Corpusfishing.com

[ThomasCarpenter]

Guys and Gals, I seek you wisdom and advice. While just a year shy of 40. One 360 degree fusion( L4-L5-S1) lower lumbar surgery and a full rotary cuff rebuild (left). Three kids and a Wonderful wife. I have decided until I can put the necessary money on a large boat payment for a while. This will be my avenue to chasing in the flats and running in the Guadalupe here in the Hill country for quite sometime. There is not a whole lot of reviews about this boat. While I will be able to paddle a good bit. I know I can not go all day. Since I am 6'3 and 315lb. I need a kayak that can float me and gear. This is one of the few. Beyond this I am a kayak virgin. Anybody want to fill me in as to maybe the best battery I can get for this application? Do I really need a fish finder? Would anyone like to kook up after I get mine and maybe show me around a little down there. I have the most familiarity between Copano and Aransas areas. Would prefer the build my knowledge there. I would like to find a SAFE camping spot other than the island where I can crash and not get robbed blind. Suggestions welcome there. I will be glad to do a little Venison (axis)trade, or even bring some there for a dinner the evening after we get some fishing done. Would be glad to Chef the whole meal. I was raised in a restaurant and have over 20 cooking awards for BBQ. Multiple 1 2 3 and grand champion places. I know my way around a pit and a kitchen. I also work for Mueller metal buildings in sales. So if anybody does need roofing or a steel building I would be able to assist you there. Be glad to work your orders out of the Robstown store. I am based here in Comfort but live in Kerrville. Thank you in advance

[Jetty Bandit]

Did some searching because I wasn't exactly sure but yeah I think you're gonna want to use an AGM battery. Maybe 2 smaller ones because they will charge faster, they are lighter, and you can put them on opposite sides of the yak instead of having one huge arse battery awkwardly in the hull... I'd skip the fishfinder if you're staying inshore.

Anyway here's some more info that I copied and pasted:



"Batteries: Lead Acid is not practical for small boats where they get sloshed around. Gelled lead acid or "gel cell" are most practical for applications where rate of discharge/charge is low, like a fishfinder. That leaves absorbant glass mat ("AGM") or lithium batteries. AGM batteries are economical and durable for use with a trolling motor and that is what I use. I get a fishing day out of a group 27 AGM battery (about 6 hours of intermittent use), with a 40 LB trolling motor. I have no experience with lithium but the technology should yield the same charge at 1/2 the weight, and ideally should survive deeper discharge and many more recharge cycles than current batteries. For battery terminations I recommend screw-in terminals, NOT the older style where the cables clamp to the post, for reasons explained later. I got a cheap AGM from Cabelas and so far no complaints.

Chargers: Older chargers should just be tossed and replaced with modern electronic chargers that can provide stepped charge cycles, IMO. Electronic chargers will start at a higher rate of current delivery and step the current down as the battery approaches maximum charge. Then the charger either shuts off output or shifts to a "float" mode. IME AGM batteries should be charged immediately after use and then topped up every three months or so if not in use. IME "float" or "trickle" charging is not needed unless you want to forget about the battery for many months. ENSURE the charger you are using has a charge profile acceptable for the type battery you are using. Charging a battery in the wrong mode can damage it or in the worst cases cause rupture/leakage. I use a 15 amp (max) Black and Decker at home and it has modes for lead acid, AGM, and gel cell. At work we use the West Marine 30 amp (max) and that is a very good and versatile charger.

Fuse: A small trolling motor should be fused at 50 amps or less, read your owners manual. I use Blue Sea System terminal fuse system from West Marine. This is a bomb-proof and compact fuse system that connects directly to the battery terminal and should easily fit inside most battery boxes. You need screw-in terminal posts to use this system.

Cables: Spend some money on 6 AWG marine battery cable if you need to use cable. Cabelas sells it by the foot.

Box: If your need a box make sure your battery actually fits. Group 24 and 27 are the most common sizes. I like a very simple box with a strap to secure the lid and separate cowls for the + and - lead and nothing else. Don't forget hardware to anchor the box to the boat if you need it.

Disconnects: disconnects will sure speed things up when you are setting up or breaking down. Opening the box to connect the cable leads is a PITA. Also, the disconnects usually separate under mechanical load, allowing the battery and/or motor to fall away if you are in a jam. BUT you will need tools to terminate the disconnects to the large cables, and these can be spendy if you don't have them. I use the Wire Quick Connectors from Cabelas and these are really good disconnects, IMO. And don't forget the correct-sized lugs, screws, and washers to go to your battery, if needed.

Some things I have learned:
1) It makes no difference what size motor you get for a very small boat as far as top speed. Trolling motors are designed for thrust, not speed, and will top out at around 5 MPH. A 40 LB motor reaches max speed at less than 3/4 throttle on my boat. So my advice is get the smallest motor available with electronic control.
2) Batteries are FREAKING HEAVY. My group 27 AGM hits the scales at around 60 LB. At the end of the day, walking it up a steep beach it feels like 120 LB. So, rigging out a paddlecraft with a trolling motor greatly detracts from the main attraction of paddlecraft IMO: simplicity and access. To that end, a disclaimer. I always just paddle my kayak and use very simple troll gear like a mooching arrangement and hope for a breeze in the right direction."
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[Tyler]

Good info right there J.B.
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[Texican]

That's a nice looking setup.
Are your heart and mind set on it?
Have you considered peddle style kayaks?
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[5moreminutes]

Contact Fil spencer aka Fishman and he can tell you about it. Maybe even get you on a demo. Demo days are coming up next weekend and you should check out ACK for other demo days.

I had the tourque and it was nice. However I realized in water shallower than what this allows me to go in.
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[ThomasCarpenter]

Really nice post JB. That's awesome info. While I am going to have a hard time making it to demo days this weekend down there. I may have to get over to AKC in Austin.

Texican:I do not think I am 100% sold. I have look at the Hobie mirage systems. I am just afraid that having to lift my legs for an extended period from a seated stance may play he** on my lower back. When I say I am a big fella. It makes me worry about pushing the pedal to hard and shearing something out. How durable are these systems when it comes to the amount of pressure you can apply? I am built like your average NFL linebacker.

I agree 100% on the paddle craft reference. If I was still in my 20's I would scoff at the idea of a motor. They do have a no motor insert for the motor well. So days when my body feels up to it or there is a no motor tourney. I can go that route. I will still do a lil paddling while under way for health of my battery and myself. I do not see what it can hurt.
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