How to choose the electric motor for your fishing kayak

To choose an electric kayak motor you need to decide three things: the power, based on the size of your kayak and the water you fish; the battery, based on how many hours you want to be out; and how you control it, with a hand-held remote or a foot pedal. Once that is clear, the choice among 3Lithium motors comes down to two or three models. In this guide we use the figures from the manufacturer's spec sheets so you can compare on data.

Updated October 2026.

If you're not yet sure how a motor is mounted on a kayak or what the rules say, start with our guide on how to fit a motor to a kayak.

Power: 450 W, 1 hp, 2 hp or 3 hp

Power decides your top speed and the thrust you have left when there is wind or current. The 3Lithium range has four steps:

Between 1 hp and 2 hp the difference shows mainly in top speed: the UltraPro 1CV reaches 9.3 km/h and the UltraPro 2CV 11.16 km/h. If you nearly always fish a calm reservoir from a single kayak, the 1 hp model is usually enough. If you go out to sea or carry a lot of kit, the extra margin of the 2 hp gets you back without cutting it fine.

Battery: watt hours tell you how long it lasts

A battery's capacity is measured in watt hours (Wh). The more Wh, the longer you can stay out, but speed matters as much as the battery. The UltraPro 1CV table with the 750 Wh TR1650 battery, measured by the manufacturer in optimum conditions, shows this well:

With the same battery, running flat out gives you 17.4 km against 80.3 km at a slow pace: the slow pace covers more than four times the distance. So before looking for the biggest battery, think about the pace you will travel at. With wind, current or more weight on board, every figure goes down.

Two other figures from the spec sheets: the Advance's TR1245 battery (499.5 Wh) gives 3 to 5 hours at medium speed, and the 1,100 Wh PowerBox 3 for the MK2 motors gives more than 6 hours with the 1 hp motor and more than 4 with the 2 hp.

The battery voltage has to match the motor

Each motor runs at one voltage and only accepts batteries of that voltage. 3Lithium has four families: 12 V (Advance), 16.8 V (UltraPro and MK2), 24 V (24 V Ultra EVO STG and STG-PP1) and 42 V (42 V Ultra EVO STG, STG PPK and STG-PP2). A 16.8 V motor will not work with a 12 V battery, and a 42 V motor will not work with a 24 V one either.

Within each family you can change battery later on. The UltraPro MK2 1CV without battery (€799) is designed for anyone who already owns a 3Lithium 16.8 V HV battery, and the Advance takes the 12 V batteries in the range so you can gain range without changing motor. Before buying a battery on its own, send us your motor model and we will confirm that it fits.

Hand-held remote or foot pedal

The UltraPro motors are operated with a three-button wireless remote. STOP halts the motor instantly, whatever the speed. The ‘+’ button raises forward power from 0 to 100%, and the ‘−’ button runs in reverse up to 50%, a limit set for safety. The 2026 UltraPro 2CV introduces a remote with telemetry that shows speed, consumption in amps and watts, battery charge, motor temperature and the range you have left.

The Ultra EVO STG and the STG PPK have an integrated foot pedal and a remote control with a digital display. With the pedal you steer with your feet and keep your hands free to fish while the motor holds position. None of the remotes is submersible, so keep yours protected from the water.

Fitting it to the kayak

The UltraPro and Advance motors come with the Motor Mount universal stern mount, which fits the mounting systems of the Alborán FX3, Wildcat FX, Supernova FX, Outback, Compass and kayaks of similar shape. If your kayak needs a special plate, tell us the model and we will let you know what options there are.

On the Ultra EVO STG you choose the plate and the shaft length. For Galaxy kayaks the combination is a 150 mm shaft with the Galaxy plate. For Hobie and all other brands the standard plate is used, and it is worth measuring the shaft length you need beforehand.

Weight of the kit

The motor travels in the car and is fitted on the shore, so weight counts. The UltraPro 1CV with the TR1650 battery weighs 10.2 kg in total: 5.2 kg for the battery, 3.6 kg for the motor and 1.4 kg for the mount. The 42 V Ultra EVO STG 3CV weighs 11.8 kg: 8.2 kg for the battery, 3.3 kg for the motor with its mount and 300 g for the remote. The batteries come in a watertight case, rated IPX58 on the UltraPro and IPX67 on the Ultra EVO STG.

Safety and use at sea

All 3Lithium kayak motors have the HAA man-overboard system: if the angler falls into the water and loses the safety key, the motor stops by itself. The motor can be used in salt water with minimal care: rinse the motor and mount with fresh water after every trip and put dielectric grease on the connectors. The 3-year legal guarantee covers manufacturing defects; that maintenance is the user's responsibility.

Prices of 3Lithium electric kayak motors

Prices include VAT, October 2026. The Ultra EVO STG motors are also sold in a Black Edition finish, at €2,399.99 (24 V) and €2,599.99 (42 V). Shipping a motor costs €150 to any of the 29 European countries we ship to.

Frequently asked questions

What electric motor do I need for a 4-metre fishing kayak?

For a single kayak of around 4 metres on calm water, either the 450 W Advance, designed for kayaks up to 400 cm, or the UltraPro 1CV, for kayaks up to 430 cm and 60 kg unladen, will do. If you go out in wind, current or at sea, look at the UltraPro 2CV or the Ultra EVO STG.

How many hours does a kayak motor battery last?

It depends mainly on speed. With the UltraPro 1CV and the 750 Wh TR1650 battery, the manufacturer measures 19 h 12 min at 4.2 km/h and 1 h 52 min at 9.3 km/h, in optimum conditions. With wind, current or more load, it lasts less.

Can I fit a bigger battery later on?

Yes, as long as it has the same voltage as the motor. A 16.8 V UltraPro takes other higher-capacity 16.8 V HV batteries, and moving from the PowerBox 2 (750 Wh) to the PowerBox 3 (1,100 Wh) gives 47% more energy with the same MK2 motor.

Can an electric kayak motor be used at sea?

Yes. After every trip in salt water you need to rinse the motor and mount with fresh water and put dielectric grease on the connectors. The remotes are not submersible.

What happens if I fall into the water with the motor running?

The HAA system, standard on all 3Lithium kayak motors, stops the motor when the angler falls into the water and loses the safety key.

If you are torn between two models, email us at info@peskayak.com or call +34 605 080 940 with your kayak model and the water you fish, and we will tell you which one suits you. All the models are in electric kayak motors.