bixby motor anyone?

for my revolution, anyone have one of these? are they worth it??am thinking of getting a rudder mount if i get one so that can use the peddles once i get to the spot.

The rudder mount is super cool n convenient, as long as you don't go someplace weedy. If the prop gets fouled by weeds, not only can you not use it, or clean it while on the water, but it will cause significant drag and tracking problems if you're just using the paddle or pedals. Something to consider.

That's exactly what I learned from the dual ROV thrusters that I mounted on the rudder of my Outback 2 years ago.  Strong ocean seaweed (think paracord strong) jammed them out of Fogarty and Sunset Bay and if the prop can't turn/free wheel, it creates drag.

I just finished remounting one to hang off the side and it worked great last Saturday on it's first outing. Planning to post an update and video on this very soon.

Motor on the rudder on water where you can get to shore, jump off and clear a jam- excellent.  On the ocean where that isn't so simple- not so good.

I use one on my Hobie 11s, did not like the rudder mount for reasons already mentioned.

thanks for the heads up on rudder mount, Do they clog easily??? so drive well mount to deal with clogs?? rogerdodger, you pick up all that? string??? in the ocean??

thanks for the heads up on rudder mount, Do they clog easily??? so drive well mount to deal with clogs?? rogerdodger, you pick up all that? string??? in the ocean??

Yep, that is the strong seaweed that I cleared out of the thruster at home. I'm guessing it came from those crude lines we see out looking for salmon, impossible to avoid going over/through it now and then.

so these foul easily??? look forward to seeing that video.

so these foul easily??? look forward to seeing that video.

Not sure I would say that but it did seem like in ocean conditions with a certain level of junk in the water they would need to be cleaned occasionally, like mirage drives.  I did try to break a piece of that stuff by hand and could not, strong like paracord.

The Bixby motor is not powerful enough for ocean and rivers. A much more powerful motor is NK180 by newport vessels. They also recently released NK300 which is higher voltage, more powerful and efficient. Here is how I mounted my NK180. I had to expand drive well by about half an inch in order for it to fit. I am very happy with this solution.

nice! how did u expand the well? heat gun ?
drive still fit?? pic of that?

Yes, careful work with heat gun and it took me half a day. Drive still fits perfectly. I only had to expand the bottom part of the well because of how the sides of the drive well are angled. It's not apparent but if you closely examine it you will notice. The top part where drive drive locks sit is untouched. I believe I only needed 1/8 of an inch clearence for the motor to fit but I did close to a half inch so it's easier to remove the motor.

Nice job creating a drivewell insert/mount for your outback!  I have been curious on a way to create one.  Is the option you took the 36 or 55 lbs of thrust?

Yes, careful work with heat gun and it took me half a day. Drive still fits perfectly. I only had to expand the bottom part because of how the sides of the drive well is angled. It's not apparent but if you closely examine it you will notice. The top part where hinges, locks for the drive sit is untouched. I believe I only needed 1/8 of an inch for the motor to fit but I did close to a half inch so it's easier to remove the drive.

Outstanding, great approach.  I love the variety of approaches that can be used to get more out of our fishing kayaks.

Nice job creating a drivewell insert/mount for your outback!  I have been curious on a way to create one.  Is the option you took the 36 or 55 lbs of thrust?

I am not sure if I can post links but here are the screenshots of both motors. The NK300 just started shipping yesterday for people who pre-ordered it a while ago but I think it's overkill for our kayaks. The NK180 is more than enough. I can get up to 8mph on it depending on conditions and my battery (54Ah, built myself) lasted me about 25miles trolling Columbia and getting back to launch point in heavy current and against the wind. The NK180 goes on sale occasionally on Amazon. I've seen it as low as $700. Got mine locally from Next Adventure.

bigfishy nice setup! how much does ur battery weigh and u made the battery box? also made made the part that secures motor in drive well?