dexstrom wrote:
Apparently no one has done this yet. I'm considering one of the DIY motors that others have made and posted on youtube. Mainly due to the cost for the evolve. Still trying to decide if I want to register my i11s with the Marine board which is required if I put a motor on it.
Having fished alongside hobies with motors, my thoughts are this: unless you're doing a lot of trolling, or have to cover a ton of water to reach your fishing grounds, I wouldn't opt for a motor in the drive well. Giving up the fine control in current with your mirage drive is not worth it, at least for the majority of my fishing.
Having said that, if you can somehow mount a motor in the back (I see a couple of products that claim easy rudder mounting), while keeping your mirage drive in place, that is definitely the best of both worlds. The hobies set up with torqueedos in the back is something to behold: increased range and efficiency, the ability to sit back and have a drink/sandwich while trolling/traveling, and the capacity to "sprint" towards breaking fish if you run the motor + pedal like mad...with no sacrifice over boat control if you need to drop a jig over a piece of bottom using your mirage drive to hold you in place.
I'm waiting for someone to rudder mount a bixpy to their hobie inflatable, but that seems unlikely (unless it's me!)