Updated June 9, 2021
When you think of kayaking the rhythmic two-bladed paddling style quickly comes to mind. But that is not the only option. There are alternatives to paddling including pedal drives and attachable trolling motors. There are also a few kayaks that have more or less built-in motors.
A motorized kayak frees up the hands and saves energy which can be of great benefit for fishing. Some motorized kayaks are designed more for recreation and speed along the lines of a speedboat or jetski.
Below several motorized kayaks have been selected for an introduction. Two of them are designed for fishing with center-mounted motors, two are jet-propelled, and one is a tandem model for recreational cruising or fishing. They are compared in a table, followed by descriptions with key features, photos, and videos, where available, ending with a basic buying guide.
If you have any questions or concerns, please use the comments section at the bottom. I’d love to know your thoughts.
For more reviews of kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
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Best Motorized Kayak in 2021
- Old Town Predator MK Fishing Kayak with Motor and Rudder
- MACraft 4 Stroke Gasoline Powered Jet Kayak
- MACraft 4 Stroke Gasoline Powered Kayak
- ClearYup Electric Kayak
- Wilderness Systems ATAK 120 Fishing Kayak
Best Motorized Kayak Comparison Table
| Picture | Kayak | Weight | Length | Capacity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
  | Old Town Predator MK Fishing Kayak with Motor and Rudder | 117.5 lbs | 13'2" | 600 lbs | $$$ |
  | MACraft 4 Stroke Gasoline Powered Jet Kayak | 165 lbs | 8'10" | 220 lbs | $$$$$ |
  | MACraft 4 Stroke Gasoline Powered Kayak | 132 lbs | 8'2.4" | 220 lbs | $$$$$ |
 | ClearYup Electric Kayak | 62 lbs | 10'3" | 440 lbs | $$$ |
  | Wilderness Systems ATAK 120 Fishing Kayak | 86 lbs (kayak) 24.2 lbs (motor) | 12'3' | 400 lbs | $$$ |
| Picture | Kayak | Type | Length | # of Persons | Price |
Old Town Predator MK Fishing Kayak with Motor and Rudder
The Old Town Predator MK Fishing Kayak is completely decked out for fishing and even includes a Minn Kota center-mounted trolling motor that makes distance paddling a breeze. It has a foot-controlled rudder, comfortable adjustable seating, a non-slip deck, and heaps of fishing-oriented storage options from bow to stern.
The 600-pound capacity allows for plenty of gear and accessories, and a large cooler for the rear tank well. You’ll have to provide your own paddle but it comes with a limited lifetime warranty and the excellent reputation of Old Town.
- Best For: fishing
- 1 rider
- Length: 13 feet 2 inches
- Width: 36 inches
- Weight: 117.5 pounds including the motor
- Weight Capacity: 600 pounds
- Material: polyethylene
- Motor: removable Minn Kota electric motor with 45 pounds of thrust, and a foot-controlled rudder
- Slip-resistant deck
- High-low adjustable seating
- Deck and tank wells
- Molded paddle rest, side-mount paddle storage
- Rail mounting options
- Large bow hatch, under-seat hatch
- Limited lifetime warranty
- Note – formerly called the Predator XL Fishing Kayak
MACraft 4 Stroke Gasoline Powered Jet Kayak
With a maximum speed of nearly 25 mph and a fighter pilot-style control system, this is kayaking at its speediest and most exciting. The 10L fuel tank and 3L per hour consumption will keep the fun going a long time and the 220-pound capacity can handle a pretty large person.
This type of power and performance is for serious riders and comes at a hefty price tag.
- Best For: serious recreational speedboating
- 1 rider
- Length: 8 feet 10 inches
- Width: 27.56 inches
- Weight: 165 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
- Material: fiberglass
- Motor: 20HP 152cc gasoline engine
- Jet pump propulsion system
- Fighter pilot type controls
- Maximum speed: 24.9 mph (40 kph)
- Fuel tank capacity: 10L
- Consumption: 3L/hour
- Watertight hull and deck
- Available in blue, red, black, white, and yellow
- Seriously expensive
MACraft 4 Stroke Gasoline Powered Kayak
This one is set up with a power plant and jet propulsion system the same size as on the MACraft kayak reviewed just above but is a little bit shorter and narrower with a more streamlined hull configuration and sit-in style. It has the same 220-pound capacity and 3L/hour fuel consumption for a full day’s excitement.
- Best For: serious recreational speedboating
- 1 rider
- Length: 8 feet 2.4 inches
- Width: 23.62 inches
- Weight: 132 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 220 pounds
- Material: fiberglass
- Motor: 20HP 152cc gasoline engine
- Jet pump propulsion system
- Fighter pilot type controls
- Maximum speed: 24.9 mph (40 kph)
- Fuel tank capacity: 10L
- Consumption: 3L/hour
- Watertight hull and deck
- Really expensive
The ClearYup Electric Kayak is a lightweight easy to carry tandem model at 62 pounds, with a remote control speedy trolling motor. The transparent polycarbonate hull is durable and UV-resistant and allows the unique opportunity to get a great view of all below.
Suitable for recreational and fishing applications, two kayak paddles are included and it comes with a generous 3-year warranty.
- Best For: recreational cruising or fishing
- 2 riders
- Length: 10 feet 3 inches
- Width: 35 inches
- Weight: 62 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 440 pounds
- Material: Bayer 8mm transparent polycarbonate sheets, UV-protected
- Motor: 12V battery-powered, 50 Amp maximum draw, short shaft electric trolling motor with remote control
- Battery life: 2-4 hours
- 4 airbags
- Corrosion-resistant marine alloy hardware
- 2 paddles included
- 3-year warranty
Wilderness Systems ATAK 120 Fishing Kayak
Wilderness Systems Helix MD Motor Drive
The Wilderness Systems ATAK 120 is a stable, speedy platform that uses the Helix MD motor drive for convenient hands-free fishing. The Helix drive is quiet and uses remote control that displays your GPS-calculated speed, remaining range, and battery runtime. For times when you don’t want to use the motor, it is replaceable with a center pod with storage and transducer options.
The comfortable sliding seat is also adjustable for height and is paired with sliding footrests to suit your size. There are numerous hatches and storage areas geared for fishermen and it is available in several color combinations with natural themes.
- Best For: fishing
- 1 paddler
- Length: 12 feet 3 inches
- Width: 35 inches
- Weight: 86 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 400 pounds
- Material: roto-molded polyethylene
- Motor: removable Helix MD motor drive with a remote throttle, a maximum speed of 6 mph, and a range of 20 miles (also fits several other Wilderness Systems kayaks)
- Removable, adjustable 3-position mesh seat
- Adjustable padded footrests
- Front paddle hold
- Large center front hatch
- Large rear tank well and bungee webbing
- Circular stern hatch
- Slide Trax in the front, middle, and rear for accessories
- Rear side storage pockets with bungees
- Front and rear carry handles
- Available in atomic, mesa camo, midnight, and sonar color designs
View More From Wilderness Systems
Motorized Kayak Buying Guide
When you have a kayak you would like to motorize you have to be extra careful that the two components work well together. One of the most convenient aspects of purchasing a kayak and motor already matched up by the manufacturer is that a lot of thinking and guesswork has been taken out of it.
Some concerns that you can largely forget about are:
- Size and Weight – Is there enough power in the motor to propel your kayak?
- Battery or Fuel Tank Space – A pre-coordinated system has already considered this. Weight and mounting locations have also been coordinated.
- Shaft Length – You want the propeller at the most effective depth for efficiency.
- Mount Type – Normally for small vessels like kayaks, motors are mounted on a transom or the bow. These models have already mounted the motor or have mounting locations and accessories built-in.
- Speed Controls – These models all have the means to control the speed very conveniently with remote control or other hand controllers that do not require turning around or reaching behind you as is the case for many transom-mounted motors.
Maintenance – Make sure to properly clean and lubricate your kayak and motor by following carefully the instructions from the manufacturer. Saltwater is especially corrosive.
For more reviews of kayaks, boats, and accessories, please check out these popular posts:
Pedal Kayaks Ocean Fishing Kayaks Fishing Kayak Paddles Waterproof Bags Canoe Paddles Canoes Kayak Shoes Kayak Helmets Kayak Wetsuits Kayak Roof Racks Kayak Carts Kayak Drysuit Review Kayak Paddles Kayak Life Vests Women Kayak Life Vests Marine VHF Radios Small Outboard Motors Kayak Trolling Motors Kayak Fish Finders Marine GPS Marine Binoculars Women’s Kayaks Touring Kayaks Tandem Kayaks Whitewater Kayaks for Beginners Lake Kayaks Ocean Kayaks Fishing Kayaks Beginner Kayaks Recreational Kayaks Inflatable Boats
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