Motorized Fishing Kayaks in 2026: Best Picks & What to Know Before You Buy

TL;DR — Our top motorized fishing kayaks

Use case	Winner	Why
Best overall	Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120	Integrated Minn Kota + GPS Spot-Lock, remote control
Best for big water	Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136	13'6", 660 lb capacity, same AutoPilot system
Best compact motorized	Old Town Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota	45 lb thrust on a transportable 10'6" hull
Best budget tandem motor	Brooklyn 14.0 Pro Motorized Tandem (BKC)	Factory trolling motor, 750 lb capacity, 2-person
Best budget solo motor	Brooklyn PK13 with Trolling Motor (BKC)	Pedal + motor solo kayak for far less

How we picked

On method: we haven't run all of these motor rigs ourselves, so this is a researched comparison built from motor type, thrust, capacity and weight specs, verified owner reviews, and longtime-angler opinion. For motorized kayaks the motor system and stability matter most, and Old Town's integrated Minn Kota models keep standing out.

The first time you tap Spot-Lock and the kayak holds itself over a brush pile in a 15-mph wind while you fish with both hands, a motorized kayak makes sense. Just don't skip the boring parts: most states make you register it, and a rigged motor kayak with a battery is a heavy machine. Plan for both before you fall in love with the fishing.

Why a motorized kayak? (And the catches)

A motor extends your range, fights wind and current, and — with GPS Spot-Lock — anchors you electronically so both hands stay free to fish. For big water and serious anglers, it's transformative.

The catches are real and worth stating plainly:

• Registration — in most U.S. states, a motor makes your kayak a registered vessel. Check your state first.
• Weight — rigged motorized kayaks often run 120–160+ lbs. Plan for a trailer or cart and help.
• Battery — almost never included; you'll add a 12V deep-cycle (SLA or lithium) and charge it.
• Cost — premium integrated systems are a real investment.

Integrated AutoPilot vs a trolling-motor kayak

Two very different approaches:

	Old Town AutoPilot	Trolling-motor kayak (BKC etc.)
Motor	Integrated GPS Minn Kota	Standard trolling motor
Spot-Lock (GPS anchor)	Yes	No
Control	i-Pilot remote + foot rudder	Hand tiller
Cost	$3,000–5,000	$1,500–2,200
Best for	Hands-free, big water, serious anglers	Budget motorized propulsion

The picks in detail

1. Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 — best overall

The benchmark motorized fishing kayak. A fully integrated, saltwater-ready, GPS-enabled Minn Kota trolling motor drives and steers via a Bluetooth i-Pilot remote, and Spot-Lock holds your position automatically so both hands stay on the rod. Built on Old Town's ultra-stable DoubleU hull with a 558 lb capacity and through-hull wiring for a fish finder. ~$4,499 (battery not included). Our overall pick.

2. Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 136 — best for big water

The bigger AutoPilot. At 13'6" with a 660 lb capacity and 45 lb of thrust, it's the one for open water, bigger anglers, and hauling serious gear — with the same GPS Spot-Lock system. Around $4,799.

3. Old Town Sportsman 106 Powered by Minn Kota — best compact motorized

Motorized performance in a transportable package. The 10'6" Sportsman 106 pairs the stable DoubleU hull with a low-profile 12-volt Minn Kota motor (45 lb thrust) — easier to car-top and store than the big AutoPilots, for around $2,999. A great entry to motorized fishing.

4. Brooklyn 14.0 Pro Motorized Tandem (BKC) — best budget tandem motor

Brooklyn Kayak Company brings motorized fishing way down in price. This 14-foot tandem ships with a factory-installed trolling motor, a 750 lb capacity, and room for two — around $2,199. No GPS Spot-Lock, but real motorized range for a fraction of AutoPilot money.

5. Brooklyn PK13 with Trolling Motor (BKC) — best budget solo motor

A solo PK13 that combines a pedal propeller drive with a trolling motor, plus rod holders and a 550 lb capacity, for around $1,499. The most affordable way into motorized kayak fishing — pedal when you want exercise, motor when you don't.

Beyond the kayak

• A 12V battery — SLA (cheap, heavy) or lithium LiFePO4 (light, long-lasting). See our best LiFePO4 battery guide for sizing principles.
• A paddle — always carry a backup; see our best kayak paddles guide.
• A PFD — our best PFDs for kayak fishing.
• A fish finder — many motor kayaks are pre-wired; see our fish finder setup guide.

New to the sport? Start with our kayak fishing for beginners guide, or compare all hull and propulsion types in our best fishing kayaks guide.

Bottom line

For most anglers who want it, the Old Town Sportsman AutoPilot 120 is the best motorized fishing kayak in 2026 — GPS Spot-Lock and remote control make it uniquely hands-free. Size up to the AutoPilot 136 for big water, go compact with the Minn Kota–powered 106, or save big with Brooklyn Kayak Company's trolling-motor models. Whatever you choose: check your state's registration rules and budget for a battery.