Kayak Owners with Trolling Motors

Thinking seriously about getting one

• Overall, are you happy or disappointment you went this route?
• Does it add to the effort to paddle(or peddle) when not actively using

Purpose:

I bought a Jackson Mayfly last year, fished some local lakes. I'm very happy with it, but...

I have the itch to go out in the salt this year. Trouble is, I'm a hesitant to dip my toes in the ocean. Well, it my case it is Long Island sound, so not really the ocean. It does get fairly rough out there. I would mostly be hugging the shores and such, but my hesitation with the kayak(motor-less) is that I will paddle somewhere and then have trouble if the tides is against me getting back ashore. Plus, it think I would use it a bunch on larger fresh water lakes too..

I know I need a Salt/Freshwater model, would like to keep it under $1000. Not really interested in the side mount thing, would prefer control from the cockpit. 

Any experience, recommendations, words of advice?

Thanks,

Larry