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Native Slayer Propel Max Foot Steering Install
How to add foot steering for a stern motor on a pedal drive kayak
Adding electric motors to fishing kayaks has become increasingly popular over the past few years, even with pedal drive kayaks like the Native Slayer Propel Max 12.5. Electric motors, like the Newport Vessels NK300 3HP kayak motor, allow for greater range and speed, so you can cover more water and get to the fish you’re chasing. If you install an electric motor on the stern (the back) of your kayak, you will need a steering mechanism up in the cockpit. Foot steering allows your hands to remain free for casting, reeling, and operating a throttle controller.
A major consideration for foot steering on the Native Slayer Propel Max is clearance for the Propel Drive pedals. We can’t mount it to the sidewalls effectively, but we can mount the foot steering sliders to the tracks along the cockpit gunwales. Then we can run steering line tubes from the cockpit to the stern and hook up the motor to the sliding foot braces.
Parts List
For the Native Slayer Max Propel 12.5 foot steering, we’ll use the following parts:
- Newport Vessels NK300 kayak motor
- Sealect Designs Kayak Recreational Foot Brace with rudder control
- YakAttack 90 Degree MightyMount Adapter x4
- YakAttack 1/4-20 Track Nut 6-pack
- 4mm ID, 6mm OD Polyurethane tubing for steering cable
- Kayak Steering/Haul Line, Spectra, 10’ length X2
- 1/4-20 Stainless bolts
- 1/4-20 Rubber Washers, 1/4" thick
Tools
- 15/64” (6mm) drill bit
- Metal putty knife
- Electric Drill
- Phillips screwdriver
- Lighter
Mounting the Steering Tracks
We used the Yakattack 90 Degree MightyMount Adapters (2 per track) to mount the Sealect Designs foot brace rail on the cockpit gunwale tracks. You will need to experiment with the right length of 1/4-20 hardware so it does not interfere with the slider and foot brace when you attach them to the slider rail. (Note in the next photos, we used the black wing knobs to secure the rail to the adapters.) Also, notice how we mounted the 90 Degree Adapters facing out. This gives more clearance in the cockpit. To make sure the foot brace rail fits correctly, we added a 1/4-20 rubber wash as a spacer between the adapter and rail. The rail should be aligned flush with the inner wall of the kayak now.
Add the Foot Braces
Add the adjustable foot braces to the rails, making sure the line tie is toward the seat. You can Adjust the position of the foot braces by releasing the red tab and sliding them up or down. You can also trim the sliding rail with a miter box and saw if they are too long for your liking.
Run the Tubes and Steering Line
You’ll want an extra set of hands for this next step, preferably something with long, skinny arms. In the cockpit tackle box storage area, you’ll drill a 15/64” (6mm) hole. Back at the stern (rear) of the kayak, you’ll drill a 15/64” hole in the handle recess. Alternatively, you could use OneObjective Thru Hull Lines Guides, carefully drill out the hole larger, and mount them to the inner wall of the stern tankwell. You’ll then need to run the 6mm OD tubing through the hull from the hole drilled in the cockpit, grab it from the stern access hatch, and run it through the hole you drilled in the stern. Next, flare the tube end at the cockpit by heating the tube carefully with a lighter, and evenly pressing it on a metal putty knife. Add a little silicon, and snuggly pull the tubing from the stern to seat it. Now gently pull another inch to tighten the tubing in the hull, use locking vice grip pliers to hold the tube while you trim and flare the stern side. Now just repeat for the other side. With the other side complete, you can run the spectra steering line and connect it to your motor.
Steering in Action
Check out Festive Water Paddlesports team member Jorge Pompa with his Native Slayer Propel Max 12.5 with his Newport Vessels NK300.
Follow him on Instagram at @jorgepompa_bassangler.
