Best of · Trolling Motors
Best Kayak Trolling Motors (2026)
Five 12 V transom motors that suit kayaks, from Newport's kayak-specific 24-inch models to 30-inch motors for taller mounts.
By Outdoor Spec Desk Editorial· Updated · 5 picks
This page was drafted with AI assistance from manufacturers' specs and manuals, and is checked by our editor.
The short list
| # | Product | Key feature | Pros / Cons | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Newport Kayak Series 55 lb (24" Shaft)Best Overall for KayaksEditorial score:7.9/10 | A 55 lb, 12 V saltwater-rated transom motor built for kayaks and canoes, with a 24-inch adjustable shaft, 5'6" battery cable and 5 forward speeds. |
| View on Amazon (paid link) |
| 2 | Newport Kayak Series 36 lb (24" Shaft)Best for Calm Water and Long DaysEditorial score:7.6/10 | A 36 lb, 12 V saltwater-rated kayak motor that draws 29 A and weighs 18 lb, with a 24-inch adjustable shaft and 5 forward speeds. |
| View on Amazon (paid link) |
| 3 | Newport NV-Series 55 lb (30" Shaft)Best for a Taller Motor MountEditorial score:7.9/10 | A 55 lb, 12 V fresh and saltwater transom motor with a 30-inch shaft, eight speeds and a 5-LED battery meter. |
| View on Amazon (paid link) |
| 4 | Newport NV-Series 36 lb (30" Shaft)Lightest 30-Inch OptionEditorial score:7.7/10 | A 36 lb, 12 V fresh and saltwater transom motor with a 30-inch shaft, a 29 A maximum draw and an 18 lb weight, by Newport's figures. |
| View on Amazon (paid link) |
| 5 | Minn Kota Endura C2 30 (30" Shaft)Best Freshwater-Only PickEditorial score:7.6/10 | A 30 lb, 12 V transom motor with a 30-inch shaft, five forward and three reverse speeds and a battery meter. |
| View on Amazon (paid link) |
We picked these from the makers' specs. On a kayak, three numbers matter most: shaft length (the propeller must sit below the surface without hitting bottom), amp draw (it sets how long a small battery lasts) and weight. Our trolling motor sizing guide explains thrust.
Newport's Kayak Series uses a 24-inch shaft; most other small transom motors use 30 inches, which suits a taller motor mount. If you fish saltwater, skip freshwater-only motors such as the Minn Kota Endura C2 30.
None of these motors includes a battery. A 12 V deep-cycle marine battery is the usual choice; Newport suggests 50 Ah for its Kayak Series.
Our picks in detail
Newport Kayak Series 55 lb (24" Shaft)
Newport · Kayak Series 55 lb (23M1000403)
55 lb of thrust on a 24-inch adjustable shaft with a 5'6" cable, rated for saltwater.
- Thrust
- 55 lb
- Voltage
- 12 V
- Shaft length
- 24 in, height-adjustable
- Mount
- Transom
- Speed control
- 5 forward, 3 reverse
- Steering
- 6 in telescoping tiller handle
Pros
- 24-inch shaft sized for kayaks and canoes, shorter than the 30-inch shaft on the NV-Series 36, 46 and 55 lb
- 5'6" cable for flexible battery placement
- Freshwater and saltwater rated
- 60 A breaker in the box
Cons
- 52 A draw empties a 50 Ah battery quickly at full speed
- A 24-inch shaft is too short for most jon boat transoms
- Brushed motor, per Newport
Newport Kayak Series 36 lb (24" Shaft)
Newport · Kayak Series 36 lb (23M1000402)
Draws 29 A against 52 A for the 55 lb, and weighs 18 lb.
- Thrust
- 36 lb
- Voltage
- 12 V
- Shaft length
- 24 in, height-adjustable
- Mount
- Transom
- Speed control
- 5 forward, 3 reverse
- Steering
- 6 in telescoping tiller handle
Pros
- 29 A max draw, against 52 A for the 55 lb version, so a battery lasts longer
- 18 lb, 5 lb lighter than the 55 lb version
- 24-inch adjustable shaft and 5'6" cable for kayaks and canoes
- Freshwater and saltwater rated
Cons
- 36 lb of thrust struggles against wind and current with a loaded boat
- A 24-inch shaft is too short for most jon boat transoms
- Smaller 2-blade propeller, per Newport
Newport NV-Series 55 lb (30" Shaft)
Newport · 23M1000203
The same 55 lb, 52 A and 23 lb as the Kayak Series, on a 30-inch shaft.
- Thrust
- 55 lb
- Voltage
- 12 V
- Shaft length
- 30 in
- Mount
- Transom
- Speed control
- 5 forward, 3 reverse
- Steering
- Telescoping tiller handle
Pros
- Rated for fresh and saltwater
- The 30 in shaft suits low transoms on inflatables, kayaks and small jon boats
- Large three-blade propeller on the 55 lb model
Cons
- 30 in may be too short for higher transoms or choppy water
- Fixed speed steps rather than variable speed
- A 2-year warranty, with no lifetime shaft guarantee like Minn Kota's
Newport NV-Series 36 lb (30" Shaft)
Newport · NV-Series 36 lb (23M1000205)
18 lb and 29 A on a 30-inch shaft, rated for saltwater.
- Thrust
- 36 lb
- Voltage
- 12 V
- Shaft length
- 30 in
- Mount
- Transom
- Speed control
- 5 forward, 3 reverse
- Steering
- 6 in telescoping tiller handle
Pros
- 18 lb by Newport's figures, the lightest saltwater-rated motor we review
- 29 A maximum draw, the lowest in the NV-Series range, is easy on one 12 V battery
- Rated for fresh and saltwater
- Newport includes a 40 A circuit breaker in the box
Cons
- 36 lb of thrust suits light boats only
- Fixed speed steps rather than variable speed
- Ships with a small two-blade propeller, while the 46 lb and larger models get three blades
- A 2-year warranty, with no lifetime shaft guarantee like Minn Kota's
Minn Kota Endura C2 30 (30" Shaft)
Minn Kota · Endura C2 30 (1352270M)
A 30 lb Minn Kota with a 30-inch shaft and a lifetime-guaranteed composite shaft.
- Thrust
- 30 lb
- Voltage
- 12 V
- Shaft length
- 30 in
- Mount
- Transom
- Speed control
- 5 forward, 3 reverse
- Steering
- Hand tiller
Pros
- Light enough to carry to a canoe or small boat
- 30 A maximum draw is easy on a single battery
- Built-in battery meter
- Minn Kota's composite shaft, guaranteed for life
Cons
- 30 lb of thrust suits small, light boats only
- Five fixed speeds rather than variable speed control
- Freshwater only
Frequently asked questions
- How much thrust does a kayak trolling motor need?
- For a solo kayak on calm water, 30 to 36 lb is usually enough. For wind, current or a heavier load, 55 lb gives more margin, at the cost of a higher amp draw (52 A for Newport's 55 lb models).
- What shaft length do I need for a kayak?
- It depends on the mount height. Newport sizes its Kayak Series at 24 inches for kayaks and canoes; motors with 30-inch shafts suit taller mounts.
- Can I use these motors in saltwater?
- The Newport Kayak Series and NV-Series are rated for freshwater and saltwater. The Minn Kota Endura C2 30 is a freshwater motor.