Motorised Kayaks from Switchsports in New Zealand

[marketgooroo]

It's good to see this idea works well. I had wanted to do the same thing with two kayaks once but never saw it through to a working project

The idea of joining two kayaks also works well if you go out fishing with a friend with a kayak. You paddle out separately to a good fishing spot then join your kayaks together with a beam to share a steady fishing platform

[fbtasmania]

I think this is a great idea for bays and lakes.

Going to suggest it to the members of our forum.

[M3iscool]

NICE idea!

[switchit67]

All the issues you mention are true. However, none have any great effect on this vessel due to the relatively low speeds it operates at. the Cavitation issue was encountered early on, but was overcome with use of standard long shaft motors. Drag from the propeller housing is not an issue.

[lgcs3110]

It seems to be a very funny toy, but I have heard for years that a single outboard motor doesn't work well in the open space between the hulls of a catamaran, because there is too much water turbulence between the hulls (causing propeller cavitation), and in addition, because there is too much drag from the propeller housing. So, I would like to know how did you deal with this issue.

[boughttheticket]

@lgcs3110

I put a 5 hp outboard on my nacra 16 (200#) in front of the mast between the hulls and got up to 8 mph.

It worked better in the middle of the boat than the back, but only because it threw the weight distribution off because I had to sit in the back to control the motor. Between the hulls you get more waves hitting the motor, but it works fine.

Looks like a great diving and all around platform.

[thedirtydeltas]

this was smarter than the others I saw believe me.

[DrChalkwithering]

I made a pontoon boat using two inflatable Sevylor Tahiti kayaks and a scaffold pole frame. One of the best boats I ever had, despite being a rickety homemade affair.

[switchit67]

With a 3.3hp motor , the Wingman will travel at approximately 6knots

[tomcortijo]

Hi Switchsports, how fast does the Wingman go with 2 people on and the 3.3hp Mercury attached??

Thanks a lot !

[wallyman4260]

hey i have a kayack like that or similar atlanti can you tell what kind of motor you use , how many hp ?thanks greetings from Argentina.

[switchit67]

We use various motors for small electric motors, up to 5hp petrol motors. This video was shot with a 3.3 hp mercury outboard motor

[marys1000]

So this was a do it yourself rig - sort of making a motorized tandem with two kayaks?

[switchit67]

Ths is a commercially designed product available for sale by the manufacturer

[Fonettik]

what did you use as braces between kayaks

[switchit67]

We use a "T6" tempered aluminium tube.