong obviously) and when coming back against tide (think PA) if i need to leave or didnt time it right i can get back, slowly, without even having to pedal. 

 

@Striper46 has the NK180 i believe and he goes way faster than me without even using the mirage drive.

Edited March 24, 2022 by gobigblue

[Striper46]

16 mins ago, gobigblue said:

yea imo its way overpriced for only 3.5mph.  my diy hack job t24 gets me 3.5 as a standalone, when i combine it with the mirage drive, regular speed no wind or tide i can comfortably get to 5.  it really excels when i fish freshwater because i can fish nearly every lake fully in nj(exception hopatcong obviously) and when coming back against tide (think PA) if i need to leave or didnt time it right i can get back, slowly, without even having to pedal. 

 

@Striper46 has the NK180 i believe and he goes way faster than me without even using the mirage drive.

Yea man I do 4mph into the wind and tide at 75% and 5.5ish (maybe more depending )with the tide at 75%.

it really excels in heavy current. Never looking back lol

[GeoffT]

16 mins ago, Striper46 said:

Yea man I do 4mph into the wind and tide at 75% and 5.5ish (maybe more depending )with the tide at 75%.

it really excels in heavy current. Never looking back lol

Cool!  I do need to consider tide and wind because some of the areas I fish have strong currents.

[GeoffT]

19 mins ago, Striper46 said:

Yea man I do 4mph into the wind and tide at 75% and 5.5ish (maybe more depending )with the tide at 75%.

it really excels in heavy current. Never looking back lol

Which battery do you have?

[Striper46]

25 mins ago, GeoffT said:

Which battery do you have?

I built my own but amped outdoors has one “responsibility” priced. 24v 50ah for $700

[Schooner Fred]

The March/April issue of WoodenBoat has two articles about electric power.The first one is about using Torqueedo motors in several small boats.  The second is about using a 20 hp Torqueedo 20 hp in a 5 ton boat-  The shallop that goes with Mayflower II.   The shallop uses a rudder mount.     I noticed it in Gloucester when it was on the way to Plymouth.   It was done at Lowell's boat shop.

[GeoffT]

Finally pulled the trigger on the TPP.   It's not cheap but it appeals to my minimalist nature. Plus 5 minutes to install and it's ready to go!  I like the fact the motor is integrated into the rudder where it's protected with no need for a transom mount and all that entails in storage and transport (also may obstruct putting on the loader underneath the mount), and a small throttle that sits on the rudder control.  I read there can be issues on steering if the torqeedo or NK-180S motor is in a fixed position whereas the TPP will turn the yak on a dime because the motor is in the rudder.  Also, read reports that a motor like the NK-180S can be too powerful for a low-lying kayak like the Outback in choppier waters.  

 

 

Edited March 26, 2022 by GeoffT

[GeoffT]

So far I’m pretty pleased with TPP.  Did the job without any pedaling over 5 miles the other night when it was dead calm.  Still had 70% battery power left after 5 hours.  And it did well against a hard west wind and tide where I had to do a little pedaling to help it along in 5 hours of miserable conditions.  Still had 40% battery left in spite of the TPP having to work very hard.  
 

Average top speed so far was between 3.5-4 mph without pedaling.  

Edited April 15, 2022 by GeoffT

[Got Stripers]

This looks interesting, even if it is a bit pricey, but on snotty days it's tough moving my PA14 against wind and current.  I'm curious if this requires you to register the kayak as a motorized boat in Mass?  Anyone have feedback on that requirement?  

[GeoffT]

8 mins ago, Got Stripers said:

This looks interesting, even if it is a bit pricey, but on snotty days it's tough moving my PA14 against wind and current.  I'm curious if this requires you to register the kayak as a motorized boat in Mass?  Anyone have feedback on that requirement?  

I wouldn't be surprised if MA requires registration.  NJ does and I did have mine registered.  I just put on the boat # on my kayak.

[KnewBee]

On 4/15/2022 at 9:04 AM, GeoffT said:

So far I’m pretty pleased with TPP.  Did the job without any pedaling over 5 miles the other night when it was dead calm.  Still had 70% battery power left after 5 hours.  And it did well against a hard west wind and tide where I had to do a little pedaling to help it along in 5 hours of miserable conditions.  Still had 40% battery left in spite of the TPP having to work very hard.  
 

Average top speed so far was between 3.5-4 mph without pedaling.  

What is a "TPP"?

[GeoffT]

1 hour ago, KnewBee said:

What is a "TPP"?

Texas Power Paddle

 

 

Edited April 20, 2022 by GeoffT

[buddha162]

On 4/15/2022 at 9:04 AM, GeoffT said:

So far I’m pretty pleased with TPP.  Did the job without any pedaling over 5 miles the other night when it was dead calm.  Still had 70% battery power left after 5 hours.  And it did well against a hard west wind and tide where I had to do a little pedaling to help it along in 5 hours of miserable conditions.  Still had 40% battery left in spite of the TPP having to work very hard.  
 

Average top speed so far was between 3.5-4 mph without pedaling.  

 

Geoff, how are you liking your TPP so far? How's that battery holding up - are you still getting 5 mile range in calm conditions with 60-70% left? Any issues with weed/vegetation stuck in the props? 

 

Thanks!