Trying to decide on a new electric motor setup for my 13' and 600lbs capacity kayak with a transom.

 

The plan is to be able to take the kids up the smaller rivers in decent comfort and then have a relaxed fishing paddle down back. Probably looking at 400lbs-450lbs of total weight. The rivers I am looking at are in range of 400 to 750 cubic feet per second discharge rate with a relatively unobstructed and several feet deep main current sections. They are also pretty covered from any major wind.

 

Any advice on some specific setups. I think 30lb motor is not gonna make it so looking at 45+ models. I would probably like to get at least 1.5h to 2h of up stream motoring.

 

Thank you.

It's always hard to say because it's not just related to the size and weight of your kayak, but also the design of the hull, the balance point of the kayak, and where you install the motor.  

 

Minn Kota suggests that you'd need a 30lb trolling motor.  They recommend that for up to 14' in length and 1,500 lbs.  Therefore, I wouldn't go above 45 lbs, as you won't likely gain much (if any) speed, but definitely lose a lot of battery life trying to power anything bigger.  

 

I use a 30lb TM on my 12' kayak that weighs about 350 lbs., everything included.  I don't fish rivers, but I've used it on big, open lakes in 25+ mph winds with white capping waves.  It's plenty enough to get me back to the bank, against the wind and waves, in bad weather.  It's also heavy enough that between it and the battery (which sits behind me), my kayak is unbalanced (stern heavy).  Not enough to be dangerous, but enough to notice.  I have no desire to go bigger, as I don't think it would offer me anything other than less money and range.  

Thank you for the input.

 

Also looking at possible btackish/saltwater options and that puts me in the territory of the Minn kota Riptide 45lb with power maximizer. Anyone familiar with this model?

I've never had a Riptide, but I'd buy one without a second thought. It looks nearly like the Endura Max 55 I bought this year and I love it after many years of using a 1995 Minn Kota with the mazimizer and 27 pounds of thrust. It moves my heavy jon boat nearly as well as the Maxxum 70 on the bow.

 

I have a 1648 Grizzly with carpet, extended rear deck, 3 67# batteries and a bunch of junk that makes it an extremely stable boat (heavy.) The bare hull was 495# before I started on it. Add a couple of 220-pounders and it starts adding up. A friend has a Maxxum 70 and a small old Minn Kota on a Polar Kraft 1648 and another friend has two 12v Minn Kotas on a Alumacrat 1448. All maximizers. I wouldn't buy one that didn't have a  maximizer. If you run a maximizer motor at full speed it will eat a battery just like running a 5-speed on 5. If you run at half power or 2/3rds it makes the battery last two or three times as long.