Walking through a sportfishing trade show can be intoxicating. The sheer volume of merchandise and people may overwhelm your senses. Your eyes are darting from product to product, and your ears are picking up fragments of sales pitches and deals being closed. As you make your way through the vendor displays and the buzz in your head finally begins to dissipate, individual products that truly stand out from the sea of tackle, boats, and accessories beg for your attention.
Being one of the larger independent kayak dealers in the Mid-Atlantic requires attending as many trade shows as my schedule permits. I feel accountable to my customers to thoroughly review products before making recommendations. Identifying new trends, networking with manufacturers, and negotiating fair deals are a part of my job. What caught my attention at the recent shows? The proliferation of electric propulsion. When major manufacturers like Garmin and Minn Kota design motors specifically for kayaks, you can be assured that this isn’t just a flash in the pan.
Motorized Kayaks are Customizable
It’s not a secret that motorization is a dominant trend in kayak angling. At the most recent ICAST show, nearly every kayak was either rigged with a motor (sometimes with multiple motors) or designed to accept some form of electric propulsion. From OEM (original equipment manufacturer) solutions to a plethora of aftermarket motor options, kayakers have many choices for covering more water than ever before. Minn Kota, Garmin, Newport Vessels, and Torqueedo are some of the most influential brands in the electric motor sector.
Trolling Motor Options
Garmin Force Current
Garmin Force Current is an interesting new player that has emerged in the kayak propulsion game. I first saw this motor at the 2025 ICAST Super Tuesday in-water showcase. Paired with the largest kayak that Bonafide currently manufactures, the XTR130, the Garmin pushed it effortlessly.
The Force Current is a stern-mounted motor with GPS anchoring technology. This is a unique offering because most trolling motors with GPS anchoring have traditionally been bow-mounted. In addition to anchor lock, Garmin offers throttle and steering control with the included hand-held remote, integration with compatible Garmin chartplotters, and optional wireless foot pedals to control steering and throttle. I will caution kayakers that the pedals are sensitive and require getting used to, so I prefer steering with the remote. The motor can be powered by a 12-volt or a 24-volt battery. I have tested it on a variety of kayaks of different lengths, weights, and hull designs. Regardless of the kayak design or the battery voltage, the Force pushed most of the boats to a top speed of approximately 4.5 mph. Stowing and deploying the motor is a snap with the supplied cord, eyelets, and v-cleat.
Minn Kota Kayak Terrova & Minn Kota Riptide Kayak Terrova
Another recently launched motor hails from one of the Johnson Outdoors brands. The Minn Kota Kayak Terrova sports a 36-inch shaft, integrates with select Humminbird fishfinders, features Spot-Lock GPS anchoring, is powered by a 12-volt battery, and is controlled via a hand-held micro remote. The Kayak Terrova is available in freshwater and saltwater variations. The white color indicates a saltwater application while its black counterpart is appropriate for fresh water.
I have installed the Terrova on the bows of an Old Town PDL 120 Pro and a Native Slayer Propel MAX 12.5, and the combinations worked very well. However, this motor weighs over 40 pounds and may not be an ideal choice for smaller craft. The additional 40 pounds can make lighter kayaks bow-heavy and may “stuff” the bow into wakes and waves. The Terrova does not come with stow/deploy pull cords, so either you (or your dealer) will have to rig a system if you wish to stow and deploy the motor from the kayak seat.
» Read More about the Minn Kota Riptide Kayak Terrova
Native and its sister brand, Bonafide, have embraced the motorization trend and the Native Hammer is a perfect example. This brand-new hull design is all about hardcore fishing. With multiple PowerLink plates, bow and stern motor mounting points, and a massive storage compartment that can swallow a group 31 battery, this kayak is just begging for a motor. The Hammer is Wizard Foot Steering Control-ready and comes standard with a swivel seat. One of the biggest innovations (and a departure from the traditional Propel drive) is the all-new Propel X-Range pedal drive. Its design allows it to be stored neatly forward when not in use. A built-in weed cutter is standard on this drive.
Also from the BIG Adventures family of brands, the new Native Slayer LTE is a hot seller in my shop and an excellent throw-and-go pedal kayak. This boat is a perfect candidate for car-topping anglers. The hull weighs only 60 pounds and the total weight (including the seat and the drive) tips the scales at 85 pounds. Don’t let the light weight or the low price fool you. This boat can handle lakes, ponds and back bays. I have a good amount of seat time in the LTE and my experience, overall, has been positive. It’s a quick and nimble boat for its size and pairs with the Garmin Force Current surprisingly well. Even with the motor and the battery weighing on the stern, the boat handles well and can top out around 4.6 mph. The Newport Vessels NK180 Pro is also an excellent choice for the LTE if GPS anchoring isn’t required.
Steering Challenges & Solutions
Motorization has also created a set of challenges for kayakers, which manufacturers and outfitters answered with solutions. One of the peskier challenges is overcoming the propeller torque while using the stock rudder to steer the kayak. Simply put, powerful motors like the Newport Vessels NK300 can render a rudder useless, forcing the kayaker to steer with the motor instead. Fortunately, the folks at Native engineered the Wizard Foot Steering Control. Wizard is a ball-bearing, smooth-as-butter system that allows kayakers to steer with their feet. Another simple yet incredibly effective steering solution is the S&J Steering Stick from S&J Rods. This kit couples a fiberglass pole to the steering triangle of a Newport Vessels motor, enabling the kayaker to push and pull the stick to turn the motor to port and starboard.
I realize that kayaking purists may be sticking needles into my likeness as they read this column, but the fact remains that motorized kayaks are becoming prevalent. I’m a saltwater angler slightly north of 50 years old who fishes tidal waters exclusively. I appreciate the help of an electric motor when traversing large bays or trying to hold steady over a tiny piece of structure that may have double-digit sheepshead. Call me lazy, but paddling against a current that’s ripping at 4 knots just isn’t my cup of tea.
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