Two-person fishing kayaks are a great way to get out on the water with a friend or significant other. When fishing is your goal, however, you need to prepare so that you can actually spend most of your time doing that.
Navigation can be the toughest challenge with a tandem kayak. You and your paddle partner will need to be on the same page if you actually want to get anywhere to start casting your lines out.
That’s why it can be great to remove that challenge and just get a motor. The best two-person kayak with a fishing motor will make it easy to get around and change fishing locations throughout the day.
Additionally, you won’t tire yourselves out paddling (or arguing) before you even get to start fishing. A quality fishing motor doesn’t take too much battery power to power even the largest two-person kayak.
In this article, we’ll highlight eight two-person kayaks with fishing motor choices. We’ll also provide a comprehensive buying guide to help you select the right kayak for your fishing needs.
Also Read: Tandem Kayak vs Canoe
Jargon Buster
The kayaks used in these setups really aren’t super technical in their own right. So we’ll focus more closely on motor-related jargon that you might encounter in the remainder of this article.
Thrust
In fishing or trolling motors, thrust refers to the amount of power the motor generates. In general, you’ll need about two pounds of thrust for every 100 pounds you’re trying to move.
Shaft Length
The length of the shaft on a fishing motor also determines its performance. The shaft should be long enough to avoid coming out of the water in all conditions, but still short enough so that it doesn’t hit the bottom in shallow areas.
Motor Mount
A motor mount is an accessory built-into the back of many kayaks that are specifically made to be compatible with a fishing motor. This is how the trolling motor is mounted securely to the kayak.
A motor mount keeps your fishing motor in place and it also helps to reduce vibration. This makes your kayak ride more smoothly and makes your experience on the water more enjoyable.
Deep Cycle Battery
Most fishing motors require a trolling motor battery (typically of the deep cycle variety) as their primary power source. These are lead batteries that are made to provide power over a long period of time and sustain power until they’ve reached at least 80 percent discharge.
Buying Guide
Before we dive into our review of the eight two-person kayaks that we’ve chosen for this article, let’s explore the most important considerations when comparing these kayaks. This will help you narrow down your choices as you browse the kayaks we’ve included below.
Inflatable Versus Rigid
One of your first decisions will involve choosing between inflatable and rigid (sometimes called “rotomolded”) kayaks. There are some pros and cons to each type, which we’ll list briefly here.
The major benefit of an inflatable kayak is compact storage. You won’t need a whole bunch of extra space around the house to store an inflatable kayak and it’ll be much easier to transport when you’re ready to head out.
While inflatable kayaks don’t provide nearly as much rigidity or paddling performance as their rotomolded counterparts, their lightweight design means you won’t need a fishing motor with a bunch of extra thrust.
However, this does mean that you should look for a relatively lightweight trolling motor for this type of kayak. This is because you won’t have the most rigid area upon which to install a heavier motor.
Rigid (i.e. rotomolded) kayaks have the benefit of being able to support a larger trolling motor. This means you’ll be able to load your kayak down with more fishing gear and get to your favorite fishing holes more quickly.
The downside of a rigid kayak is the requirement for added storage space. Ideally, you’ll need a covered storage shed at home to protect your investment and it’ll take a little extra work to get a rigid kayak to and from the water.
Storage Capacity
The right two-person fishing kayak for you will have space for you, your paddle partner, and all of the gear you like to bring along. Make sure you’re not going to feel squished by getting a kayak that’s too small for you and all of your fishing gear.
But you should also make sure the storage areas on the kayak you choose are convenient to access.
This will allow you to more easily change up the bait, throw on an extra layer, or grab another cold beverage while you’re seated comfortably in your kayak.
Motor Thrust
The amount of thrust offered by a trolling motor determines its ability to adequately move your kayak when it’s fully loaded. As a general rule, it requires at least two pounds of thrust to move every 100 pounds of kayak (and human) weight.
Adding up the weight of your fishing kayak, all the gear in your tackle box, and of the riders will help you determine how much thrust you need.
It never hurts to add a couple of extra pounds of thrust to err on the safe side.
Ease of Entry and Exit
Even though you won’t have to spend a lot of extra energy paddling these two-person kayaks, you still want to be able to get in and out without a ton of extra effort.
The depth and width of a kayak play a large role in how easy (or difficult) it is to enter and exit.
Generally speaking, sit inside and inflatable kayaks are more difficult to enter and exit than their sit on top competitors. Sit on top kayaks are used for beginners and less flexible individuals because they are easiest to enter and exit.
Keep this in mind as you choose a two-person kayak for your fishing needs. A kayak with higher gunwales (sides) and a deeper cockpit will generally be harder to get in and out of than a kayak with a shallower cockpit and lower sides.
Seat Comfort and Adjustability
Although certain fishing kayaks are made to be stable enough to allow riders to sit or stand comfortably, you’ll still spend most of the time in your kayak in a seated position.
So you’ll want to make sure that your seat is both comfortable and adjustable.
The adjustability of a kayak seat is directly tied to the rider’s comfort. It is rare that you’ll find a singular position that is comfortable to sit in for multiple hours on the water.
Think about when you’re sitting at work or even for several hours at a movie theater. You probably shift around countless times to change where your weight sits and make yourself more comfortable.
This tends to happen a lot, even if we’re not necessarily always conscious of it. So it’s really important to have kayaks seats that can adjust to multiple positions as your body dictates what feels comfortable in the moment.
Included Accessories
A kayak that’s made specifically for fishing applications will usually have a variety of features that make your life easier on the water. But many kayaks these days also include a bunch of extra features that might distract you from what’s really important.
In our opinion, fishing rod holders and paddle parks are two of the most important features that every good fishing kayak should include.
Rod holders give you storage for extra rod and reel combinations while paddle parks give you a secure place to keep an extra paddle or two.
Even if you primarily use a motor to power your fishing kayak, you should always have at least one extra paddle on board. You just never know when you’ll need to use human power to make your way back to shore!
Weight Capacity
The kayak you choose has to be strong enough to hold the weight of two paddlers, all of your fishing supplies, and the motor mounted at the stern.
Most fishing kayaks are rated for extra weight, but it’s still advised to do a little math and compare your expected weight with the capacity of the kayak you’re interested in.
2 Person Kayak With Fishing Motor
1. Intex Excursion Pro with Intex Motor
The Intex Excursion Pro tandem is an inflatable kayak with a maximum weight capacity of 400 pounds.
It’s made with super-tough laminate PVC material and a polyester core that makes it both lightweight and resistant to damage from punctures, abrasions, or UV exposure.
It has two removable skegs on the bottom to help with straighter tracking and adjustable mounting brackets along the inside edges of the kayak for mounting fishing accessories, including fish finders and rod holders.
The Intex trolling motor attaches using the Intex motor mount (sold separately) and provides 40 pounds of thrust.
The motor has a shaft length of 36 inches and is best powered using a deep cycle 12-volt marine battery with a minimum rating of 60-ampere hours.
The motor can tilt both upwards and downwards to your desired angle and the hand speed control gives you multiple speed options. This motor has five forward speeds and three reverse speeds.
2. Sea Eagle 465 Fast Track with Watersnake Asp T24 Motor
Well this is a bit more than a two-person kayak, isn’t it? But for those that need the extra space because they have a lot of fishing gear, the Sea Eagle 465 Fast Track has a length of just over 15 feet and a maximum weight capacity of 795 pounds.
This kayak is made with a high-pressure, drop-stitch floor for improved rigidity and better tracking. It also features a removable skeg on the hull for improved speed and a total of 18 D-rings for attaching fishing gear and accessories.
You can install the compatible Watersnake Asp T24 Trolling Motor on the stern of this kayak for easier movement on the water. This motor has a 24-inch shaft and provides a total of 24 pounds of thrust.
This motor boasts 100 percent stainless steel parts and is finished with anti-corrosive paint so that you can use it in saltwater or freshwater settings. It requires a 12-volt deep cycle marine battery and has a low weight of fewer than seven pounds.
3. Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak with Coleman Company Motor
The Sevylor Coleman Colorado Two-Person Fishing Kayak has a length of 11 feet, six inches and a maximum weight capacity of 470 pounds. It’s made of 18-gauge PVC material with a 1000-denier tarpaulin bottom.
The entire upper section of the kayak is also wrapped in an 840-denier nylon cover to further protect it against scrapes, punctures, and UV exposure.
It comes with two Berkley Quick Set fishing rod holders, but also has attachment points for an additional two holders.
This 2-person fishing kayak comes with mount fittings designed specifically for the Coleman Colorado Sevylor Electric Motor. This motor provides 18 pounds of thrust and has an aluminum tube shaft with a length of 18.5 inches.
The motor requires a 12-volt deep cycle marine battery, which can be placed in the kayak’s large stern storage area. This motor also features a plastic bracket for easy transom mounting.
4. Sea Eagle 380x with Watersnake Asp T24 Motor
The Sea Eagle 380x is a tandem inflatable kayak with a total length of 12 feet, six inches. This kayak also measures 39 inches across and boasts a maximum weight capacity of 750 pounds, despite weighing just 40 pounds itself.
It’s manufactured with 1000-denier, polyester-supported, high-pressure fabric that gives the entire kayak added structure and puncture resistance.
It also includes four convertible drains to help you keep the cockpit water-free in all conditions.
To make it easier to get to your favorite fishing holes, you can attach the Watersnake Asp T24 Trolling motor to the stern of this kayak. This motor is light enough not to cause damage to an inflatable kayak, with a total weight of just 6.7 pounds.
This motor boasts a shaft length of 24 inches and provides a total of 24 pounds of thrust. It has high and low speeds, as well as forward and reverse, and draws a total of 24 amps when operating on a 12-volt battery at full speed.
5. Elkton Outdoors Tandem Fishing Kayak with Newport Vessels Kayak Series Motor
The Elkton Outdoors Tandem Fishing Kayak is 12.2 feet long and measures 36 inches across. This is a sit on top fishing kayak that offers a maximum weight capacity of 650 pounds and weighs a total of 72 pounds.
It boasts four inset fishing rod holders and two swivel rod holders. Each rider has a swivel rod holder located right in front of his or her seat, as well as a large storage compartment for keeping essential valuables dry and safe while you’re on the water.
This kayak also has a large open storage area in the stern, but this is most likely where you’ll install your Newport Vessels Kayak Series Trolling Motor for a more stress-free fishing experience.
This trolling motor offers 36 pounds of thrust and a 24-inch fiberglass shaft that gives you the freedom to place it at variable depths depending on how shallow it is where you’re fishing.
It’s also rated for saltwater or freshwater use and has a total of five forward speeds and three reverse speeds to choose from.
6. Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Kayak with Watersnake Asp T24 Motor
The Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Kayak is 12 feet, six inches long, and measures a total of 36 inches across. This inflatable kayak boasts a maximum weight capacity of 635 pounds while weighing just 35 pounds itself.
It’s made with 1000-denier reinforced material with quadruple-overlapped seams for added strength and durability at every inflatable kayak’s weakest points.
This kayak requires just seven minutes to reach full inflation and comes with a removable skeg for better tracking.
If you’re tired of having to paddle, you can install the Watersnake Asp T24 Trolling Motor to the stern of this kayak to get around quicker and easier.
With a weight of fewer than seven pounds, this fishing motor is the perfect choice for installing on an inflatable kayak.
It provides a total of 24 pounds of thrust and boasts a shaft length of 24 inches. All internal and external parts are made of stainless steel and finished with anti-corrosive paint to make this motor useful in both saltwater and freshwater settings.
7. Sea Eagle 420x with Watersnake Asp T24 Motor
The Sea Eagle 420x is a 14-foot inflatable kayak with a width measuring 39 inches across. This kayak boasts a maximum weight capacity of 855 pounds and comes with a repair kit, foot pump, and carry bag.
This kayak is manufactured with 1000-denier reinforced material with overlapped seams for increased durability. It takes a total of just nine minutes to inflate and also comes with two paddles, two seatbacks, and a removable skeg.
The Watersnake Asp T24 Trolling Motor weighs less than seven pounds and offers a total of 24 pounds of thrust. The shaft of the motor extends to a length of 24 inches and the motor requires a 12-volt deep cycle marine battery.
This trolling motor pulls a maximum draw of 24 amps at full speed and offers two forwards speed and one reverse speed.
The tiller on this motor if fixed in place and the anti-corrosive paint it is finished with makes it usable in both saltwater and freshwater conditions.
8. Lifetime Sport Fisher Tandem with Minn Kota Enduro C2 Motor
The Lifetime Sport Fisher tandem is a 10-foot kayak that’s versatile enough to support two paddlers or be setup if you want to go solo. It has a very stable hull design and boasts a maximum weight capacity of 500 pounds.
This kayak’s more compact design makes it easier to transport, as it doesn’t deflate like many of the others on our list. It also comes with three fishing rod holders and a large rear storage hatch for dry tackle or gear.
This kayak can be powered with the Minn Kota Enduro C2 Trolling Motor. This motor must be mounted on the stern of the kayak (mount sold separately) and it provides up to 30 pounds of thrust.
The shaft length on this trolling motor is 30 inches and it will require a 12-volt deep cycle marine battery for adequate power.
This is a freshwater trolling motor that provides maximum control with five forward speeds and three reverse speeds.
Our Pick – Sevylor Coleman Colorado 2-Person Fishing Kayak With Coleman Colorado Motor
For starters, the Sevylor Coleman Colorado earns our pick because it’s one of the most stable tandem kayaks out there. We like the fact that it’s inflatable because it won’t require a whole bunch of storage space at home when you’re not using it.
Tandem fishing can be a challenge, but this kayak has plenty of space for you and your fishing partner. It also has large storage areas in the bow and stern for fishing gear or personal supplies.
We also like that it’s compatible with a trolling motor that’s made by the same company that engineered the kayak itself.
This decreases the likelihood of compatibility issues when you have to buy two separate products to complete your kayak fishing setup.
It also means that you’ll only have one manufacturer to deal with if you have any issues. So if you go this route, make sure you familiarize yourself with Sevylor’s warranty policy.
Finally, we like this kayak because, unlike some of the others on our list that are compatible with a fishing motor, it is specifically designed for fishing.
This is evident in the multiple fishing rod holders it includes and the nylon cover that protects it against hooks and other sharp objects that are often related to fishing.
