Underwater thruster-powered Kayak Question

[ColinRowntree]

Here's a question that may be a bit far afield for this group, but I figure there might be someone here with some experience with this bit of "Kayak Heresy".
My winter project this year is building a Chesapeake Light Craft 12-foot Hybrid Wood Duck for some gunk-holing around New England ponds and rivers that would be too challenging for me to take my 16-foot 1936 Old Town Canoe out on solo.
Here's the kayak: https://clcboats.com/shop/boats/kay...od-duck-12-hybrid-recreational-kayak-kit.html

Now, here's the "heresy" part, I'd like to permanently hull-mount either a remote controlled single underwater thruster below the waterline plus a stern-mounted rudder for steering. For example: https://www.hobbywater.com/products/td-12v-underwater-thruster
or....
a pair of underwater thrusters permanently mounted side by side of the port and starboard sides of the hull below the waterline. It appears to me that these can be controlled by a handheld remote in the cockpit and be used to steer the kayak, forgoing the need for a stern-mounted rudder. Here is one of those for reference: https://www.amazon.com/APISQUEEN-Underwater-Thruster-Backward-Inflatable/dp/B0BS3PJ2YG/?th=1

I've already got a good Lithpo battery in a Newport Marine box that will fit under the aft storage hatch, so now it's just a matter of thinking this through.
Any suggestions? also links to where to buy what you recommend would be great!

Thanks!
Colin

 

[Benson Gray]

The obvious question is why not just add a motor bracket and electric or gas motor to your current 16-foot 1936 Old Town Canoe? If you really want a kayak then a variety of pedal and electric ones are available from https://oldtownwatercraft.johnsonoutdoors.com/us/shop/kayaks/fishing and other sources. Some other forum like the Wooden Boat one at https://forum.woodenboat.com/ might be a better resource for a question like this. Good luck,

Benson

 

[ColinRowntree]

Thanks Benson. I’ve already got an electric trolling motor, ash gunwale mount and mahogany wood rudder on my 16”OT. It’s blissful on “lazy days”.

But, as I’m one if those guys that likes to “tinker with things” (usually until I break them!) I’m just trying to figure out the best configuration for permanently mounted electrical turbo thrusters below the waterline.

I’m seeing a lot of these new stand up paddle boards have these. Just curious of any adaptations for kayaks.