I started with a paddle kayak (Bonafide RS117) for ponds and fishing along the lake shore last year.

 

I have a kayak trailer that I can back down ramps with.

 

Loving this setup.  

 

Contemplating a heavier and faster boat to get around the larger reservoirs in our area in North Georgia faster, and ultimately for nearshore fishing in New England bays and Florida.  

 

Looking at kayaks with pedal and motor drives.  I especially like the look of Old Town's kayaks with the motor mounted ahead.

 

What are some of the pros/cons to consider when weighing the benefits of one option over the other, setting aside price and exercise considerations?

 

 

 

Well, I love my SS127, so I added a Bixby motor. 

I like the center for my electronics, so Bixby on the rudder, FF on the pod. 

I've never had a pedal drive, when I was looking to add something besides paddling my intention was pedal drives.........turned out they were more expensive and heavier.  

1 minute ago, Dens228 said:

when I was looking to add something besides paddling my intention was pedal drives.........turned out they were more expensive and heavier.  

Thanks those are very interesting observations.

I pedal a 180 Hobie Compass.  I was offered a great deal on a Torqeedo last year and ultimately turned it down.  (I would have stern-mounted and kept fins.)  Probably the single biggest reason was that I car top my yak and a trailer isn't a good option for me at this time, so that won't be same factor for you.

Some of the other 'cons' that led to my decision:

- Battery cost, weight, charging

- I fish a lot of very skinny water and while I can feather my fins, I worried about damaging a motor

 

If choosing between pedals and motor now, I'd probably choose pedals.  I see a lot of guys with motors needing to paddle a fair amount for small maneuvers while fishing.  I have used my paddle twice that I can remember in the last two years.  That hands free freedom has become very important to me.  I covered 8 miles over 10 hours on a windy day a couple weeks ago.  I would be surprised if most motor guys (and gals) would have not been paddling by end of the day.

 

 

 I have a slight preference to peddling. I feel like I have a little better speed control.

 I enjoy the exercise.

 I don’t always feel like peddling if I’m going any distance.

 It takes up a lot of deck space.

 If I’m just out to fish, I use electric.

 

 

20 minutes ago, Choporoz said:

I pedal a 180 Hobie Compass.  I was offered a great deal on a Torqeedo last year and ultimately turned it down.  (I would have stern-mounted and kept fins.)  Probably the single biggest reason was that I car top my yak and a trailer isn't a good option for me at this time, so that won't be same factor for you.

Some of the other 'cons' that led to my decision:

- Battery cost, weight, charging

- I fish a lot of very skinny water and while I can feather my fins, I worried about damaging a motor

 

If choosing between pedals and motor now, I'd probably choose pedals.  I see a lot of guys with motors needing to paddle a fair amount for small maneuvers while fishing.  I have used my paddle twice that I can remember in the last two years.  That hands free freedom has become very important to me.  I covered 8 miles over 10 hours on a windy day a couple weeks ago.  I would be surprised if most motor guys (and gals) would have not been paddling by end of the day.

 

 

That's the beauty of the Bixby, 10 lbs total for the motor and battery.  Good luck finding a pedal unit that weighs that little. I've fished 8-10 hours on a one charge and also after making a slight rudder steering cable modification I can turn on a dime as well as maintain good position.  Steering with my feet also keeps my hands free to fish.  

SS127 and Bixby total was $2,700.  Cheaper and lighte than every pedal kayak I was considering.   I also don't trailer it, slide it into the bed of my truck. 

Get both, like Greg Blanchard on Youtube.

 

If I was going to upgrade my yak with one or the other I'd choose pedals. Try fiddling with a trolling motor while a fish is drawing you closer to shore. It's easy just to back pedal for a second, hands free. You could maybe set up a motor foot controlled though.

 

You'd need to register a yak with a trolling motor, at least in Cali. May as well get a small boat at that point.

15 minutes ago, schplurg said:

Get both, like Greg Blanchard on Youtube.

 

If I was going to upgrade my yak with one or the other I'd choose pedals. Try fiddling with a trolling motor while a fish is drawing you closer to shore. It's easy just to back pedal for a second, hands free. You could maybe set up a motor foot controlled though.

 

You'd need to register a yak with a trolling motor, at least in Cali. May as well get a small boat at that point.

In Illinois I need to register, it's a simple form and is good for three years.  I can guarantee I can get it in places any boat bigger than I kayak can't get to.  And I transport it in the back of my truck, pull into the lot and am on the water in 5 minutes. With a motor.  To each his own, the beauty of having all these choices.  

For me, motors are just not something that I want to get into, unless something changes with me personally.  I have an Old Town Predator PDL, and I had reservations about going the pedal route.  I have paddled for a few decades for fishing, to get to camp sites, and the sake of paddling alone.  The pedal drives certainly take less skill and make covering distances less exhausting.  As for my perceived advantages of the pedal drive:

1. I get exercise using them.

2. There's less rigging involved.

3. There's less maintenance.

4. No registration.

5. Less weight ( @Dens228has a great setup, but to get the range of a pedal drive, you have to add batteries.  Even lithium phosphate batteries have some heft to them).

6.  Like @Choporoz, I use a paddle less than I think I would with a motorized kayak.  

7. Money - this is not black and white.  I have a friend who has less in his Sea Ghost with a transom mount TM than I have in my Predator, but in an apples-apples comparison, the overall cost is usually lower for the pedal drive.

I don't fish tournaments, so I don't hate on the motorized kayaks.  They're just not what suits me.

@Dens228 @Choporoz @CountryboyinDC and others.  Guys, these are great comments and very insightful.  I can see the appeal and advantages of both options. I now think for my needs pedal is the way to go.