A trolling motor can allow you to work less when propelling your boat forward, letting you focus your efforts on fishing. If you have a large kayak, it’s important to get a powerful trolling motor that can propel you forward.
Even if you won’t use it as your primary method of propulsion, a large trolling motor is important if you are carrying a lot of gear.
Trolling motors are usually measured by thrusting power. The heavier your boat is, the more thrust you will need. Thrust is measured in pounds.
In this article, I will be showing you the largest trolling motors for your kayak. I have ordered them in terms of thrusting power, with the more powerful ones first. Let’s get into it!
Quick Summary
Some of the largest trolling motors on the market include:
- Rurazong 2200W Electric Trolling Motor
- PIAOCAIYIN Hangkai Outboard Trolling Motor
- NATICRISI Electric Trolling Motor 8 hp
- HWBWE Electric Trolling Motor
- Magji Trolling Motor, 24V, 120 lb Thrust
For the full list, read on!
Biggest Trolling Motors
1. Rurazong 2200W Electric Trolling Motor for Kayaks
This incredibly powerful Rurazong 2200W Electric Trolling Motor has a horsepower rating equivalent of 10 hp. In terms of sheer power and speed, this trolling motor is among the best you can get.
The brushless motor is made of pure copper and has a 2200W output, with top speeds of 3000 rpm. Its quick-switch knob starting system makes it incredibly easy to start up the motor.
Meanwhile, the omnidirectional rotation control lever makes it easy to control this motor. Despite its power, it only weighs 31 pounds. Also, it has a muffler that helps keep it quiet. The motor requires a 60V battery.
Note that it is Chinese-made, and the markings may be in Chinese. However, an English-language manual comes with the motor and will help you learn how to use it efficiently. The motor offers great value for money if you are looking for something fast.
2. PIAOCAIYIN Hangkai Outboard Trolling Motor
The PIAOCAIYIN Hangkai Outboard Trolling Motor has a copper core brushless motor with a rated power speed of 3000 rpm and 10 hp.
It has a quick-start system that lets you start up the motor quickly. You can also change the direction of the motor rather quickly, offering you excellent flexibility.
Despite its power, the motor’s silencer helps ensure that it doesn’t make too much noise. Its shaft is around 36 inches long.
3. NATICRISI Electric Trolling Motor 8 hp
This NATICRISI Electric Trolling Motor has a 2200W output and a horsepower rating equivalent to 8 hp. Its powerful motors can run at 3000 rpm top speed.
Stepless speed regulation, without shifting gears, can be achieved by turning the handle. There is a cruise control button that allows you to maintain speed.
There are also forward and reverse navigation buttons that allow you to easily change direction. With its omnidirectional rotation control lever, controlling your kayak will never have been easier. The shaft is around 36 inches long. In the package, you will find two three-blade propellers.
4. NATICRISI Electric Trolling Motor 7 hp
This NATICRISI Electric Trolling Motor has a max horsepower rating of 7 hp. Its powerful pure copper brushless motor has a 1800W output and a thrust of up to 2755.77 lb.
The propeller has three blades, which help reduce water resistance. Since the motor is made of high-quality aluminum alloy that is rust-resistant, it can be used for freshwater and saltwater fishing alike. It supports stepless variable speed as well as forward and backward steering.
5. HWBWE Electric Trolling Motor
The HWBWE Electric Trolling Motor can provide up to 1763.7 lb in thrusting power, making it one of the largest and most powerful electric trolling motors on the market.
The 1000W high-power brushless motor is incredibly efficient, providing speeds of up to 3000 rpm and top travel speeds of around five mph. Although it is incredibly powerful, it is also pretty quiet, mainly thanks to the silencer cover included on the top of the motor that helps deaden the sound coming from the motor.
A locking handle for the silencer cover lets you lock the cover in place so it doesn’t come off. Not only is it quiet, but it stays cool, even with extensive usage. There are multiple holes on the motor that help the heat escape.
It’s also easy to use. The throttle control handle lets you control the throttle with ease. It also features a 90-degree rotatable bracket and an omnidirectional rotating joystick to give you additional flexibility and convenience during use.
At the bottom of the shaft, above the propeller, there is an “anti-swirl” plate that helps prevent the propeller from splashing you with water while operating in shallow waters.
6. Magji Trolling Motor, 24V, 120 lb Thrust
This Magji Trolling Motor provides 120 lb of thrust power. The shaft, which is made of carbon fiber, is 28 inches long. There is also an ergonomic telescoping adjustable tiller handle for your convenience.
The trolling motor offers adjustable hanging support, making it perfect for installation on kayaks and canoes. Meanwhile, its three-blade propeller has thickened blades that can cut through marsh, allowing you to navigate all kinds of waters.
Thanks to its corrosion-resistant properties, it can also be used in saltwater, offering excellent durability. It can go both forward and backward. It features five forward and three backward speed levels, allowing you to adjust your pace with ease. The motor requires a 24V battery. A five-point LED indicator will help you keep track of how much battery power you have.
7. YUEWO 12V Electric Trolling Motor 88 lb Thrust
This YUEWO 12v Electric Trolling Motor provides 88 lb of thrust power, equivalent to around 2 hp. Its brush motor has a rated speed of up to 2000 rpm.
The shaft is made of durable composite fiberglass. It is around 27 inches long and around 1.1 inches in diameter. It runs on a 12V battery, which is not included in the package.
8. Newport NV-Series 86 lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor
This Newport NV-Series Thrust Trolling Motor provides 86 pounds of thrust and a top speed of around four mph. The three-blade propeller provides plenty of torque.
Once you get going, you can choose from eight speeds: five speeds for forward steering and three speeds for reverse steering. The trolling motor also offers reverse steering. It features a 36-inch adjustable shaft. It also has a six-inch telescoping tiller handle.
To use it on your kayak, your kayak will need a motor mount. It requires 24V battery power. To be more precise, you will need two 12V batteries. A 50 amp circuit breaker is included with the motor to help prevent power surges. It’s also pretty affordable, making it a great option if you can’t afford an expensive trolling motor.
9. DDYOOK 80 lb Thrust Transom Electric Trolling Motor
The DDYOOK 80 lb Thrust Transom Electric Trolling Motor offers speeds of up to 1.2 hp/1900 rpm. Max travel speeds on a kayak of around 7.5 feet long and with around 200 lb in loaded weight (including passengers and gear) will reach around 10 mph.
With five forward gears and three reverse gears, you can easily change direction and steer your kayak in any which way.
10. HASWING Electric Trolling Motor 80 lb
The HASWING Electric Trolling Motor has a 60-inch shaft, which is longer than most standard trolling motor shafts. You can adjust the depth of the shaft. It also provides 80 lbs of thrust power.
It offers excellent control options, as it comes with both a foot-powered control and a remote control, giving you more flexibility. It also provides various forward and reverse speed levels, so you can adjust the speed to your liking.
With the remote control, you can control not only the speed but also your turns. In addition, it provides a cruise control button. That allows you to cruise at a specific speed and maintain that speed while you free up your hands to do other things.
The propeller has two blades, and it can go up to 1500 rpm. The motor features a pedal for quickly deploying and stowing it, making your life easier. The LED power reader display at the top helps you keep track of your current battery power.
11. Newport NV-Series 62 lb Thrust Saltwater Transom Mounted Trolling Motor
Another great option is the Newport NV-Series 62 lb Thrust Trolling Motor. It is great for saltwater kayaking and fishing. It provides a top travel speed of around 4.25 miles per hour and requires only one 12V battery.
A 60 amp circuit breaker is built into the motor. The trolling motor has a shaft length of 36 inches and an extendable handle for your convenience.
12. Newport NK180 60 lb Kayak Trolling Motor
The Newport NK180 Kayak Trolling Motor has a 60 lb thrust, which is equivalent to a 1.8 hp rating. Its 24V brushless motor is extremely powerful, powering you at speeds of up to five knots.
It avoids internal gears to reduce noise production during use. It’s incredibly versatile, offering both forward and backward steering for your convenience. The stopless digital throttle control makes it incredibly easy to use, even if you are a beginner.
Meanwhile, the magnetic safety shut-off switch helps keep you safe. And, the LED battery meter helps you keep track of how much battery power you have left. The four-bolt motor mount attaches quickly and easily to PowerPole-ready fishing motor kayaks.
Other kayaks can also have it installed, although installation may require some drilling. The motor can be used with both lead-acid deep cycle or lithium deep cycle batteries. Ideally, you should look for a batter that has an output rating of 24V to 29V.
13. AQUOS Haswing White 12V 55 lbs Bow Mount Trolling Motor
The AQUOS Haswing Cayman B Trolling Motor (non-GPS version) provides up to 55 lb of thrust power. It allows for variable speed control – simply type in your desired speed. It comes with a remote control that can control the boat from a distance of up to 164 feet.
You won’t need that much of a distance, but the point is that it will work from wherever you are on your kayak or canoe, even if it’s a long kayak. With cruise control, you can focus on your fishing by freeing up your hands. You can turn your kayak around by making a 180-degree turn.
The aluminum alloy shaft is 54 inches long. You can adjust the depth easily using the depth collar. The motor features an ergonomic lifting handle that makes it easy to transport. Meanwhile, the quick-release bracket makes it easy to mount the motor. You can use this trolling motor in either freshwater or saltwater.
14. MotorGuide XI3 12V Saltwater Kayak Trolling Motor 55 lb Peak Thrust
The MotorGuide XI3 Trolling Motor provides 55 lb of peak thrust. Its shaft is 36 inches long. This trolling motor is perfect for kayaks and canoes. It’s recommended for use in saltwater. For a freshwater version, see the next product in our list. The motor comes with pinpoint GPS steering.
Thanks to the GPS, you can enjoy features like route recording. A great benefit of this motor is its wireless remote control, which comes included with the motor at no extra charge. This remote control kind of looks like a small garage door or car remote control fob, and it’s programmed to work with the motor out of the box.
Another benefit is that it comes with a SecureStep system that allows you to easily deploy and stow the motor. MotorGuide claims that this motor is 40 percent quieter than the competition. It runs on a 12V battery.
15. MotorGuide XI3 12V Freshwater Kayak Trolling Motor 55 lb Peak Thrust
This version of the MotorGuide XI3 is designed for freshwater kayaking. As before, it comes with features such as:
- A wireless remote control out of the box
- The SecureStep lever system for quick deployment and stowing
- A PinPoint GPS system
The LED dashboard has four LED notifications. It helps you keep track of:
- The motor’s power
- The propeller activity
- The PinPoint GPS status
- The motor’s battery life
You need a 12V battery to run this motor.
16. MotorGuide R3 Transom Mount Hand-Control
The MotorGuide R3 has a peak thrust of 45 lb. It features a 36-inch shaft made of durable fiberglass material.
This particular version offers a digital interface that allows you to enter your desired speed. It is a hand-controlled motor, which means that it doesn’t offer foot controls.
Final Thoughts
When deciding on a trolling motor for your boat, it’s important to take a few things into consideration. Balancing price and power can be tricky. More isn’t always necessary. Depending on your fishing kayak, 60 lb of thrust may be more than enough.
However, you should also look for additional features, such as reverse steering or variable speeds. Some motors have set speeds, while variable speed motors let you enter a specific speed. Remember to check each motor’s mounting system as well.
That will help you figure out which additional equipment, if any, you need to purchase for your kayak in order to install the trolling motor on your kayak. If you liked this article, check out our guide to trolling motor wire sizes!